Buying a good sleeping bag

I’ve seen people spend all sorts of money on the latest and greatest outdoors gadgets, but for some reason when it comes to sleeping bags they seem to neglect the importance of choosing the right bag. Sleeping bags shouldn’t be looked at as a last minute thing you grab on your way out of your local sporting goods store. Picking the Right Sleeping Bag can mean the difference between having a good camping or hiking trip and a miserable adventure.

Things to think about when Buying a Bag

1. Consider how cold it will be when you are camping. One thing to keep in mind is it’s harder to stay warm in an insufficiently insulated bag than it is to cool off by venting a bag made for colder temperatures.
2. Your sleeping habits should be considered when picking the right bag. A bag that is too snug can make your body feel constricted and can actually compress the filling making the bag less effective.
3. Moisture Proof Bags – Consider where you are going to be hiking or camping, is moisture going to be a problem? If so you need to find a bag that can help wick moisture away from your body.
4. Weight – If you are hiking then the weight of your bag should also be a consideration. Some materials are lighter and can lessen your load on those long hauls.

Sleeping Bag Fillers

• Down Sleeping Bags
  • The Good – Down Bags are often used on high mountain expeditions because it is often warmer than synthetic options. Down is one of the lightest and most compressible insulations available. It is an excellent option to keep your pack weight down.
  • The Bad – If you are going to be in an area where moisture is a problem you should know that Down is very useless as an insulator when it gets wet.
• Synthetic Materials
  • The Good – Synthetic materials are probably a better option if you are going to be in wet environments. Synthetic-filled bags also cost less and are a good alternative for those who are allergic to down.
  • The Bad - Synthetic materials usually weight more and will take up more room in your pack. They are also not as warm as Down.

Temperature Ratings

A temperature rating is given to each bag to let you know how cold you can go. Be warned that this rating can differ from manufactures and can also depend on the person using the bag. The Temperature Rating of a bag should only be used as a rough guideline.

Other Features and Considerations

1. Bag Hoods – 50% of your body heat is lost through your head. A sleeping bag hood can trap heat and hold it in.
2. Draught Tubes – Draught Tubes are filled with Insulation and usually run along the side of the sleeping bag zipper to keep warmth from escaping. This is a must for Cold Camping
3. Vents – Some bags have vents that can be opened when the temperatures start to rise.
4. Draft collar. Make sure you Bag fits securely around your shoulders. This will help prevent your body heat from escaping. A draft collar is designed to prevent heat loss from your neck and shoulders. These are usually in colder weather bags and not in most summer bags.