Getting a good nights sleep is critical when you are camping, especially if you are hiking, backpacking or canoeing. If you don’t sleep well, then your entire trip can be spoiled. A big part of your successful sleep depends on camping sleeping bags.
Weather Extremes: If it’s too hot or muggy, it can be impossible to sleep and incredibly uncomfortable sleeping in your own sweat. The same can be said about the extreme opposite. If you’re freezing all night, you’ll wake up unrested and grumpy. If it’s too cold then there is potential health risks as well like frostbite, etc.
The right camping sleeping bag is your best friend!
There are countless different types of sleeping bags to chose from.. but which do you buy?
Everyone is different and what works best for one person can be completely different for someone else. Consider carefully what you are going to be doing (type of camping) and what the weather will be like. Here are a few other things to consider:
Features
Like I said above, every bag is different and offer different features.
- Temperatures: Some camping sleeping bags are geared for cold weather and will be rated for certain temperatures like -10C or 0C. Carefully consider what the temperature will be and make your decision based on that.
- Some bags are great for couples as well. You can get a double or some singles will zip together to make a double, which is great if you will be going solo on some trips.
- Zippers: Two important things to look for are zippers you can open/close from the outside AND the inside. Another is a zipper that zips from the top and the bottom. If you find yourself too hot, it’s great to be able to unzip a little at the bottom and stick a foot out.
- Hood: Some bags have hoods, which is great in colder weather.
- Draft Collar: If you’re camping in colder weather, a draft collar is great. Some cold weather sleeping bags have an insulated tube located at the neck opening at the base of the hood. You can draw it closed to help retain body heat. It is designed to prevent heat loss from around your neck and shoulders.
Shape and Size
Size and shape can affect the warmth, weight and packing size. There are three types of shapes:
- Rectangular Bags: These rectangular bags, while roomy, are typically bulky, warm weather bags and aren’t suitable for hiking or backpacking.
- Mummy Bags: These are cocoon shaped and body-hugging bags that were designed with hiking and backpacking in mind. They are lightweight and maximize heat retention. They are also made to pack up into small bags so they take up less space.
- Barrel Bags: These are somewhere between rectangular and mummy bags. They trade a little of the efficiency of the mummy bag for extra sleeping room. They typically weigh a bit more than mummy bags and take up more room, but they are better than rectangular bags for hiking and backpacking.
Material
The material that the bags are made of makes a HUGE difference. There are a variety of fabrics that are used for the outer layers as well as the inner layers. Some fabrics offer higher thread counts which help to make them warmer and more water and wind resistant however they are more expensive. Microfiber fabrics are lighter and have a tight construction that helps them to repel water and they have good breathability. The microfiber shells offer a better water resistance than most other fabrics and are windproof. The microfiber shells are less water resistant than Dryloft.
Sleeping bag linens are also important. Most of the higher quality, high end sleeping bags will have a silky, smooth nylon taffeta lining. But the less expensive, non-technical bags generally have a polyester cotton lining. Fleece liners are available to be purchased separately and they can be inserted inside your camping sleeping bags for added softness, warmth, and comfort. A sleeping bag liner can add about 15 to 20 degrees of additional warmth to your camping sleeping bags.
