Backpacking Sleeping Bags Buying Guide

When you're going on a backpacking trip, there are a lot of factors to consider when choosing your sleeping bag. You want to make sure that it's lightweight and compact enough to carry with you, but also warm and comfortable enough to keep you from freezing during the night. In this buying guide, we'll walk you through the most important factors to consider when choosing a backpacking sleeping bag.

Temperature Rating

The most important factor to consider when choosing a sleeping bag is the temperature rating. This rating will let you know what temperature range the bag is designed to be used in. There are three main types of temperature ratings:

• Comfort rating: This is the temperature at which an average person will be comfortable sleeping in the bag.
• Lower limit rating: This is the temperature at which an average person will start to feel cold in the bag.
• Extreme rating: This is the temperature at which an average person will experience hypothermia in the bag.

When choosing a sleeping bag, you'll want to look for a temperature rating that matches the conditions you'll be camping in. If you're camping in cold weather, you'll want a bag with a lower limit rating that's lower than the nighttime temperatures you'll be experiencing. If you're camping in milder conditions, a bag with a comfort rating that matches the nighttime temperatures should suffice.

Weight and Packed Size

Backpacking sleeping bags need to be lightweight and compact enough to fit in your backpack without taking up too much space. The weight and packed size of a sleeping bag are therefore important factors to consider. Look for a sleeping bag that weighs less than 5 pounds (2.27 kg) and packs down to less than 15 liters (900 cubic inches).

It's important to balance the weight and packed size of the sleeping bag with its insulation, though. A sleeping bag that's too light and compact might not be warm enough to keep you comfortable at night, so be sure to choose a bag with insulation that matches the conditions you'll be camping in.

Insulation Type

Backpacking sleeping bags can be insulated with a variety of materials, including down and synthetic insulation. Each type of insulation has its own pros and cons.

Down Insulation

Down is a natural insulator that's made from the soft fibers under the feathers of ducks and geese. It's known for its warmth, compressibility, and durability.

One of the main advantages of down insulation is its warmth-to-weight ratio. Down insulation is incredibly warm for its weight, which makes it an excellent choice for backpackers who want a lightweight and warm sleeping bag. Down is also very compressible, which means that it can be packed down to a small size without losing its insulating properties.

One of the downsides of down insulation is that it's not very water-resistant. If down insulation gets wet, it loses its ability to insulate effectively. Down sleeping bags are therefore not the best choice for camping in wet conditions, as even a small amount of moisture can make the bag unusable.

Synthetic Insulation

Synthetic insulation is made from polyester fibers that are designed to mimic the insulating properties of down. Synthetic insulation is known for its ability to insulate even when wet, which makes it an excellent choice for camping in wet conditions. Synthetic insulation is also generally less expensive than down insulation.

One of the downsides of synthetic insulation is that it's generally heavier and less compressible than down insulation. This can make it more difficult to pack a synthetic sleeping bag down to a small size, which is a disadvantage for backpackers who need to carry all of their gear with them.

Shape

Backpacking sleeping bags come in two main shapes: mummy and rectangular. Each type of shape has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Mummy

Mummy sleeping bags are designed to wrap around your body and provide maximum insulation. They're narrower at the feet than at the shoulders, which helps to trap warm air close to your body. Mummy sleeping bags are also generally lighter and more compact than rectangular sleeping bags.

One of the disadvantages of mummy sleeping bags is that they can be constricting and uncomfortable for some people. If you're someone who likes to move around in your sleep or feels claustrophobic in tight spaces, a mummy sleeping bag might not be the best choice for you.

Rectangular

Rectangular sleeping bags are designed to be more spacious and comfortable than mummy sleeping bags. They're wider at the shoulders and feet, which gives you more room to move around in your sleep. Rectangular sleeping bags are also less constricting and more comfortable for some people.

One of the disadvantages of rectangular sleeping bags is that they're generally heavier and less compact than mummy sleeping bags. This can make them more difficult to pack and carry, which is a disadvantage for backpackers.

Features

There are a few additional features that you might want to look for when choosing a backpacking sleeping bag:

• Hood: A hood can help to trap warm air close to your body and keep your head and neck warm during the night.
• Draft collar: A draft collar is a strip of fabric that runs around the neck of the sleeping bag. It helps to prevent cold air from entering the bag and keeps warm air inside.
• Draft tube: A draft tube is a strip of fabric that runs along the length of the zipper. It helps to prevent cold air from entering the bag through the zipper.
• Zipper: Some sleeping bags have two zippers that can be used to vent the bag on warmer nights.

Conclusion

Choosing the right sleeping bag is essential for a comfortable and enjoyable backpacking trip. By considering the temperature rating, weight and packed size, insulation type, shape, and features of a sleeping bag, you can find the perfect one for your needs.

"Remember to balance weight and packed size with warmth and comfort when choosing your sleeping bag. A little extra weight and bulk can be worth it for a good night's sleep!"