There are a lot of considerations to make when you are choosing the right sleeping bag. It can be the size, the length, the texture, the price, the features, the insulation, or the shape.
There are also a lot of types to choose from and there are things that you must ask yourself first. You need to think things through like, where are you going to use this sleeping bag? What kind of place do you intend to go? Who will be using it? Is the one that is going to use the sleeping bag a warm sleeper? If it is you who are going to use it, think if do you get cold easily? And most importantly, always consider your budget.
In this article, we are going to help you and guide you to find the right answers from the questions mentioned above that matches you. We will talk about the things you need to know to understand why it is important to choose the right sleeping bag for you and not just choose the cheapest you can get out there.
Sleeping bags have different shapes and those shapes are not just for design but it also serves different purposes.
If you are more comfortable moving around when you are sleeping, this shape of a sleeping bag is the best choice for you. This sleeping bag has a lot more space to toss and turn while you are sleeping. Because of its wide-free space, you can easily stretch your arms and legs.
But, given that it has a bigger space for your body to move, it also let the heat inside escape. This does not give enough warmth for your body that is why it is advisable to use during warm-weather conditions. You can also fully unzip this from head to toe based on how you want it if you feel hot during your camping trip.
This sleeping bag has a cheaper price compare to the others because of its simpler design. It also not easy to pack because it is not compressible.
WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE THIS:
WHY YOU SHOULD NOT CHOOSE THIS:
Semi-rectangular sleeping bags are like rectangular sleeping bags but it gives more warmth and its bottom is a little bit narrow. Unlike the rectangular sleeping bag, this often has a hood to trap the air even more inside.
This is the best option to choose if you are going to camp on warm to cool weather conditions. But this is not advisable to use for winter season because it does not tolerate extremely cold weather.
WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE THIS:
WHY YOU SHOULD NOT CHOOSE THIS:
This sleeping bag is commonly used for cooler weather conditions. It offers the best warmth feeling among any other shape of sleeping bags because it copies the shape of your body and it is really compact to your skin.
Because of that, the heat remains inside and your body also naturally releases heat. Mummy shape sleeping bags have a hood that you can pull and adjust base on what you want. You can pull it until the only exposed part of you is your eyes and nose.
It also uses less material that made this sleeping bag lightweight and very easy to pack. It is advisable to use for backpacking because it is not heavy.
The only downside with this is that your body cannot move freely inside.
WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE THIS:
WHY YOU SHOULD NOT CHOOSE THIS:
There are two types of insulation for sleeping bags. The down insulation and synthetic insulation.
Down insulation is made of goose or duck feather undercoats. It is the reason why down insulation has more warmth than synthetic insulation. This also weighs lighter than synthetic insulation but this option is a bit more expensive. The downside with this is that it does not perform well in wet conditions. It does not easily dry up that’s why you need to make sure that you are going to use this in dry places. This can also last longer than synthetic insulation if you take care of it properly.
While synthetic insulation is made to copy or imitate the down insulation, the warmth it can give can really not level the down insulation. But this is also a good choice especially if you are on a budget because this offers a much cheaper price. Also, it is still effective when wet and it dries up easily. The downside of this type of sleeping bag is that it is heavier and has a shorter life span.
WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE DOWN INSULATION:
WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE SYNTHETIC INSULATION:
In choosing the right sleeping bag for you, you should also consider the weather condition. Think if you are you going to use it for summer, winter, or 3-season.
During summer, the temperature plays around 35℉ and above. You need to have a thinner sleeping bag and the least option you can make is to choose a mummy sleeping bag. It will only make you uncomfortable at night and sweat will run over your body.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Winter season has extremely cold weather and its temperature plays around 10℉ and below. You need to have a thicker sleeping bag during this season that offers good heat retention. You don’t want to freeze yourself to death during your camping trip because it is supposed to have good memories!
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Note: Temperature limits indicate the average type of sleepers. It shows the sleeping bag’s optimal temperature to have a comfortable sleep at night. Make sure to add adjustments especially if you easily get cold.
3-season is an all-around season. Its temperature plays around 10℉ to 35℉. Weather conditions during this season can be from warm to cool. This is usually during fall or autumn. Any type or shape of a sleeping bag is okay during this season but the most recommended is the semi-rectangular sleeping bag because it is not too hot on the body and it can give enough warmth if it gets cold.
Now that you know the different types of sleeping bags and their different purposes, you are now ready to purchase your own. Here are some tips for you when you are going to buy a sleeping bag:
Choosing the right sleeping bag for you can be a little tricky and complicated but with the information mentioned above, you can now easily understand what you really need for your camping trip.
The right sleeping bag varies from people to people, that is why it is you who can better understand and realize the type of sleeping bag that really suits you.
