Will I be warmer in my sleeping bag inside or outside of my tent, when winter camping?











up vote
4
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I spent one night outside, at -28 degrees F, in an -40 arctic bag. I had no tent, only a small poly tarp between the snow and my bag. I stayed fully clothed but barely slept due to being so cold all night.



Would a tent have kept me warmer?










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  • 1




    Related outdoors.stackexchange.com/questions/15520/…
    – Charlie Brumbaugh
    2 days ago






  • 4




    What insulation (i.e. some type of pad) did you have between your sleeping bag and the ground?
    – Makyen
    2 days ago










  • What makes you think it would not? Additional insulation usually helps, especially if there is the least amount of wind (you did not tell, please add that to your question). A tent is more isolation then a tarp (I assume open at 2 sides). Maybe your question is what temperature ranges you can take with your current equipment?
    – Jan Doggen
    yesterday










  • how was your bag rated?
    – njzk2
    yesterday






  • 1




    Leaving as comment instead of answer since your Q is specifically about the tent: Others have hinted, but it should be stressed that for some companies the temperature rating is not the temp at which you can stay comfy, rather it could be the temp at which you will not get hypothermia, or worse, the temp at which you will not die. If you had a "you will not die at -40F" bag, then you may be miserable or even injured even at -20F or -10F. For that cold, you need a company that explains their rating, and test it first. Worse, some companies are not even consistent with ratings.
    – Aaron
    13 hours ago















up vote
4
down vote

favorite












I spent one night outside, at -28 degrees F, in an -40 arctic bag. I had no tent, only a small poly tarp between the snow and my bag. I stayed fully clothed but barely slept due to being so cold all night.



Would a tent have kept me warmer?










share|improve this question









New contributor




G.Bourne is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
















  • 1




    Related outdoors.stackexchange.com/questions/15520/…
    – Charlie Brumbaugh
    2 days ago






  • 4




    What insulation (i.e. some type of pad) did you have between your sleeping bag and the ground?
    – Makyen
    2 days ago










  • What makes you think it would not? Additional insulation usually helps, especially if there is the least amount of wind (you did not tell, please add that to your question). A tent is more isolation then a tarp (I assume open at 2 sides). Maybe your question is what temperature ranges you can take with your current equipment?
    – Jan Doggen
    yesterday










  • how was your bag rated?
    – njzk2
    yesterday






  • 1




    Leaving as comment instead of answer since your Q is specifically about the tent: Others have hinted, but it should be stressed that for some companies the temperature rating is not the temp at which you can stay comfy, rather it could be the temp at which you will not get hypothermia, or worse, the temp at which you will not die. If you had a "you will not die at -40F" bag, then you may be miserable or even injured even at -20F or -10F. For that cold, you need a company that explains their rating, and test it first. Worse, some companies are not even consistent with ratings.
    – Aaron
    13 hours ago













up vote
4
down vote

favorite









up vote
4
down vote

favorite











I spent one night outside, at -28 degrees F, in an -40 arctic bag. I had no tent, only a small poly tarp between the snow and my bag. I stayed fully clothed but barely slept due to being so cold all night.



Would a tent have kept me warmer?










share|improve this question









New contributor




G.Bourne is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











I spent one night outside, at -28 degrees F, in an -40 arctic bag. I had no tent, only a small poly tarp between the snow and my bag. I stayed fully clothed but barely slept due to being so cold all night.



Would a tent have kept me warmer?







tents sleeping-bags winter-camping






share|improve this question









New contributor




G.Bourne is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











share|improve this question









New contributor




G.Bourne is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited 2 days ago









Charlie Brumbaugh

43.9k15119248




43.9k15119248






New contributor




G.Bourne is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









asked 2 days ago









G.Bourne

212




212




New contributor




G.Bourne is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.





New contributor





G.Bourne is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






G.Bourne is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.








  • 1




    Related outdoors.stackexchange.com/questions/15520/…
    – Charlie Brumbaugh
    2 days ago






  • 4




    What insulation (i.e. some type of pad) did you have between your sleeping bag and the ground?
    – Makyen
    2 days ago










  • What makes you think it would not? Additional insulation usually helps, especially if there is the least amount of wind (you did not tell, please add that to your question). A tent is more isolation then a tarp (I assume open at 2 sides). Maybe your question is what temperature ranges you can take with your current equipment?
    – Jan Doggen
    yesterday










  • how was your bag rated?
    – njzk2
    yesterday






  • 1




    Leaving as comment instead of answer since your Q is specifically about the tent: Others have hinted, but it should be stressed that for some companies the temperature rating is not the temp at which you can stay comfy, rather it could be the temp at which you will not get hypothermia, or worse, the temp at which you will not die. If you had a "you will not die at -40F" bag, then you may be miserable or even injured even at -20F or -10F. For that cold, you need a company that explains their rating, and test it first. Worse, some companies are not even consistent with ratings.
    – Aaron
    13 hours ago














  • 1




    Related outdoors.stackexchange.com/questions/15520/…
    – Charlie Brumbaugh
    2 days ago






  • 4




    What insulation (i.e. some type of pad) did you have between your sleeping bag and the ground?
    – Makyen
    2 days ago










  • What makes you think it would not? Additional insulation usually helps, especially if there is the least amount of wind (you did not tell, please add that to your question). A tent is more isolation then a tarp (I assume open at 2 sides). Maybe your question is what temperature ranges you can take with your current equipment?
    – Jan Doggen
    yesterday










  • how was your bag rated?
    – njzk2
    yesterday






  • 1




    Leaving as comment instead of answer since your Q is specifically about the tent: Others have hinted, but it should be stressed that for some companies the temperature rating is not the temp at which you can stay comfy, rather it could be the temp at which you will not get hypothermia, or worse, the temp at which you will not die. If you had a "you will not die at -40F" bag, then you may be miserable or even injured even at -20F or -10F. For that cold, you need a company that explains their rating, and test it first. Worse, some companies are not even consistent with ratings.
    – Aaron
    13 hours ago








1




1




Related outdoors.stackexchange.com/questions/15520/…
– Charlie Brumbaugh
2 days ago




Related outdoors.stackexchange.com/questions/15520/…
– Charlie Brumbaugh
2 days ago




4




4




What insulation (i.e. some type of pad) did you have between your sleeping bag and the ground?
– Makyen
2 days ago




What insulation (i.e. some type of pad) did you have between your sleeping bag and the ground?
– Makyen
2 days ago












What makes you think it would not? Additional insulation usually helps, especially if there is the least amount of wind (you did not tell, please add that to your question). A tent is more isolation then a tarp (I assume open at 2 sides). Maybe your question is what temperature ranges you can take with your current equipment?
– Jan Doggen
yesterday




What makes you think it would not? Additional insulation usually helps, especially if there is the least amount of wind (you did not tell, please add that to your question). A tent is more isolation then a tarp (I assume open at 2 sides). Maybe your question is what temperature ranges you can take with your current equipment?
– Jan Doggen
yesterday












how was your bag rated?
– njzk2
yesterday




how was your bag rated?
– njzk2
yesterday




1




1




Leaving as comment instead of answer since your Q is specifically about the tent: Others have hinted, but it should be stressed that for some companies the temperature rating is not the temp at which you can stay comfy, rather it could be the temp at which you will not get hypothermia, or worse, the temp at which you will not die. If you had a "you will not die at -40F" bag, then you may be miserable or even injured even at -20F or -10F. For that cold, you need a company that explains their rating, and test it first. Worse, some companies are not even consistent with ratings.
– Aaron
13 hours ago




Leaving as comment instead of answer since your Q is specifically about the tent: Others have hinted, but it should be stressed that for some companies the temperature rating is not the temp at which you can stay comfy, rather it could be the temp at which you will not get hypothermia, or worse, the temp at which you will not die. If you had a "you will not die at -40F" bag, then you may be miserable or even injured even at -20F or -10F. For that cold, you need a company that explains their rating, and test it first. Worse, some companies are not even consistent with ratings.
– Aaron
13 hours ago










3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
4
down vote













The tent will definitely be warmer because it keeps the wind away. As you are sleeping your body produces heat and a tent helps keep that warmer air around instead of it blowing away in the wind.



With that said, tents don't provide a huge amount of insulation, and so perhaps a better sleeping bag is needed.






share|improve this answer

















  • 1




    The OP also has not mentioned what type of pad/insulation they had underneath them (i.e. between the sleeping bag and the ground). The insulation used there can make a significant difference in the temperature experienced by the person in the sleeping bag.
    – Makyen
    2 days ago










  • "The tent will definitely be warmer because it keeps the wind away." Ray Jardine claims that over time, a bag in a tent will gain moisture from peoples' breath, such that it's actually warmer in the long term to sleep under a tarp because the increasing moisture from being enclosed in a tent decreases the effectiveness of the bag. That is, the wind over the bag maintains the effectiveness of the bag in the long term.
    – Don Branson
    2 days ago






  • 3




    @DonBranson, that's an extreme case. You'd need a lot of condensation to wet the sleeping bag (and it would have to actually wet it to reduce the insulation, mere humidity would have very little effect). As most tents have some ventilation in the inner, you shouldn't reach this point in normal use.
    – Chris H
    yesterday


















up vote
2
down vote













Yes, a tent would have kept you warmer




  • Tents block the wind and thus will eliminate wind-chill.

  • While isolation of a tent is not good it will still allow your escaping body head to be trapped inside the tent and raise it's temperature by a couple of degrees. This will already make quite a difference.


The biggest difference, however, is that you should have used a proper, isolated sleeping pad. You mentioned that there was only a tarp between you and the snow: this means that your sleeping bag was compressed where your body weight was pressing on it and you had almost direct contact with the snow. You need a good isolated pad to combat this, there is no sleeping bag in the world warm enough to prevent that kind of energy loss in direct contact to the ground/snow.



That being said, please note that your sleeping bag rating is to be taken with a grain of salt, especially the lower end 'extreme' range: after all, what does 'extreme' mean? You barely survive but with arms and legs frozen off?



See also this question on How are sleeping bag temperature ratings determined?






share|improve this answer




























    up vote
    0
    down vote













    Assuming you have a men's bag, the -40F rating is probably the limit rating, but it might be the extreme rating. If it is the extreme rating then sleeping in -28F, it does not surprise me that you were cold. Even if it is the limit rating, you could still be cold if you did not have the proper pad on the ground, if it was windy, or most importantly are a below average sleeper in terms of warmth. At those temperatures even a slight difference in basal metabolic rate can result in feeling cold.



    You should also consider what you wear in the bag. Additional clothing can compress the bag and therefore decrease warmth. The bag also needs to fit you well. If it is too big or too small, it will be colder. There is also the issue of moisture. If you cloths are wet this can decrease the insulation of the bag. You may want to use a vapor barrier at those temperatures. You do not want to breath into the bag.



    Coupling all of those things, a tent will provide some warmth, but if you were uncomfortably cold at-28F, it is not going to make you comfortable at -40F.






    share|improve this answer





















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      3 Answers
      3






      active

      oldest

      votes








      3 Answers
      3






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

      votes








      up vote
      4
      down vote













      The tent will definitely be warmer because it keeps the wind away. As you are sleeping your body produces heat and a tent helps keep that warmer air around instead of it blowing away in the wind.



      With that said, tents don't provide a huge amount of insulation, and so perhaps a better sleeping bag is needed.






      share|improve this answer

















      • 1




        The OP also has not mentioned what type of pad/insulation they had underneath them (i.e. between the sleeping bag and the ground). The insulation used there can make a significant difference in the temperature experienced by the person in the sleeping bag.
        – Makyen
        2 days ago










      • "The tent will definitely be warmer because it keeps the wind away." Ray Jardine claims that over time, a bag in a tent will gain moisture from peoples' breath, such that it's actually warmer in the long term to sleep under a tarp because the increasing moisture from being enclosed in a tent decreases the effectiveness of the bag. That is, the wind over the bag maintains the effectiveness of the bag in the long term.
        – Don Branson
        2 days ago






      • 3




        @DonBranson, that's an extreme case. You'd need a lot of condensation to wet the sleeping bag (and it would have to actually wet it to reduce the insulation, mere humidity would have very little effect). As most tents have some ventilation in the inner, you shouldn't reach this point in normal use.
        – Chris H
        yesterday















      up vote
      4
      down vote













      The tent will definitely be warmer because it keeps the wind away. As you are sleeping your body produces heat and a tent helps keep that warmer air around instead of it blowing away in the wind.



      With that said, tents don't provide a huge amount of insulation, and so perhaps a better sleeping bag is needed.






      share|improve this answer

















      • 1




        The OP also has not mentioned what type of pad/insulation they had underneath them (i.e. between the sleeping bag and the ground). The insulation used there can make a significant difference in the temperature experienced by the person in the sleeping bag.
        – Makyen
        2 days ago










      • "The tent will definitely be warmer because it keeps the wind away." Ray Jardine claims that over time, a bag in a tent will gain moisture from peoples' breath, such that it's actually warmer in the long term to sleep under a tarp because the increasing moisture from being enclosed in a tent decreases the effectiveness of the bag. That is, the wind over the bag maintains the effectiveness of the bag in the long term.
        – Don Branson
        2 days ago






      • 3




        @DonBranson, that's an extreme case. You'd need a lot of condensation to wet the sleeping bag (and it would have to actually wet it to reduce the insulation, mere humidity would have very little effect). As most tents have some ventilation in the inner, you shouldn't reach this point in normal use.
        – Chris H
        yesterday













      up vote
      4
      down vote










      up vote
      4
      down vote









      The tent will definitely be warmer because it keeps the wind away. As you are sleeping your body produces heat and a tent helps keep that warmer air around instead of it blowing away in the wind.



      With that said, tents don't provide a huge amount of insulation, and so perhaps a better sleeping bag is needed.






      share|improve this answer












      The tent will definitely be warmer because it keeps the wind away. As you are sleeping your body produces heat and a tent helps keep that warmer air around instead of it blowing away in the wind.



      With that said, tents don't provide a huge amount of insulation, and so perhaps a better sleeping bag is needed.







      share|improve this answer












      share|improve this answer



      share|improve this answer










      answered 2 days ago









      Charlie Brumbaugh

      43.9k15119248




      43.9k15119248








      • 1




        The OP also has not mentioned what type of pad/insulation they had underneath them (i.e. between the sleeping bag and the ground). The insulation used there can make a significant difference in the temperature experienced by the person in the sleeping bag.
        – Makyen
        2 days ago










      • "The tent will definitely be warmer because it keeps the wind away." Ray Jardine claims that over time, a bag in a tent will gain moisture from peoples' breath, such that it's actually warmer in the long term to sleep under a tarp because the increasing moisture from being enclosed in a tent decreases the effectiveness of the bag. That is, the wind over the bag maintains the effectiveness of the bag in the long term.
        – Don Branson
        2 days ago






      • 3




        @DonBranson, that's an extreme case. You'd need a lot of condensation to wet the sleeping bag (and it would have to actually wet it to reduce the insulation, mere humidity would have very little effect). As most tents have some ventilation in the inner, you shouldn't reach this point in normal use.
        – Chris H
        yesterday














      • 1




        The OP also has not mentioned what type of pad/insulation they had underneath them (i.e. between the sleeping bag and the ground). The insulation used there can make a significant difference in the temperature experienced by the person in the sleeping bag.
        – Makyen
        2 days ago










      • "The tent will definitely be warmer because it keeps the wind away." Ray Jardine claims that over time, a bag in a tent will gain moisture from peoples' breath, such that it's actually warmer in the long term to sleep under a tarp because the increasing moisture from being enclosed in a tent decreases the effectiveness of the bag. That is, the wind over the bag maintains the effectiveness of the bag in the long term.
        – Don Branson
        2 days ago






      • 3




        @DonBranson, that's an extreme case. You'd need a lot of condensation to wet the sleeping bag (and it would have to actually wet it to reduce the insulation, mere humidity would have very little effect). As most tents have some ventilation in the inner, you shouldn't reach this point in normal use.
        – Chris H
        yesterday








      1




      1




      The OP also has not mentioned what type of pad/insulation they had underneath them (i.e. between the sleeping bag and the ground). The insulation used there can make a significant difference in the temperature experienced by the person in the sleeping bag.
      – Makyen
      2 days ago




      The OP also has not mentioned what type of pad/insulation they had underneath them (i.e. between the sleeping bag and the ground). The insulation used there can make a significant difference in the temperature experienced by the person in the sleeping bag.
      – Makyen
      2 days ago












      "The tent will definitely be warmer because it keeps the wind away." Ray Jardine claims that over time, a bag in a tent will gain moisture from peoples' breath, such that it's actually warmer in the long term to sleep under a tarp because the increasing moisture from being enclosed in a tent decreases the effectiveness of the bag. That is, the wind over the bag maintains the effectiveness of the bag in the long term.
      – Don Branson
      2 days ago




      "The tent will definitely be warmer because it keeps the wind away." Ray Jardine claims that over time, a bag in a tent will gain moisture from peoples' breath, such that it's actually warmer in the long term to sleep under a tarp because the increasing moisture from being enclosed in a tent decreases the effectiveness of the bag. That is, the wind over the bag maintains the effectiveness of the bag in the long term.
      – Don Branson
      2 days ago




      3




      3




      @DonBranson, that's an extreme case. You'd need a lot of condensation to wet the sleeping bag (and it would have to actually wet it to reduce the insulation, mere humidity would have very little effect). As most tents have some ventilation in the inner, you shouldn't reach this point in normal use.
      – Chris H
      yesterday




      @DonBranson, that's an extreme case. You'd need a lot of condensation to wet the sleeping bag (and it would have to actually wet it to reduce the insulation, mere humidity would have very little effect). As most tents have some ventilation in the inner, you shouldn't reach this point in normal use.
      – Chris H
      yesterday










      up vote
      2
      down vote













      Yes, a tent would have kept you warmer




      • Tents block the wind and thus will eliminate wind-chill.

      • While isolation of a tent is not good it will still allow your escaping body head to be trapped inside the tent and raise it's temperature by a couple of degrees. This will already make quite a difference.


      The biggest difference, however, is that you should have used a proper, isolated sleeping pad. You mentioned that there was only a tarp between you and the snow: this means that your sleeping bag was compressed where your body weight was pressing on it and you had almost direct contact with the snow. You need a good isolated pad to combat this, there is no sleeping bag in the world warm enough to prevent that kind of energy loss in direct contact to the ground/snow.



      That being said, please note that your sleeping bag rating is to be taken with a grain of salt, especially the lower end 'extreme' range: after all, what does 'extreme' mean? You barely survive but with arms and legs frozen off?



      See also this question on How are sleeping bag temperature ratings determined?






      share|improve this answer

























        up vote
        2
        down vote













        Yes, a tent would have kept you warmer




        • Tents block the wind and thus will eliminate wind-chill.

        • While isolation of a tent is not good it will still allow your escaping body head to be trapped inside the tent and raise it's temperature by a couple of degrees. This will already make quite a difference.


        The biggest difference, however, is that you should have used a proper, isolated sleeping pad. You mentioned that there was only a tarp between you and the snow: this means that your sleeping bag was compressed where your body weight was pressing on it and you had almost direct contact with the snow. You need a good isolated pad to combat this, there is no sleeping bag in the world warm enough to prevent that kind of energy loss in direct contact to the ground/snow.



        That being said, please note that your sleeping bag rating is to be taken with a grain of salt, especially the lower end 'extreme' range: after all, what does 'extreme' mean? You barely survive but with arms and legs frozen off?



        See also this question on How are sleeping bag temperature ratings determined?






        share|improve this answer























          up vote
          2
          down vote










          up vote
          2
          down vote









          Yes, a tent would have kept you warmer




          • Tents block the wind and thus will eliminate wind-chill.

          • While isolation of a tent is not good it will still allow your escaping body head to be trapped inside the tent and raise it's temperature by a couple of degrees. This will already make quite a difference.


          The biggest difference, however, is that you should have used a proper, isolated sleeping pad. You mentioned that there was only a tarp between you and the snow: this means that your sleeping bag was compressed where your body weight was pressing on it and you had almost direct contact with the snow. You need a good isolated pad to combat this, there is no sleeping bag in the world warm enough to prevent that kind of energy loss in direct contact to the ground/snow.



          That being said, please note that your sleeping bag rating is to be taken with a grain of salt, especially the lower end 'extreme' range: after all, what does 'extreme' mean? You barely survive but with arms and legs frozen off?



          See also this question on How are sleeping bag temperature ratings determined?






          share|improve this answer












          Yes, a tent would have kept you warmer




          • Tents block the wind and thus will eliminate wind-chill.

          • While isolation of a tent is not good it will still allow your escaping body head to be trapped inside the tent and raise it's temperature by a couple of degrees. This will already make quite a difference.


          The biggest difference, however, is that you should have used a proper, isolated sleeping pad. You mentioned that there was only a tarp between you and the snow: this means that your sleeping bag was compressed where your body weight was pressing on it and you had almost direct contact with the snow. You need a good isolated pad to combat this, there is no sleeping bag in the world warm enough to prevent that kind of energy loss in direct contact to the ground/snow.



          That being said, please note that your sleeping bag rating is to be taken with a grain of salt, especially the lower end 'extreme' range: after all, what does 'extreme' mean? You barely survive but with arms and legs frozen off?



          See also this question on How are sleeping bag temperature ratings determined?







          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          answered 22 hours ago









          fgysin

          7,32112244




          7,32112244






















              up vote
              0
              down vote













              Assuming you have a men's bag, the -40F rating is probably the limit rating, but it might be the extreme rating. If it is the extreme rating then sleeping in -28F, it does not surprise me that you were cold. Even if it is the limit rating, you could still be cold if you did not have the proper pad on the ground, if it was windy, or most importantly are a below average sleeper in terms of warmth. At those temperatures even a slight difference in basal metabolic rate can result in feeling cold.



              You should also consider what you wear in the bag. Additional clothing can compress the bag and therefore decrease warmth. The bag also needs to fit you well. If it is too big or too small, it will be colder. There is also the issue of moisture. If you cloths are wet this can decrease the insulation of the bag. You may want to use a vapor barrier at those temperatures. You do not want to breath into the bag.



              Coupling all of those things, a tent will provide some warmth, but if you were uncomfortably cold at-28F, it is not going to make you comfortable at -40F.






              share|improve this answer

























                up vote
                0
                down vote













                Assuming you have a men's bag, the -40F rating is probably the limit rating, but it might be the extreme rating. If it is the extreme rating then sleeping in -28F, it does not surprise me that you were cold. Even if it is the limit rating, you could still be cold if you did not have the proper pad on the ground, if it was windy, or most importantly are a below average sleeper in terms of warmth. At those temperatures even a slight difference in basal metabolic rate can result in feeling cold.



                You should also consider what you wear in the bag. Additional clothing can compress the bag and therefore decrease warmth. The bag also needs to fit you well. If it is too big or too small, it will be colder. There is also the issue of moisture. If you cloths are wet this can decrease the insulation of the bag. You may want to use a vapor barrier at those temperatures. You do not want to breath into the bag.



                Coupling all of those things, a tent will provide some warmth, but if you were uncomfortably cold at-28F, it is not going to make you comfortable at -40F.






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                  up vote
                  0
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                  Assuming you have a men's bag, the -40F rating is probably the limit rating, but it might be the extreme rating. If it is the extreme rating then sleeping in -28F, it does not surprise me that you were cold. Even if it is the limit rating, you could still be cold if you did not have the proper pad on the ground, if it was windy, or most importantly are a below average sleeper in terms of warmth. At those temperatures even a slight difference in basal metabolic rate can result in feeling cold.



                  You should also consider what you wear in the bag. Additional clothing can compress the bag and therefore decrease warmth. The bag also needs to fit you well. If it is too big or too small, it will be colder. There is also the issue of moisture. If you cloths are wet this can decrease the insulation of the bag. You may want to use a vapor barrier at those temperatures. You do not want to breath into the bag.



                  Coupling all of those things, a tent will provide some warmth, but if you were uncomfortably cold at-28F, it is not going to make you comfortable at -40F.






                  share|improve this answer












                  Assuming you have a men's bag, the -40F rating is probably the limit rating, but it might be the extreme rating. If it is the extreme rating then sleeping in -28F, it does not surprise me that you were cold. Even if it is the limit rating, you could still be cold if you did not have the proper pad on the ground, if it was windy, or most importantly are a below average sleeper in terms of warmth. At those temperatures even a slight difference in basal metabolic rate can result in feeling cold.



                  You should also consider what you wear in the bag. Additional clothing can compress the bag and therefore decrease warmth. The bag also needs to fit you well. If it is too big or too small, it will be colder. There is also the issue of moisture. If you cloths are wet this can decrease the insulation of the bag. You may want to use a vapor barrier at those temperatures. You do not want to breath into the bag.



                  Coupling all of those things, a tent will provide some warmth, but if you were uncomfortably cold at-28F, it is not going to make you comfortable at -40F.







                  share|improve this answer












                  share|improve this answer



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