Sleeping Bag Ratings: Comfort, Limit, and Extreme Explained
A bag's extreme rating is a survival number, not a sleep number. The comfort rating is the one that decides whether you actually sleep warm.
What is the Sleeping Bag Rating Guide?
Enter the coldest night temperature you expect and whether you sleep cold or warm. The tool recommends a comfort rating at or below that temperature, with a bigger safety margin for cold sleepers. Bag ratings vary by brand and test standard, so treat this as a buying guide, not a guarantee of warmth.
How to use it
- Enter the coldest night temperature you expect.
- Pick whether you sleep cold, average, or warm.
- Click Find My Rating.
Worked example
For a 0 C night, a cold sleeper should look for a comfort rating of -5 C or lower, applying a 5-degree safety margin.
What bag rating does a cold sleeper need for a 0 C night?
A comfort rating of -5 C or lower, giving a 5-degree margin below the expected low.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between comfort and extreme?
Comfort is the temperature for a comfortable night's sleep; extreme is roughly survival, not comfort.
Do ratings vary by brand?
Yes. Test standards and body shapes differ, so compare comfort ratings from the same standard where possible.