sleeping bag 0 or -20?

[casanoah]

So I need to order my sleeping bag and i've gotten conflicting reports on what bag temp is appropriate. Zero degrees or -20? I'm northbound thruhiking March 8th. What do ya'll think?

[sliderule]

Zero should be enough.

[Skidsteer]

Zero should be enough.

Stellar example of understatement.

Unless you sleep VERY cold, you might look at 10, 15, or even 20 degree bags for a March 8th start.

[Nightwalker]

So I need to order my sleeping bag and i've gotten conflicting reports on what bag temp is appropriate. Zero degrees or -20? I'm northbound thruhiking March 8th. What do ya'll think?
Go with a +10F bag. Warm enough, and can be had as low as 32 ounces.

[kyhipo]

I agree a 10 degree bag should be plenty,ky:rolleyes:

[khaynie]

If you can afford it, buy a zero and a summer bag. Switch to the warm weather bag when the temps permit... Zero may be overkill, however, it want be when the temps drop below 30 F. Just depends on how you sleep.

[general]

i hike in Ga and Nc all winter with a 0. i've got to say some of the coldest nights i've been out have been in late Feb. and early Mar. O's good down to lower teens naked, and 0 with some long skivvies and fleece. you could definantly experience some low teens or single digits for your first several weeks. I kept my 0 until Damascus and then picked up a 20 year old 30 down bag which makes it about a 40.

[Fiddler]

Your profile doesn't list your location. If you live in an area where it is cold in the winter try to borrow a bag of some known rating from a friend and try sleeping outdoors one night. At least then you will know what that particular rating means to you. We all sleep differently. Also too much bag can be about as bad as not enough bag.

[The Solemates]

I'd definately go with the -20. you dont wanna get cold.;)

[vipahman]

A good quality 0-degree down bag (2 1/2 lbs upwards) will keep you nice and toasty. A 10-degree bag would be perfect (2 lbs upwards). From a cost perspective, figure on paying about $75 more for the high-end 0-degree bags. My favorite is the Marmot Lithium.