What is the best sleeping bag for climbing Mt. Rainier?

For climbing Mt. Rainier you'll typically want a down sleeping bag with a "comfort" rating between 0°F to 20°F, depending on the month of the year you are climbing. The typically climbing season for Mount Rainier is between May and September.  When it comes to sleeping bag brands, Feathered Friends, Western Mountaineering, and Mountain Hardwear make some of the most highly rated sleeping bags for camping and mountaineering.

If you're planning to climb Mt. Rainier in the spring or fall months of May, June or September a sleeping bag rated at least 0° Fahrenheit or lower should be used. A 0°F degree bag is one of the most versatile sleeping bags you can own. Here some sleeping bags to choose from:

• Feathered Friends Ibis EX 0 Sleeping Bag
• (Women) Feathered Friends Murre EX 0 Women's Sleeping Bag
• (If you sleep cold) Mountain Hardwear -20F Wraith Sleeping Bag

If you're climbing Rainier in the warmer summer months of July and August then a slightly warmer bag may be used with a comfort rating of 10°F to 20°F.

• Feathered Friends Lark Nano +10 Sleeping Bag
• Feathered Friends Swallow UL +20 Sleeping Bag
• Western Mountaineering Versalite Mummy +10 Sleeping Bag
• Western Mountaineering Ultralite Mummy +20 Sleeping Bag
• Mountain Hardwear Phantom Torch +16 Comfort Rating Down Sleeping Bag

The best sleeping bag to bring will, is determined by season, weather forcasted conditions and your own personal preferences (if you sleep hot or cold).  You often want a sleeping bag rated 15 degrees lower than the coldest temperature you expect to face on the mountain, to ensure you will have the proper warmth while sleeping. 

Make sure you also have a compression stuff sack such as the Sea to Summit eVent® Compression Dry Sack

We also highly recommend a Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm Mattress.