A good quality sleeping bag can make all of your camping trips that much more comfortable.
In fact, a really good sleeping bag can help make an uncomfortable experience quite enjoyable.
With so many brands and types of sleeping bags available today, you may find yourself in a bit of a quandary on what to buy.
To help make your decision easier, here are some things to keep in mind when choosing and buying your next sleeping bag:
1. Mummy Bags
Some people like mummy bags, others hate them.
The upside is that they are very warm and quite compact.
The downside is that it’s hard to move around in them, so you may feel trapped or claustrophobic.
Also, they are a pain to get out of if you have to pee at night! If you do choose a mummy bag, make sure it has an anti-snag zipper.
2. Shape
There are different shapes of sleeping bags available on the market today: rectangular (most common), tapered, semi-rectangular, and asymmetrical (also known as offset).
Rectangular sleeping bags will be roomier than tapered ones which will be roomier than semi-rectangular ones which will be roomier than asymmetrical ones.
3. Length
Sleeping bags come in different lengths.
It’s important to choose one that fits your height; otherwise, you won’t be able to use all its features.
For example, a short person should avoid buying a tall person’s bag because he/she won’t be able to zip it up completely.
4. Temperature Rating
Most sleeping bags come with temperature ratings on their tags or labels.
However, these numbers don’t mean much by themselves.
What really matters is how warm you feel inside your bag when it’s cold outside.
5. Weight
You might think that weight doesn’t matter too much but consider carrying a 50 lb backpack for 8 hours straight sometimes then tell us what you think about weight!
6. Down vs Synthetic
In general, down insulation is warmer and lighter than synthetic insulation but also more expensive and less durable over time (if improperly cared for).
7. Zipper Type
Most sleeping bags come with either two-way zippers or three-way zippers.
Two-way zippers allow you to unzip from both ends while three-way zippers allow you to unzip from both ends and open them flat like a blanket.
Three-way zippers are ideal for couples who want to share a single bag.
8. Pockets
Many new sleeping bags feature pockets where you can store small items such as phones, keys, wallets, etc…