Ultralight Sleeping Bag Temperature Ratings

All Ultralight sleeping bags are sold with temperature ratings that range from approximately +30F (the Montbell Spiral Down Hugger) to -20F (the Montbell Super Spiral Hugger EXP), so you’ll need to select a sleeping bag based on how you sleep (hot, cold or average) using the manufacturer’s temperature rating as a starting point.

The temperature rating of a sleeping bag is the lowest temperature at which an average person will sleep comfortably. So first you need to know what an average sleeper is and how you compare? The best way to illustrate this is to look at the extremes (hot and cold), so that if you fall in the middle, you are average.

A ‘hot’ sleeper, is someone who typically will sleep covered in nothing more than a sheet, no matter what the temperature. Men tend to be hot sleepers.

The opposite, naturally, is the ‘cold’ sleeper. These people are easily recognised by the pile of sheets and quilts needed to remain warm during the night. Women tend to be cold sleepers (due to their lower metabolism).

So with this in mind, hot sleepers can select a sleeping bag based on the rating as is possibly even 5 – 10 degrees higher, while cold sleepers should add (actually subtract) an extra 10 – 20 degrees. For example, if you’re a cold sleeper looking for a sleeping bag that will keep you comfortably warm in temperatures as low as 40F, you will want to select one that is temperature rated down to 30F (such as the Western Mountaineering MegaLite) or possibly as low as 20F (with the Western Mountaineering Alpinlite) if you’re a very cold sleeper.

By using the manufacturers temperature rating as a guideline, and knowing your sleep type, you can easily select the proper sleeping bag for your outings.

Tagged with: Ultralight Sleeping Bag Temperature Ratings

Filed under: Ultra light sleeping bags

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