Can I count on my 30° down bag really being 30°

[krojemann]

This past offseason I picked up a 30° down for the early September backcountry. Looking at temps for where I'm headed next week, Lows are a little lower than normal with lows in the mid-30's and one night at 29°. Also, these projected lows are from the nearest town, where I might be another 1000' higher up the mountain.

Without having any prior experience with a down bag, do you think I will be alright? I have base layers & a puffy vest packed as well. Or should I play it safe and pack in my 20° synthetic bag? Thanks

 

[pyroducksx3]

I'd take the 20

 

[zeroforhire]

Depends on the manufacturer. To be safe, take the 20


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[krojemann]

It's a Mont-bell.

 

[Justin Crossley]

What are the brands of both bags? What pad are you using, and which shelter? Do you normally sleep warm or cold?

I have a couple down quilts and a down bag and all of them keep me warm to their rated temps. I use a Thermarest Xtherm pad and shelter depends on the trip. I have also been cold in synthetic bags and down bags when the temps were above the listed rating.

 

[krojemann]

I have a Klymit Static V Insulated Lite pad. My tent is a GoLite Imogene. My synthetic bag is a Marmot. I'd say I'm an average sleeper. The temp rating is making me lean towards the synthetic. The weight and size is making me lean towards the down.

 

[Justin Crossley]

Between those I would go with the Marmot synthetic bag.

 

[pyroducksx3]

I run into the same problem. I have a 30 deg down marmot and a 20 degree kifaru slick bag. The down is light and packs down to nothing, I love using it. But two years ago I took it on my high buck hunt and it went from comfortable temp to snowing. Even with my insulation layers on I was cold in the bag. I slept but not well. I was never in danger of hypothermia but still not super comfy. Last year I took my 20 degree because of this. Again a cold couple nights out on an exposed ridge had the water freezing in my Nalgene bottle. I was so thankfull for the warmer bag. Later in the trip I dropped over a thousand feet and camped in a canyon and was sleeping with the bag unzipped.

 

[Graindrain]

20* and use the zipper as mentioned above.

the 30 down would be nice, but if you are close to its "min temp" and its rains you are stuck being cold and wet.
The 30 down sounds like a better scout/ warm weather bag for the summer months.

 

[nirvanafan]

The rough estimate is the temperature gets 3.5° colder for every 1000' elevation gain. Obviously, local weather, terrain, and other factors can change things a bit. But, using that, you're looking at low 30's and 25° that one night.

I hate packing bulky and heavy things. I also sleep pretty warm and have taken a 40° 3/4 length down underquilt paired with a 32° down top quilt down to 25° with no issues. Personally, I'd take the 30° bag. But, you really have to know how you sleep. If you're waffling, you may want to take the 20° to be safe.

 

[KMT]

If I thought it was going to be 30, I would use a 20 degree bag.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

I've camped in places that we supposed to be dry and mid 30s. This is one of em.



Prepare for inaccurate forecasts.

 

[Riverwalker]

NO!

 

[ianpadron]

Yeah what Riverwalker said.

I froze my ass off in July in my 30 degree Mountain Hardware bag when an unexpected coldfront rolled through the highcountry. I would guess it was right around 40 all night, and the bag didn't do shit haha.

Ordered a 0 degree quilt the second I got home. Being cold while sleeping will ruin any trip in a hurry.

 

[Hunt'nFish]

I'm with the rest of the guys, better to be too warm than too cold.

But let me add this.....
A tent can add a couple degrees, a good bivy bag will add another 10, a warm base layer another 10, socks & cap another 5-10. And pad r-value figures in as well, look for R4.5-5.

I've even slept in my full clothes with a 5F bag.
Course that was on mule pads under a manty tarp with 6" of snow on top.
I actually slept ok, except for the lack of padding mule pads provide.
Hunt'nFish

 

[trapperjay]

I bought a MH 20 degree and I'm praying I can get it down to 30 w/ my beanie, fleece long johns, and wool socks. I hate being cold!!

 

[Jeff Martin]

you will freeze $%^& ...take the 20

 

[mlob1one]

Air flow (wind) will dramatically drop the effectiveness of any bag/quilt. Add a bivy and the rating will definitely be more spot on. My 15 degree Mont bell has kept me super warm in 5 degree weather with bivy and good merino head to toe.

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[jmez]

I'd take the 30. I have a 30 degree bag and it keeps me comfortable into the mid 20's. Only time I even zip it is if it gets down below 30. It is just a eureka bag I got in sale at Cabela's for $60.

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[Darren Best]

There is no night longer than one spent cold.

Until you have proven a bags rating, always err on the side of caution, unless of course you don't mind spending an entire night trying to stay warm.