When using any sleeping bag I use one of the fleece "sleeping bags" as a liner. It will add around 15 degrees to your temp rating. If you get too warm, just unzipp your real sleeping bag to cool off. A liner like this will catch all the dirt and debris ,plus any perspiration. You really dont want to wash a real sleeping bag if you can help it. Wash the liner instead. You can buy cheap bags, but when your cold you will wish you spent the extra money. All bags are not created equal, even though they may have the same temp. rating.

 

Get a north face bag

 

I'm an over the hill Boy Scout (still active). I normally take my backpacking tent, bag etc. and pack it all on the ol' RK. REI has an excellent 20 degree bag that includes a compression sack that will take the packed size down to a big grapefruit. Take two large trash bags and in the event your tent leaks, or whatever, you can stay fairly dry by slipping them over the bag (cut end of one and overlap). We camp down to minus 20 a few times and usually do fine as long as you change out of ALL of your clothes right before you crawl in for the night.....generally you can do this pretty damn quick. Also take a bunch of those crunchy hand warmers..they'll last most all night. Put them in your fresh socks, gloves, around your neck.

Hope this helps....

 

I second that.

 

J&P had a kit that had a tent, sleeping bags and small stools. mentioned to the better half that we could get these and use on our trips. after the swelling went down i was able to better read the yellow pages under the listing "hotels/motels"

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I don't camp when its cold out. If you do, maybe this bag isn't for you, but you can't beat the price or weight for summer weather camping. http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=129749 For the price and size of these, you may be able to get by doubling two up...one inside the other.

I've bought many items from sportsmansguide through the years, and their in house brand equipment has been very reasonably priced and fulfilled my expectations. They have many more sleeping bags to choose from.