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Hot take: I think a lot of people are buying sleeping bags rated for way colder temps than they actually need.
I see it all the time in reviews and at the store. Someone heading out for summer camping in 50 degree nights buys a 0 degree bag because they think 'colder is safer.' But then they're sweating all night, the bag gets damp, and it's actually less warm and way heavier to carry. I learned this after a miserable, sweaty weekend at Lake Tahoe with my bulky winter bag. Now I match the bag's comfort rating to the expected low, not the survival rating. What's your method for picking the right temp rating?
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brown.nathan7mo ago
My buddy did that exact thing on a trip to the Redwoods. He brought his heavy 15 degree bag for like 45 degree nights, said he woke up soaked and shivering because all his sweat made the bag useless. He swears by a simple fleece liner now for anything above freezing.
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ross.kelly7mo ago
Man, that reminds me of my own sweaty, miserable night in a bag way too warm.
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blairstone4mo ago
Your buddy's right about that fleece liner trick, works like a charm for dialing in warmth without swapping out your whole bag. I tell my customers to check the EN comfort rating, not the survival rating, and aim for 10-15 degrees higher than the coldest temp they actually expect. Carrying that extra bulk and sweating your guts out is worse than just layering up with a cheap liner when it gets chilly.
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