ActiveOutdoorsCampingNo stupid questions: why do sleeping bags have three different temperature ratings?All the temperature ratings got you confused? We’ve got your back.When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
ActiveOutdoorsCampingNo stupid questions: why do sleeping bags have three different temperature ratings?All the temperature ratings got you confused? We’ve got your back.When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
All the temperature ratings got you confused? We’ve got your back.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Buying a sleeping bag can be a bit of a minefield. Not only are there quite a few varieties, but they often have three different temperature ratings, which can be majorly confusing to first-time campers. What are these ratings, and which one should you pay attention to?
We are avid campers here at T3. As such, we tested thebest sleeping bagsand their less insulated counterparts, thebest lightweight sleeping bags. We’re talking about piles and piles of cocoons, from responsibly sourced down options to fully recyclable monopolizer snuggies.
What we’re trying to say is that we know a thing or two about sleep sacks. This includes the sacred knowledge about the different temperature ratings, of which there are three: comfort, limit and extreme. Here’s a breakdown of what these mean:
You might have noticed the distinction between the needs of different sexes. Women generally have lower metabolic rates and may feel colder at the same temperature compared to men.
Therefore, sleeping bags designed for women are often rated with a lower comfort temperature to ensure they stay warm and comfortable during outdoor adventures.
Not all brands necessarily offer three distinct temperature ratings for their sleeping bags. The number of temperature ratings can vary depending on the brand and the specific models they offer.
For example, brands that focus on specific niches or have a limited product range may offer fewer than three temperature ratings. Notably, brands specialising in ultralight backpacking gear might prioritise lightweight designs over offering a wide range of temperature ratings.
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(Image credit: Sea to Summit)
(Image credit: Sea to Summit)
All season effectiveness
Knowing all this, which sleeping bag should you choose? You might have heard the term ‘3-season’ sleeping bag, which means the sleep sack is recommended for use in spring, summer and autumn/fall. There are three more categories which rank sleeping bags based on their comfort ratings. These are:
It’s important to note that temperature ratings are approximate and can vary between different brands and models. Factors such as metabolism, clothing, sleeping pad insulation, and tent conditions can also affect how warm you feel inside a sleeping bag.
You’re now ready to pick a sleeping bag that is perfect for your needs! One final thought before we let you go: not everyone needs three-season sleeping bags. Most beginners are best off with a one-season bag; after all, it’s like you won’t go camping when it’s really cold.
If you live in a colder country, it might still be worth getting a three-season version and a goodcamping mat.
Today’s best Sleeping Bags dealsColeman Palmetto$39.79ViewSee all pricesMarmot Voyager 55$79$69ViewSee all pricesTETON Sports Cesius XXL$95.63$84.99ViewSee all pricesMountain Warehouse Microlite 1400$89.45$74.70ViewSee all pricesKelty Cosmic Down 20°$179.95$118.22ViewSee all pricesSlumberjack Ronin 20 Sleeping Bag$108.94ViewSee all pricesTherm-A-Rest Space Cowboy 45F sleeping$209.95$136.47ViewSee all pricesNemo Equipment Forte Men’s Synthetic$189.95$156.50ViewSee all pricesBig Agnes Women’s Torchlight 20$166$148ViewSee all pricesMountain Hardwear Lamina -1C$200$162.90ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Sleeping Bags dealsColeman Palmetto$39.79ViewSee all pricesMarmot Voyager 55$79$69ViewSee all pricesTETON Sports Cesius XXL$95.63$84.99ViewSee all pricesMountain Warehouse Microlite 1400$89.45$74.70ViewSee all pricesKelty Cosmic Down 20°$179.95$118.22ViewSee all pricesSlumberjack Ronin 20 Sleeping Bag$108.94ViewSee all pricesTherm-A-Rest Space Cowboy 45F sleeping$209.95$136.47ViewSee all pricesNemo Equipment Forte Men’s Synthetic$189.95$156.50ViewSee all pricesBig Agnes Women’s Torchlight 20$166$148ViewSee all pricesMountain Hardwear Lamina -1C$200$162.90ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Sleeping Bags dealsColeman Palmetto$39.79ViewSee all pricesMarmot Voyager 55$79$69ViewSee all pricesTETON Sports Cesius XXL$95.63$84.99ViewSee all pricesMountain Warehouse Microlite 1400$89.45$74.70ViewSee all pricesKelty Cosmic Down 20°$179.95$118.22ViewSee all pricesSlumberjack Ronin 20 Sleeping Bag$108.94ViewSee all pricesTherm-A-Rest Space Cowboy 45F sleeping$209.95$136.47ViewSee all pricesNemo Equipment Forte Men’s Synthetic$189.95$156.50ViewSee all pricesBig Agnes Women’s Torchlight 20$166$148ViewSee all pricesMountain Hardwear Lamina -1C$200$162.90ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Sleeping Bags deals
Coleman Palmetto$39.79ViewSee all pricesMarmot Voyager 55$79$69ViewSee all pricesTETON Sports Cesius XXL$95.63$84.99ViewSee all pricesMountain Warehouse Microlite 1400$89.45$74.70ViewSee all pricesKelty Cosmic Down 20°$179.95$118.22ViewSee all pricesSlumberjack Ronin 20 Sleeping Bag$108.94ViewSee all pricesTherm-A-Rest Space Cowboy 45F sleeping$209.95$136.47ViewSee all pricesNemo Equipment Forte Men’s Synthetic$189.95$156.50ViewSee all pricesBig Agnes Women’s Torchlight 20$166$148ViewSee all pricesMountain Hardwear Lamina -1C$200$162.90ViewSee all prices
Coleman Palmetto$39.79ViewSee all prices
Coleman Palmetto$39.79ViewSee all prices
Coleman Palmetto
Coleman Palmetto
$39.79View
$39.79
$39.79
See all prices
Marmot Voyager 55$79$69ViewSee all prices
Marmot Voyager 55$79$69ViewSee all prices
Marmot Voyager 55
Marmot Voyager 55
$79$69View
$79$69
$69
See all prices
TETON Sports Cesius XXL$95.63$84.99ViewSee all prices
TETON Sports Cesius XXL$95.63$84.99ViewSee all prices
TETON Sports Cesius XXL
TETON Sports Cesius XXL
$95.63$84.99View
$95.63$84.99
$84.99
See all prices
Mountain Warehouse Microlite 1400$89.45$74.70ViewSee all prices
Mountain Warehouse Microlite 1400$89.45$74.70ViewSee all prices
Mountain Warehouse Microlite 1400
Mountain Warehouse Microlite 1400
$89.45$74.70View
$89.45$74.70
$74.70
See all prices
Kelty Cosmic Down 20°$179.95$118.22ViewSee all prices
Kelty Cosmic Down 20°$179.95$118.22ViewSee all prices
Kelty Cosmic Down 20°
Kelty Cosmic Down 20°
$179.95$118.22View
$179.95$118.22
$118.22
See all prices
Slumberjack Ronin 20 Sleeping Bag$108.94ViewSee all prices
Slumberjack Ronin 20 Sleeping Bag$108.94ViewSee all prices
Slumberjack Ronin 20 Sleeping Bag
Slumberjack Ronin 20 Sleeping Bag
$108.94View
$108.94
$108.94
See all prices
Therm-A-Rest Space Cowboy 45F sleeping$209.95$136.47ViewSee all prices
Therm-A-Rest Space Cowboy 45F sleeping$209.95$136.47ViewSee all prices
Therm-A-Rest Space Cowboy 45F sleeping
Therm-A-Rest Space Cowboy 45F sleeping
$209.95$136.47View
$209.95$136.47
$136.47
See all prices
Nemo Equipment Forte Men’s Synthetic$189.95$156.50ViewSee all prices
Nemo Equipment Forte Men’s Synthetic$189.95$156.50ViewSee all prices
Nemo Equipment Forte Men’s Synthetic
Nemo Equipment Forte Men’s Synthetic
$189.95$156.50View
$189.95$156.50
$156.50
See all prices
Big Agnes Women’s Torchlight 20$166$148ViewSee all prices
Big Agnes Women’s Torchlight 20$166$148ViewSee all prices
Big Agnes Women’s Torchlight 20
Big Agnes Women’s Torchlight 20
$166$148View
$166$148
$148
See all prices
Mountain Hardwear Lamina -1C$200$162.90ViewSee all prices
Mountain Hardwear Lamina -1C$200$162.90ViewSee all prices
Mountain Hardwear Lamina -1C
Mountain Hardwear Lamina -1C
$200$162.90View
$200$162.90
$162.90
See all prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
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