Selecting a Sleeping Bag that’s Right for You
Picking the right sleeping bag for you can easily turn into one of the most stress-induced purchase decision you ever make. And why is that? Because there are so many things you want out of your sleeping bag. You dont just want a sleeping bag that keeps you warm but you also want something that is easy to carry, a wonder to pack and is super comfortable for you to sleep in.
The Right Fit
Sleeping bags are available in various shapes and sizes. Manufactueres usually label bags for adult, women, and children so that the buyer can purchase the right one.
The adult sleeping bags are the largest in the category. They are available in both long and regular sizes, mummy and rectangular shaped. If you don’t mind a little extra weight these are roomy and comfy.
Sleeping bags for women are designed to hug the contours of a typical female body where they expand around the hips but have a generally narrow shape.
Kids sleeping bags are simply shorter and less expensive than the other two bag types.
Does it Keep You Warm
You want a sleeping bag with a rating that can cater for a lower temperating than what you expect. If it gets too warm you can always open the sleeping bag.
The ISO and EN ratings tell you about the comfort and temperature limit of a sleeping bag. The comfort rating is the lowest temperature you will be comfortable in when using the sleeping bag.
The Adventure You are Embarking On
If you are choosing a sleeping bag for mountaineering you want a bag that is water resistant and warm. On the flip side if you are going to the bush for a summer trek, you may want something not as thick. Ultimately you want the highest quality of insulation here which can sometimes be a bit costly at times. The second thing you need to focus on is the material within the bag. Is it filled with duck or goose down? Is it synthetic?
Weight and Warmth
Insulation with down material is an excellent choice. Far superior than synthetic fibres. Down offers a much better weight to warmth ratio. On top of that it is durable as well; no matter how many types you pack your sleeping bag in a compressed backpack it will always remain lofty and comfortable. If you want a sleeping bag that is light but packs a bunch of features, get a down filled sleeping bag.
That being said, if you are on a budget you can opt for a synthetic filled sleeping bag.
The Bag Shape
Sleeping bags come in varying shapes including the mummy shape, semi-rectangle, and rectangular bags.
The mummy bag is great for the most insulation and the least possible weight for a backpacker. The semi-rectangle bag is spacious with plenty of legroom which is great if you move around a lot in your sleep. It is also designed to look and serve as a blanket more than a cocoon. This makes it ideal to switch from colder climates to warmer ones.
The rectangular sleeping bag is the most spacious one in the market. It is mostly suited to warmer climates. Some adventurers use it to share between two people as well.
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