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How To Buy A Sleeping Bag
Intended
Use ·
Wet Or Dry Environment ·
If there is a good chance of rain, look for a
water-proof or water-resistant bag ·
In A Tent, Cabin Or RV ·
Cabin or RV camping allows you to purchase a
slightly heavier bag since you won't be lugging it around ·
I carry lighter bags in my boat for storage
considerations ·
In Warm, Cold Or Moderate Temperatures ·
Pay attention to manufacturer temperature ratings ·
Buy for the coldest temperature you might face, but
don't overdo it Temperature
Rating ·
The lower the rating, the warmer the bag ·
If you plan to camp in warm conditions and also
want your bag to be comfortable on cool spring and fall nights, look for a
three-season bag rated to 20 degrees ·
Traditional camp bags are comfortable to about 40
degrees ·
In general, consider the coldest night you will
likely experience, and then drop down 10 or 20 degrees ·
Keep in mind that temperature ratings always assume
that the bag will be used with a ground pad ·
The loft of a sleeping bag refers to how much the
insulation "fluffs up" ·
More loft means more warmth ·
For maximum loft, look for a bag with a
differential cut, one in which the inner lining is smaller than the outer shell.
This allows the insulation to loft up to its maximum. Fill/Insulation Down
·
Light and compressible ·
The best natural insulator, with a higher
weight-to-warmth ratio than any synthetic on the market ·
The preferred choice for those who want to travel
light in dry conditions ·
This insulation is more expensive than synthetic
fills, and loses most of its insulating capacity when wet, plus it takes a long
time to dry ·
Note that each down bag has a fill power number
that indicates how much space an ounce of down will fill. The higher the power,
the loftier and warmer the bag. Synthetic
(this is what I use, it works for all situations) ·
Usually less expensive than down fills ·
Higher end synthetic fills come close to down's
efficiency ·
Because synthetic insulation works when wet, and
also dry quickly, they are ideal for boating trips and for camping in wet
conditions ·
They also weigh more than down and take up more
space when packed ·
Among the most frequently used synthetic fills are
Duofill and Hollofil Charcoal
fill (not
really) For
some folks that have a gaseous problem, you may want to have an after market
charcoal filtration system installed in the middle section of the bag.
I refer to this as the "TOOTERS BAG" Shapes
And Sizes ·
Mummy bags (I
like this one, but my wife doesn't, she doesn't like to be restricted) ·
Cut wider at the shoulders and taper down to the
feet ·
This shape is considered the most efficient for
weight and warmth (this is very true) ·
Rectangular bags ·
More comfortable for those who tend to toss and
turn (my wife) ·
Not as warm because the large top opening is more
conducive to heat loss ·
Semi-rectangular bags ·
Provide some extra room and warmth ·
They have a tapered foot, contoured hood, and
additional room in the torso for comfort ·
Good compromise between the other two shapes ·
Double bags (I
like the mummy bag, but I like this one for couples, it's more fun) ·
Rectangular in shape and will accommodate two
people ·
Some models can be zipped apart and used as two
separate bags ·
Some double bags also have more insulation on one
side, so that on colder nights, the heavier side can be used on top for extra
warmth and insulation ·
In general, these bags are most suitable for cabin
and casual family camping use Size
·
Choose a bag that's big enough for comfort but not
so big as to add weight, or create an abundance of dead space that is hard to
keep warm ·
A bag that is too small will cause the insulation
to become too compressed to work efficiently ·
There are also women's-specific bags to consider ·
Check each manufacturer to determine whether
"women's" means a shorter men's bag, or whether the cut and insulation
are indeed female-specific ·
Women's bags are typically cut wider through the
hip and torso area, come in shorter lengths, and have extra insulation in the
foot and midsection Shells
·
There are a variety of outer layer shell materials
available ·
Most shells are made of polyester or nylon
microfiber that is tightly woven, light, and, to varying degrees, water-and
wind-resistant ·
Ripstop is also popular because of its durability.
The higher the thread count, the better the wind- and water-resistance. Other Features Lining
·
Most high-end bags have a nylon taffeta lining (some
people don't like this. You might
try a separate fleece liner, it feels better) ·
Non-technical camp bags usually have a polyester
cotton lining ·
Fleece liners are for those looking for extra
softness and warmth Zipper
·
A two-way zipper affords better ventilation and
flexibility ·
If you want to zip two bags together, be sure to
look for the appropriate left- and right-side configurations Draft
Collar
(get this, it works well) ·
Located at the base of the hood ·
Prevents heat loss from around the neck and
shoulders Accessory
Pockets
·
While these can sometimes come in handy, be sure to
check their position and padding ·
If your head requires extra cushioning, some bags
feature extra padding in the hood ·
Better yet is a fleece-lined stuff sack that can be
turned inside-out and filled with extra clothes to make a pillow ·
If cold feet are a problem, look for a bag that has
extra insulation in the foot area (typically found in high-end women's-specific
bags) Rick
Williams Az
Wilderness Productions Cameraman
at Large somewhere in the cold night with AZOD™ (They
make me sleep outside so I got to have a good bag)
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