Quote:
Originally Posted by DownhillGoat
Keep in mind all the temperature ratings using the EN standard assume you're wearing a base layer and using a sleeping pad (I'm unsure what they use for an R rating of the pad though my best guess would be about 1.8). They also use a comfort/limit rating. For example a +5 MEC bag is rated for comfort at +8, and it's low limit is +4.
For around here I use a -7 bag for 3 season camping. It's compressible enough and you always want a few degrees lower than what you assume the lowest temps you'll be in. I've been stuck near Stanley Mitchell in the snow in -5 (ish) and wasn't at risk of hypothermia but I sure wasn't warm.
If you're strictly summer camping you could maybe go with a 0 and pack a light puffy or something but I find the 0s are a little light for around here once you get into the mountains, and I generally run pretty hot.
I also have a +7 for hut trips or camping down south, and a -30 for winter, but I ran with just the -7 for probably 5-10 years before buying more.
Whichever you buy, get a good compression sack for it. Worth the $30 to take up half the volume that the stock bag gets you, although some brands already come with a decent one but it's rare.
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I have some -7C sleeping bags currently, but they're more of a car camping weight and and size. They don't compress much for backpacking. I remember using them in mid-June during a trip to Yellowstone when there was still snow on the ground and it was tolerable, but not what I would call comfortable. Kind of wondering what would be worthwhile to invest in. Definitely not doing any intentional camping in winter or in sustained sub-freezing temperatures.
Trying to outfit a whole family is expensive.