That time in Yosemite my cheap sleeping bag almost killed the trip

I was freezing my ass off at 8,000 feet because I skimped on a $40 bag from Walmart. Had to hike down at 3 AM just to warm up in the truck. Anyone else learned the hard way that you really do need a rated bag for altitude?

2 comments

2 Comments

ward.fiona2d ago

Got lucky with a cheap bag in the Smokies. Froze solid all night, never again.

jamiew831d ago

The "froze solid all night" part really gets me, because nobody talks about how cheap bags often have terrible zipper drafts too. I had this one where the zipper had no baffle behind it, so cold air just poured in along the whole length of the bag. Even if the insulation is decent on paper, that single weak point can ruin your whole night. It's not just about the bag's fill or rating, it's the little design flaws that add up to a miserable time.