Backcountry Forum
Backpacking & Hiking Gear

Backcountry Forum
Our long-time Sponsor - the leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear
 
 
 

Amazon.com
Backpacking Forums
---- Our Gear Store ----
The Lightweight Gear Store
 
 WINTER CAMPING 

Shelters
Bivy Bags
Sleeping Bags
Sleeping Pads
Snow Sports
Winter Kitchen

 SNOWSPORTS 

Snowshoes
Avalanche Gear
Skins
Hats, Gloves, & Gaiters
Accessories

 ULTRA-LIGHT 

Ultralight Backpacks
Ultralight Bivy Sacks
Ultralight Shelters
Ultralight Tarps
Ultralight Tents
Ultralight Raingear
Ultralight Stoves & Cookware
Ultralight Down Sleeping Bags
Ultralight Synthetic Sleep Bags
Ultralight Apparel


the Titanium Page
WM Extremelite Sleeping Bags

 CAMPING & HIKING 

Backpacks
Tents
Sleeping Bags
Hydration
Kitchen
Accessories

 CLIMBING 

Ropes & Cordage
Protection & Hardware
Carabiners & Quickdraws
Climbing Packs & Bags
Big Wall
Rescue & Industrial

 MEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 WOMEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 FOOTWEAR 

Men's Footwear
Women's Footwear

 CLEARANCE 

Backpacks
Mens Apparel
Womens Apparel
Climbing
Footwear
Accessories

 BRANDS 

Black Diamond
Granite Gear
La Sportiva
Osprey
Smartwool

 WAYS TO SHOP 

Sale
Clearance
Top Brands
All Brands

 Backpacking Equipment 

Shelters
BackPacks
Sleeping Bags
Water Treatment
Kitchen
Hydration
Climbing


 Backcountry Gear Clearance

Topic Options
Rate This Topic
#137470 - 08/09/10 09:46 PM Sleeping bag ratings?
Ol Dirty Offline
newbie

Registered: 08/08/10
Posts: 8
Loc: Rockingham County; NC
I'm a little confused with the temperature or comfort ratings that go along with sleeping bags. I know it may sound silly as I'll likely be in a tent with tarps around it in hopes to brake the wind as much as possible, but do these ratings account for wind chill or feels like factors?

When I see 3 season bags which season should I assume is not included? I assume winter, but I usually don't encounter temps below +10 F in the areas I'm likely to be staying.

Top
#137471 - 08/09/10 09:51 PM Re: Sleeping bag ratings? [Re: Ol Dirty]
phat Offline
Moderator

Registered: 06/24/07
Posts: 4107
Loc: Alberta, Canada
Originally Posted By Ol Dirty GNATS
I'm a little confused with the temperature or comfort ratings that go along with sleeping bags. I know it may sound silly as I'll likely be in a tent with tarps around it in hopes to brake the wind as much as possible, but do these ratings account for wind chill or feels like factors?


The ratings will assume you are sheltered. I.e. not completely exposed. I don't find it makes a huge difference unless you are very exposed. putting tarps around your tent sounds like heavy overkill. get a better tent - or one suited for your conditions.

Quote:

When I see 3 season bags which season should I assume is not included? I assume winter, but I usually don't encounter temps below +10 F in the areas I'm likely to be staying.


3 season normally means spring->fall - but look at the temp rating and base it on the conditions you will see depending where you are.


Edited by phat (08/09/10 09:51 PM)
_________________________
Any fool can be uncomfortable...
My 3 season gear list
Winter list.
Browse my pictures


Top
#137484 - 08/10/10 12:00 AM Re: Sleeping bag ratings? [Re: Ol Dirty]
OregonMouse Offline
member

Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6799
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
With most inexpensive sleeping bags, the ratings are pretty fictional--best to assume the real rating is 5-10*F above the advertised rating.

There are standards for sleeping bags sold in Europe, but even those are a bit iffy. Info on EN13537 sleeping bag standards. Note that there are several different rating standards. All the ratings assume that (1) you are "standard," whatever that is; (2) you are wearing a base layer top and bottom and a warm cap; (3) your sleeping pad has an R value of about 4. A few US companies have adopted the standard. A number of US companies don't use these ratings--testing does cost money and the ratings themselves have been questioned (supposedly, testing the same bag in different labs produced highly variable results).

Most of the expensive high quality down bags are pretty accurately rated: Western Mountaineering, Feathered Friends, Nunatak, Montbell. These companies all have a reputation to uphold.

Putting tarps around your tent will just result in a lot of condensation inside. A wet sleeping bag is a COLD sleeping bag!


Edited by OregonMouse (08/10/10 12:02 AM)
_________________________
May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey

Top
#137487 - 08/10/10 12:50 AM Re: Sleeping bag ratings? [Re: Ol Dirty]
Ol Dirty Offline
newbie

Registered: 08/08/10
Posts: 8
Loc: Rockingham County; NC
Thanks for chiming in with the info I needed guys, I really do appreciate it.
Would anyone happen to know if the "Big Agnes Cabin Creek" ratings are accurate? I'm not married to the brand, but so far they offer the only double bag that looks appealing to the wife and I.


Top
#137496 - 08/10/10 03:56 PM Re: Sleeping bag ratings? [Re: Ol Dirty]
OregonMouse Offline
member

Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6799
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
I hope someone more familiar with BA sleeping bags will pitch in. Most of their bags are based on no underside--just the sleeping pad in a pocket. Since I do lots of tossing and turning at night, and learned from childhood to take the sleeping bag with me when I turn over, I'd invariably end up with the pad on top! Your mileage, obviously, may vary!

My own experience with a 2-person sleeping bag is that they are quite drafty. Inevitably one of the partners will move so as to let cold air in. If it's a cold night, I'm much warmer in my own bag with both hood and the draft collar (around shoulders) drawn up really tight. IMHO, a better solution is for each of you to have your own sleeping bag but have compatible zippers (left zip for one and right zip for the other) so you can either zip them together or sleep separately, whichever you prefer. That also lets you each go alone without having to buy another bag!


Edited by OregonMouse (08/10/10 03:58 PM)
_________________________
May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey

Top

Shout Box

Highest Quality Lightweight Down Sleeping Bags
 
Western Mountaineering Sleeping Bags
 
Lite Gear Talk - Featured Topics
Backcountry Discussion - Featured Topics
Make Your Own Gear - Featured Topics
Featured Photos
Spiderco Chaparral Pocketknife
David & Goliath
Also Testing
Trip Report with Photos
Seven Devils, Idaho
Oat Hill Mine Trail 2012
Dark Canyon - Utah
Who's Online
0 registered (), 257 Guests and 0 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
Noodles, McCrary, DanyBacky, Rashy Willia, WanderBison
13240 Registered Users
Forum Links
Disclaimer
Policies
Site Links
Backpacking.net
Lightweight Gear Store
Backpacking Book Store
Lightweight Zone
Hiking Essentials

Our long-time Sponsor, BackcountryGear.com - The leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear:

Backcountry Forum
 

Affiliate Disclaimer: This forum is an affiliate of BackcountryGear.com, Amazon.com, R.E.I. and others. The product links herein are linked to their sites. If you follow these links to make a purchase, we may get a small commission. This is our only source of support for these forums. Thanks.!
 
 

Since 1996 - the Original Backcountry Forum
Copyright © The Lightweight Backpacker & BackcountryForum