Sleeping Bag Guide

I wanted to create this sleeping bag guide to help you pick the right bag for your needs.  Did you know that you will be spending up to 1/3 of your camping trip inside your sleeping bag? It’s true! So you can see why it is important to choose the correct one. Here are the 6 things you need to consider when choosing a sleeping bag.

 1. Purpose

Think about the reason why you are buying your sleeping bag.  Someone who is a summer camper will have very different needs from someone who is a winter camper.  Are you a hiker and will you be carrying your sleeping bag in your back pack?  Are you left or right handed? Do you camp outside in very cold temperatures?    Do you like to sleep in shorts or flannel?  These are all important factors to consider and will help you choose the right sleeping bag.

 2. Temperature Rating

Every sleeping bag is going to have a temperature rating.  This temperature rating tells you how warm your sleeping bag will keep you down to that specific temperature.  You need to ask yourself what is the coldest temperature you will be exposing yourself to and buy a sleeping bag that is rated to keep you warm down to that temperature.

A note of caution.  You do NOT want to buy a sleeping bag rated to keep you warmer than you really need to be.  If you buy a zero degree rated bag and go camping in 40 degree weather you are going to be sweating like crazy!  Choose a sleeping bag that is right for the job. 

3. Material

Most sleeping bags are made of either down or synthetic materials.  Each has pros and cons.

Synthetic

Pro’s	Cons
Performs well when wet Good value for money Less care required in cleaning and storage	Poor weight to warmth ratio (compared to Down)  Bulky Narrower comfort range

Down

Pro’s	Cons
Extremely warm for its weight Extremely compressible Greater comfort range	Performs badly when damp/wet More expensive than Synthetic Care required when cleaning and storing

 4. Style of Bag

The style of sleeping bag that you choose will make a difference.  Do you like to move around in your sleep?  Then a rectangular bag may be more your style.  Are you camping in colder temperatures?  A mummy style bag may suit your needs better.  Really think about what style of sleeping bag works best for you. 

5. Dimensions

It is important to pay attention to a sleeping bags dimensions.  If you are tall, odds are that a standard sleeping bag will not be long enough for you.  The same rules apply if you are plus sized.  The good news is that many manufacturers make long sleeping bags or large sleeping bags to help acomidate those with special needs. 

5. Total weight

The total weight of the sleeping bag matters – especially if you are a backpacker.  One factor that helps determine the total weight is, believe it or not, the length of the zippers.  Typically sleeping bag zippers come in 1/4, 1/2 or full zippered bags.  The longer the zipper the more weight is added. While this many not mean much to the camper – it can mean the difference of a pound or two to the hiker.

If you are more of a visual person, here is a great YouTube video someone made about picking a sleeping bag.  It really gives you a good idea of the types of sleeping bags that are out there and even more things you can be looking for when picking one that is right for you.

No related posts.

Tags: buy sleeping bag | camping sleeping bag | down sleeping bag | how to pick a sleeping bag | large sleeping bag | long sleeping bag | sleeping bag guide | synthetic sleeping bag