Your Camping Gear – Choose the Right Sleeping Bag

The last thing you want to happen when you’re 20 miles into the woods is to discover that your sleeping bag isn’t warm enough. A long cold night can disrupt your sleep and set you up for a tired, gloomy day the next day.

So how do you make sure you’ve selected the best bag for your trip? There are pros and cons to most of the options available in sleeping bags.

MATERIAL: GOOSE DOWN or SYNTHETIC?

Goose down is very warm. It is lightweight to carry and can be easily compressed for travel and quickly regain form when shaken out. It is by far a better choice for backpackers who intend to carry their bag with them for extended trips because of the lighter weight and smaller packing. However, goose down is also more expensive and losses its insulating properties when wet – a consideration if sleeping outdoors or travelling in inclement weather.

Synthetic filled bags are cheaper than goosedown and retain their warmth even in wet conditions. They dry faster than down and are a good choice if traveling by boat or sleeping outdoors on the ground. However, synthetic bags are heavier and larger which can be a downside if you are hiking long distances with the sleeping bag.

For the average family camper synthetic bags are the least expensive and least affected by wet conditions. If travelling by car to a campground the size and weight of a synthetic bag should not be a problem.

SHAPE: RECTANGLE, TAPERED or MUMMY BAG?

Rectangle bags are most similar to sleeping in a bed, and thus most familiar to the average user. They allow room for movement. Also, you can easily zip together two bags for shared sleeping. However, rectangle bags are the largest and because of that, they’re not the best option for lugging along on extended hikes.

Tapered bags are a little narrower in the feet area of the sleeping bag than rectangle-shaped bags. The tapered shape provides less freedom of movement but more warmth because of the restricted space.

Mummy bags are the smallest of the three and lightest weight. They fit very snugly to the body with a hood that can be fitted around the head to conserve the greatest amount of body heat. While the average user may find the mummy bag uncomfortable to sleep in because of the restriction, these bags are the best choice for cold weather camping and also for long hikes because of their small size and warmth.

WARMTH: WHICH TEMPERATURE RATING?

Sleeping bag tags list the coldest temperature the bag is suitable for. Choose a bag appropriate to the season you’ll be camping in. Also take into consideration your own body and whether or not you’re typically cold or hot when sleeping. If in doubt, get a warmer bag rather than a cooler bag, because you can always open it if you’re too warm.

Keep in mind that the temperature rating is based on using a sleeping pad under the sleeping bag which conserves body heat from the ground. If you aren’t going to use a sleeping pad, you might want a warmer bag.

IN ADDITION:

If you camp out frequently you may want to consider buying a liner for your bag. The liner will increase its warmth but most importantly, it can be removed and washed separately, saving your sleeping bag from extra wear and tear.

Another thing to consider is sleeping bag covers. Some covers increase the warmth of a bag and can extend an all season bag into a cold weather bag. Covers can also provide extra protection from wet conditions and are a good choice for protecting goose down sleeping bags.

Your comfort while you sleep will drastically affect your enjoyment of a camping or hiking trip. Saving a few bucks isn’t worth being cold and sleepless night after night on your vacation. Keep these tips in mind and buy the right sleeping bag for your needs.

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Julie hikes, camps, fishes, skis, and generally spends as much time outdoors as she can – when she’s not blogging, of course. Read more of her articles at http://www.fun-travel-blog.com/.
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Posted: on Wednesday, June 9th, 2010 at 1:20 pm
Category: Outdoors Vacation.