Live an adventure camping


How sleeping bags work

A sleeping bag is a protective "bag" forthan a down bag. On the flipside,
a person to sleep in, analogous to a bedsynthetic fill cannot be compressed as
and blanket. Its primary purpose is tomuch as down, causing such bags to take
provide warmth and insulation. It alsoup more space when not in use.
protects, to some extent, against wind,Down fill weighs less than synthetic and
precipitation, and exposure to view, butretains heat better, but usually costs
a tent performs those functions better.more. Down must be kept dry; a soaked
The bottom surface also provides somedown sleeping bag may provide even less
cushioning, but a sleeping pad isinsulation than no sleeping bag at all,
usually used for that purpose. A bivouacleading to hypothermia. Newer, more
sack (bivy) is a waterproof cover for atechnically advanced sleeping bags often
sleeping bag that may be used in placehave water-resistant shells and can be
of a tent for lightweight travelers orused in damper conditions. It is also
as a backup if inclement weather occurs.recommended to keep a sleeping bag in a
Design typeslarger sack (storage sack) as opposed to
A basic sleeping bag is simply a squarethe small traveling sack (compression
blanket, fitted with a zipper on twobag) during long periods of storage.
sides allowing it to be folded in halfOther materials, notably cotton and
and secured in this position. A sleepingwool, have also been used for sleeping
bag of this type is packed by beingbags. Wool repels water nicely and also
folded in half or thirds, rolled up, andresists compression, but it weighs much
bound with straps or cords. The basicmore than any alternative. Cotton
design works well for most camping needssuffers from high water retention and
but is inadequate under more demandingsignificant weight, but its low cost
circumstances. The second major type ofmakes it an attractive option for uses
sleeping bag, sometimes called a mummylike stationary camping where these
bag because of its shape, is differentdrawbacks are of little consequence.
in a number of important ways.Temperature ratings
It tapers from the head end to the footIn Europe, the EN 13537 standard
end, reducing its volume and surfacenormalizes the temperatures at which a
area, and improving its overall heatsleeping bag can be used. A test,
retention properties. Some bags arerelying on a heated mannequin, provides
designed specially to accommodatefour temperatures:
women's body shapes.the upper limit is the highest
It usually does not unzip all the way totemperature at which a 'standard' adult
the feet. The zipper is a weak point inmale is able to have a comfortable
any sleeping bag's insulating qualities.night's sleep without excess sweating.
Together with the tapered shape, thisthe comfort rating is based on a
design feature helps protect the feet,'standard' woman having a comfortable
which are more vulnerable to heat lossnight's sleep.
than other parts of the body.the lower limit is based on the lowest
It usually has a drawstring at the headtemperature at which a 'standard' adult
end, to help prevent the escape of warmmale is deemed to be able to have a
air.comfortable night's sleep.
A mummy bag often cannot be rolled likethe extreme rating is a survival only
a rectangular bag. Instead, it is simplyrating for a 'standard' adult woman.
stuffed into a stuff sack or compressionThis is an extreme survival rating only
sack.and it is not advisable to rely on this
Fillrating for general use.
Many different insulating materials areThe transition zone, in between the
available for sleeping bags. Avidcomfort and lower temperatures, is
outdoorsmen usually prefer eitherusually considered as the best purchase
synthetic fill or down, and they haveguideline.
debated the merits of these materialsSlumber bags
for years.The term slumber bag usually refers to a
Synthetic fill does not readily absorbsleeping bag for children, designed for
water, dries easily, and provides someindoor rather than outdoor use. These
warmth even when thoroughly soaked.are usually not designed to be
These properties may save the owner'sweatherproof, and often feature
life if, for example, the sleeping bagelaborate, brightly-colored printed
is accidentally dropped into water on adesigns, such as images of popular media
cold day. Synthetic material is alsocharacters. Slumber bags make floor
firm and resilient, so it insulates wellsleeping more comfortable, and are often
even underneath a person's weight.used for sleepovers, family visits, and
Synthetics also have the ability to loftother situations where there aren't
faster than down, allowing the sleepingenough beds for everyone.
bag to provide the insulation faster



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