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Just_A_Human@sh.itjust.works

Confused about sleeping bag temperature ratings (lemmy.world)

submitted 2 months ago by Kintarian@lemmy.world to c/camping@sh.itjust.works

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Where I live it rarely gets down to 32 degrees. I bought a bag that said 20 degrees. After reading the manual it said that was the extreme rating. Will this bag keep me warm at 32 degrees or not?

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[–] PM_Your_Nudes_Please@lemmy.world 7 points 2 months ago

You can absolutely be comfortable with extra blankets stuffed inside the bag. I have done exactly this using a bag with the exact same ratings. It was juuuuust below freezing all weekend, my bag was rated for 20 degrees, and I was cozy with a few extra fleece blankets cocooned inside the bag. Maybe bring a wool blanket or two if you’re expecting it to be wet at all, because wool will retain heat even when wet.

Also, change your damned socks before bed. Lots of newbie campers make the mistake of going “I don’t wanna take my socks off and get my feet cold right before bed. I’ll change my socks when I wake up!” In reality, if you go to bed with socks that have an entire day’s worth of sweat and skin oils soaked up, your feet will stay cold all night. Change into a fresh pair before bed, so they actually insulate your feet instead.