Sleeping Bag Ratings - Fact or Fiction?

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go2ndAmend

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Mar 8, 2008
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Is it just me, or do sleeping bag manufacturers deceive the public with their rating systems? I do the majority of my camping in high altitude in the late fall and early winter where temps are between 10-32 degrees at night. I slept cold for many years, brought two bags and only have been warm the last few years after buying a Western Mountaineering -20 degree bag. Anyone have similar experiences?
 
It seems like there is no standard rating system for sleeping bags. I have a Coleman bag rated for like 40 and I freeze in it during our Texas "winters."
 
It depends on the maker. If it's WM, Feathered Friends or perhaps Marmot I'll believe what they say. The rest, no way.
 
The rating should be considered only within the same brand.
Value has no absolute meaning.

Judging warmth of sleeping bag can be done approximately by the amount of
insulation material stuffed.
Please note synthetic and down have different insulation per weight (down is better).
 
It varies a lot from person to person. I sleep well and warm about 5-10 degrees below the rating. But on the other hand I sweat like a pig as soon as it gets the slightest warm outside.
 
Ratings are skeptical at best as everyone sleeps differently. My girlfriend can be lying right next to me huddled in a blanket fast asleep while Im lying there sweating without a blanket.

I had a buddy who loved the open air. While the rest of us were huddled in our sleeping bags with beanies he lay on just a ground mat with a long sleeve shirt and pants.

Everyone sleeps differently you may find something to unbearably hot but the same bag can be barely adequate.
 
My Lafuma 40 degree bag seems right on.

My Campmor 20 degree bag seems to be a more low 30 degree one.

I have an old Coleman 0 degree one and I'd say it's probably a low 20's one.
 
I also think it depends on the person. Some people are more insulated than others, I am not that tolerant of really cold temps.
 
I have a 30 degree Coleman bag and it seems to be accurate. But, anything below that and I get really cold really fast.

And as others have said, it depends on the person. I can sit around the campfire at night in shorts and a t-shirt, while my wife is wearing pants, t-shirt, long sleeve shirt, and a jacket.
 
As others have said, it is a very rough guide. To my knowledge, there is no standard testing method, so you can't really compare one company's bag to another company's bag. Also, people are far too different, so what works for one doesn't work for another. Also, how warm you are from night to night can vary. For example if you eat before bed that can change how warm you are, since your body is working to digest the food. Staying hydrated is important since your body does a better job regulating temperature when you are properly hydrated.

Since a sleeping bag only traps what heat is put into the bag, during really cold nights I put a couple of Nalgene bottles filled with hot water in the bag before I turn in. I then sleep with those bottles during the night. My feet get cold first so one bottle is always at my feet. The second bottle can be put in various locations. If you are still cold in the bag, place the bottle where major blood vessels get close to the skin: bag of the knees, groin, armpits, neck, etc. This warms the blood as it travels through your body. If the water is too hot, you can wrap the bottle in a sock so you don't burn yourself.

Hope this helps.
 
At least here in Finland, the lowest temperature the bag is rated for means "survival temperature" - the coldest temp in which the bag will keep you somewhat alive, while you will suffer from extreme discomfort and probably medium hypothermia. So, if the bag says -20 C, that means you'll probably live in the bag at that temp, but it won't be pleasant at all. The highest temp the bag is rated for is the comfort temperature, when you shouldn't feel cold or even chilly at all inside the bag. Seem to be accurate enough for me. But then, I'm rather used to the cold, to put it mildly.

I'm sure you already know this, but something that I've had to explain to urban folks a great many times is that they shouldn't go in the sleeping bag feeling cold (unless they really must) and expect to feel warm in there. Get the bag ready, and then run or jump around a bit, whatever to get your heart rate up a little and the blood flowing, and when you don't feel cold, get in the bag. I kid you not, some people I've met actually think the sleeping bag itself somehow mystically produces warmth, like, say, an oven or a heating battery.
 
I purchased a Cabelas XPG Extreme Seam Zero -40F Goose Down sleeping bag. This goose down bag is the bomb. I have used it in my Hennessy Hammock in the cold Rocky Mountain winters in -20F with blowing wind and snow. Just need to wear wool socks, my extreme cold long underwear, sweatpants & sweatshirt and a stocking hat. It is toasty warm and hard to believe you're sleeping in subzero temps. Heat is well trapped in the lofty bag. If condensation occurs, it quickly turns to frost on the top of the bag and is easily brushed off since the bag is made with a waterproof outer shell. Kind of like a bag and bivy sack in one. I find that the waterproof compression sack that comes with this bag is too heavy, though it is nicely made. I just use an XL Sea to Summit SN240 Silnylon Compression bag and really keeps my backpack on the light side. The goose down is very lightweight and compressible. Much lighter and more compact than primaloft or other synthetic fibers.

Only run for the money is The North Face Dark Star -40F Goose Down sleeping bag. But, just doesn't have the nice, waterproof outer shell of the Cabelas XPG bag.

Both of these are on sale right now at: http://www.cabelas.com

And, if you get one, don't forget to thank a goose!
 
In regards to my earlier posting....

The North Face Dark Star is a -40F Synthetic Sleeping Bag.
The North Face Solar Flare is the -40F Goose Down Sleeping Bag.

For the quality and price, go with the Cabelas XPG Extreme Seam Zero -40F Goose Down Sleeping Bag. You won't be disappointed!
 
Generally speaking, add a minimum of 10 degrees to the rating to ascertain it's temperature comfort level. I've found goose down to be the best/lightest/compressable filling available (just keep it dry!).
 
RRR said:
They're rated with a pad beneath them.
Click to expand...

Like a Wiggy's bag. He states all temp. ratings are on the ground with a pad. Who knows about other makers. Mostly dependes on the person. I always pay attention to "fill weight".
 
I certainly second the observations above about ratings -- and the fact that the rating doesn't rate YOU.

Additional factor is the storage of the bag. The longer a synthetic bag is stored in a compressed condition, the longer it takes to spring back. And store it compressed long enough and it will not spring back all the way. Think of folding a nylon spatula. Now fold it, stack a set of books on it and come back in three months. Different result when you expect it to unfold. "cold forming"

As for down, it will absorb moisture in all cases, and that reduces loft. If you want the same loft, you need dry and preferably sunny/breezy weather to dry it out each day so it's as capable for the next night. We don't get those conditions in this area in the Winter.:o Heck, we scarcely get them in the Summer. :o:o
 
jll346 said:
Like a Wiggy's bag. He states all temp. ratings are on the ground with a pad. Who knows about other makers. Mostly dependes on the person. I always pay attention to "fill weight".
Click to expand...

Same loft + same design (hood? baffles? same loft top & bottom?) should produce about the same results in the same conditions (in tent? same mattress? wind?).
 
Most brands are rather optimistic in their ratings. Western Mountaineering seems to be more conservative. My Western Mountaineering Summerlite is rated 32 degrees, and it is as warm as my North Face Cat's Meow that is rated 20 degrees.
 
my wool blanket and tarp (i sleep in it like a burrito) have never let me down.

my expensive down and manmade fill bags, always let me down.

your milage might vary.
 
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