Camping is a popular activity with many of us and we all like to have the proper equipment. The question we ask is do we know exactly what we are looking for?
We all need a sleeping bag whether on a summer camp or arctic expedition to keep us warm while we are asleep. Despite it being basically a blanket that zips around you, it can be a life saving piece of equipment.
All sleeping bags have a Season rating suitable for different conditions. For your cooler summer nights a One Season bag is suitable. This is ideal for temperatures of +5 degrees C and above.
Next is the Two Season rating. This is slightly thicker and suitable for temperatures of 0 degrees C and above, and is more suitable for autumn nights
Three Season sleeping bags are a more popular sleeping bag as they will keep you warm in temperatures as low as -5 degrees C. This can be more practical and ensure that you are kept snug and warm on your camping trips.
The Four Season sleeping bag is the warmest but also the bulkiest. They are used mainly in extreme cold conditions such as arctic weathers and will keep you warm in temperatures as low as -10 degrees C.
Once you’ve chosen your Season rating, next you’ll need to choose the style of sleeping bag you want. There is the basic rectangle, zipped on three sides around you, or the mummy which I think is self explanatory
The basic rectangle does give you more space for movement as it is a basic square, folded in half and zipped along the sides and the bottom. It does, however, allow cold air to circulate around the head as it tends not to have a cover.
The second style is the mummy bag. This is tapered at the feet and wider at the head making it a more snug fit. There is often a hood with this style which traps warm air around the head helping you to keep warm.
The next thing to consider is the type of filling is best suited to your needs. There are two main types of filling; synthetic or natural down. The advantage of a synthetic filled bag is should get damp or wet not only will it dry out quickly but it will also provide some insulation and keep you relatively warm. A damp down filled bag however, not only takes a long time to dry out but it does not provide any insulation against the cold and can, in fact, increase the chances of getting hypothermia.
You can get sleeping bags in many sizes and it is important to get the right one. An oversize bag may give you plenty room to move around in, but will not keep you as warm as there is more space for cold air to circulate. On the other hand, too small a sleeping bag will simply be uncomfortable as you will have no room to move.
Most children’s bags have added features like built in pockets to hide their midnight stash and their torch. Some also have built-in pillows or come in a pouch with a carry handle for easy storage when not in use.
Double sleeping bags are also popular. These are not just for couples but also for those who feel cramped in your normal single size bag giving them added room for movement. For extra warmth and even security these can be useful to put siblings together.
A useful double sleeping bag is one that is thicker on one side than the other. This can be maximised by splitting it into two bags for different conditions or if you and your partner sleep at different temperatures.
When looking for a double bag make sure that it is just that and has plenty of room for two people to move around in. Some are just oversized singles and a bit cramped for two of you.
So now you have a few things to think about when you are looking to buy a new sleeping bag, making sure that you are kept snug and warm on your next camping trip.
Aron Simon is an enthusiastic outdoor adventurer and offers plenty of good information about choosing your Sleeping Bag on his newest site. He also explains the main things you should consider when choosing kids sleeping bags.