TIL most sleeping bag temperature ratings are based on a survival test, not comfort

I was reading through the ASTM standard for sleeping bag ratings and found out the '20 degree' rating means you probably won't freeze to death at 20 degrees, not that you'll sleep warm. Has anyone else tested this themselves or am I just a cold sleeper?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_susan2d ago

The survival vs. comfort thing is totally true though.

richard_anderson1d ago

My buddy camped in -20F last winter just to prove a point. Had a crappy sleep system and spent the whole night shivering. Said it was "character building." I stayed home in my warm bed and had a great morning run the next day.