Temperature Ratings for Sleeping Bags
Are you planning to camp in the summer or in the winter? When choosing a sleeping bag, decide what the lowest temperature you are likely to encounter will be. Choose a bag that will perform to this temperature.
Temperature Rating Chart for Sleeping Bags
Most sleeping bags have a temperature rating that lets you know what temperatures they are designed to withstand:
| Season/Climate | Degrees C | Degrees F |
|---|---|---|
| Summer | 2 to 10 ℃ | 35 to 50 ℉ |
| Spring and Fall | -1 to -10 ℃ | 15 to 30 ℉ |
| Winter | -18 to -35 ℃ | -30 to 0 ℉ |
| Mountaineering, Arctic | -25 to -50 ℃ | -60 to -10 ℉ |
Sleeping Bag Temperature Tips:
- Bags that are designed to wrap tightly around your body tend to retain more heat throughout the night.
- Buy camping sleeping bags for the coldest temperature you might face.
- 2–3 lbs of fill is suitable for the summer months.
- For colder weather, choose a sleeping bag with 4–6 lbs of fill.
- If you tend to get cold, purchase a sleeping bag with rated for 5 to 10 degrees colder temperatures than you think you might need.
Sleeping bag temperature ratings are approximated observations. To ensure your comfort and safety, opt for a bag that can handle weather even a few degrees cooler than you expect to encounter.
Author: Kirsten
(The CampTrip Team)
