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What To Know About Purchasing a Sleeping Bag
Sleeping
bags are pretty much unnecessary for typical family summer camping.
All
you really need is a
For
a child, the light-weight cotton ones will be fine.
For
an outdoor experience, you may want to shop carefully for one in the
right size, shape, warmth, fabric, weight, and price that's perfect
for your camping needs.
1. The smaller the bag, the less area it will have to insulate. Translation: Confining mummy bags are much warmer for their weight than roomy rectangular ones.
2.
Most heat loss from a sleeping bag occurs through the open head end.
3.
A full length zipper which runs from foot to chin is a must.
Bag
Anatomy
When
you buy a bag, any bag, there are several features you should check.
Start at the top.
Zipper and stitching. Look at the zipper and stitching. The zipper should have teeth big enough to run smoothly, without catching on fabric. Make sure the fabric has enough integrity to hold up along the sewn seams. Tug evenly at the seams to ensure that they don't separate from the fabric, and that the fabric stays in place. Stitching should be close and tight. Open the bag and look at the overall construction, features and finish of the bag to determine its quality. Zipping bags together. One convenient trick is to zip two bags together to turn a single sleeper into a double. Many manufacturers use the same zippers. If bags have zippers that are similar in design, they can often be zipped together. If you are zipping two bags together, you can use bags of different warmths. In cold situations, put the thicker bag on top. Remember that mated bags provide less heat than separate bags, since there are more gaps and more movement to push out warm air. If you have a bag you might want to mate with your new purchase, bring it along to ensure compatibility. Zipper flap. Most bags have an insulated tube or flap that runs parallel to the zipper in order to block heat loss. The tube should be sewn only to the lining material, since sewing through the bag creates holes that allow air leaks. Cold weather bags may have two thickly filled draft tubes. If there is a single flap or tube, it should be sewn to the top zipper so it hangs down when you sleep. Flaps or tubes that are too narrow may interfere with the zipper, so check out the action before you buy. Pockets. Some bags come equipped with accessory pockets, but they can be more of a hindrance than a help. Are you a Princess and the Pea sleeper? Do you really want to roll over onto your glasses and car keys? If an accessory pocket sounds appealing, put items in it to test its position and padding. Warranty. Ask about the bag's warranty. What is covered and for how long? Some companies offer a warranty on materials and workmanship for the owner's lifetime, others limit warranty to"faulty" materials and construction. If you buy a bag, note the name and customer service number of the manufacturer. Most companies will repair damaged equipment for a nominal cost.
Unless
you are backpacking where weight is the overriding factor, you can
choose whatever shape you like.
Sleeping
bags come in either a rectangle, mummy or tapered shape, narrower at
the bottom. Rectangular Style Sleeping Bag The most common sleeping bag is the rectangular style. It is roomy and comfortable inside, and can be opened and used as a comforter on warm nights.
If
you like to sleep with your legs and arms all sprawled out, then a
rectangular bag may be best for you. Many rectangular bags can be opened and zipped together to make a double size bag - great for very young kids and especially good for parents! Generally, they are the least expensive and easiest to zip together to make a double bag for two people, but they are also the bulkiest and heaviest.
Rectangular
type
Because
of the extra space they are not as efficient in keeping you warm. The casual, family or first-time camper often chooses a rectangular bag for its comfort and versatility.
Family
camper's usually camp in the summer -
Some
folks who are of very large frame like the rectangular bag so they
can stretch out. Also if you're on a budget, bargains can be found looking at rectangular bags. Mummy Style Sleeping Bag
The
mummy style sleeping bag is meant to wrap tightly around the
sleeper, so it will provide maximum warmth while using less material.
If
you will be camping in cold weather, like 40 degrees and below, you
might want to consider the mummy. Not everyone likes the confines of the mummy, so you might want to try one before buying.
Mummy
type
The more serious explorer, who needs protection in more extreme conditions, often prefers the efficiency and technical" features of the mummy design
Mummy
bags are more expensive because they're more complex to make,
Tapered
bags fall between the two. Variations on these include the "barrel" shape, which is a mummy with extra space in the middle. This is a good compromise if you want a mummy's warmth but need a little space for comfort.
In
a mummy bag the urgency of ones need to urinate is inversely
proportional to the amount of clothing worn.
Hybrid bags, also called tapers and semi-rectangular combine mummy bags with rectangular bags. Resembling a rectangular bag, they may taper down slightly as they go toward the feet and will have a rounded end. Like the mummy bag the removed space means lighter weight and less wasted area to keep warm at night. Like a rectangular bag it offers more room for a person with a larger frame. Usually weighing just a little more than a mummy bag, this style offers a good comprise between price, weight and warmth.
Overbags & Bivy Sacks Overbags and Bivy Sacks are used with a sleeping bag. Overbags are used when additional warmth is needed, like during extreme winter camping. Overbags can also be used in extremely warm conditions as a light sleeping bag, when even the thinnest and lightest bag will roast you alive in hot humid conditions. Overbags may also be used to supplement the waterproof abilities of a sleeping bag. Bivy sacks are different. Typically waterproof and made of a breathable material, a bivy sack is used when sleeping under the stars, in extreme wet conditions, or winter camping. Both overbags and bivy sacks (you may hear these terms interchanged) increase the range of use of your bag, but cut down on how well the materials breathe.
Junior size bags are built for people up to 4'11" (59") tall The juniors are for small children. If weight is not important, I suggest you get a standard length for your child. The bag will last many years, and a junior size bag will soon be outgrown. Full size bags (Standard) are most common and at a length of 6' 3" (75") fit most average-sized adults;
Who
will be using it? A well-fitting bag will allow room to turn over and move around a little bit, but will not have so much air space that body heat won't warm it sufficiently. A short person or a child might be able to get by with a normal sized sleeping bag by tying off the lower portion with twine or camping straps.
Another
dimension to consider is the girth.
"Comfortable"
is a very subjective term
Use
of a ground pad
is assumed, necessary and very important -
Other
factors should be considered- Most bags are rated according to the lowest temperatures in which they provide comfort, but there is no set standard in the industry. The rating is determined by the manufacturer. A bag rated as "three season" means that it will be comfortable for sleeping for an average person in temperatures ranging from about 15º through the summer. When selecting a temperature rating for a sleeping bag, be sure to consider the following:
Consider
these as guidelines only. You may sleep warmer or cooler than
someone else. These guidelines seem to assume that you will be
wearing warm clothing too.
There
are several ways to make a bag warmer, other than wearing warmer
pajamas. One common way is to use a "liner" bag. These bags
are placed inside you regular sleeping bag, like adding an extra
blanket to your bed. You can buy these bags ready made, or make one
by attaching a blanket to the sleeping bag with safety pins. You can
also just throw a blanket over the top of you bag, rather than put it
inside. When it is really cold, two summer bags can be used, one
inside the other.
My
suggestion
Most
people select three-season models thinking they represent the
greatest value for the money. Only if you do considerable primitive camping in the spring and fall, should you buy a three-season bag. Otherwise, a lighter, less costly summer bag will be a better buy. Tent temperatures commonly run about 10 degrees warmer than the outside environment, so a good summer bag will keep you toasty well below freezing. In really cold weather, you can mate your summer bag with an outer or inner liner, or a blanket. SHELL Nylon, Polyester, Taffeta: This is the most basic of materials and is used from bargain basement bags to custom made sacks. The least durable of synthetic materials used on sleeping bags, these are best used for car camping or general walk-in camping. Long journeys into the backcountry can test the limits of these materials. Low cost and very breathable, nylon, polyester and taffeta are best used for late-spring, summer and early fall camping when conditions will be tepid to dry. Although they breathe very well, without waterproof treating offer very little protection in damp conditions. Ripstop: Ripstop is nylon or polyester that has had heavier threads woven into the material. These heavier threads reinforce the shell making it stronger and a hair more moisture resistant than nylon while still being very breathable. Ripstop is an excellent choice for three season camping when things won't be too damp. Microfiber, Gossamer Micro, DryClime: Also made of nylon or polyester, microfiber and its cousin's gossamer micro and DryClime are very tightly woven fibers that are very strong and moisture resistant. Because they do not have the heavier threads of ripstop, microfiber is softer than it's other counter parts. Microfiber is an excellent choice for three season camping, or even four season camping if your winter camping is in ideal conditions and doesn't involve crawling into a snow cave for the night. DryLoft: DryLoft is a close relative to Gore-Tex, but it is Gore-Tex with an attitude. Sharing all of the water resistant abilities of Gore-Tex, DryLoft is very breathable, which means a more comfortable stay in your bag. Just like your tent should allow moisture to get out, your sleeping bag should allow the natural perspiration breathe through the bag, and not get trapped inside, making for damp conditions by morning. What that means is warm and dry on the inside, and damp and wet stays on the outside. DryLoft is the premium choice for four season camping, canoe camping, or extended stays in the backcountry. Gore-Tex: Sleeping bags with a Gore-Tex shell should be avoided. Although Gore-Tex is durable and water resistant, it doesn't breathe well which can make for damp conditions inside a bag. Gore-Tex is an excellent choice when looking at an overbag or bivy sack to supplement your sleeping bag for winter camping or camping in extreme conditions. Most manufacturers have stopped making sleeping bags with Gore-Tex shells. Canvas: If you go down to your Army Navy store you may find sleeping bags with canvas shells. Canvas is very durable and breathable. Canvas is made of cotton, and when it gets wet, it stays wet. Also wet canvas is extremely heavy. Canvas is also very heavy. If you get a bag with a canvas shell, you probably will be using it for car camping. Cotton: Extremely breathable, lightweight, and easy to clean, cotton is a low cost material used in bargain bags. Like canvas cotton does not take well to moisture, and due to it's ability to breathe and wick, should only be used in the warmest of conditions. LINING Nylon, Polyester, Taffeta: This is the staple lining of sleeping bags. Soft and supple, if you are using cotton blend sheets on your bed, you are already sleeping on the stuff. Breathable and comfortable, these materials don't tend to heat up as much as others that can make lying in the same spot uncomfortably warm. Lower cost bags may use nylon or polyester to making lining materials that feel like heavy sheets or a comforter. Brushed or Fleece: Some sleeping bags may have a brushed lining or a fleece lining. These bags help keep you feel warmer when the temperature slides down and it may feel better on your skin. Fleece linings can trap heat, and if you tend to wake up when your pillow gets to warm these linings may have the same effect on you. Silk: When I became a winter survival school instructor I was issued a down mummy bag with a silk lining. There is nothing like sleeping in a silk lined bag. Soft, supple, breathable, and it doesn't overheat as you lay in the same spot. Silk is very expensive and can tear more easily then other materials. A tear in a silk bag is also very difficult to repair, and can be disastrous with a down filled bag. Flannel or Cotton: These natural materials are breathable, durable and lightweight. They are also very easy to clean and repair. Typically found in bargain bags, cotton and flannel both trap moisture, and should only be used in tepid conditions.
Once upon a time the good bags used prime goose down for insulation. This is still used, mainly in the highly specialized mountaineering bags where extreme dry cold, and light weight are the primary considerations. Down's cost and difficulty in washing make it impractical for most camping. Actually, modern synthetics have been developed which have all but replaced down. Synthetics cost less, are washable, and can be nearly as warm as down, especially when it is damp outside. For most family camping situations, most any of the synthetics will be sufficient.
The type of fill (insulation) determines the amount of warmth that stays inside the bag; the warmth itself comes from the body heat of the person sleeping in it. Goose down is a natural fiber that has long been held as the standard as lightweight, comfortable, and warm. They compact easily into small stuff bags, mold easily around a camper's body to retain heat, and are extremely durable. The down side is that they can be miserably uncomfortable if they get wet, take longer to dry, are more expensive than most synthetics, and are most safely cleaned professionally.
Synthetic
fills provide enough warmth for most casual campers. Follow the
manufacturer's guidelines for temperature rating, but adjust it
according to your personal sleeping habits. Any sleeping bag can be made warmer by using a purchased or home-sewn flannel liner, and some bags come with their own
Some outer shells are moisture resistant; this is terrific at keeping out dampness, but they also can keep moisture in, resulting in a cold and clammy sleeping experience. If you perspire heavily, you may prefer a cotton exterior, or at least an absorbent interior fabric. Some of the new materials will wick moisture to the outside without allowing it to penetrate in; they can add $100 to the price of a sleeping bag, but if you frequently camp in wet weather, it might be worth it. Dark colors, both inside and outside, draw more heat from the sun. This is good on two counts: they dry out more quickly, and they stay warmer on cold, bright days.
A good sleeping bag, intended for regular use during two or three seasons over a period of five or six years, will probably cost at least $80. If you plan to camp for an entire summer, want your bag to last a lifetime, have allergies to some of the components, or need a very lightweight, very warm, water-wicking fabric, you can spend many hundreds of dollars. Large, heavy, flannel-lined and canvas covered ones can be found for less than $50. These are fine for car camping during temperate seasons.
Zippers should be of good quality, and should not pinch or catch on the fabric when zipping up. You should be able to zip it up from the outside or inside. If you plan to connect two bags together to make a double sleeping bag, make sure the zippers are compatible.
Some bags have a collar at the top that helps keep the opening closed around your neck to retain heat. This is useful in cold weather, but is unnecessary and perhaps annoying, in warm weather.
Rule number one in staying warm, 50% of your body's heat loss is through your head. Unless you plan to only do summer camping, a sleeping bag with a hood is a must have option. Hoods come in a variety of styles. Some hoods are simply made of the shell material and stretch around your head. Others may have drawstrings so you can cuddle up until just your face is coming through. Others may be insulated and offer other features to help keep the rest of you warm.
Some sleeping bags have zippered pockets or flaps on the outside of them. These are handy for keeping things that are important close to you like eyeglasses, a small flashlight, or your watch (if you don't sleep with it on).
A storage bag helps protect your sleeping bag when it is not being used. Usually made of a breathable material these bags allow you to pack your bag so that it is loose and this helps your loft maintain it's fill. A compression sack is usually made of a more durable, moisture resistant material. This is a special bag that allows you to squeeze down your bag, taking up less room in your pack. Compression sacks are very important when hiking out in the backcountry but are not the best way to store your bag. Long-term storage of a sleeping bag in a compression sack can make it loose its loft.
A draft collar is usually found on mummy bags with hoods. This insulated collar fits around your neck as you sleep. Warm air stays in the bag, and cold air as you move around during the night stays out.
Usually hanging down over the zipper (which helps it stay in place) this baggy area over the zipper helps keep your body warmth in while keeping drafts through the zipper out.
Always open the bag after a night of sleeping in it to air it out. If it's not raining or damp out, spread it across the top of your tent or car for freshening.
Don't
toss the manufacturer's care instructions. Most sleeping bags are too large for most home washers. Take them to a Laundromat with jumbo sized equipment for laundering, or to a professional cleaning service. Goose down bags must be dry cleaned, then aired thoroughly before using again. Synthetic fill usually air dries quickly on a clothesline or spread out on a flat surface. If it's safe for machine drying (check the tags!) toss a tennis shoe in with it to fluff it up. Your sleeping bag will last longer if it's hung up, secured by clamps at the bottom end, when it's not in use. If you don't have adequate hanging space, leave it folded loosely, perhaps under a bed or on a shelf, between camping trips.
Choosing
a sleeping bag is really easy.
KEEPING COMFORTABLE
Use
a sleeping pad.
Go
to the bathroom before getting into the sack.
Use
your hood on your sleeping bag.
Wear
clothes to bed.
Keep
your bag dry.
Make
sure your bag fits you. If you wakeup and find yourself cold try adding more clothes. Eating some high calorie carbohydrates can throw some fuel on the internal fires. If all else fails do some exercise to get circulation increased. If you start shivering watch out for hypothermia and take increased steps to get warm including building a fire, drinking warm fluids and exercise.
"To
keep warmer - You can purchase Sleeping Bags Here at Our FUNdamentals of Camping Store
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Principles
of sleeping bag design
If
being used for family camping--consider comfort
