sleeping bag

[gregugadawg]

As a fairly new hiker I am looking to purchase a sleeping bag. We mainly hike in the GA/NC area so the lows probably don't get much below 15 I would guess. My question is if there is anything negative to purchasing a bag rated for 0 degrees as opposed to something say in the 15-20 degree range.

[Egads]

The downsides of a 0* bag over a 15* bag in NC / GA is the upper comfort range on the 15* will get you more days of use than the 0* bag will, and the 0* is bulkier & heavier.

[Hooch]

I agree with Egads, the main thing I can think of with a 0* bag is that it will be heavier and bulkier. Also, if you hike in warmer weather, it'll be a major case of overkill. Personally, I'd recommend a 20* bag with a liner, should work just fine for you. When the weather turns warmer, leave the bag partially unzipped as dictated by the temperature and conditions.

[KG4FAM]

If you get a 0 deg you would probably want a 30-40 deg bag for summer so you end up buying two bags. A 15-20 deg could serve as double duty if you are only looking for one bag.

[fehchet]

I do agree with H.H. about the double duty 15 to 20 degree bag. I'm an old school survivalist though and carry a zero degree down bag year round. There are times I need the bag zipped up all around me with just my mouth and nose gasping for air and then most of the time I use it as a quit. But I have it.

[Compass]

As the past posts have pointed out it appears you will end up with two purchases.
0* and 30-40*
or
15-20* and liner
The main bag I end up washing is my summer bag and a winter bag seems to suffer more from the abuse(laying on top sweating and washings). I started with a synthetic 20* and now use down quilts which work better for hammocking. Start somewhere that is safe and se where to go from there.

[bigcranky]

My question is if there is anything negative to purchasing a bag rated for 0 degrees as opposed to something say in the 15-20 degree range.

Yes. You only need a 0-F bag in the winter around here, say from mid-Nov to mid March. The rest of the year you will sweat your arse off carrying and sleeping in a too-warm, too-heavy bag.

As a beginning hiker, you probably mostly hike three seasons for now. So get a nice 25 or 30-F bag, go do lots of hiking, and when you are ready for serious winter hiking, you can get the 0-F bag then.

[hnryclay]

I hike in the winter, I have a 10 degree WM versalite, that I use year round. You can always use clothing to insulate.

[Tinker]

Buy a 40 degree bag and a 20 degree bag. Combine them for a 0 degree bag (or thereabouts).
"One size fits all" doesn't apply to camping gear, unless you go to the same place the same time year after year (even then, the weather is unlikely to cooperate).
If you camp mostly in the summer, you can get a hoodless bag with a full zipper for the best ventilation possible. Better yet, for summer only, if weight is a concern, look at quilts or a Big Agnes bag which uses the pad as the bottom insulation.

[Bare Bear]

15F bag should be cheaper and less weight than a 0F bag.

[littlelaurel59]

We are all familiar with the concept of layering when it comes to our clothing. Why not use the same idea for a sleep system.

I have a 30* bag, a synthetic liner, and a homemade RayWay quilt. The total investment is less than most quality 0* bags. I can mix and match depending on conditions, and can go below 0* with all 3 plus clothing.

There is nothing wrong with a 0* bag, but it will too much for at least half the year in the southeast.

[Blissful]

Unless you plan to winter hike, 15 degree to 20 degree should do well for early spring. You can always take a liner as well for cold bouts.

[ASUGrad]

I prefer a 30 bag and a fleece liner/blanket. They key is to have quite a bit between you and the ground so the cold doesn't soak through.

[tuswm]

I have a marmot never summer 0 degree down bag. Its never once left me cold, never, even at -15 but anything above 30 and it can get uncomfortably hot.

So I wanted another bag.

I don't know if you have an REI down by you but I went to the attic sale and got a REI sub kilo 20 down bag for 30$ and saw 40 and 0 bag for 35 each. You should get there 20 minutes before the store opens, all the bags were gone in 5 minutes. They were all nice looking down bags and at those prices you could get all three. The next attic sale up here is at the end of the month so check the website. Also check the used gear forum here.

If you cant find a deal and can only budget for one......

things that make a big difference....atleast when added up.
*you body's metabolism (you body's ability to generate its own heat.)
*going to bed warm (light job or push ups right before getting in your bag)
*wind (tent vs shelter vs nothing)
*ground insulation ($7 blue UL target special vs nice inflatable pad)
*clothing (what you wear to bed)
*claustrophobic (can you since you bag down to a 2" hole around your moth)
*location (near water and at bottom of hills it tends to be colder)

my recent experiment on the AT

Now my REI sub kilo is less that 2 lbs with compression sack and is MUCH smaller when packed. My marmot never summer is larger and about 4 lbs with compression sack. I primarily winter camp so where to draw the line?

Now when in a shelter with even some wind and on my z rest(light foam pad) I was cold @ 27 in my 20 bag fully zipped up and synced down.
BUT in my solo tent on a nice inflatable pad wearing the same sleeping clothes plus a home made baklava I was so hot I unzipped the top foot of the sipper on my bag @ 18. Thats more comfortable ten degrees colder mostly do to the tent and better sleeping pad(lack of wind better ground insulation).

I think if I could only get one bag I would go with a 15 or 20 for smaller pack size, smaller price, and can be used year round. You just have to know what you are getting in to when taking it out in colder temps.