Sleeping Bag Ratings - late fall camping

[Sharkbait22]

Any advice from those that camp a lot. If -7C is the lowest temperature to encounter, the average is -2C, and can be up to 5C, then what rating should I get? Plan for the worst so a -7 or -10 bag? Or double that number? I'll have a good pad and be in a tent. Can also wear more clothing I suppose e.g., toque if needed. The worst is being cold. Spring trout fishing likely have the most experience. Thanks

[cram]

My impression of sleeping bag ratings is that they are typically pretty inflated (not unlike a 4 man tent really being a good fit for 2 or 2.5). You'd be better off for something rated higher. Or lower, if you know what i mean..

 

Your pad underneath is important so good that you have one of those. Can also be helpful to stuff the bottom of your bag with dry clothes, if that is otherwise empty space. Mummy bags are warmer (less empty space inside them) but they take some getting used to. I'd rather have a looser fiiting bag that's rated for colder weather.

 

One more note - wear dry clothes at night. When I was younger I'd just crash in whatever clothes I was wearing through the day. That can be a mistake in cold weatjehr if your clothes have any sweat or other moisture in them. (not to mention food smells, which can be a concern if you're in bear country)

Edited August 28, 2014 by cram

[davew3]

Sharkbait22, get the warmest you can. On warm nights you can open it up to cool down, but if you get cold, then it is no fun.

 

I have spent a few night with little sleep from shivering.

 

Then I spent the money for a down filled bag and have had it for many years.

 

Warmer is better.

[Musky or Specks]

I use a -10 bag for Ice out trout and have never had a problem. I combine it with a thermal bad as I haamock camp to make sure my back stays warm and it has got below -10 before and I was fine. Wear a toque or you lose a lot of heat out of your head.

[Sharkbait22]

Ok I was thinking -12 which should do the job. Down with some water repellent exterior. Examples are helpful froze butt at 0C in a -5C bag. I know over time get worse - less insulating. I like to avoid a bag meant for Polar expeditions.

[DRIFTER_016]

I run a -15C bag and if it's going to be below zero I throw another (+5C) bag over top of me to cover my head and torso.

Been pretty toasty to -20 with that set up.

[adempsey]

Do you need to pack light?

[Sharkbait22]

Yes, then I can carry more beer! Seriously, doing long portages when fish are biting is not fun. Double portages waste time especially on weekend trips. I've done plenty of camping but only ever had two bags both were around -7 rating I think. Both synthetic - for the water. Just haven't been camping in colder temps for a while. The ratings are kind of wacky, just like tents, the 3 man is more of a 2 man, etc. Likely to get something like this

 

http://www.mec.ca/product/5025-630/mec-aquila-sleeping-bag-12c/?f=10+50130+50853+50874+50880

 

Prices jump a lot lower for bags rated below -15C. I have a silk liner.

[Sharkbait22]

I run a -15C bag and if it's going to be below zero I throw another (+5C) bag over top of me to cover my head and torso.

Been pretty toasty to -20 with that set up.

Sounds like a true to rating bag Dave. Good to know. That's a dry cold right

[BillM]

Don't forget to spend some $$$ on a good sleeping pad. That's what is going to keep you warm.

[4x4bassin]

I do several cold weather camping trips in the spring and fall and I have a -10 rated down bag . Never a problem !

Like others have said a good sleeping pad is a must when its cold and damp out . As well , have designated sleeping

clothes . I wear a thermal top with a hood on it (hood or toque is a must) and long underwear to bed on the cold nights

with no problems . The only problem with down bags is if they get wet/damp no matter what the rating is your doomed

so make sure you keep the bag dry at all costs . I make sure that I take the bag out of the tent in the morning and hang

it up to dry in the sun/wind during the day ( moisture builds up in the tent when its cold and makes the down bag damp )

I believe as well that you double your low temp. and compare to your bag rating and you should be good , -5 outside low

then a -10 rated bag is good !

 

Good luck

[DRIFTER_016]

Sounds like a true to rating bag Dave. Good to know. That's a dry cold right

 

Yep. Dry cold.

[Sinker]

The clean clothes, dry sleeping bag, and good sleeping pad are almost more important than the bag itself. Ive had the same military style down filled mummy bag forever, but the sleeping pad, and clean sleeping clothes make all the difference, even with a good sleeping bag. Any sort of dampness and you just cant keep warm.

 

S.

[mike rousseau]

I used a -10 in fort Francis on lake of the woods in May and was pretty comfortable... Cold nights... Still some ice on a few lakes... I lived in a tent for 2 months up there... Just wear clothing to suit the weather that day in your bag and a toque was a life saver...

[4x4bassin]

Another good tip is to make sure your tent is well ventilated either with its own vents or leaving the window/door flap open a bit.

This seems to be counter productive on keeping warm during the night but believe me its not . You want to vent out all that air/moisture

that you exhale over the course of the night , if not and its cold out your tent will be like a "cold sauna" not the best conditions for

keeping warm ! Never wear cotton clothes to bed either only wool or a synthetic ( no insulating value in damp cotton )

As well , this is something I have been doing for awhile now when it gets cold out . About an hour before you go to bed you put a rock

from the fire into the tent , you will be amazed at how long it stays warm for and it takes the chill out of the tent before bed . I put it on a

small piece of plywood so it doesn't burn the tent. Be careful if you decide to do this ( takes a bit of practice )

[creditmaster]

Another good tip is to make sure your tent is well ventilated either with its own vents or leaving the window/door flap open a bit.

This seems to be counter productive on keeping warm during the night but believe me its not . You want to vent out all that air/moisture

that you exhale over the course of the night , if not and its cold out your tent will be like a "cold sauna" not the best conditions for

keeping warm ! Never wear cotton clothes to bed either only wool or a synthetic ( no insulating value in damp cotton )

As well , this is something I have been doing for awhile now when it gets cold out . About an hour before you go to bed you put a rock

from the fire into the tent , you will be amazed at how long it stays warm for and it takes the chill out of the tent before bed . I put it on a

small piece of plywood so it doesn't burn the tent. Be careful if you decide to do this ( takes a bit of practice )

be VERY careful if you are going to do the rock thing as a matter of fact my buddy onece did that and burnt down his tent

[lew]

be VERY careful if you are going to do the rock thing as a matter of fact my buddy onece did that and burnt down his tent

 

Pretty sure 4x4bassin didn't mean to have the rock glowing red

[creditmaster]

i know but still be careful

[4x4bassin]

Like I said in my post "be careful" and yes it doesn't have to be a flaming red rock . Just a little hot to the touch !