{"id":464,"date":"2020-12-26T12:05:00","date_gmt":"2020-12-26T12:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/publiclandsjournal.com\/?p=464"},"modified":"2021-01-07T06:07:14","modified_gmt":"2021-01-07T06:07:14","slug":"choosing-a-sleeping-bag-temperature-rating","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/publiclandsjournal.com\/choosing-a-sleeping-bag-temperature-rating\/","title":{"rendered":"Choosing a Sleeping Bag Temperature Rating"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
It can be hard to choose the sleeping bag temperature that will be best for you. The most important function of a sleeping bag is keep to you warm when it’s cold out, but you also don’t want to sweat all night when it’s warm out. Finding the right balance can be difficult enough that a lot of serious outdoors-folk have multiple bags. However, the normal, a budget-conscious recreationist like myself can’t always afford multiple, quality sleeping bags. So how can you choose a sleeping bag that will keep you comfortable in multiple seasons?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you’re looking for one sleeping bag to use year-round, a 10\u00b0F to 20 \u00b0F sleeping bag is probably the best option. During the winter months, you can add a liner to increase the warmth. In warmer climates, you may want to bump the temperature up by 10 \u00b0F, or so. If you do mostly summer-time trips, a 30 \u00b0F sleeping bag should keep you comfortable.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n When you select a sleeping bag, make sure it is rated using EN or ISO testing standards. If your sleeping bag is not tested by these standards there is a good chance it won’t be as warm as advertised. I’ve made a guide about the EN and ISO sleeping bag temperature ratings<\/a>, so you know what the ratings mean and how to determine the protocols used to test the bag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To decide what temperature sleeping bag you should get you first need to know when you will be using the sleeping bag. If most of your camping or backpacking is in the desert during summer you don’t need a 0 \u00b0<\/strong>F bag. On the other hand, if you spend a lot of time doing backcountry ski trips in the winter, you don’t want to get a 30 \u00b0<\/strong>F bag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you mostly use a sleeping bag while car camping the temperature rating won’t be as important because you can easily bring extra blankets and clothes to use if you get cold. However, if you’re using the sleeping bag in the backcountry you’ll need to trust it’s warmth to keep you safe if an unexpected cold front rolls in, or if you get wet and need to warm up to prevent hypothermia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It’s also important to consider the terrain you’ll be sleeping in. Temperatures in the mountains can change dramatically as storms quickly roll in. That’s why I usually take a sleeping bag that is warmer than I think I’ll need when in the mountains because I want to be prepared if I encounter colder temperatures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Desert temperatures can drop a lot at night, but the weather patterns are generally more stable and predictable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Think about where you’re going to spend the most time sleeping outside, then determine what the weather is like in those locations. Once you’ve decided on those things, picking a temperature rating becomes much easier. Especially if you’re only camping during a single season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The maps below can help you determine what the seasonal low temperatures will be like for the areas you visit most. Recent maps can be found at https:\/\/www.ncdc.noaa.gov\/temp-and-precip\/us-maps\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhen and Where Do You Use a Sleeping Bag Most?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n