Selecting a Sleeping Bag - Six Questions

What type of sleeping bag in the event you get? That will depend how you'll use it. Obviously, additionally, it depends upon what your financial allowance is. So decide what you could spend, after which think about the following six questions prior to going shopping.

1. What's the coldest weather you'll be camping in?

In case your backpacking is restricted towards the summertime, you are able to probably pull off any sleeping bag rated right down to 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius). Otherwise, consider your future plans and obtain a bag which will work on the coldest temperatures you anticipate to come across. If it's too warm for summer use, you could open it up up just like a blanket and lay it loosely over yourself therefore it won't hold in a lot heat. Another alternative is to find one bag for winter trips and something for summer.

2. What forms of conditions are you camping in?

The circumstances you may expect will know what fill is the best for you. For a moment continually be backpacking within the northwest, and thus possibly being in the water more often than not, you wouldn't want down. It loses the majority of its insulating ability when wet. A great synthetic fill is much better. However, if you are camping more often than not within the desert southwest, a down sleeping bag may be the lightest (and many compressible) option available. My very own down bag weighs just 17 ounces, stuffs right into a bread bag, and it has kept me warm to below freezing. If you're careful you can preserve any bag dry, but it's tough in certain conditions, so think about where you will be going, and just how good you're at staying dry.

3. How claustrophobic have you been?

Many people really can't get comfortable inside a mummy bag. They require room to maneuver. Should you aren't sure your feelings relating to this, there's one method to discover: enter those bags. Find out if you are feeling good inside a snug mummy. Borrow one and spend an evening inside it if you need to. A great mummy may be the warmest sleeping bag you will get for that weight, but semi-rectangular might be better for comfort.

4. How large have you been?

If you're tall, make sure to can fit comfortably for the reason that sleeping bag using the hood closed. Let's say you're too large for any tight mummy bag? Get one of these rectangular or semi-rectangular one.

5. How heavy may be the sleeping bag?

Even if you're not into ultralight backpacking, there isn't any reason to transport an excessive amount of weight whether it isn't necessary. A good summer sleeping bag shouldn't weigh a lot more than around three pounds. To obtain right down to the load of my down bag (17 ounces) you will need to save money. A winter bag is going to be heavier due to the additional filling, however in any case, compare the different bags based on their temperature ratings and total weight (using the stuff sack if you will be utilizing it).

6. How packable could it be?

No filling invented yet is really as compressible as down. Because of this, if you are using a little backpack, you might want to think about a down sleeping bag. Some synthetics could be packed in compression sacks to lower their volume, but this may eventually damage the filling and thus lessen the bags insulating ability. Also, a compression sack adds excess fat for your load. It is usually easier to to put it simply a sizable synthetic-fill bag externally those.

You will find certainly other specific questions you should ask about sleeping-bags while you take a look at them. A zipper that opens at the end is great for all those with hot feet. A water-resistant shell will keep dripping tent condensation from wetting the filling from the sleeping bag, or allow dew to become shaken off each morning if camping on view. There are lots of additional features you will probably find too, but begin with the six questions above to quickly limit the choices.