Sleeping bag

A sleeping bag is an essential part of camping life, necessary for a comfortable stay in nature, which includes sleeping. Recreation in nature can be so diverse that it is very difficult to find the perfect sleeping bag for different cases. After all, the modern market of tourist goods is ready to offer just an incredible number of different sleeping bags.

It is worth noting that the modern sleeping bag is the result of the labor of a large number of people developing and testing a variety of innovative materials.

And in order for the choice to be successful, you should take into account some of the most important parameters: temperature regime, design, size, material and quality of performance, fittings.

Temperature regime

To begin with, you need to consider in what weather conditions the sleeping bag is most likely to be used. Alas, have not yet come up with an absolutely universal option that would be suitable for both mountain tourists and as a sleeping bag for fishing. And therefore the first parameter will be the correctly selected temperature mode.

Manufacturers specify several indicators of the temperature mode of the sleeping bag:

• Comfort – the temperature that provides the most comfortable rest for a whole night, provided that you are in a tent and use a thermo-insulating mat.

• Extreme – extremely low temperature of sleeping bag use, at which there is a probability to freeze in it, but it will keep you from severe hypothermia. In a tent with foam and in the presence of good thermal underwear or during the rest with a thick layer of clothing in a sleeping bag can be quite cozy. The same indicator should be used for the comfort temperature at high energy expenditures during the hike.
• Maximum – this temperature index indicates the upper limit of the sleeping bag application and at this temperature a person may feel hot during rest.

In addition to external conditions, it is good to take into account your individual parameters. For example, women in most cases will be more comfortable in a sleeping bag with Comfort 5 degrees higher. Full people should choose a sleeping bag with a lower temperature index. If the model is intended for a person who has passed over 45 or has not reached the age of majority, it is desirable to focus on the lowest extreme indicator (Extreme) as a comfort temperature.

Construction

The second important factor will be the design of the sleeping bag and its size.

The most common forms of sleeping bags are the so-called “blanket” and “cocoon”.

• Blanket is a rectangular sleeping bag with a zipper that unzips partially or completely. This option is suitable for those people who like space when sleeping, as it is much less constraining than a cocoon. The advantage of a rectangular sleeping bag is the possibility to unzip it completely and use it as a simple blanket – to cover yourself with it or to cover the bottom of the tent.

• Thecocoon sleeping bag is narrowed down and resembles an Egyptian sarcophagus. Thanks to this shape, its weight and volume are lower than in a rectangular sleeping bag, and it retains heat better.

Both the cocoon and the rectangular sleeping bag can have a hood to cover the head. Some models have a possibility to join them into a single large bag, and there are models of both shapes.

Size

The size specified by the manufacturer – these are the parameters of the zipped bag, laid out on a flat surface. For sleeping bags in the form of a blanket, the length and width are indicated, and for bags of the cocoon form – the width in the shoulders, in the legs and the length of the bag. When choosing the length of the sleeping bag, you should add 25-30 cm to your height. It is necessary to realize that in a too spacious bag can be cold, and too tight does not provide a normal rest. The manufacturer also indicates the size of the sleeping bag when rolled up in the compression bag. This size is important for hikers or biking trips, where every inch of free space is valuable.

Materials

The third criterion affecting the choice will be the materials. Many people are focused only on the temperature regime, but the materials used can largely affect the quality of use of the sleeping bag in changing conditions, as well as its service life. For example, the same temperature is perceived differently, and when the humidity increases, a material with a higher water resistance index will be preferable.

1. Insulation layer

The insulation layer in modern sleeping bags is made up of materials such as natural down (the most expensive filler), syntepon and silicone-coated synthetic hollow fibers (such as Thermofibre, Hollowfiber, Micro-loft, Dacron or Quallofill).

Sleeping bags made of syntepon are budget-friendly, but unfortunately not very durable. However, they have a low weight (from 800 g to 2.3 kg) and volume when rolled up. And also quickly dry even at low temperatures, which determines their use in conditions of high humidity. For example, for use near water bodies. The warmest of these sleeping bags have 4 layers of syntepon and are designed for frost up to -20.

Sleeping bags with natural filling from down of waterfowl birds, undoubtedly, have a number of advantages: they perfectly keep warm, light and restore the volume even after a critically strong compression. It is better to choose eiderdown or cheaper goose down. However, if the down sleeping bag gets wet, it can take a decent amount of time to dry. Sleeping bags with natural filling makes sense to buy for use in extremely low temperatures. But for use in the off-season and summer, as well as for simple hikes are quite suitable for their synthetic counterparts.

Closest in characteristics to down are modern high-tech fillers. They consist of fibers covered with silicone, hollow inside and different in thickness, as well as the density of their weave in a non-woven fabric. Such a filler determines the low weight of the sleeping bag (up to 1 kg), its compact size when rolled up, excellent thermal insulation, resistance to moisture (they can be quickly dried), as well as high resistance to wear. Their elasticity is retained even after five seasons. Sleeping bags with such a filling are significantly more expensive than down bags. They do not collapse over time as synteponovye, they are not afraid of fungus or pests, they can easily be washed and stored in a rolled state (although experienced tourists and insist on the storage of any sleeping bags unfolded). Fillings of this category are most suitable as an insulating layer of sleeping bags for fishing.

2. Outer layer

Wear resistance, lightness, moisture resistance and at the same time sufficient breathability necessary for ventilation – this is the set of characteristics that the material of the outer layer of the sleeping bag should have. As such materials are most often used nylon, polyester and modern membrane fabrics. Also some manufacturers offer sleeping bags, the upper part of which is made of more breathable fabric, while the lower part is made of more dense and moisture-resistant. Using such a combined option will provide the greatest comfort.

3. Inner layer

For the inner layer, choose cotton, nylon, fleece and polycotton fabrics, which are more pleasant to the body when used without an additional layer of clothing and have maximum moisture wicking properties.

Quality of fittings and workmanship

During the selection process, be sure to check the details of the sleeping bag you like: whether the zipper works well, whether it has a protective strip of fabric. Whether there is a hood and whether it can be tightened along the edge. How well the seams are handled and how easily and compactly the sleeping bag fits into the compression bag. Evaluating all these details will save you from disappointment in the process of use.

And for goodies, in order for the sleeping bag to serve longer, it is not only worth to store it unfolded outside the hike. But also it should be stacked in a compression bag chaotically, not rolled up, as manufacturers like to do.

Author: Bob Nudd is an expert fisherman with over 20 years experience and winner of many competitions.