BWCA Sleeping bag Temperature ratings Boundary Waters Winter Camping and Activities
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OldFingers57
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10/27/2015 06:57AM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
What temperature rating do most of you use for winter camping? Are you using 0, -20, -40 or what in the way of down sleeping bags?
 
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SevenofNine
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10/27/2015 07:02AM  
I have an old 2 bag system of synthetic bags. One bag was rated at -20° and the other bag's rating maybe is a 5° bag but I forget. The warmer bag fits easily into the -20° bag.

I'm looking at using a 15° down bag along with a down quilt 20° over it if I can make it work.

Your sleep system is something worth spending extra money on. Ratings are so subjective and bags lose their ability to maintain their ratings (especially synthetic bags) for many years unless well taken care of.
Minnesotian
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10/27/2015 07:40AM  

I have a 10 degree down sleeping bag that sleeps hotter then that and I stuff that into a 20 degree synthetic bag that also sleeps warmer. Having those two and a hot tent has been perfect for me.
Cedarboy
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10/27/2015 10:46AM  
2 20dgreee bags, Alps Mountaineering synthetic mummy inside a Big Agnes park series 20 degree.
CB
10/27/2015 11:02AM  
BigAgnes PomerHoit down, 2 1/2 pounds, 0 degree rated. Exped Downmat9, 2 1/4 pounds, R value 8.

Slept in long underwear and balaclava below zero (single digits), comfortably! Double digits below I will add (outer layer), synthetic 20 degree REI bag.

butthead
Gadfly
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10/27/2015 11:22AM  
I have a 10 degree bag and use an exped downmat 7. I haven't had any trouble staying warm so far but the coldest temp I have slept through was -28.
10/27/2015 02:32PM  
quote butthead: "BigAgnes PomerHoit down, 2 1/2 pounds, 0 degree rated. Exped Downmat9, 2 1/4 pounds, R value 8.


Slept in long underwear and balaclava below zero (single digits), comfortably! Double digits below I will add (outer layer), synthetic 20 degree REI bag.


butthead
"

This is my route as well for bag ratings...just different brands on the bags...and no down.
10/27/2015 02:51PM  

I've used a two bag system with good success. Both bags are I think 15°F bags, but one is old and undoubtedly closer to a 25° bag now. I sleep warm, and so far am good down to about -20°.

Mnpat
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10/27/2015 05:32PM  
0 degree marmot never summer down bag. It is en rated at 0. Make sure and look for the en rating as it is much more accurate then some brands made up numbers. Another way to figure out the true rating is measure the loft of the bag with a tape measure. My 0 bag has inches more loft than other 0 degree bags i have seen.

My sleep system is exped downmat 7 ul with a never summer 0 down bag and a fleece liner. The liner is great moisture control, it takes the moisture instead of the bag and is much easier to dry. I use this for all temps down to -50. I sleep in a tent and havent had any problems getting cold. I have spent over 100 nights in the bwca in the winter. Having the right gear makes it much more enjoyable.
SteveElms73
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10/27/2015 06:25PM  
I got a -60 degree Feathered Friends Snowy Owl last year and LOVE it :) I get super cold when I sleep so I went overboard with the temperature rating (I've been out in the past at -35 and was freezing).
OldFingers57
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10/28/2015 08:06AM  
I've been looking at getting a lower temp rated bag like a -20 or maybe a -40. I know my wife and I would definitely not get cold in those although she complains about the cold in her 0 bag when she is just out in upper 30 temps.
jake68
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10/28/2015 03:45PM  
I sleep in a Mountain Hardware "Ghost" Down -40 bag. Love it and have never been cold - opposite problem sometimes before the fire goes all the way out when going to bed. We hit -40 last Feb - so I got to truly test it at its outer range. My buddies in there -20 bags were scrambling to add clothing. :)Also use the Exped down mattress as others have posted as well.
10/28/2015 05:56PM  
quote OldFingers57: "What temperature rating do most of you use for winter camping? Are you using 0, -20, -40 or what in the way of down sleeping bags?"


Mine is a -20 F.degrees and a -30 degrees.
The winter bags in my opinion hopefully rate at least 20 degrees colder than when your going. My opinion bags are rated at their degree rating when I would be froze solid.

Yes I have had to sleep fully clothed and even with like a snowmobile suit setup. Usually I am not cold at night down to -30 degrees below. Tent usually is worth like 10 degrees warmer. A wind can make a big difference. Winter you want a wind protected area definitely.

Coldest slept was like -35 degrees F. a few times. The worst was with very strong winds and cold temps-it was survival time all the way.
10/28/2015 05:59PM  
quote butthead: "BigAgnes PomerHoit down, 2 1/2 pounds, 0 degree rated. Exped Downmat9, 2 1/4 pounds, R value 8.


Slept in long underwear and balaclava below zero (single digits), comfortably! Double digits below I will add (outer layer), synthetic 20 degree REI bag.


butthead
"


Good point WRT the exped mat. Getting signficant insulation between yourself and the cold coming up from beneath is key to a good night's sleep.
10/28/2015 06:34PM  
quote HighnDry: "
quote butthead: "BigAgnes PomerHoit down, 2 1/2 pounds, 0 degree rated. Exped Downmat9, 2 1/4 pounds, R value 8.



Slept in long underwear and balaclava below zero (single digits), comfortably! Double digits below I will add (outer layer), synthetic 20 degree REI bag.



butthead
"



Good point WRT the exped mat. Getting signficant insulation between yourself and the cold coming up from beneath is key to a good night's sleep."


I have an old -15 slumberjack that works but is in desperate need of an upgrade to a more compact, lighter bag!
 
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