Just got called out for my sleeping bag advice and it stung a bit

I was telling a friend to just get a 20 degree bag for year round use in Michigan, said it was fine with layers. He came back from a trip up near Traverse City last October and said he froze his butt off, even with a liner and long johns. His exact words were 'Your advice almost got me hypothermia, man.' That hit hard. I looked into it more and realized I was totally ignoring humidity and how cold it really gets by the lakes. Now I tell people to get a bag rated for the coldest temp they expect, then add 10 degrees for safety. Anyone else give gear advice that backfired on a friend?

3 comments

3 Comments

kimfisher4d agoMost Upvoted

My buddy still calls his 20-degree bag 'the Fisher hypothermia special'.

shanef344d ago

That's the danger of giving advice based on your own comfort level. People handle cold so differently, and what's cozy for one person is miserable for another. I've learned to just share my own experience and tell people to do their own research.

emery2904d ago

Honestly, that's just bad luck with the weather. A 20 degree bag with the right pad and layers should cover most people for three seasons up there. Your friend might just sleep really cold.