How to Choose a Sleeping Bag

A sleeping bag is probably the second mostwhat makes you most comfortable.
important item you need to purchase after yourAnother dimension of great importance is the
tent. Sleeping bags can be one of many types;girth. Girth is the interior space of the bag, as
depending on personal preference and outsidemeasured around the sleeper's waist area. As I
temperature. The shape, size, room to move, andmentioned above, mummy bags have the
feel of the fabric should be sampled, just like yousmallest girth, and rectangular the largest.
would try a mattress for your bed at home.Temperature Rating
Weather conditions can also determine what typeTemperature ratings are often advertised by
of bag you'll need, if any. In warm, dry conditions,manufacturers - 0 degrees, 20 degrees, 40
you might only need a lightweight 'bed-roll' ordegrees, etc. Consider these ratings as a guideline
fleece bag. At other times, the cool night air willonly. Your body may sleep warmer or cooler than
indicate a need for a warmer bag or combinationanother person. These guidelines seem to assume
of warm clothes and warm bag.that you will be wearing warm clothing too (I
Style and Shapeactually recommend sleeping with as few clothes
Unless your camping entails alot of long termas possible, if not completely stripped - it tends to
backpacking, where weight plays a large part inkeep you warmer since your sweat will not
determining the shape and weight of your bag,absorb into your clothes but wick through a good
you can choose whatever style of sleeping bagbag and evaporate). If you are a neophyte
you like. Most manufacturers offer two basiccamper you will most likely be able to use any
shapes, rectangular and mummy, along with abag rated for summer temperatures, since you
few modifications to each style.will most likely be camping during warmer times
The most common sleeping bag is a rectangularof year.
bag, which has been around the longest. It's aThere are several ways to make a bag warmer.
roomy and comfortable inside, with ample footOne common method is to include a "liner" bag.
room. Because of its shape, it can be unzippedThese bags are placed inside the bag, similar to
and used as a comforter on warm nights. Someadding an extra blanket to your bed. These bags
rectangular bags can be opened and zippedare available ready made, or you can make one
together to make a double size bag - great forat home by attaching a blanket to your bag with
very young kids and especially good for parents!safety pins. If you want to carry the extra
The more modern, mummy style sleeping bag isweight, you can also throw a blanket over you as
meant to wrap tightly around the sleeper, so it willyou sleep, rather than put it inside. If necessary in
generate the maximum amount of warmth whilefrigid conditions, two summer bags can be placed
using substantially less material. If you do a lot ofone inside the other.
camping in cold weather, in 40 degree or lowerIt's extremely easy to make a lightweight sleeping
temperatures, you should consider purchasing abag warmer, so start with a warm weather bag
mummy bag. This heating efficiency will also keepwith a 40 degree rating or warmer depending on
the bag's weight to a minimum, making this theyour location.
optimal bag to use when backpacking. Keep inInsulation Materials
mind, though, that not everyone likes theGood quality sleeping bags [ used to depend on
constricted feel of a mummy bag, so you shouldprime goose down for insulation. Down is still used
definitely try it out before committing to purchasein the highly specialized mountaineering bags
one.where extreme dry cold and a need for
Variations on the mummy include the "barrel"lightweight equipment are the primary concerns.
shape, a mummy bag with added space in theHowever, the cost of down and the difficulty
middle. This is a great choice if you prefer thelaundering it make it an impractical choice for
mummy bag's warmth, but desire a little spacemost average campers.
for comfort. There are also mummy bags thatModern synthetic fibers have been developed
have draw string tops to pull in the opening towhich have reliably replaced down as a great
help keep in your warmth, and modified mummiessource of warmth for sleeping bags. Synthetics
with slightly larger top openings.cost less, are easily washable, and can hold their
Sizewarmth as good or better than down, especially
All styles of bags can usually be purchased inwhen conditions are wet or snowy. For most
three lengths: junior or child, standard and extrafamily camping, any of the synthetic fills will be
long. The juniors are for small children. If weight issufficient.
not important, I suggest you get a standardZippers and Collars
length for your child. The bag will be a trustedYou should make sure the bags have a good
piece of equipment for longer that way, and thequality zipper; one that will not pinch or catch on
junior size bag can be outgrown quickly, dependingthe fabric when attempting to zip it up. It should
on the child.have two zipper pulls to allow for inside or outside
The extra long size is usually advertised for thosezipper operation. If you plan on connecting two
over six feet tall. In some cases, the extra lengthsimilar bags together to make a double sleeping
might be appreciated by shorter people whobag, make sure the zippers are compatible.
crave the extra roominess. It just depends on