ZERO DEGREE SLEEPING BAG- KEEPING WARM

[cynanne]

I was considering a slumberjack and was wondering if the 20 degree bag is actually more comfortable and works better overall in climates that never go below zero. In pics the 0 degree does not look so comfortable but lots of people buy them. Is there a good brand, moderately priced that anyone knows of? Other than slumberjack? What is your best experience with a sleeping bag?

 

[QinReno]

My experience with sleeping bags rated at 20-deg is that they're good to about 50-deg, and not much less than that, unless you put on all of your clothes before you go to bed.

My advice is to buy 2 bags, a typical 20-deg bag for general use, and then a fairly expensive "down" bag with a good temperature rating. It has to be down to be warm at low temperatures, otherwise it'll weigh a ton. I have both kinds in my van.

 

[crofter]

I have a bivouac bag (down) and some quilts and heavy fleece blanket. When I get too cold, I add a space blanket on top and that is toasty warm. also wearing a good hat to bed and dry wool socks. 

I have gotten chilled when I didn't park level and I slid down against the side of the van. It was 38 degrees outside and the bivouac bag is for 20 degrees, I still got cold.               ~crofter

 

[SheepDog]

My experience mirrors the above!  Temperature ratings are very subjective and variable with who’s in the bag!  I’ve pushed the envelope before, but ended up with my coat and hat on inside the bag.  Most ratings are a you’re not likely to die not a you’ll be comfortable at this temperature rating!

A Nalgene bottle full of boiling water in an old boot sock will make even an under rated bag comfortable in way too cold conditions.

https://www.wiggys.com/sleeping-bags/ Makes some really nice life saving bags that are customizable to most temperatures.  Choose a heavy outer bag and a heavy inner bag and you’ll have a -60F rated arctic bag!

I chose the -20F option which mirrors my climate and is a bit lighter to carry.  Having a bit more bag than needed makes sleeping more comfortable.  Choosing one of Wiggy’s wider/longer bags is more comfortable too!

A good bag is only one piece of the puzzle!  A proper insulating pad under you, keeping hydrated and fed are other very important pieces.  Having dry warm (merino wool or the like) clothes to sleep in and a thick knitted hat can make a big difference to!

Oh and unless Slumber Jack has changed their bags are over rated substantially!

SD

 

[DLTooley]

The weight savings of down are neglible for vehicle use. I use the two bag technique, using both as blankets. Adding clothing makes a lot of sense as you are already dressed when you get up. Air mattresses and open cell foam can cause heat loss.

 

[highdesertranger]

I have 2 down bags, a winter and a summer. of course I can put them together. my winter bag is a Cabela's rated at -40 my summer is an REI rated at +30. between the 2 bags and a blanket I am fine to way below zero, but I sleep hot. I always advise to be able to be comfortable and warm without an outside heat source. I have always gone by the Colin Fletcher method for sleeping bags, he said find the best bag your can afford and buy the next more expensive one. highdesertranger

 

[LivGolden]

I bought a dri-down sleeping bag because I still like to take paddle trips, occasionally. Lately, I've noticed bunching up inside like knots in the dri-down. I love this bag and had not thought to replace it, so soon.

 

[B and C]

Two keys to staying warm in a sleeping bag are to not wear the clothes you wore all day to bed. They are damp from perspiration. Change clothes (think (now fleece) pajamas) before going to bed. The other is to not put your head inside the bag to use your warm breath to help warm the bag. Your breath has moisture in it and will make the bag damp thereby making it lose its' insulating capacity. These are two of the techniques I learned in the scouts. I have use a poncho liner only under the stars as a sleeping bag at 45 degrees and a regular 3 pound sleeping bag in a plastic tarp lean to in 22 degree weather. Comfortable all night when others froze. Moisture control is key.

 

[LivGolden]

Yes, a liner helps. I use a silk liner. And focus on keeping my core warm. I sleep well in a tent, no matter the temperature. It's the waking up that's a killer.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

I was considering a slumberjack and was wondering if the 20 degree bag is actually more comfortable and works better overall in climates that never go below zero. In pics the 0 degree does not look so comfortable but lots of people buy them. Is there a good brand, moderately priced that anyone knows of? Other than slumberjack? What is your best experience with a sleeping bag?

Slumberjack is on the low end of sleeping bags; similar ones can be found at Cabela's, Bass Pro Shops, etc.  They tend to be heavy, which is not a problem if you are not carrying it on your back.

I've never found temp ratings in sleeping bags to mirror reality, but I sleep cold.  My experience is to get a bag that is rated 10º to 20ºF colder than the expected temperatures you will encounter.  Or have blankets and/or quilts available to throw over you if the bag isn't enough.  A hat, mittens (if you like to sleep with your arm under the pillow), wool socks, hot water bottles, are also good additions to keep warm.  And make sure you have enough insulation under you also.

A word of caution about down: it will suck up water like a sponge and is difficult to dry without using a dryer.  So if you are in a high humidity area (PMW, etc.), use a heater that is exhausted into your living area (Mr Buddy, etc), or boil a lot of water inside your van, down is not a good choice.
Also if you use a non-breathable cover over your bag, it will trap your bodies natural sweat inside the bag so you need to open the bag up and let it air out during the day.

I prefer a good selection of quilts, as they give me more freedom of movement and only use a mummy bag if it is below 0ºF, mostly because the hood.

I bought a dri-down sleeping bag because I still like to take paddle trips, occasionally. Lately, I've noticed bunching up inside like knots in the dri-down. I love this bag and had not thought to replace it, so soon.

Try putting the bag in a commercial dryer on air (no heat, unless it has a low heat setting) with a couple of pairs of clean tennis shoes and run it through a couple of cycles.  The tennis shoes should break up the down clumps.

 

[LivGolden]

Thanks. I'm actually headed now to wash quilts. I'll try the tennis balls.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

Tennis balls aren't heavy enough.

 

[LivGolden]

Oh, tennis shoes...

Thanks.

 

[regis101]

There’s truth to not wearing the days clothing to bed .
There is also thought that not wearing bed clothes is an alternative . It has to do with body temp warming the air inside the bag or under the blankets.
If I’m in anything under the 30* mark I will wear jam jams in case I have to chase a Bear trying to steal my Beer during the night

 

[Almost There]

Instead of investing in higher quality sleeping bags to get something that will keep you warm in cold temps, think about just setting up a good sleep system with regular bedding and a few adds.

I use a queen size duvet on a twin bed so it's folded over into two layers. This lets me use one layer when that's all that's needed and just pull the second layer over when the temp drops like around 4 AM.

I also have a fleece liner that is from my canoe tripping/backpacking days. It is simply a piece of fleece at least as tall as I am, folded lengthwise, stitched up from one end about 18" (knee height) then sewn across the bottom end.

One layer of duvet works down to the mid 40's, 2nd layer of duvet will work down to about 32, add the fleece liner and I'm good down to low 20s. Below that I can add mid weight fleece thermals and a hoodie sweatshirt that will take me down to below 0 - although I try to never, ever need that!

You can also buy fleece sheets now (or flannel) that will be far warmer than cotton or synthetic sheets.


All of them can be laundered easily and as necessary. I can't imagine having to try to keep a sleeping bag clean when one uses night after night after night.

 

[highdesertranger]

for clumping down don't wash or if you do hand wash with the special down soap. do not machine wash down. you can put it in a drier with no heat and tennis shoes to break up the clumps. remember no heat and no machine wash. my winter Cabela's bag was bought in 1980 and it's still going strong. proper care is what down needs. highdesertranger

 

[LivGolden]

Good grief- 38 years! I'm going to take your advice, then. I l;ove this sleeping bag. I don't want a new one. So, a bit of a wash by hand and tennis shoes in the dryer. Good enough. Thanks.

 

[QinReno]

One thing about down bags is that they need to be stored in such a manner that the down does not get compressed. My down bag came with 2 sacks - one small with tight-compression for travel, and one 10X or so larger for storage.

For many years, I've used regular bed sheets inside my bags to keep them clean.

 

[highdesertranger]

remember hand wash with the correct soap and no heat in the dryer.

I also got 2 bags with my sleeping bags. but I found that if you open it up after it's been left in the small stuff sack that after a couple of days all the loft returns. highdesertranger

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

One thing about down bags is that they need to be stored in such a manner that the down does not get compressed. My down bag came with 2 sacks - one small with tight-compression for travel, and one 10X or so larger for storage.

Not true.  A few years ago the Army Quartermaster opened some down bags that had been stored in very tight vacuum bags since the end of WWII and they returned to their original loft.  It is the synthetic bags that will not return loft if left compressed for too long.  The large storage bags started showing up when synthetic bags became popular.

I have a -20º down bag that I purchased in 1974 that is stored in a 30L dry bag and still returns to its original loft when left out for 24 hours.  And smells like a bag that I have used since 1974 (hand washed twice).