Camping is a popular activity with many of us and we all like to have the proper equipment. The question we ask is do we know exactly what we are looking for?
A sleeping bag is for all intents and purposes a blanket that zips around you. Its purpose is to keep you warm while sleeping, whether you are on summer camp or mountain expedition.
Sleeping bags come with Season ratings for different conditions. One Season bags are for cooler summer nights only and are only suitable for temperatures of +5 degrees C and above.
A slightly thicker sleeping bag that can be used for autumn nights and temperatures of 0 degrees C and above is the Two Season bag.
Three Season sleeping bags are a more popular sleeping bag as they will keep you warm in temperatures as low as -5 degrees C. This can be more practical and ensure that you are kept snug and warm on your camping trips.
The Four Season sleeping bag is the warmest but also the bulkiest. They are used mainly in extreme cold conditions such as arctic weathers and will keep you warm in temperatures as low as -10 degrees C.
The next thing you will need to decide upon is the style. The two most popular styles are the basic rectangle and the mummy.
The rectangle shape is more spacious, giving you plenty room to move around in, but as there is no cover around the head it allows cold air to circulate. It is as simply a basic rectangle folded in half and zipped along the bottom and side edges.
The mummy style is as its name suggests and is shaped like a mummy. It is narrower at the feet end than at the top. The hood wraps around the head trapping warm air for extra heat retention but it is a more snug fit with less room to move around once zipped inside.
You will also need to decide which type of filling is best for you. There are two main types; synthetic or natural down. Synthetic filled bags are popular as these dry out quickly if they should get wet. Not only that, but they will still offer some insulation against the cold. On the other hand a down filled sleeping bag will not keep you warm if damp or wet and takes a long time to dry out.
You can get sleeping bags in many sizes and it is important to get the right one. An oversize bag may give you plenty room to move around in, but will not keep you as warm as there is more space for cold air to circulate. On the other hand, too small a sleeping bag will simply be uncomfortable as you will have no room to move.
Children’s sleeping bags tend to have added features such as built-in pockets to hold their torches and built-in pillows. Some even fold-up into a built-in carry pouch for easy storage.
Double sleeping bags are also popular. These are not just for couples but also for those who feel cramped in your normal single size bag giving them added room for movement. For extra warmth and even security these can be useful to put siblings together.
A useful double sleeping bag is one that is thicker on one side than the other. This can be maximised by splitting it into two bags for different conditions or if you and your partner sleep at different temperatures.
One thing to look for when buying a double bag is that it is just that and has plenty room for two people to move around in and is not just an oversized single.
Now you’re armed with the best tips for choosing your next sleeping bag, make sure you get the best bag for you so that you can enjoy your next camping trip knowing you’ll be warm and comfortable while you’re asleep.
Aron Simon is an enthusiastic outdoor adventurer and offers plenty of useful information about choosing your Sleeping Bag on his newest site. He also explains the key points you should consider when choosing kids sleeping bags.