Big Agnes Sleeping Bag Temp Ratings

[VStromTom]

You can do some things to make your comfort level more to your liking without buying a new bag. Things like a couple of "hot hands" packs thrown in the foot of the bag, or using emergency blankets (cheap) under the bag, or in the bag depending on how cold you feel, wear a stocking cap while sleeping, or even a fleece liner/or blanket over the bag. Some wear silk underwear, long johns, sweat pants, or like me, sleep in only your underwear. I have camped to -10 degrees F that way and been toasty. I have also burned a hurricane candle hung from the tent top, or set in my shoe, to warm the tent by 5-8 degrees. But, IF you are a cold person anyway, go for a much lower temp rated bag. Hope some of this helps. Good luck.

[markjenn]

Again, thanks for all the suggestions (all good) and I fully realize that temp ratings, like EPA mileage ratings, are approximations and not guarantees.

FWIIW, I have done some further research and there are a LOT of folks commenting that they think BA dramatically underrates their bag's temp ratings. Some think it is BA just exaggerating, others think the basic design of the BA sleeping bag/pad system doesn't allow what insulation there is to sit next to the body as it would in a normal sleeping bag. Someone even commented that BA confirmed their system is really designed for "back sleepers" and that when one sleeps on their side with a BA system, the bag/pad can't conform to the vertical nature of the sleeper resulting in compression of the top insulating layer and big drafty gaps on the side. (I am a side-sleeper so this resonates with me.)

In any event, I've decided the BA system is not for me and like I said earlier, I'm moving back to more conventional bag/pad systems. YMMV.

- Mark

[h2o_snow]

Originally Posted by Bullspit

A couple of things I've learned over the years sleeping outside, usually without a tent, in cool to cold weather:

1. Put on clean dry wool socks when you go to bed.
2. Wear clothes, at least long-johns.
3. Wear a hat.
4. Find something to block the wind.

+1. I have a variety of bags including full blown, -25 high zoot winter bags and have camped well below zero w/o tent on ski traverses. Bought a BA Zirkle last year for the son its 15 degree, 800 down fill - got a good deal w a guide discount. It is cold w/ the recommended insulated air core pad.

Somewhat dissatisfied. The pad when inflated is very comfy but...and this is a big issue, the pad prevents a solid close around my neck even with the muff collar. I resorted to rolling a vest as a collar around my neck sleeping. Also - the pad prevents rolling the bag - you need to roll in the bag. Tough for a 6'5" fat boy.

Warm dry fleece and dry sox are a must. I like balaclavas for head gear - my sleeping hat always seem to fall off.

Really like the BA blow up pads but will not buy another bag.

[ParaMud]

Originally Posted by AMSBIKER

I've just bought one of these, waiting for it to turn up so not sure what its like yet. Reads ok thou, let you know

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-PIECE-MO...item2a21fb7fca

AB

It looks the same as the US army one. It is super comfortable. Used it for a full year.

[Dirtnadvil]

Originally Posted by Bullspit

I think the temperature rating on sleeping bags is based on survival, not sleep comfort. In other words, a 15 degree back will keep you alive to 15 degrees. If you want to sleep you need to get a bag 15-20 degrees warmer than the actual temperature.

A couple of things I've learned over the years sleeping outside, usually without a tent, in cool to cold weather:

1. Put on clean dry wool socks when you go to bed.
2. Wear clothes, at least long-johns.
3. Wear a hat.
4. Find something to block the wind.

+1

[Dirtnadvil]

The biggest hurdle to a goods nights sleep is to not have to a leak at O dark thirty, 10 degrees........

[oldmanb777]

I have the BA synthetic 0 degree bag. My shoulders would not fit in the standard bag, so I resorted to buying the bigger bag. I really like the idea, but i also have a +15 degree bag that is synthetic bag of another (el-cheapo) brand. It is MUCH warmer than the BA bag, has more hollofill in it ect. I put a liner in it that is suppose to make a 15 degree differance, but still freeze at anything below 30F. I'm 58 yrs old and i know that i don't sleep as warm as I used to, but this last hunting trip was almost too cold. We packed in about 4 miles and high altitude,nights were low 30's F and i wans't too warm in it. I use thier insulate air core as well.
I like the idea, of the BA system, but not enough holofill in it, and their customer support SUCKS. But thats another story.

[Jaws]

I have two 30 deg bags. One is a 20 year old Slumberjack and the other is a new BA. I froze my a** off in the BA but thought it was just me. The BA is a nice compact bag for packing but I'll be using the Slumberjack in the cooler temperatures.

[boxermoose]

It's really simple - The same guy who does EPA mileage estimates for cars moonlights as a sleeping bag temp inspector

[HaChayalBoded]

Originally Posted by markjenn

I've been a fan of the Big Agnes pad/sleeping bag system for some time, but my recent experience - admittedly limited - is that their sleeping bags are dramatically overrated with respect to how warm they'll keep you.

I have a 40-deg Park series bag that has virtually no insulation and that I've been non-too-warm in 55-60 deg summer weather and have been almost painfully cold on a couple of 35-deg nights. Thinking I just need to upgrade to a warmer bag and wanting to stick with the BA system, I looked at a couple of the BA 15-deg bags at REI today. For a 15-deg bag, the amount of loft seemed quite minimal and when I compared the amount of insulation in the BA bag vs. other 15-25 deg bags (Marmot, Kelty and others), it was WAY less, perhaps half as much. And this is after they supposedly put all the insulation in the top half.

Anybody else had issues with the temp ratings of BA sleeping bags?

- Mark

What pad are you using?

Is there too much dead space in the bag? Are you "filling" a park series bag?

Also, you really need to get a bag thats rated for around 20 degrees less than your anticipated temps.

But every person is different. You say you were cold in 55-60 degree temps. I'd be comfortable in those temps with just a fleece sleeping bag liner.

[JR356]

http://www.rei.com/product/812068/se...er-rectangular
http://www.rei.com/product/695429/se...liner-traveler

Add either of these,increases warmth and protects your bag.
They also make mummy versions but they are probably not suitable for
the wider BA bags.

JR356

[MTC]

I have been useing a BA Skinny Fish that is rated to 20F BUT its not even close to that
I do admit that I have NOT tried useing a better air pad ?

[bomber60015]

Originally Posted by Patch

Also worth noting... you just may be a 'cold' sleeper. Doesn't matter that most will be comfy in a specific temp bag, you might just need a warmer one.

This is important -- there really can be no objective measure of comfort, as everyone is a little different -- further, most folks wind up being "colder" sleepers as they age (you don't have to ask how I know) . . ... .

[rboett]

Ba summit park and exped 9dxl here.

I am fairly warm blooded. Earlier this fall I had it to about 30 degrees F.
by morning my toes were just the tinyest chilly. A pair of socks would have done the trick, or perhaps I should have usef my cocoon coolmax liner.


I think the comment about adding 15-20 degrees F is about right..

K

[Ghostyman]

I've got a BA Hog Park (20deg) and insulated large pad. I'm 6'1" and 230lbs and I'm debating getting one of the normal sized bags. The Hog Park is very comfortable and I like having extra room but I find that there is definitely a lot of air space to warm up when I get in.

I've started putting a bottle of water near my campfire to warm up and then tossing it into the bag before I get in. Warming up a cold bag takes a lot of energy so if your bag is warm before you get in, you will be much more comfortable.

Anybody around my size who can comment on the fit with the "normal" size bags?