Live an adventure camping


How sleeping bags work

A sleeping bag is a protective "bag" for aflipside, synthetic fill cannot be compressed
person to sleep in, analogous to a bed andas much as down, causing such bags to take up
blanket. Its primary purpose is to providemore  space  when  not  in  use.
warmth and insulation. It also protects, to
some extent, against wind, precipitation, andDown fill weighs less than synthetic and
exposure to view, but a tent performs thoseretains heat better, but usually costs more.
functions better. The bottom surface alsoDown must be kept dry; a soaked down sleeping
provides some cushioning, but a sleeping padbag may provide even less insulation than no
is usually used for that purpose. A bivouacsleeping bag at all, leading to hypothermia.
sack (bivy) is a waterproof cover for aNewer, more technically advanced sleeping
sleeping bag that may be used in place of abags often have water-resistant shells and
tent for lightweight travelers or as a backupcan be used in damper conditions. It is also
if  inclement  weather  occurs.recommended to keep a sleeping bag in a
larger sack (storage sack) as opposed to the
Design  typessmall traveling sack (compression bag) during
long  periods  of  storage.
A basic sleeping bag is simply a square
blanket, fitted with a zipper on two sidesOther materials, notably cotton and wool,
allowing it to be folded in half and securedhave also been used for sleeping bags. Wool
in this position. A sleeping bag of this typerepels water nicely and also resists
is packed by being folded in half or thirds,compression, but it weighs much more than any
rolled up, and bound with straps or cords.alternative. Cotton suffers from high water
The basic design works well for most campingretention and significant weight, but its low
needs but is inadequate under more demandingcost makes it an attractive option for uses
circumstances. The second major type oflike stationary camping where these drawbacks
sleeping bag, sometimes called a mummy bagare  of  little  consequence.
because of its shape, is different in a
number  of  important  ways.Temperature  ratings
It tapers from the head end to the foot end,In Europe, the EN 13537 standard normalizes
reducing its volume and surface area, andthe temperatures at which a sleeping bag can
improving its overall heat retentionbe used. A test, relying on a heated
properties. Some bags are designed speciallymannequin,  provides  four  temperatures:
to  accommodate  women's  body  shapes.
the upper limit is the highest temperature at
It usually does not unzip all the way to thewhich a 'standard' adult male is able to have
feet. The zipper is a weak point in anya comfortable night's sleep without excess
sleeping bag's insulating qualities. Togethersweating.
with the tapered shape, this design feature
helps protect the feet, which are morethe comfort rating is based on a 'standard'
vulnerable to heat loss than other parts ofwoman  having  a  comfortable night's sleep.
the  body.
the lower limit is based on the lowest
It usually has a drawstring at the head end,temperature at which a 'standard' adult male
to  help  prevent  the  escape  of warm air.is deemed to be able to have a comfortable
night's  sleep.
A mummy bag often cannot be rolled like a
rectangular bag. Instead, it is simplythe extreme rating is a survival only rating
stuffed into a stuff sack or compressionfor a 'standard' adult woman. This is an
sack.extreme survival rating only and it is not
advisable to rely on this rating for general
Filluse.
Many different insulating materials areThe transition zone, in between the comfort
available for sleeping bags. Avid outdoorsmenand lower temperatures, is usually considered
usually prefer either synthetic fill or down,as  the  best  purchase  guideline.
and they have debated the merits of these
materials  for  years.Slumber  bags
Synthetic fill does not readily absorb water,The term slumber bag usually refers to a
dries easily, and provides some warmth evensleeping bag for children, designed for
when thoroughly soaked. These properties mayindoor rather than outdoor use. These are
save the owner's life if, for example, theusually not designed to be weatherproof, and
sleeping bag is accidentally dropped intooften feature elaborate, brightly-colored
water on a cold day. Synthetic material isprinted designs, such as images of popular
also firm and resilient, so it insulates wellmedia characters. Slumber bags make floor
even underneath a person's weight. Syntheticssleeping more comfortable, and are often used
also have the ability to loft faster thanfor sleepovers, family visits, and other
down, allowing the sleeping bag to providesituations where there aren't enough beds for
the insulation faster than a down bag. On theeveryone.



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