+5 to +29 F: This is a good range for a variety of climates.Also recommended for mountaineering expeditions. -40 to +4 F: If you will be in any snow or ice.But let’s see you function after spending a night freezing your butt off at the lower limits of your sleeping bag! You might say that “comfort isn’t important” during survival. Instead, you want to pay attention to the comfort rating. For example, if a sleeping bag is rated for 30F, it means that the bag will keep you alive at this temperature.
Note that the lower limit temperature is usually given. It gives a range that the bag is suitable for. Good sleeping bags are tested using the EN13537 standard. Once you’ve thought out your Bug Out plan, you can start thinking about the following features. Once you know this information, you can choose the right sleep setup. The person in New Hampshire would need a more robust setup that could withstand thunderstorms and frigid temperatures.īefore you start looking, think about your Bug Out Plan. So an Arizonian could get by with a sleeping bag rated for lower temperatures.
It seldom gets below freezing in Arizona, nor do you have to worry about rain as much. You’re better off thinking about scenarios where you’d realistically use the sleeping bag.įor example, a person living in Arizona would have very different needs than someone in New Hampshire. While you should learn about sleeping bags, I wouldn’t obsess too much about it. You could spend weeks reading about all of the features before making your purchase. There are now dozens of different types and configurations. Sleeping bag technology has come a long way over the past few decades. Shelter: Mylar blanket or tarp for making shelter.Įxtra: Fire reflector.