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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Winter Camping and Activities :: Quilt test
 
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SevenofNine
11/21/2015 11:59AM
 
I planned to camp out for one night and test my 20 degree quilt with hood last weekend but things didn't work out schedule wise. So with an even colder overnight temperature predicted I had a much better chance of testing its rating last night.
My quilt with hood didn't quite cut it but I am happy with it since I really wouldn't use it winter camping. I wasn't warm enough if that makes any sense. I ended up grabbing my 15 degree bag and using it during the late night hours. More to follow with pictures.
 
Mocha
11/21/2015 12:48PM
 
maybe you needed a better pad, too.
 
PortageKeeper
11/21/2015 12:52PM
 
What was the temp rating supposed to be vs. how cold it got?
 
SevenofNine
11/21/2015 02:01PM
 
quote PortageKeeper: "What was the temp rating supposed to be vs. how cold it got?"


It was 19 degrees out and the rating on the quilt was 20 degrees. I used an Exped downmat 9 along with a silk liner but I had issues with the liner so it covered 80% at best.
 
OldFingers57
11/21/2015 02:44PM
 
The temperature ratings of sleeping bags are not comfort levels but survivability levels. Plus each person is different in how they tolerate the cold. Most bags are about 10 degrees off from what they truly are according to some articles I've read.
 
NotLight
11/21/2015 06:02PM
 

Maybe try it again in warmer clothes? I like sleeping in a thin primaloft pullover and a balaclava. I can go about 5 degrees below the bag ratings that way, no problem. Plus then when I climb out from the bag I don't get cold shock, cuz I still have the pullover.





 
SevenofNine
11/21/2015 08:13PM
 
quote NotLight: "
Maybe try it again in warmer clothes? I like sleeping in a thin primaloft pullover and a balaclava. I can go about 5 degrees below the bag ratings that way, no problem. Plus then when I climb out from the bag I don't get cold shock, cuz I still have the pullover.



"




What brand pullover is that?
 
NotLight
11/21/2015 08:40PM
 
quote SevenofNine: "quote NotLight: "
Maybe try it again in warmer clothes? I like sleeping in a thin primaloft pullover and a balaclava. I can go about 5 degrees below the bag ratings that way, no problem. Plus then when I climb out from the bag I don't get cold shock, cuz I still have the pullover.


"



What brand pullover is that?"



LL Bean, except I have the pullover model, because it had the big kangaroo pocket for keeping stuff warm at night. Looks like the pullover is discontinued, and all they have is the jacket maybe. I just like it because it is packable, and not too warm to layer or sleep in. I think lots of things would be equivalent.




 
Frenchy19
11/21/2015 02:00PM
 
And what brand quilt is it?
 
cycle003
11/23/2015 02:11PM
 
quote OldFingers57: "The temperature ratings of sleeping bags are not comfort levels but survivability levels. Plus each person is different in how they tolerate the cold. Most bags are about 10 degrees off from what they truly are according to some articles I've read."


It's not true that bags are rated to survability temps. The rating that a men's bags uses is supposed to the be "Lower Limit — the temperature at which a standard man can sleep for eight hours in a curled position without waking"


Just as a random example, I pulled up the Sierra Designs Zissou 12 bag on REI's site. It's called a 12 degree bag, which is the EN rated "lower limit."


Obviously, however, everyone is different and will view the comfort level differently. Also, getting an EN rating is expensive, so many bags are not EN rated and instead rely on the amount of fill and loft to determine the temperature rating.