How To Choose A Good Sleeping Bag
Because sleeping bags are available in a variety of types and styles, it is hard to choose the right one. First, you have to consider what the environment will be like that you will be using it in. Warmer weather requires a more lightweight bag, but if you will be using it in a colder climate, then you may want to decide on a thicker sleeping bag or you can opt to just wear warmer clothes as added protection. Another thing to consider is your personal tastes. Choose a bag made from a material that you like, is that appropriate size and shape, and also leaves you room to move around.
There are two basic shapes of sleeping bags – mummy and rectangular. However, many bags are sold that are slight variations of these two. The most widely used sleeping bag is the rectangular bag. It is the oldest design, offering plenty of room with a cozy feeling , even for your feet. Rectangular bags can also be multi-functional. For instance, unzip the bag on a warm night and it can be utilized as a comforter. Some bags also allow the user to zip two bags together for a larger double-wide bag.
The mummy bag is a modern version of the old rectangular sleeping bags and is designed to fit more snugly around the sleeper. This allows the sleeper’s own body heat to accumulate within the bag and keep them warm. This kind of bag is generally made from less material and so is lighter weight which can make a difference if you are hiking and carrying supplies. Mummy bags can keep a sleeper warm if outside temperatures fall to 40 degrees fahrenheit or below.
There are typically three different sizes for sleeping bags: extra long, standard, and junior (child). The junior sizes are best reserved for extremely young kids. These do not last long because of their size, so as long as the weight of the bag is not a factor for your child, consider purchasing the standard size. Anyone over six feet in height should buy the extra long size. However, people of average height might like the extra room afforded by the larger size. It is really a matter of personal preference.
Higher quality sleeping bags were once exclusively insulated with prime goose down. However, down is not easy to clean and the cost has become prohibitive to include it on standard camping bags. Modern technology has afforded the development of a synthetic fiber to insulate sleeping bags. These fibers are just as effective (if not more so) for retaining warmth, cost much less, and can be laundered without difficulty. However, highly specialized mountaineering bags still use down in order to balance the requirements of an extremely light bag that can handle intensely cold and dry climates.
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