Is a 15 degree bag too warm for me?

im sure tons of people here will tell you to buy a quilt for summer, another one for fall/spring and a bag for winter …

but if you only wanted one bag for "everything" id go with a 15F or so bag … warm? unzip it and use it as a quilt … so warm that even thats too hot? … dont use it

i dont know about cali, but up here in the PNW a 15-20F bag will get you through almost everything short of winter … and with some added puffy, you can easily use it in the rockies as well

it weights an extra few oz than a 30F bag sure … but thats the weight you pay for having only one bag, and have a high margin of comfort on cold nights … and not buying a bag/quilt for every dinner party occasion …

My experience is that the down bags are pretty close to their rated temps. BUT, the rating is based on sleeping in a base layer top, bottom, socks, and a knit hat. So, I'm comfy at 20 degrees warmer in a t-shirt and boxers. If I zip open the bag and use it as a quilt, I'm comfy at 40 degrees warmer than the rating (sleeping in a t-shirt and boxers). At 60 degrees warmer than the rating, it's just too hot – even without the t-shirt, and the edge of the bag elevated to ventilate. But, it's too chilly to sleep with out any quilt. So I use a 45 degree bag as a quilt in the summer, up to 80 degrees, then switch to a fleece blanket. But, it may be warmer or cooler where you are, or you may sleep warmer or cooler due to metabolism differences.

David,

I have the Helium and the Atom.

If I only had one bag, it would be the Hydrogen or a 30F.

You can layer up the 30F with clothing to probably push down to 25F.

Gives you that sweet spot for covering a lot of the three season.

Now you have to ask yourself, how often are you going to be doing shoulder seasons and winter camping?

If you are doing a lot of that, then go with the 15F, but you will fry in the summer time or need to use it like a quilt.

Love the Helium, wish that I had bought the Hydrogen vs. the Atom.

All are great bags from Marmot.

You might want to look at Western Mountaineering too.

I have since moved on to a quilt, bivy, and tarp setup.

Hope this helps.

-Tony

As other posters have already said, you'll really have to look at how much shoulder season camping you plan on doing. I spend my time in the Canadian Rockies, and use a -9c (+15) pretty much year round. Up here, the weather can change quickly, and get cold even in the summer, so that's why I use a bag with the 15 degree rating. With layering I've even been able to use it down to -25C.

Whatever rating you decide is best for you, I highly encourage you to take a look at the Phantom Series bags from Mountain Hardwear. They are 800 fill down and are fairly light (My Phantom 15 weighs in at 940g or 33oz). They also offer a generous amount of interior space compared to a lot of bags I've tried.

Hope that helps!

David,

How do you sleep, hot or cold? I sleep very cold (used to take out a bag rated 15 degrees below the expected temperature). Quilts were my answer. A Nunatak Back Country Blanket with six ounces of overfill now handles 10-50 F – just button it up when it's cold, use it as a blanket when it's not. That said, I do have other bags for really cold weather.

Richard

Wow thanks for the great responses! I'm not used to a forum where you receive good feedback without having to weed through unnecessary comments.

I honestly will not be camping / backpacking much on the shoulder ends of the seasons, so a 15 degree bag would be more of an in case scenario.

I also tend to run pretty warm at all times with no difference to sleeping. I'm thinking the 30 degree mark sounds more functional for what I'll be doing, and can plan on layering if it looks like its going to drop below freezing.

Id like to stick with either Marmot or Western Mountaineering. Im 6'4", lean build, and felt the Megalite dimensions fit well(65/56/39) compared to the summerlite which was a bit cozy (60/52/38) I haven't felt the marmots but going by the sizing the hydrogen is similar at 64/60/42 and the Plasma 30 is 62/60/42, for the long, right in the middle of widths.

If price wasn't an issue which would you choose: Megalite, Hydrogen, or Plasma 30. Thanks guys.

I live in Denver, CO and camp in the Rockies and I did exactly what you are doing. I bought a Marmot Helium and used it for a few years. It was perfect for Jan, Feb, Nov, and Dec. In March, April, May, and Oct it was comfortable partially or fully unzipped, I fried in it in June, July, Aug, and Sept. I ended up buying a WM Megalite with a 2 oz overfill to get me to just below freezing. I use it as a bag or a quilt March thru Oct and use the Helium Nov, Dec, Jan, and Feb with Montbell UL Down Jacket and Pants when needed. Get the lighter 30 degree bag and worry about the "What if" camping later. It's easier to layer up for colder nights when you need to.

edited: (started writing, came back a couple hours later and missed your post. sounds like you found right setup for your needs)