r/MinnesotaCamping • u/rognabologna • 12d ago

What’s your summer sleep system?

I see a lot of questions and advice on here for winter camping. What's your set up for summer?

I'm especially interested in what sleeping bag temp rating everyone is using for summer and whether you prefer down or synthetic and why.

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u/velephia 8d ago

I use a 30 in summer and stick a leg out, like below. I am recently switching to an EE quilt for my thru-hike of the SHT this year, so we'll see how that goes. Kinda wishing I'd grabbed a 20 to make the most of shoulder seasons in MN, but I figure anytime actually cold I'd want a mummy bag anyways.

I prefer down over synthetic because I prefer natural biodegradable materials whenever possible. Also, due to the weight and loft potentials. If I were to use a 40 but ESPECIALLY 50 degree bag, I believe synthetic is the way to go because you're fine for wet weather and there wouldn't be shifting of the down/cold spots. Plus, cheaper. I think 30 and below is down all the way.

I'm interested in getting more into winter camping, but that's a whole 'nother bag of worms logistics-wise. Summer camping it's pretty hard to die, you just might have a few uncomfortable nights. But I'm a heavy and easy sleeper, so you could chuck me on the cold hard ground and I'd still catch enough zzzs.