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Camping Gear - How to Choose the Right Sleeping Bag
The last thing you want to happen
when you're 20 miles into the woods is to find your
sleeping bag is not warm enough. You will be facing
a very long and unrestful night which can ruin your
spirits and sap your strength for the next day. So how
do you make sure you've selected the best bag for your
needs? There are several aspects to consider.
GOOSE DOWN or SYNTHETIC?
There are pros and cons to most of the
options available in sleeping bags.
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 the
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
goose down and retain their warmth even in wet conditions.
They dry faster than down and are a good choice if travelling
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 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.
RECTANGLE, TAPERED or MUMMY BAG?
As with the insulating materials, the
shape of bag you choose will depend on your specific
needs with pros and cons for each type.
Rectangle bags are most similar to bed
sleeping and most familiar to the average user. They
permit room for movement and you can easily zip two
bags together for shared sleeping. However, rectangle
bags are the biggest and not the best option for carrying
on extended hikes.
Tapered bags are somewhat narrower towards
the feet area of the sleeping bag. This shape provides
less freedom of movement but more warmth because of
the restricted space.
Mummy bags are the smallest and lightest
to carry. They are very snug to the body (as the name
suggests) 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 they are the
best choice for cold weather camping and long hikes
because of their warmth and small size.
WHICH TEMPERATURE RATING?
Sleeping bags will list the coldest
temperature they are suitable for sleeping in. Depending
on if you are camping in the summer or colder months
you will need to choose a bag accordingly. Also take
into consideration if you are normally cold or hot when
sleeping and make the adjustments.
In most cases it is recommended to choose
a warmer bag since you can always open it for venting
if it is too warm. The temperature rating is based on
using a sleeping pad under the sleeping bag which conserves
body heat from the ground.
ADDITIONS:
If you frequently camp out you may want
to consider a liner for your bag which will increase
its warmth and can be washed separately, saving your
sleeping bag from extra wear and tear.
You can also purchase sleeping bag covers.
Some of these can substitute for a warm weather sleeping
bag and can extend an all season bag into a cold weather
bag by increasing the warmth. They can also provide
extra protection from wet conditions and are a good
choice for protecting goose down sleeping bags.
How comfortable you are when you sleep
will drastically affect your enjoyment of a camping
or hiking trip. Saving five or ten dollars at the expense
of a good nights sleep will not seem like a good idea
when you are tired and cold out in the woods, so choose
wisely.
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