Temperature Ratings Explained - How to Sleep Warm

Sleeping is such an individual thing; some people are always doona hogs, and some always kick the doona off. No single temperature rating will keep everyone happy – there are so many variations in people, metabolism, size, age, energy levels, mattress, and I could go on and on. So, at Quest, we decided to be as accurate as possible; we'd give them all 3 ratings.

Comfort temperature is what most cold sleepers will generally be comfortable in.

Limit is what temperature most average sleepers will be comfortable in.

Extreme is what temperature most warm sleepers will be comfortable in.

Many factors can affect how warm you are in a sleeping bag. Some are listed below

• Some people sleep warmer or colder than others, women tend to sleep colder than men.
• How tired are you? Remember, sleeping bags are not heaters; they only hold onto what heat you produce. If you’re exhausted, your body might not have the energy to produce the heat to keep you warm.
• How big are you in the sleeping bag? Remember, the more air in the bag, the more air YOU have to heat it up.
• What are you sleeping on? Stretchers and in particular airbeds offer very little if any, insulation underneath you. You need to be sleeping on an insulated surface to stay warm. Self-inflating mats are great for this.
• Wind can strip away heat, and high humidity can affect insulation performance. A sleeping bag's rating assumes the use of an insulated sleeping surface and shelter, which can impact the perceived warmth.
• Use the hood (or a beanie), and you lose most of your heat through your head. So, keep your noggin covered up.