A sleeping bag is an insulated, portable covering that enables you to sleep comfortably during outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and trekking. They tend to envelop you in a cocoon of warmth to protect you from wind and cold, allowing your body to recover so that you are ready for tomorrow.
Whether you plan an adventurous trek in winter or camping in the US summer, the right sleeping bag can make all the difference to a peaceful night’s sleep. In this buying guide, we will take you through all the factors and features you should consider when choosing the best sleeping bag for you.
What Factors Should You Bear in Mind While Purchasing a Sleeping Bag?
Temperature Rating
Temperature rating is the lowest mark at which the bag will keep you warm. For instance, if you sleep in a bag rated 35⁰F, you won’t get frozen unless the temperature drops below the point.
However, the temperature rating of sleeping bags varies significantly based on their manufacturers. To simply put, a 20⁰F sleeping bag of one manufacturer can feel like a 10⁰F bag of another manufacturer. So, you should always purchase a bag rated a little bit colder than the temperature you expect to encounter. You can ventilate a bag that is too warm, but warming up a bag if you are cold is quite hard.
As a rule of thumb, summer sleeping bags are rated 35⁰F or higher, three-season bags range from 10⁰F to 35⁰F, and winter bags are below 10⁰F.
EN Rating
The EN rating is a temperature rating standard, which is also known as EN 13537. This standard allows buyers to compare temperature levels between sleeping bags made by different manufacturers.
Based on the assumption that the user is wearing a base layer and using a sleeping pad and tent, this standard determines four temperature ratings:
Upper Limit
The highest temperature level at which an average man can sleep without any hassle.
Comfort
The lowest temperature level at which an average female can sleep in a relaxed position comfortably.
Lower Limit
The lowest temperature level at which an average man can sleep in a curled position for long hours without waking.
Extreme
The minimum temperature level at which an average woman can sleep for six hours straight without the risk of hypothermia.
Type of Insulation
The type of insulation correlates with how much a sleeping bag weighs, keeps you warm, compresses, and affects your pocket. Basically, these bags have two types of insulation: Down and Synthetic.
Down
Down sleeping bags provide a higher warmth-to-weight ratio than synthetic bags. They are lightweight and highly compressible because they are filled with feathers from ducks and geese. Besides, these bags retain their thickness longer than their synthetic counterparts, owing to the fill power ratings from 600-900. Thus, they are the best option for camping in cold and dry climates because of their warmth, lightweight and durability. However, they are also more expensive than synthetic bags.
The biggest demerit of these bags is that they lose their insulating properties when they get wet and take too long to dry. To get rid of this issue, hydrophobic down is a solution that has gained popularity lately. It is a process to coat the down with a water-resistant or hydrophobic chemical, allowing it to absorb less water and dry quickly.
Synthetic
Filled with a fluffy polyester, synthetic sleeping bags are highly durable. Since they retain their insulating properties, these bags are an excellent choice for camping on snow and in wet climates because they keep you warm even after getting wet. Besides, they are often favored by budget-friendly campers, thanks to their affordability.
One of the major drawbacks of synthetic bags is that they are heavier and bulkier, making them hard to carry around on a multi-day trip. Though these bags can be packed down compactly, they gradually lose their warmth when compressed a lot.
What are the Features of the Best Sleeping Bag?
Shape
Sleeping bags typically come in two types: Mummy and Rectangular. Mummy bags are the best choice for backpackers and mountaineers because they retain more heat and protect the users from cold. These bags are also lighter in weight and more compressible than rectangular ones. On the other hand, rectangular bags are more suitable for caravanning and summer car camping because they don’t retain heat but give you more room to wiggle around.
Draft Collar
The draft collar is an insulated flap around the neck of the sleeping bag that doesn’t allow heat to escape. Since it helps you seal your body from the cold weather outside, this feature comes in handy in winter.
Zipper
Summer sleeping bags have full-length zippers that enable easy ventilation in hot weather, while winter bags do not go all the way down. Make sure the zipper of the product you purchase doesn’t snag easily. Also, check that the zipper slides smoothly, as it can be annoying in the middle of the night when you need to pee, but the zipper refuses to go down.
Stash Pocket
Most sleeping bags feature a small stack pocket to store belongings like your wallet, earplugs, headlamp and other things to make them handy at night. Also, make sure the pocket is not located at an intrusive spot if you are a stomach sleeper.
Hood
Having a hood with a drawstring comes in handy while camping in winter as it retains more heat. It works exactly like a hood on our jackets, and the drawstring enables you to cinch it more tightly to reduce the heat loss from your head.
Stuff Sack
A sleeping bag should have a compression sack as well as a storage sack. The former one will allow you to compress your bag into a compact compartment to make your journey easier. However, when you are not hiking, make sure to leave it in a larger storage sack to preserve its insulation and prolong its lifetime.
Final Words
Before investing in a sleeping bag, you should take some time to consider when and where you will be camping, along with the aforementioned factors as well as features. Armed with this knowledge, you will be able to make an informed decision and get your hands on the best sleeping bag.
Sleeping Bag FAQ
Q: How can I boost the warmth of my sleeping bag?
A: You can add a sleeping bag liner to extend the temperature rating of your bag from 5⁰F to 15⁰F. Besides, it will also help you keep your bag cleaner for longer.
Q: How can I preserve the insulation of my sleeping bag?
A: Keeping your sleeping bag dry should be your first priority to preserve its insulation. Make sure to purchase a waterproof bag made of cotton or mesh to store your sleeping bag.
Q: Can I wash my sleeping bag?
A: Yes, you can wash your bag using a front-load washing machine with cold water. Don’t forget to read the instructions on the label before throwing your bag in a machine.