Sleeping Bags
One of the most important pieces of gear that you will have with you is your backpacking sleeping bag. You are going to want something that will keep you warm in the cold weather but you do not want it to be too heavy or bulky. There are many options when it comes to sleeping bags. Let’s look at the most popular and discuss the pros and cons of each.
Down Sleeping bags
As we mentioned above, you are going to want a sleeping bag that keeps you warm but doesn’t weigh too much and compresses nicely in your pack. The material which will achieve all three of these goals in the best way is down. And not only is it practical and convenient, but most campers find it to be the most comfortable. Now, all of these features come with an often times hefty price tag. While a down sleeping bag will often cost more than one made of other materials, most campers choose to pay the higher price for the higher quality.
Ultralight sleeping bags
Ultralight sleeping bags can weigh in at just one pound or even less and yet they manage to keep you comfortable both in warm and cold weather conditions. They come in a very compressible package and are a favorite among many campers. They can be made of either synthetic materials or down. The down ultralight bags can be very expensive but most seasoned campers will tell you that they are well worth their cost.
Children’s sleeping bags
A kids’ sleeping bag are often times technically very similar to the adult versions insofar as it’s warmth function but differ in other ways. Generally, when it comes to sleeping bags for children, the manufacturers place safety as a priority. They will therefore try not to place any elastic or cords near the head. Also, manufacturers design the bags with a child in mind and will often times make them aesthetically pleasing to a child’s eye. Due to their smaller size, they are obviously usually a good deal lighter than adult versions.
Sleeping bag liners
If you choose to go with a synthetic sleeping bag, you might choose to skip the liner as you can generally just throw the sleeping bag in the washing machine. However, if you decide to go for a down sleeping bag, they are generally more difficult to clean. It is therefore a good idea to consider investing in a sleeping bag liner. Then if you do get the inside of the bag dirty, you can just pull the liner out and not have to worry about any damage to the sleeping bag itself.
A couple of important factors to consider when deciding on a sleeping bag in terms of comfort are the fit and the shape. You’ll want a snug fit in order to keep in the warmth but not too snug lest you sacrifice comfort. When you are choosing a backpacking sleeping bag, look for one that suits the way you sleep. If you sleep on your side look for a stretch bag. If you sleep on your back, look for a bag with extra room by your feet so that they can stick up.