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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Winter Camping and Activities :: Winter sleeping bag
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| Author | Message Text | ||
| mudhen |
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| bobbernumber3 |
Double-bagging is a good option and your mattress is a big part of your comfort. I'd recommend letting your stove burn out at night and prepare for outside temperatures by morning. A couple practice nights in your backyard will help you find a happy spot. |
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| Minnesotian |
There are a couple of different ways of attacking this problem. One of the most common ways, and generally the cheapest option, is if you already own some sleeping bags already, is to stuff one inside the other and bring up two. For instance, if you have two bags rated for 20 degrees, bring them both. Or if you have one rated for 40 degrees and another at 20 degrees, stuff the 40 degree inside the 20 degree. If you don't have sleeping bags, or just want to get one specific for winter, but money is still a constriction, then a synthetic sleeping bag will probably be the best options. Cabelas has a good choice of 0 degree bags and colder rated. Downside is they tend to be very bulky and heavy. But I used one for many years and it kept me warm just fine. Finally, if you are dedicated to buying the best of the best, then Feathered Friends down sleeping bags are considered the best. These are the bags that are taken up Everest, or crossing Antartica. Many options to be had. I was fortunate a couple years ago to snag one at a resonable discount and it is the best. Now, if you want to be 19th century traditional, read John Rowlands book Cache Lake Country and make yourself an oversized blanket from rabbit fur, and wrap yourself up everynight in that. |
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| Jaywalker |
Another inexpensive synthetic one or two bag option is to check out Wiggy's. Value priced but bulky - I've heard of a number of dog sledders using them. They Cleary overstate their temp ratings on the website, but they are still a good deal IMO. If you are going go lay out the dough for a good deep cold bag, I suggest laying in them in the store if possible. I was looking at a Western Mountaineering bag vs a Marmot and liked the Western, but found the Marmot had more room for my shoulders despite being listed in the specs as 1 inch narrower. Forgive me for the rest of this as I don't know your winter camping experience - but remember the pad under you is just as important. Cots make it easy to get in and out of bed, but do not add any warmth vs sleeping on the ground. I'd guess maybe 1/4 of winter campers use them. I use a closed cell pad (R2) and an Exped down mat (R7) for an R9 total, and that usually is plenty good for me. Also I don't know your experience with a hot tent. Some people like to keep their stoves going all night - again may 1/4 I'd guess, but most like me let it go out. So it is a good idea to have a sleeping system up to the task of keeping you warm at or near whatever the outside cold temps are. |
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| mudhen |
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| Jaywalker |
A lot also depends on if you are a cold, average, or warm sleeper. I’m a warm sleeper and usually just wear a merino wool base layer and fleece hat, and my -40 bag kept me pretty warm (though I could feel cold starting to creep in) down in the -35 to -40 range one night (in a hot tent). Others might start getting cold about -20-25 in the same bag. If you go with a -20 bag and use a hot tent, you will be set for a lot of winter nights, but it’s hard to say just wear the bottom limit of your comfort and safety level are. You just have to get out there and see, but be sure to have some back up until you know. |
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| Pinetree |
mudhen: "Thanks for all the great advice! I plan on letting my stove go out overnight. Also have closed cell pad and insulated air pad. I want to have a designated winter camping bag and have been looking at some. I guess I'm wondering for all of you that know will a -20°F bag do most of what I want or do I need to lean one way or the other. I know no one bag will do everything but would like to be close. I see Teton makes a -20 bag very reasonable. Weight is 5 lbs but shouldn't be an issue on my sled. Anybody use one of these or any experience with another brand? Thanks for all your help!!!" Most sleeping bags to me at their rating is the temp you won't freeze solid at. I have one rated at -30 degrees F. and still layer plenty of clothes on at night. I cold camp down to -35 degrees F. Get the lowest rating you can afford or look into options of sleeping bag liners or covers. |