upstate NY

“Just like to know...what temp bags do you use for winter?”

“atleast a zero.”

“In the Adirondacks in February I've had temps down to -26F. Temps around -10F can be expected that time of year. I still don’t have a real good winter bag, so I double up my 40F bag inside my 10F bag inside a bivy.”

“It depends on the winter. This winter (& last) were very mild. Some are not.

It depends on your metabolism. Some folks are always hot & some are always cold. Some like to sleep in cold rooms & some do not.

It depends on how long you plan to spend in the bag. Every day you put a little more moisture in the bag & it's temp rating (& your comfort)goes down.

I use a -35 synthetic mummy bag. Think I want a bigger non-mummy bag next time. I can always unzip it if I get hot. Don't like bundling up in clothes either. In -20 degree weather, I've thrown 4x6" heat packs in by the 3rd & 4th day.

Think it depends how much your life depends on it. Fairly close to civilization or your car is one thing, out in the boonies is another.

I actually get colder in a damp spring then I do in winter.”

“Thanks guys for keeping me alive.I was looking at w.m +15 down bag and using montbell down for camp and sleeping to cover my butt.I guess its back to the drawing board.”

“In spite of the constant ridicule of my fellow TTers I use Slumberjack bags. I have an old model -30° and the new models are nicer. I like Quallfill.”

“I have a -20F synthetic Slumberjack bags for the northern winters. I only use it when I'm expecting temps to drop well below 20F overnight -- as it is huge and doesn't compress nearly as well as a down bag. However, its also much easier to deal with a synthetic bag when there's snow on the ground -- you almost always get some in the tent/bivy (or whatever) and when it thaws it makes puddles and then you have to be careful not to dip your down bag into them. With a synthetic bag, that becomes a non-issue...

Also if the bag you're gonna use is rated for 0 or warmer, you may want to consider bringing an additional liner with you, depending on whether you usually sleep warmer or colder...
last edited: 1/09/07 11:48:23 AM”

“... and don't forget your VBL - that is probably the best trick to get the most out of your bag in cold weather.”

“Thanks for the help.

Looking at the slumberjack i see they are so cheap...like $120 why?”