Sleeping Bag Guide

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Sleeping Bag Overview Sleeping bags are one of the most important pieces of equipment for the camper. A good tent is of the utmost importance but even if you have an Excellent tent it will not help you to get a good nights rest unless you have the right sleeping bag. Few things in life equal the feeling of slipping into a warm and cozy sleeping bag after a long day in the outdoors. You may want to have more than one sleeping bag because one bag may not be ideal for the time of year or area.

A mummy sleeping bag is the most efficient shape for heat retention while a rectangular shaped sleeping bag gives maximum space for comfort. Always use a ground cover like a tarp to insulate and protect the sleeping bag from the ground. A ground cover will also protect against moisture. A down sleeping bag will last longer than a synthetic bag. The down bag will compress smaller and provide more warmth per pound than a synthetic Sleeping bag which is important if you are hiking to your campsite. The advantages of a synthetic bag are they are generally less expensive than a down bag, are easier to clean, dry out faster and are reasonably water resistant.

Sleeping bags are rated for specific temperatures. These rating should be used as a general guide but add 10 degrees to the rating to play safe. No two people have the same metabolism, blood circulation and women are generally colder then men. Other factors that can affect the temperature in the sleeping bag are altitude, weather conditions, where it is being used (in a tent, outside, etc). Other factors that can effect your decision on which sleeping bag to purchase are age, older people feel the cold more, physical fitness and condition, weight, height and general health of the user. There are sleeping bags designed specifically for women. Sleeping bags also come in regular and long sizes.

Try to use a sleeping pad with your sleeping bag. It will keep you warmer and will protect your bag from rough ground and moisture. Try wearing some clothes inside the sleeping bag. It will keep you warmer and help keep your bag clean. Use a liner inside your sleeping bag. it will be easier to clean then the whole sleeping bag. Open your bag as soon as possible so the fill has a chance to expand out to it's original size.

 

 

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Styles of Sleeping Bags

Mummy Bags
Mummy bags are very popular, especially with backpackers, because they are extremely lightweight since they use less material than other sleeping bags. Mummy bags are warmer than other sleeping bags because of the snugger fit there is less dead air space and the insulated hood provides extra warmth. The downside to a mummy bag is there is less room which can be a problem if the person using the bag likes to stretch out and move around. Usually mummy bags are the most expensive type of sleeping nag.

Rectangular Sleeping Bags
Rectangular sleeping bags provide less warmth than a mummy bag but they provide more room to move around and they are less expensive. A rectangular bag is good in warmer climates and when it does not have to be packed to the campsite because it bulky and heavy.

Semi-Rectangular Sleeping Bags
Semi-rectangular sleeping bags fall in between the mummy bag and the rectangular bag. They provide more warmth that a rectangular bag and more room to move around than a mummy bag.

 

 

Sleeping Bag Components

Shell
The shell of a high-quality sleeping bag is usually made of nylon. Nylon is lightweight and durable. Nylon bags are either silky nylon or rip-stop nylon. Rip-stop nylon bags are generally considered more durable. Some nylon bags have a water resistant material applied to them which can be handy if you are camping without a tent in wet weather. Less expensive bags are made from cotton. Cotton sleeping bags are good for warm weather camping and are popular for children. Cotton sleeping bags are easy to care for but are less durable than nylon bags.

Fill

Sleeping bags are insulated with down, polyester (synthetic) or cotton.

-- Down
Down is found on adult geese, ducks, and other water birds. Down is the fine feathers underneath the outer layer of feathers. Down is excellent for insulation and is found in many products including sleeping bags. Down is considered one of the best insulators against cold because of its ability to trap air between its layers. This holds true except in wet conditions where it will lose its insulating qualities. Another negative to down is that it does not dry very quickly. Down sleeping bags are light, warm and comfortable. Down sleeping bags are more expensive than synthetic bags and are harder to care for. Sleeping bags are filled with duck down, goose down and hi-loft down which is very fine goose down.

-- Synthetic
Synthetic is less expensive than down and is usually made from polyester fibers. Synthetic sleeping bags are superior in wet conditions.

-- Cotton
Cotton filled sleeping bags are best in warmer conditions. Cotton bags are not recommended when backpacking or in wet conditions because they are bulky and they soak up water.

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How to Shop for a Sleeping Bag

How much to spend on a sleeping bag? Sleeping bag prices are all over the board but generally cotton bags are the cheapest and down bags the most expensive with mummy bags being more than a rectangular sleeping bag. Sleeping bags can range from a few dollars up to the hundreds of dollars. Buy the best bag that fits your budget. Consider what kind of camping you will be doing. The type of sleeping bag you need will be different for car camping, trekking or mountain camping. What kind of weather conditions will you usually encounter? When shopping for a sleeping bag considers the style, shell, fit, fill and temperature rating. Check the list of features below to see if any of these are important and make sure the sleeping bag you are considering has these features.

Sleeping Bag Features

• Hood
• Draft Tube (Ads warmth by insulating the gap formed by the zipper)
• Elastic Straps (Keeps sleeping bag from sliding off the sleeping pad)
• Stuff Sack (Compress the sleeping bag for easy backpacking)
• Storage Sack
• Collar (Usually on a mummy bag to trap warmth)
• Pockets (Usually with zippers to keep small essentials)
• Pillow Pocket