How to extend temp rating of sleeping bag

Joined
Mar 31, 2020
Messages
88
Looking for recommendations on how to extend the temp rating of my 20* mummy bag. Possibly going to be camping in colder temps in the first week of December and wondering what my options are.

Currently considering sleeping in a puffy jacket and also sticking the 20* sleeping bag into a 40* sleeping bag.

Would this work? Are there better ways out there? I don’t really have much expendable cash I’m willing to spend on a a 0* or -10* bag so want to try and use what I have.

I’ll be camping at the truck for additional context.


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WyoKid

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Aug 6, 2019
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Nemo bag liner or similar will add 10 degrees but incredibly uncomfortable to get in and out. Wearing fresh socks, your base layers and puffy jacket and a hat is much more effective. Making sure you go to bed warm is also important (drink some hot water). If it is still cold, I use disposable 8-12 hour hot hands in my socks and the large stick on hot hands on my kidneys. This has kept me relatively warm in single digit temps in a tepee tent without a stove or heater. Avoid a propane heater as they have caused a lot of carbon monoxide deaths if you fall asleep with it on.
 
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OP
Dakota_Rookie
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Mar 31, 2020
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Thanks. I will have a teepee and wood stove but that warmth only last about 45 min to an hour if I’m lucky. Plan on also sticking a Nalgene of boiling water at bottom of bag.


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Joined
Feb 26, 2018
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Location
Nebraska
Thermarest foam pad under your normal pad helps. These are cheap! Not sure what your current pad is?

Sleeping with puffy layers on helps.

Putting a heavy blanket or another bag over your sleeping bag.

Using hot hands body warmers in your bag also helps.
 
OP
Dakota_Rookie
Joined
Mar 31, 2020
Messages
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Thermarest foam pad under your normal pad helps. These are cheap! Not sure what your current pad is?

Sleeping with puffy layers on helps.

Putting a heavy blanket or another bag over your sleeping bag.

Using hot hands body warmers in your bag also helps.

Should have mentioned my pad(s). Current pad that gets most use is thermarest trailpro with an R rating of only 4. Did plan to supplement this on top of a thermarest Z-lite and/or a Cabelas large outfitter air pad (not sure of R value).

I did worry about multiple pads and constantly wanting to slide out from under one another.


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180ls1

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Should have mentioned my pad(s). Current pad that gets most use is thermarest trailpro with an R rating of only 4. Did plan to supplement this on top of a thermarest Z-lite and/or a Cabelas large outfitter air pad (not sure of R value).

I did worry about multiple pads and constantly wanting to slide out from under one another.


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I had a thread on the same ting. Double bagging is VERY effective.

Also, if you have to the foam pad is more effective on top of your air mattress and the reflective side goes down. Good luck!
 
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OP
Dakota_Rookie
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Mar 31, 2020
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I had a thread on the same ting. Double bagging is VERY effective.

Also, if you have to the roam pad is more effective on top of your air mattress and the reflective side goes down. Good luck!

Could you link that thread?


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100%DIYazCOUES

Lil-Rokslider
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Jul 2, 2017
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If truck camping, double bag 100%.
If backpacking just sleep in your puffys.
A couple weeks ago I used a lower quality 25 degree rated quilt, puffy jacket , and down booties, and was almost too warm in 15 degrees. Never needed the puffy pants. First time using down booties, but they were AWESOME. $15 Amazon buy, 3 oz if that matters to ya
 
Joined
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Should have mentioned my pad(s). Current pad that gets most use is thermarest trailpro with an R rating of only 4. Did plan to supplement this on top of a thermarest Z-lite and/or a Cabelas large outfitter air pad (not sure of R value).

I did worry about multiple pads and constantly wanting to slide out from under one another.


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Pads slide, but you will want both. Sounds like you are prepared though!
 

Matt5266

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SW Idaho
If your truck camping double your sleeping bags or take some blankets. Good pad. Also liners are good to out inside they add some warmth and protect your bag from sweat and dirt that can decrease and breakdown fill inside your bag.
 

Koda_

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Dec 24, 2023
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PNW
Looking for recommendations on how to extend the temp rating of my 20* mummy bag. Possibly going to be camping in colder temps in the first week of December and wondering what my options are.

Currently considering sleeping in a puffy jacket and also sticking the 20* sleeping bag into a 40* sleeping bag.

Would this work? Are there better ways out there? I don’t really have much expendable cash I’m willing to spend on a a 0* or -10* bag so want to try and use what I have.

I’ll be camping at the truck for additional context.


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All the above works, but for me what works best is to add a down or synth quilt inside the bag to take up any dead air spaces, add a closed cell foam sleeping pad.

 

WyoKid

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Thanks. I will have a teepee and wood stove but that warmth only last about 45 min to an hour if I’m lucky. Plan on also sticking a Nalgene of boiling water at bottom of bag.


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Depending on the size and type of your stove, you can extend the burn time by stacking it full of large pieces of wood (hard wood lasts longer) and open the air intake fully for just a few minutes to make sure you have a solid fire, then close the damper and air intake down to 1/4 to let it smolder all night. I have also thrown in lump coal if it is brutally cold, which will burn all night but you have to first make sure it has started to burn before you close down the air intake and damper.

+ on good or double ground pad - use duct tape to hold two 1 inch closed cell foam pads together (bought mine from Walmart) to avoid them sliding off each other.
 
Joined
Nov 3, 2014
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Montana
In a 15 degree big agnes bag plus sea to summit thermo liner, good socks, long John’s and a puffy I’ve went to -10 ambient -30 windchill. Pitch the tent the right direction helps greatly.
 

mtnbound

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Nov 8, 2016
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N. Idaho
Looking for recommendations on how to extend the temp rating of my 20* mummy bag. Possibly going to be camping in colder temps in the first week of December and wondering what my options are.

Currently considering sleeping in a puffy jacket and also sticking the 20* sleeping bag into a 40* sleeping bag.

Would this work? Are there better ways out there? I don’t really have much expendable cash I’m willing to spend on a a 0* or -10* bag so want to try and use what I have.

I’ll be camping at the truck for additional context.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Use your 20 degree bag, get the highest R-value sleeping pad you can afford, sleep in your puffys, wear a stocking hat, and if you need more, you can use those disposable hand and feet warmers in your pockets.
 

j3h8

Lil-Rokslider
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Aug 31, 2018
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Bakersfield, CA
Take a nalgene, boil water and pour into the nalgene. Throw the hot water bottle into your bag (I like to toss it in the middle and kind of bunch the bag like a rolled down sock). The water bottle can be placed wherever you want additional heat as well has prewarming your bag and adding substantial warmth through the night. When you wake up, even in sub zero temp weather, the water bottle will still hold a bit warmer water so you have the bonus of not needing to thaw your water to drink it.
 

Legend

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Joined
Jun 13, 2017
Messages
946
Looking for recommendations on how to extend the temp rating of my 20* mummy bag. Possibly going to be camping in colder temps in the first week of December and wondering what my options are.

Currently considering sleeping in a puffy jacket and also sticking the 20* sleeping bag into a 40* sleeping bag.

Would this work? Are there better ways out there? I don’t really have much expendable cash I’m willing to spend on a a 0* or -10* bag so want to try and use what I have.

I’ll be camping at the truck for additional context.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
You will be fine. Took my 20 degree wm to minus 9 once. Used some of the tricks above. Hand warmers in down booties are a great addition.

If you are truck camping through your bag inside a cheap sleeping bag....like the bug rectangle ones. You will be hot in that set up.
 

prm

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Mar 31, 2017
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No. VA
Kifaru Woobie. Then you can take it with you to wrap up in while glassing/sitting. This really works well!
 

eamyrick

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Apr 24, 2018
Messages
1,366
Location
Central Texas
I have found that a bivy bag adds about 10 degrees warmth. A mil issued goretex bag is great for truck camping. For backpacking there are several companies at all price ranges. I also sleep in my puffy jacket and long johns.
 
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