Worried about getting too hot? Upper temp for sleeping bag?

I just unzip my bag and or stick a foot out, as climate control. I'm waiting for a quilt now, which I hope will solve the warm summer night problem. This way, I can open it up like a blanket and get air to my feet. People used to camp with wool blankets, before sleeping bags were invented, but they tend to be heavy. There are some places, like the bottom of the Grand Canyon in summer, where I could easily use just a sheet and be more than warm enough.

Thanks clay– what's your bag rated at?

The EN13537 ratings do include an upper rating.

I use a 20*F bag year around. I wouldn't, though, if it didn't have a full-length zipper. If it's really warm, I unzip it and start out lying on top. I may pull part of it over me later, or use it as a quilt. Nights in my part of the country (Pacific NW) are cool enough that by 2-3 am I'm inside the bag and sometimes reaching for the zipper.

Desert climates have quite cold nights; you may end up zipped up and reaching for an insulating jacket before morning. On the hot and muggy nights prevalent in the eastern US, I probably would get a much less warm bag.

rating? Posted 04/03/2011 20:00:15 MDT by Steven Nasrallah (stevenn)
Thanks clay– what's your bag rated at?

I have a -20F, 30F and a 45F quilt coming.

I took a 0F bag on a trip where it was around 15F the first night and 36F the second night. I unzipped it and used it as a quilt to cover my legs, and then wore my half-unzipped parka on my upper body. The parka had less loft than the bag, and this worked well.

Unless you never intend on camping or backpacking in less than 40*F, I would suggest getting a 32*F or a 20*F as Mary suggested. If I were to have just one bag, it would be a 20*F Western Mountaineering Ultralite or Alpinelite. They can be used year round when combined with a liner or more clothes you will already have with you, and a warmer pad. When the temps are warm, I just use the bag as a quilt and remain comfortable. By the time you compare weights, a 40*F Marmot Atom is not much different than a 32*F WM Summerlite that may be more versatile.

I always have used a 32 F bag for a wide range of temps and just adjust base layers accordingly. That works for me from 25F to 70F. Above 60ish I just sleep in base layers.

Now it might not be the lightest option if its always going to be hot and you won't need the base layers in morning or evening. But if you are going to get some 40F nights and some 65F nights on the same trip it would work well.

Thanks for the tips everyone! I'm thinking a 32F bag will be best after considering all your points.

I wish I could afford a WM ultralite or alpinelite, but I'm going to have to settle for less.

Here are a couple I found used:

Ultralamina 32 long.. $135
2lb 2oz … 6.5" x 10"
1/4 zippers

Big Agnes Horse Thief 35.. $132
1lb 14oz … 7.5" x 15"
Full zip, Down, No hood, no insulation on bottom

Big Agnes Elbert 35.. $90 new
2lb 8oz … 7" x 9"
Full zip, Synthetic, no insulation on bottom

Ultra won't do since it's 1/4 zippers… anyone know anything about the BA Elbert or have a better suggestions? Everything I've read says it's pretty good with a good pad. I wonder if plain old blue closed-cell foam will provide enough insulation? Problem is, with a pad, the weight climbs pretty fast.

Campmor has their own sleeping bag. for $109
Its a 20 degree
550 down fill bag,
size long 2 lbs. 6 oz
stuff size 7 x 14
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___40066

Its a good bag for the money. Also keep an eye on gear swap

Or. Sierra Designs makes the Lazer 30
Its a 30 degree bag
Primaloft Eco insulation
size long 2lbs 3 oz
stuff size 8 x 18
http://www.sunnysports.com/prod/SDSBLZLN.html?ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=SDSBLZLN

I think the campmor bag is your best bet in the sub $150 price range. I was able to pick up a Sierra Design Nitro 30 for $190 or so, not to long ago. It wieghs 1 lb 13 oz and is 800 fill down. I also saw a marmot arroyo which is basically the same bag, last week on o2gearshop for $175. IF you keep your eyes open. You may be able to catch a deal on a bag.

Also watch steepandcheap you may get lucky

Campmor makes their own 20 degree down bag in size long, it wieghs 2 lbs 6 oz. Its $109

Thanks for the suggestions! I like the SD bags but they're not full zipper and the campmor is a little heavier than I'd like at 2lbs 6oz. I heard their weight is understated too but that was an old review.

I think I'm going to be patient and keep looking for something a little lighter to pop up. I think it'll be worth the weight. (pun intended! hahah I didn't even mean to do that)

I just found SteepandCheap! This site is great… there's a Big Agnes 20F Tumble on there now for $140 ($60 off!) but it's 3 lbs.

I haven't used the BA top bags you mention, but my old synthetic bag was a similar design – no insulation at the pad sleeve and no hood. It was great for warm weather because I could start the night with the bag upside down (no insulation on top), then roll it over in the middle of the night if I got cold.

Hi Steven,
It sounds like the bag you're able to buy will eventually be replaced with the bag you really want. If it were me, instead of looking for perfect, I'd pick a temp range I wanted (sounds like you've settled on 20*-32*), figure out the maximum weight I was okay with, and how much I had to spend. Then I'd look at SAC, Gear Swap and maybe Craig's List until I saw the temp I wanted for weight and price at or (hopefully) below my max. Then I'd buy it.

It sounds like you already know what retail prices in your range are like, so you'll know a deal when you see it. Maybe it won't be the deal of the century, and maybe it won't be the bag you'll have for the next 20 years, but you'll have something decent and can start hiking. Have fun!

There is a new 32 degree Marmot Hydrogen in Gear Swap right now for an ok price, may be worth considering as you mentioned the Marmot Atom.

Marmot Hydrogen in Gear Swap Link

Great community here, thanks for all the tips!

Will, awesome! I definitely won't rule out any BAs then.

David, you're right, I'm not going to be too picky because as you said, this isn't going to be the bag I really want.

Ryan, thanks for the tip. Too far out of my budget unfortunately.