My cousin swore by his 20 degree bag for summer in the Smokies, but I froze

He said his old Mountain Trail 20 degree bag was 'all you need' for July in Tennessee, so I didn't pack my warmer one. The first night at Elkmont Campground, the temp dropped into the 40s and I was so cold I barely slept. I ended up wearing every piece of clothing I had inside the bag. Has anyone else found those temperature ratings to be way off for them?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_jana9d ago

That "all you need" advice is a classic mistake. A 20 degree rating is the survival limit, not the comfort limit. You were right at the edge. I always plan for temps 10-15 degrees warmer than the bag's rating. Plus, old bags lose loft over time. His might have been fine years ago but isn't now.

-1

jade_hernandez9d ago

Is it really that big of a deal though? People have been using bags at their rating for ages. It just sounds like his bag was old and worn out, not that the whole rating system is wrong. Maybe he just runs cold.