How to choose the best sleeping bags
This is so obvious that without a good sleep it is really tough to enjoy the day. However, the best sleeping bag is a must item while you are out camping outside. An inappropriate choice of sleeping bag can flop your trip down. This article is surely going to help you to make the right choice for your trip.
We have segmented the criteria with the applications as below:
- Temperature:
Your sleeping bag relates to weather. Though it is a tough task and you never control nature but It is very important to assume the temperature of the place that you are going to camp. There are different solutions for different situations and what you have do is to select the right solution for the right temperature.
What is the temperature rating for a sleeping bag?
You will find a temperature rating while you buy a sleeping bag which will help you to choose the right temperature in which you are comfortable. For an example, a demo has given as below:
| Sleeping bag | Session | Temperature (F) |
| 1 | Summer | + 30 degrees |
| 2 | All-Session | +5 to +30 degrees |
| 3 | Winter | +5 degrees or lower |
In this above chart, the temperatures don’t mean that the bag will give you that much heat but the bag is appropriate for that temperature.
How will I choose the right temperature for my sleeping bag?
It happens so often that camper assumes 10 degrees Celsius but nature goes down to 0 degrees so it will be wise to select a temperature lower of the lowest of that place. If you are assuming 10 degrees then go for 0 degrees. However, the temperature gets a little higher than your expectation, you can vent your bag for more air circulation.
- Shape:
Do you know what makes sleeping bag warmth? It is you. Your body heat warms the not circulated dead air and it makes a barrier between you and the cold ground. When it is little space, it will get warm quickly. So, it is important to make sure a little airspace in your bag because the less space you get the warmest you feel. Now, the shape relates to space.
What are the best shapes available in the market regarding sleeping bag?
Mummy Shape: This is a kind of shape which gets narrow to your feet from your shoulder.
Rectangular Shape: It is absolutely a rectangular shaped sleeping bag.
Semi-rectangular: This shape goes taper down to your feet almost like mummy shape but not as much.
Which shape will I select and why?
| Shapes | Key Facility | limitation |
| Mummy shape | Little airspace means quick warm and less weight | Little space means not a tight fit |
| Rectangular Shape | Plenty of room inside means more flexibility. | More airspace means it takes time to get warm and heavier than Mummy. |
| Semi-rectangular | More wriggle room means little flexible | Take more to get warm than Mummy shape. |
From the above table, you may make your decision already.
- Fit:
It depends on your length and width. You know better which size will be best for you.
- Gender:
Woman shape varies from the man and they are also considered as a cool sleeper. So make your choice as you are.
- Type:
Besides single sleeping bags, you will also find double-wide sleeping bags which are designed to combine two bags with more room. However, a right-hand zip can be added with a left-hand zip if the zippers are in the same size, style, and length.
- Material:
Your sleeping bag’s performance depends on its insulation type. Two basic insulation types are Synthetic insulation and Gross down insulation.
- Which one will I select and why?
| Insulation type | Key facilities | limitations |
| Synthetic insulation | Water resistant,
Can provide warmth when wet, Dries quickly, Non-allergenic,
|
More bulky, breaks down overtimes, can cause a fit problem, Grab more space to store. |
| Gross down insulation | Lightweight,
Comfortable than synthetic, With good care, can last lifetime, Warmer than synthetic.
|
When it is wet, unable to provide you warm,
It takes time to dry, Sometimes it is allergenic, More expensive than synthetic. |
Make the comparison yourself by the above chart and choose the right one.
- Additional features:
Don’t forget to check out the additional features too like;
- Sleeping bag shell and lining
- Hood
- Stash pocket
- Sleeping pad sleeve
- Pillow pocket.
- Accessories:
How about the accessories like; Stuff sack, Storage Sack, Liner etc.
We also covered the topic of how to care it as well as know more about the sleeping pad.
How to care for a sleeping bag
Everything needs care so why not your sleeping bag! It is not about only saving money, but also for a great experience. Caring it is not that complex, but so easy. Only a few steps can save your sleeping bag for a lifetime. These are:
- On the way to camp:
– Keep it dry:
When you pack it in your backpack or outer, make sure there is no water bottle, drinks or any liquids next to your sleeping bag. However, it is safe to use a waterproof cover, if it is drizzling or snowing in the road. You must not want a wet bag to sleep.
- In the campsite:
– Stay clean in your bag:
After a hike or walk, you may become clumsy and your clothes may become dirty. Make sure when you get into your bag, you are clean and your clothes are fresh just because dirt or your body oil can damage the insulation power of your bag. However, don’t forget to change clothes after cooking and before going to be packed with the bag and if you don’t, you are going to be a recipe that your bag will cook you with the cooking odours.
– Air out every morning:
Make sure to air out of your bag in every morning in the sunshine. You will need to turn it inside out and leave it to sunshine for dry out the moisture or dew but remember if you leave it for a long time in the sun when it is not wet, UV ray can degrade the fabric. If it is raining in the campsite then you can hang it by inside out in the tent or if you have a car with you do it there.
– Use a sleeping bag liner:
If you use a liner, it will protect your bag from your body oil or dirt if you have any with you. However, you will find different types of liner out there in the market. Such as cotton, silk, wool, polyester etc.. However it can increase the temperature by 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit to your bag’s rating.
– Use protection under the bag:
If you are out of a tent and planning for spending time with the stars, you will need to use protection to protect your sleeping bag from the sharp things and dust on the ground.
– Be gentle with it:
You need to be careful with zippers as well as do not sit on a wrapped bag.
– Store it properly:
Try to store it in a stuff sake as randomly as possible which will help the bag to not develop any flat-spots.
- After the camping:
– Wash the liner:
It is easy to wash the liner or it can smell bad because you have already used it in the camp.
– Store it properly:
Try to store it uncompressed in lightly in a stuff sack and off-course, not in a wet or damp place.
– Make a wash before storing it:
You must not want to sore a used sleeping bag without washing it. So, let’s wash it.
How to wash a sleeping bag!
It is important to know how to keep it good. Most campers prefer washing it by the experts or by themselves rather than a dry cleaning system because of the chemical involved. With some easy following ways, you can wash it by yourself too:
- Follow the instruction on the label of your bag regarding washing liquids.
- You can use a toothbrush to clean the spots first with little past from non-detergent soap if it does not need to wash fully.
- Hot water is forbidden. Lay down the bag into the referred washing liquids mixed cool or warm water for an hour.
- Drain the old water and lay it down again into some fresh water for 10 or 15 minutes to make sure the soap is out.
- Repeat fresh water process until the soap is out.
- Do not squeeze it, just hold it as you hold a ball and take it under the sunshine for drying if you do not have any appropriate size of a dryer.
Machine wash:
- You can also wash it by a front or top loading washer without an agitator
- Wash it in the cool or warm water but not hot water with appropriate washing liquids.
- Make sure the soap is out by running a rinse cycle.
- Make it dry.
How to dry an after washed sleeping bag!
- It is always good to dry it under the sunshine.
- If you have a dryer then set the heat according to the instruction given by the manufacturer.
- Remember there is a different suggestion for different fabrics.
Warnings:
- Avoid dry cleaning process.
- Never use hot water to wash.
- Be careful with the heat while drying it.
- Do not use extra bleach or inappropriate soap to wash it.
- Wash it when it needs to wash and it does not mean you will have to wash after every trip.
Hope, now you are going to have a good sleep and enjoy your trip camping! And do not skip the caring tips just because nothing lasts long without caring that