Women's vs men's sleeping bags?

Woudey, bags designed specifically for women tend to be heavier because they contain more insulation for a given length –  the thinking is that women get cold more readily than men and thus require more insulation to stay warm at a given temperature rating.  (Guess it has something to do with keeping the babies alive inside, fingers and toes are expendable.  My take on evolution.)   Another difference you might notice is that bags for women are usually available in shorter lengths:  W’s Reg usually fits 5′-5’6″, W’s Long 5’6″ – 6′.  The third significant difference is that the temperature rating on the mens’ bags reflects a different standard (transition or lower limit), whereas W’s bags are tested to the warmer comfort range as per the European Norm testing standards.  What this means in English is that a mens bag rated to 25 degrees F. should be considered to be a 35 degree bag for a woman.

There is no reason a woman can’t use a man’s bag and vice-versa, as long as it keeps everyone warm.  But at 5’3″ tall, I do not need to schlep around the extra weight and length of a bag designed for a 6-ft guy.  Maybe you  guys don’t care about that, but something to consider.  The Igneo is a nice bag.

If you’re camping around freezing or below the short answer is yes. After leading many backpacking trips with both new and experienced woman backpackers, inevitably it took a warmer bag, snugger dimensions, and great pad for them to feel comfortable as the temperature dropped below freezing. Even several ladies who swore they would sweat at home at 40 or 50 degrees and only needed at thin sheet, changed their opinion as to whether they were a warm  sleeper after a day or two of cold hiking or spent a night sleeping in windy or damp conditions. Several who went on to do true distant thru hikes became more acclimated or maybe their expectations changed, didn’t seem to be as much of a gap between the guys feeling barely cold and and able to sleep well , with similar bags and pads.

I worked in a backpacking shop and would often ask couples who slept colder. A few said they comfortably slept under the same covers. Most said he needed less insulation. None said she slept warmer.

I caved a lot in the 1990’s and cavers are very aware (but non judgmental) about body sizes. Men are broader in the shoulders, women in the hips.

Thanks everyone.  After reading your advice and weighing the options i decided to buy the REI Joule 30.  She is very happy with the feel of that bag, especially the roomy hood and the draft collar.  Now for the trail!

Very nice choice, hope she enjoys it.  Have fun!