Introduction
When it comes to choosing a sleeping bag, you do not want to just randomly pick one off the shelf. After all, it is just as important as getting the right table top gas cooker. You have to consider the various factors that might affect your sleep. No one wants to sleep on an uncomfortable sleeping bag, do they?
As such, here are a few things to note when choosing a sleeping bag.
Look at the Sleeping Bag Season Ratings
Ranging from season 1, for summer, to season four, for cold winter nights, the ranges available to you helps you to better decide and understand which sleeping bag works best for your camping situation.
Season 1
This category of sleeping bags are made for camping during the warm summer nights. Best for those who are attending festivals. This is also a great option for indoor camping for children to use as well.
Season 2
These are made to be used during the late spring and early autumn period in the UK. This is because the nights can get pretty cold. These are ideal for camping outside during the summer months and great for those who tend to feel chilly during the summer.
Season 3
Best used during the period of cold autumn and winter nights when there is no frost. If you are someone who gets cold easily, this would also be a good option for any weather.
Season 4
If you are an adventurer who wishes to camp during the cold winter nights with snow all around you, this is the option for you.
Check the Sleeping Bag Temperature Ratings
This is one factor that should not be looked over. The decision for this is based on where you would be sleeping when you use the sleeping bag as well as the temperature you are most comfortable sleeping in. the ratings go as follows:
Extreme Ratings
These are basically for those who are adventuring into the ‘survival temperatures’. These sleeping bags are at its very limit at which it can keep you warm without the consequences of suffering from frostbites or any other temperature related ailments.
A sleeping bag with an extreme survival rating of -28 means that the bag is made in a way to ensure that you are able to stay alive despite the harsher conditions, potentially saving you from hypothermia.
Comfort Ratings
This is the indication to which temperature best suits you in order to ensure that you are all snuggled up warm and comfortable to go to sleep. When the sleeping bag is used in conditions below the comfort ratings, you will feel cold.
Choosing Between Down or Synthetic Sleeping Bags
There are two key options for you to choose from when purchasing a sleeping bag. Synthetic sleeping bags are made of man-made insulation, namely poly fibers. As for down sleeping bags, they are made with the find under feathers of ducks or geese.
Synthetic Sleeping Bags
These tend to be much cheaper on the market compared to down sleeping bags. They are also much easier to clean and do not require as much maintenance as the down ones. Not to mention, they still perform well when it is wet, retaining fifty percent of their insulating ability still.
However, the downside to this is that it is much bulkier and heavier. This will make your packing much heavier as a result. It generally is unable to retain as much heat as the down sleeping bags. Lastly, they get worn out pretty quickly too. So if you are looking for something to last you for a long period of time, synthetic sleeping bags might not be the option you are looking for.
Down Sleeping Bags
There are many little air pockets in the down caused by the loft, meaning that it is way more effective at trapping warm air and retaining heat as compared to the synthetic ones. Not to mention, they are also much lighter and are able to be compressed into a much smaller size, making packing and carrying it less of a chore.
Sadly, it absorbs water very easily and once the feathers get wet, it loses its fluffiness resulting in the loss of its heat-insulating purposes. Down sleeping bags also tend to cost way more than synthetic. Not to mention, it requires a special type of cleaning process which might add on to your overall costs.
Consider the Extra Features
There are also some other fine details to look out for to ensure that you get the most comfort out of your sleeping bag.
Inner Linings
The most common materials used for sleeping bags would be fine nylon or polyester. Some sleeping bags are also made of flannel or cotton. However, despite the latter being more lightweight and breathable, cotton traps moisture and therefore is not suggested to be used in colder environments.
Baffles
These are compartments within the sleeping bag that help to ensure that the fillings are evenly distributed.
Left and Right-hand Zips
To ensure that getting out of the bag is easy, it is good to choose a bag with a zip that is on the opposite side of your master hand. So for example, if you are right-handed, the zip should preferably be on the left and vice versa.
Hood
Body heat is also lost through the head. As such, having a shaped hood will be great as it would help to trap the heat in. it also has a drawcord closure that you can pull on to tighten it closer to your face for more warmth.
Inner Pockets
These can come in very handy when you need to store important things close to you.
Stuff Sack
Stuff sacks usually come together when in a mummy sleeping bag. It has a drawstring that you can pull for closure. These sleeping bags are easy to pack when on the go as all you have to do is simply stuff it into its bag. The compression straps help to reduce the overall size of the bag, giving you more space to pack other items in your bag.
Conclusion
There are also other items that you can consider getting such as travel pillows or sleeping mats. Do ensure that you are fully aware of the conditions of the place you would be sleeping in so that you can pick the perfect sleeping bag.
