Got caught in a downpour at Lake Tahoe and my cheap sleeping bag was a total fail

Honestly, I was using this old 40-degree synthetic bag from a big box store to save cash. A sudden storm rolled in last August and the temp dropped into the 30s, I was soaked and shivering by 2 AM. Ngl, I switched to a proper down bag rated for 20 degrees and I won't even look at budget gear for cold trips anymore. Anyone have a good waterproof compression sack they trust for wet climates?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_emma1mo ago

That sounds like a rough night, I've been there. My buddy once tried to save weight with a summer quilt on a shoulder season trip and spent the whole night wearing every piece of clothing he brought. It really changes how you pack. A good dry bag is key, but I've also had luck just using a heavy duty trash bag as a liner inside my pack, it's cheap and it works.

mila_brown101mo ago

Trash bags can work but they tear easy, @the_emma. A proper pack liner is worth the few extra bucks.

the_alice1mo ago

Totally get the trash bag thing, I've done that too in a pinch. Had a buddy who used a regular kitchen bag and it ripped on the first day, his socks were soaked. Upgraded to the heavy duty contractor bags and never looked back. They're way thicker and you can twist the top down tight. Still keep one rolled up in the bottom of my pack as a backup. It's not fancy but it has saved my bacon more than once.