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?

  • Noel_Skum@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    111·
    14 days ago

    I was incredibly confused until I worked out you’re talking Fahrenheit… all I can add is what someone else said: the extreme rating is not a position you want to ever be in. Although it is preferable to death…

  • Please_Do_Not@lemm.eeEnglish
    61·
    14 days ago

    Get a 0⁰ up to -20⁰ sleeping pad so the ground isn’t sapping heat from you, wear warm clothes inside of it, and be ready to do some situps in the middle of the night to trap some heat in there, and you should be good. Personally, if I am going to be camping at any temp below freezing, I’ll go for a zero or -20 bag since I have one, but a good sleeping pad and fleece base layers add a lot of protection whatever bag you’re in.

    • teft@lemmy.worldEnglish
      61·
      14 days ago

      From my experience I would say don’t wear warm clothes in your sleeping bag. Just wear a light pair of thermal underwear (top and bottom) and some socks. Put your clothes into the bag with you to keep them warm but don’t wear them. That way when you wake up and put on those clothes you actually feel warm. If you wear clothes in your sleeping bag you’ll feel cold after you get out of your sleeping bag.

      • Please_Do_Not@lemm.eeEnglish
        1·
        14 days ago

        Sure, if you have a sleeping bag that’s warm enough. If you need the layers to sleep, you just gotta cope with a cold morning and get moving as quick as you can to heat up. Just saw that OP is car camping, but stuffing a tent, sleeping bag, and pad first thing every morning is always enough to get me warmed up in whatever layers I have on, if I am moving camp.

      • Please_Do_Not@lemm.eeEnglish
        2·
        14 days ago

        That should help with the ground. I guess my advice would be to get out there and try it once before it’s your coldest season. See if you’re comfy at 40⁰ and then take your best guess about another 8⁰

  • ultranaut@lemmy.worldEnglish
    2·
    14 days ago

    Possibly. Who makes the bag? For the most part only the higher end bags actually have accurate ratings.

      • ultranaut@lemmy.worldEnglish
        1·
        14 days ago

        Grand Teton

        I’m not familiar with that brand and can’t find any useful info about them. I’d recommend not trusting the rating on there until you’ve established performance for yourself, and to bring something warm to put on so if it doesn’t live up to the rating you won’t be too miserable.

        Also, insulation from the ground is super important. If you don’t have a good sleeping pad, that will make a huge difference.

          • ultranaut@lemmy.worldEnglish
            2·
            14 days ago

            In that case, I wouldn’t trust anything on the label or any of the packaging. If you can swing it, a quality down bag costs more up front but can last decades if you take proper care of it (mainly always store it dry and uncompressed, and avoid folding it). If you’re just car camping it’s maybe harder to justify but if you backpack at all the weight savings that come with down are really worth it. One of mine is almost 20 years old and still going strong, amortized over the life of the bag it was a great deal back when I bought it.

  • AchtungDrempels@lemmy.worldEnglish
    11·
    14 days ago

    I would reckon that should work, if you are camping at those temperatures surely you must also have some dry layers to put on in your car if it gets too cold somehow. I was sleeping comfortable in my 25°F limit bag in a 32°F, non windy night (comfort temp 35°F) in just underpants. I am a hot sleeper though. If it is just the odd night i would noit worry, but i am also always keen to save weight and volume.

    If you are scratching around the 32°F for multiple nights though, maybe look at some sleeping bag liners too, they’re pretty cool and can be used nicely as a sole “bag” in summer and give you a few degrees extra in cold nights. Also way easier to wash than a sleeping bag.

    And yeah, insulated pad is important, but seems like you are good on that end.

    • Kintarian@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      2·
      14 days ago

      I’ve been looking at liners. Not only could they add a little bit of insulation but they’re easy to just throw in the washing machine and your bag stays nice and clean.

      • AchtungDrempels@lemmy.worldEnglish
        2·
        14 days ago

        I should maybe add that i have quite some experience camping, know what makes a good spot and how to set up my tent properly and will always have some more dry layers to put on if it gets too cold. I have quality sleeping bags, which temperature ratings i trust, or actually can confirm.