Suggestions on selecting sleeping bag temp rating

[weeds]

OK........is there a basic guideline for selecting a temp rating.

We live in queensland so most of our hikes will be April through to September.......but we need to consider our OLT trip early next year maybe feb/mar.

We are thinking 0 degree rating.......is 6 not enough for tassie summer, I read it can have cd snaps through summer. Do we need -6 ????

Looking at quilts as a compromise.

[GPSGuided]

0°C may not be low enough for Tassie summer. We were there on the southern end of OLT across Xmas with brilliant weather and the temp dropped to 2-3°C overnight. With a cold front, temp can go much lower.

[B3n]

Agreed that you'd probably want something warmer for your Tassie trip. IMO it's better to be too warm and have the option of unzipping that the other way around!

What part of QLD are you in? Are either of you particularly 'hot' or 'cold' sleepers? It's an important factor to consider also. Something like this might be ok with a comfort rating of around 11 degrees and a low of -11:
http://adventurefriends.com.au/ferrino- ... vet-orange

What bags if any are you using at the moment and how do you find them temperature-wise?

[wayno]

if you're making a one off trip to tassie or infrequently going to colder climates... take extra clothing to wear at night rather than fork out for a bag that you'll seldom need and will be too hot where you live and will be more expensive

[perfectlydark]

Yep id go with waynos advice there. A cold rated bag is next to useless in warmer climates so if its a once off wear better clothes. I use a 5degree bag all year around in sydney and a 13 degree one for summer. Got a 20f quilt which now om wondering when exactly ill be using it..

[wayno]

i seldom use my three season and winter bags, the summer bag usually does me... if i didnt have the colder weather bags i'd be dressing up more at bed time...

[Chezza]

What about an Enlightened Equiment quilt. Can be opened right up into a blanket in warm weather. Get one rated at 0C and you're covered for Tassie summer (you might have to throw a few clothes on in a cold snap), or go with a less warm rating and make up the difference with clothing.

[Gadgetgeek]

I would go for a bag that will work for most of your queensland hikes, in that 5 degree comfort zone, then supplement for cooler weather with a liner and/or a quilt. I've always found that its easy to over-layer on clothes, and either a layer can't get rid of moisture, or the layers end up tight enough to compress the skin, leaving you feeling colder than you really are. A quilt over top doesn't compress your insulation much, and I find provides good comfort. I also find liners to be a great "standby" option, although they can be a bit fiddly.

[Scottyk]

0°C may not be low enough for Tassie summer. We were there on the southern end of OLT across Xmas with brilliant weather and the temp dropped to 2-3°C overnight. With a cold front, temp can go much lower.

A 0 degree bag for Tassie summer is more than enough as long you are prepared to wear thermals to bed occasionally. Below zero temps are very unusual at that time of year.
I can't give much advice on the Queensland weather though.

[Moondog55]

If you will very seldom or never need a zero rated bag again why not hire them in Tassie for the duration of the trip?
But I do think it would be safer and more comfortable to use 0C as the minimum comfort level for the bags rating. Bearing in mind that a full set of medium weight thermals plus sox and beanie are used to give the EN comfort rating.

[Hiking Noob]

I have a Sea to Summit thermal liner which is a pretty handy bit of kit, I would buy the warmest one they make next time. The bag I used on the OLT was rated at 15deg C and probably 10deg with the liner and it was damn cold, hahahaha!

I'm going to get a 0deg rated down bag in a semi rectangular shape.

I want one of these, I hate being in sleeping bags but ~$1000 is a bit dear just so I can move my arms around-

[weeds]

Agreed that you'd probably want something warmer for your Tassie trip. IMO it's better to be too warm and have the option of unzipping that the other way around!

What part of QLD are you in? Are either of you particularly 'hot' or 'cold' sleepers? It's an important factor to consider also. Something like this might be ok with a comfort rating of around 11 degrees and a low of -11:
http://adventurefriends.com.au/ferrino- ... vet-orange

What bags if any are you using at the moment and how do you find them temperature-wise?

Currently use swags..........cannot remember the last time I slept in cloths

What about an Enlightened Equiment quilt. Can be opened right up into a blanket in warm weather. Get one rated at 0C and you're covered for Tassie summer (you might have to throw a few clothes on in a cold snap), or go with a less warm rating and make up the difference with clothing.

After a bit of research I'm leaning towards a quilt......seem more versatile

Cheers, some food for thought