I have an excellent 3 season bag that I put inside a cheapo Coleman for winter canoe trips. Really works great. Don't forget some emergency fire starting stuff, I would bring 2 RR Flares to drop on some river trash trees that pile up on gravel bars. Never needed them, but nice to know they were handy.

if you have the Cabelas bucks to burn get a pad for under the new xl bag also

I run the klymit aspen 0 degree bag and have used it all summer to -30. Did have a wool blanket above and below me on the really cold nights. I have also used the big Agnes bags and they are really nice also. A little bulky for my liking but for car camping they are great. Have used lots of bags during my career but these two have really stuck out with me. And listen to the folks about a ground/ sleeping bad. They can make a ton of difference. I also carry a liner that if it's cold I can slip inside of my main bag or just use it when it's really warm at nights. Sea to summit have some good options. I just got a cheap one from Walmart right now. Hope this helps.

Wouldn't winter camp without a closed cell foam mat between the sleeping bag & the ground.

Amazing how much heat the ground wicks away from even a high quality sleeping bag.

Warm, light, and cheap.

Pick two.


I guide winter camping some winters, and I use high quality down bags because we move camp on hand drawn toboggans every day. You can be warm for cheap, but it will be heavy.

While there are many down bag manufacturers, I always pay a bit more and get the lightest, warmest I can find. A good down bag will last a lifetime of occasional use if stored properly. We hot tent camp with lightweight titanium wood stoves and light tents, so keeping the down dry is easy. If you don't have access to heat or aren't moving much a Wiggys synthetic is a good bag. I have one.

As for the down mummy bags, I cant recommend Western Mountianeering enough.

If a bigger, synthetic bag is of use to you, my Wiggys might be for sale as I find them too heavy to hand haul.


For sleeping pad, an insulated thermarest for comfort, and a closed cell foam pad underneath will give you adequate R value.

If your driving get a cowboy bedroll set up

Depends on if you're doing any backwoods or winter camping in the future too. Why spend money on extreme gear if this is the extent of your camping. If drive in camping is it, live large. Long as it fits in your vehicle, why be miserable. Leak free tent you can stand up in, pop up shelter, grill, nice s bag and cot even.

Enjoy it.

I've slept on uneven rock faces and roots in the rain from Maine to Alaska, now, if I can avoid it, I do. Call it sissy camping, I don't care. The wife and kid have fun doing it and don't complain, therefore more time for me to sit and BS and drink beer.

I like to bring my XXL cot with pad and my 2person sleeping bag just for me

could camp almost indefinitely like that I sleep as good as I do at home.

I hate mummy bags. If you're driving, weight won't be an issue so you can get good for cheaper. Good but heavy is cheaper than good but light.

I thought everyone knew to keep your clothes in the fart sack with you. That and your canteen.

This is why you strip down before crawling in the fart sack. Seems counterintuitive to strip down in the cold to sleep but waking up with sweat soaked skivvies won't be fun in the morning.

I'm one of those that breaks a sweat tying my boots so I do everything I can to keep dry anything that touches skin.

Wool rules.

For very cold weather I use a USGI ecws bag. It is a goretex bivvy, a cold weather bag and a lighter weight bag. The whole system snaps together and if very warm. What I like the most about it is, I slip an inflatable pad in between the goretex bivvy, and the cold weather bag. The sleep pad cannot move and you won’t slide off it at all. You don’t even need a tent it can rain all and snow all over it won’t get wet.

https://smithssurplusandsupply.com/product/military-surplus-modular-sleep-system-with-bivy-cover/

https://www.amazon.com/Exped-Dura-Resistant-Insulated-Comfortable/dp/B0BZ3NB2ZK/ref=sr_1_8?adgrpid=1229254992464516&hvadid=76828567361668&hvbmt=bp&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=110586&hvnetw=s&hvqmt=p&hvtargid=kwd-76828688235943%3Aloc-190&hydadcr=20637_13426608&keywords=exped+sleeping+pads&qid=1705816447&sr=8-8

A rectangular bag will retain cold air spaces. Wear a stocking hat. And as someone else said, air out the bag during the day if possible, and very important, have a pad under you. I much prefer a closed cell foam rather than air filled.

Any zero to 30 bag will work
I take 2,,,,,,everywhere and a cot

Don’t forget a pillow…..

Love my ECWS bag! I use mine with a self inflating sleeping pad and it will keep you warm, sometimes too warm. No matter the weather or temp I bring the entire system as it allows me to adjust accordingly. You have enough room in the bag that you can keep your socks and warming layer in there while you sleep so when you wake up in the morning you have something warm to put on. I recommend getting a lightweight flannel sleeping bag liner. When you get in the bag it will warm up quickly and you can go to sleep quicker.

I also use a small memory foam pillow that compresses with the bag for easy storage. I have a flannel cover on my pillow and it makes a world of difference not only for comfort, but for keeping warm.

I have used the ECWS bag above the Artic Circle for three months straight. Most of the time I dug a small trench and covered up in snow. It kept me warm and dry. I've used on 6 out of the 7 continents and had no issue with it. The bag I use now is over 21 years old and it is still going strong.

https://www.coleman.com/sleeping-bags-beds/camp-cots/airbed-cot---queen/SAP_2000020270.html

I like rectangular bags. I unzip my old one and it covers the bed. You need that or the air mattress will freeze you. Bed folds up nice. Been tested with my wife. Wont break. Air mattress is inside a nylon cover. No leaks. Comfortable. Those pads suck. If backpacking I prefer a wool blanket folded in half. Easier to carry and you dont roll off. Its wider. Keeps you warm from the ground just fine.

PS. I never camped above the artic circle.

2 cheap sleeping bags, thickest foam pad u can get or a couple pads. hand warmers in bag or body warmers. Or buy a canvas wall tent and wood stove.

This is really solid advice. I use an old MMS surplus bag. Keep your clothes in with you. I'll add though also fill a bottle or two of hot water and throw it in your bag. Acts as a heater and also don't have to thaw water in the morning.