What's a good sleeping bag for Minnesota?

[Scott M]

I just purchased some Mummy sleeping bags that were on sale. They were rated for 20 degrees. Just what is a good sleeping bag for the temperature extremes of Minnesota? I don't plan to use the bag in 20 degrees, but I guess it's good to know that I can (althought if its that cold there probably is a brisk wind which throws everything out).

Anybody have a preference with their sleeping bags? I really like the mummy style after using them. I can really get cozy in there. It just has to be long enough to fit all of me (I'm 6'4")

[Powerstroke]

There are many things to consider with sleeping bags and the first one I will bring up is do oyu plan on winter camping? If you've thought about being in 20* temps then you might be.

Obviously you would need a "long" size. I am 6' and most bags are sized to6' so I usually need the long version too causing being cramped in a bag makes the insulation less effective.

For insulation you need to decide on Down or synthetic. Both are great. Down is a better insulator, but becomes ineffective if it gets wet. Down packs down smaller and is generally lighter. Even among down there are different ratings called fill power. A higher number is higher quality down that lofts higher containing more air space meaning less down to insulate to the same rating. So you get same rating with less down, less weight, smaller size when stuffed.

Synthetics tend to be a bit thicker, heavier and store larger, BUT they keep their insulating qualities even if they get wet. Obviously being wet has its own problems, but being more than damp but not soaked is a possibility.

Having a wind doens't change the temperature of the air. Wind only affects skin which can feel the effects of wind and lose body heat because of convection. The wind has a cooling effect on your skin stealing your heat, but it can't make the air colder than the air's temp. 20* is the same whether its no wind or 50mph wind. As long as you're in a tent or at least a sleeping bad you won't feel the wind and don't need to worry about it.

If you plan on sleeping outside between may and oct you should ahve a bag rated to at least freezing (32). The 20* bag is good. It might be too warm in the summer but then you just lay o top of it or bring a lighter bag or a blanket roll instead.

If you plan on camping between Oct and May then you should consider something with a 0* rating or lower. Most people don't sleep comfortably in 20* with a 20* bag. I think that you should be sleeping in long underwear,socks and a hat and nothing more when you sleep in cold weather. If you need to wear extra clothes or ALL your clothes then you don't have the right gear. SO, aim for a 10-20* buffer in temp ratings.

Since we are in the area, I will mention the importance of a quality sleeping pad. The old air mattress will not insulate you form frozen ground. You need closed cell foam. Thermarest inflating pads give you air mattress with closed foam. A 4-season pad will provide an extra ~40* of temp protection from the ground. Thats inportant since you are laying on your insulation in the bag and it won't perform as well under your body.

Have I said too much?

Personally I have a Slumberjack synthetic summer bag rated 65* with zip open vents. I also have an REI 750-Fill Down bag rated to 20* for all other times. I use a Thermarest Prolite 4 for year round use. The coldest I've camped is in the teens. I do winter camp, but I want to get a -40* bag for colder temps since my 20* bag is pushing it. I sleep warm, but its borderline.

[Powerstroke]

I know I pimp REI a lot cause I like their gear, but its only expensive if you buy the expensive stuff. There is still high quality gear that doesn't cost a fortune.

You can go there or Midwest Mountaineering and see several bags in different ratings and insulationg styles and see if there is one you like. If anything it will get you thinking. The best part is they are all on the floor with all the sleeping pads so you can "test-drive" any bag and/or pad you want.

[sparcebag]

The ole gril and myself have two bags each both fairly cheep,bag 1 is a 2 lb.down good for cool to cold,bag 2 is fiberfill summer time,If its really cool bag one goes inside bag 2,they also zip together for double bags.

[Scott M]

Thanks for the tips and know-how. Powerstroke just wrote the book. I know what to look for next time. I may still dig around for a more summery bag.

[Powerstroke]

It wasn't that bad was it?

[federline]

I get it done all year with two bags: A 20 degree mummy bag, and a fleece bag. In the summertime, I go to bed on top of the mummy bag but in the fleece. As the temps drop overnight (I'm usually up north) I pull the 20 deg bag over top of me like a blanket, but I never get in it or zip it up. Spring and Fall I take both again, except I start the night in both, but I never zip the mummy. Wintertime, I use both, and zip both. Sleeper ice house, I just use the mummy sack and don't zip (we don't set the furnace on "roast" in our shack). The two bag combo has proven to take the egdes off the seaonal change through flexibility.