Bag Rating? - Appalachian Trail

imported
#1

Overall, what degree rating for a sleeping bag do you think is best for thru-hiking?

Dawg

Dawgtrekker

#2

When I did my thru attempt in 01 I went with a 20 Deg. Found it was more than adequate. But then again I like to sleep in cooler weather. But I would suggest a 20 Deg bag. If you need more warmth just add a liner bag. The liner bag can the serve double duty as a summer bag. YMMV;)

ShakeyLeggs

#3

mines a 15 degree bag

im awful warm most of the time; so i can generally crack open my bag alot. which is good except the time the mouse got inquisitive and decided to see what was inside my sleeping bag. i slept throught it. the mouse was kind and didnt leave any presents. but i was told about it the next day.

Big Boy

#4

I used a 20 degree bag for my 02’thru. It was more than warm enough most nights but on several cold nights I was sure glad that I had it.

note: I found that a lot of people were sending home their warm weather gear in northern Virginia in April, including their winter sleeping bags, instead using liners or summer bags…I debated this but ultimately hung onto my 20 degree bag and I’m very happy I did as I encountered cold nights into the 30’s right up into Maine in June. I can remember nights in PA where fellow thru hikers were shivering in their liners next to me all night.

Jersey Joe

#5

yea, i second this idea. This year, atleast for early starters it never really warmed up at all. It was generally 40 degrees most nights thru april march and june. Besides one week of heatwave. By time the temp wamed up we were at high elevations (5000 and above in whites) where it is very chilly at night. Had some incredible cool nights in July in maine. Especially if you’re starting in february or march I wouldn’t be so quick to ditch your cold gear just to save weight.
As jersey said, i witnessed all too many folks who relied on others for extra gear and warmth because of there lack of preparation.
This is why a liner can be extremely helpful piece of gear. Makes the whole sleeping set up so versatile in my opinion.

A-Train

#6

Part of the answer depends upon when you are starting.

Assuming that you start between Mid March and mid April, then you need to be prepared for below freezing nights until Memorial Day. Generally that means until you are past Mt. Rodgers. So, there will be nights when you will really appreciate a 20 degree or 15 degree bag. During this time, there will also be some warm weather, but don’t be too quick to think that the cold weather is over. In 2002 there was a severe frost in the valleys of Tennessee just before Memorial Day that killed gardens there.

From southern Virginia until the Green Mountains or at the latest, Glencliff, a 40 degree bag or maybe a fleece blanket should be adequate. It depends on how warm/cold you sleep.

Bear in mind that an enclosed tent gives you about 10 degrees of warmth. (still want that 20 degree bag until after Mt. Rodgers).

Through the White Mountains, and probably through Maine, best to be prepared to cool weather again. First frosts in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine are usually in early September.

Peaks