Is it time to buy a new sleeping bag? If so, I strongly recommend that you take into account the temperature ranges most sleeping bags have available and buy accordingly. Check a few weather forecasts of where you are going to get an idea of what to expect, then buy a sleeping bag that works to 20 degrees below that.
Two years ago, my husband and I decided to get a bigger boat (a common problem with boaters) and we found one in late October that was perfect. It was kept at a marina a few hours West of where we live, so we decided to bring it home by driving it down river, more cost effective than having it trailered. However, the boat had no heater.
It was time to get a new sleeping bag. So off to the Internet I raced. After checking 2 or 3 weather reports, I searched for info on sleeping bags that were good down to around 45F. Of course, I ended up with information overload - everything from synthetic versus down filled, to size & color & length & shape & blah blah blah.
So, I picked a pretty blue one from Mountain Hardwear called Sunrise for just under $200.00 that was good to 50F. I didn't really consider my options at that time, but now I wish I had noticed, similar sleeping bags in the same price range and slightly more expensive were available that were good right down to 5 and even to -40F.
Needless to say, that night was c o l d !! We picked up the boat on a balmy 65 morning, and drove all day, ending up in the 1000 Islands near Brockville, Ontario that night. We should have picked up a clue that it was going to be cold when we found that all the docks were removed from the islands, but we just scoffed at the scared, cold-fearing tourists and enjoyed a late dinner all alone on an island.
We enjoyed a warm meal on the boat followed by a nice walk on the island with our golden retriever, then went to sleep early knowing we had another long day ahead of us. Some time during the night, I heard our dog barking so I got up to investigate. The cabin was freezing! It literally felt like there was ice on the floor.
Unfortunately for me, the bed was too small for 3, so I couldn't even enjoy the warmth of my dog next to me. I quickly dove back into my sleeping bag, but it was too late. My feet were already numb and they didn't seem to warm up all night.
The next morning we heard on our radio that temperatures had dropped to 25 overnight! What a surprise, the weathermen got it wrong. So please take my advice and learn from my mistakes - when deciding on which sleeping bag to buy, get one that works to at least 10 degrees lower than you think you may need. You'll be happy you did!
Two years ago, my husband and I decided to get a bigger boat (a common problem with boaters) and we found one in late October that was perfect. It was kept at a marina a few hours West of where we live, so we decided to bring it home by driving it down river, more cost effective than having it trailered. However, the boat had no heater.
It was time to get a new sleeping bag. So off to the Internet I raced. After checking 2 or 3 weather reports, I searched for info on sleeping bags that were good down to around 45F. Of course, I ended up with information overload - everything from synthetic versus down filled, to size & color & length & shape & blah blah blah.
So, I picked a pretty blue one from Mountain Hardwear called Sunrise for just under $200.00 that was good to 50F. I didn't really consider my options at that time, but now I wish I had noticed, similar sleeping bags in the same price range and slightly more expensive were available that were good right down to 5 and even to -40F.
Needless to say, that night was c o l d !! We picked up the boat on a balmy 65 morning, and drove all day, ending up in the 1000 Islands near Brockville, Ontario that night. We should have picked up a clue that it was going to be cold when we found that all the docks were removed from the islands, but we just scoffed at the scared, cold-fearing tourists and enjoyed a late dinner all alone on an island.
We enjoyed a warm meal on the boat followed by a nice walk on the island with our golden retriever, then went to sleep early knowing we had another long day ahead of us. Some time during the night, I heard our dog barking so I got up to investigate. The cabin was freezing! It literally felt like there was ice on the floor.
Unfortunately for me, the bed was too small for 3, so I couldn't even enjoy the warmth of my dog next to me. I quickly dove back into my sleeping bag, but it was too late. My feet were already numb and they didn't seem to warm up all night.
The next morning we heard on our radio that temperatures had dropped to 25 overnight! What a surprise, the weathermen got it wrong. So please take my advice and learn from my mistakes - when deciding on which sleeping bag to buy, get one that works to at least 10 degrees lower than you think you may need. You'll be happy you did!
About the Author:
Dale Gatehouse is a freelance reporter who loves boating and camping with her husband. To visit her favorite place to purchase down sleeping bags, visit Top Down Sleeping Bags.
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