Sleeping Bag Temp for CO - 0 or 15?

[TygerJ]

Evaluating sleeping bags and am stuck on what temp rating to choose; 0 vs. 15.

Will be used primarily in CO, for hunts ranging for archery through rifle. Ideally would be a single bag solution.

Is the 15 capable itself, or even when used with maybe a puffy or fleece when sleeping if needed? Or is 15 too moderate as weather dips in the rifle seasons - thus necessitating the 0 bag? Concern with just defaulting to the 0 is that it’s both heavier and more expensive - also don’t want to be buying something with features well beyond need if practical.

Considering Kuiu, SG, and WM bags.

 

[OldGrayJB]

Last year during 2nd rifle, there were a couple of nights that temp was 2°. I'd go with the 0° bag if it's your only bag.

 

[WRM]

10 degree (quilt for me) with an overbag of 38 degree Apex quilt. Moves your condensation point out of your down and into the Apex and gives you two more versatile bags than a super heavy, super low temp rated bag.

 

[smithmw2301]

I actually asked a similar question to the guys at Stone Glacier with their 2 bag options. With their insight I went with the 0. I live in Colorado but will be doing a November elk hunt in Wyoming.

 

[WRM]

Whatever route you go, make sure to get a high R value pad.

 

[Poser]

Somewhat depends on how warm or cold you sleep, but IMO, a quality 15 degree bag is sufficient through October and you can always sleep in some layers.

 

[Wags]

More warmer is more better.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Many temperature ratings that manufacturers list are T-Lower and not T-Comfort. There can be a huge difference in them.

 

[Deerhunter6250]

0 degree for me for sure. Last year second rifle 17 below zero at night.

 

[LongWayAround]

I don't think one bag covers you very well from September through November.

I would sweat my ass off in either a 15 or a 0 in September and most of October, barring those few extraordinarily cold nights. I think you need at least two. Something in the 20-30 range when appropriate and something for the 0+- range.

 

[Britt Merrick]

Evaluating sleeping bags and am stuck on what temp rating to choose; 0 vs. 15.

Will be used primarily in CO, for hunts ranging for archery through rifle. Ideally would be a single bag solution.

Is the 15 capable itself, or even when used with maybe a puffy or fleece when sleeping if needed? Or is 15 too moderate as weather dips in the rifle seasons - thus necessitating the 0 bag? Concern with just defaulting to the 0 is that it’s both heavier and more expensive - also don’t want to be buying something with features well beyond need if practical.

Considering Kuiu, SG, and WM bags.

I’m in California and have had nights where my 0 degree was just enough! My experience is that they never really hold up to what they claim and it’s better to go warmer.

 

[cnelk]

0 degree with a fleece liner.
If you dont need the bag, sleep in the liner.

Nice to have both options

 

[Slugz]

0 degree
Better to have then to want. Get hot, open it up.

 

[Bluumoon]

I learned the hard way, my zero degree bag did not cut it into the teens 2nd rifle last year. Figured out Big Agnes 0 degree rating is closer to survival than comfort. That was with an insulated inflatable pad (4.7) and a foam pad underneath.

 

[Bking]

Following

 

[Back Country Hunter 2]

Evaluating sleeping bags and am stuck on what temp rating to choose; 0 vs. 15.

Will be used primarily in CO, for hunts ranging for archery through rifle. Ideally would be a single bag solution.

Is the 15 capable itself, or even when used with maybe a puffy or fleece when sleeping if needed? Or is 15 too moderate as weather dips in the rifle seasons - thus necessitating the 0 bag? Concern with just defaulting to the 0 is that it’s both heavier and more expensive - also don’t want to be buying something with features well beyond need if practical.

Considering Kuiu, SG, and WM bags.

For the rifle tags are you backpacking in?

 

[Str8shooter]

CO archery to rifle weather is too variable to answer. If you're packing in above 11k in 3rd season a 0 deg bag and high R value pad will be absolutely be necessary. Lower elevation and earlier seasons a 15 deg will be overkill. I use an old synthetic cats meow 20 degree bag for most of September and a WM Badger 15 degree for the rest of season ( its loftier/warmer than kelty and northface 0 degree bags ive owned so degree ratings are not consistent.) That WM badger bag is plenty for 1st through 4th rifle unless temps get too far past subzero in which case Ill have a stove and extra down layers to help anyway. Backpacking in high, late season a 0 degree or high end 15 deg down bag can be clutch. Another option is to get a 15 and a woobie and bring both when the forecast calls for 0.

 

[Vandy321]

A quality 15 deg bag and a high r-value pad will work fine, even in Nov.

I did have to add a foam pad under my air pad for this nov. But that's because my inflatable pad had a slow leak and I'd wake up touching ground slightly.

I have WM badger because it's light enough to justify having one bag to do it all with, but warm enough for late rifle in CO.

I have a silk liner I bring in Nov and a wobble is on-call if needed as well.

Folks talk alot of temps, but rarely mention the tent...a double wall tent will keep it significantly warmer inside than the zero degree temp your thermometer shows outside.

 

[rodney482]

You can always unzip

 

[rclouse79]

I have a 0, 20, and 32 degree bag. The amount of regret I have felt from having to unzip a bag that was too warm for the conditions is very small. The amount of regret I have felt from shivering all night in a bag that was not warm enough is very large. In my opinion it is better to err on the side of the warmer bag.