Sleeping bags
BUYING GUIDE Finding the right sleeping bag depends on many different factors, including when you’re planning to camp and what style of overnight adventure you choose. Here’s all you need to know to make a well-informed decision.
WHAT TIME OF YEAR ARE YOU CAMPING? Sleeping bags tend to be broken into three categories: summer, 3-season and winter. All three types are pretty selfexplanatory, with summer bags lighter and less insulated; 3-season bags slightly thicker to keep you warm through spring, summer and autumn; and winter bags bigger and bulkier to cope with serious sub-zero mountain conditions.
TEMPERATURE RATINGS EXPLAINED All sleeping bags have temperature ratings, which indicate the minimum or maximum temperature at which the bag will keep you comfortable. The common stat you’ll see is the lower comfort limit (eg -5°C), which shows the lowest air temperature that the bag is designed to handle. Only use these figures as a rough guide though, because there is no universal testing method for it, and every person deals with cold differently.
WHAT TYPE OF INSULATION
DO YOU WANT?
This really comes down to a simple choice between down or synthetic. Here are the pros and cons of both...
■ Down insulation
Made from goose or duck plumage – the lofty, fluffy stuff underneath the feathers – down is the lightest and most efficient form of insulation, and also the most compressible (so is great for stuffing into your backpack). The drawbacks are that down is more expensive and loses its insulating qualities when wet.
■ Synthetic insulation
Synthetic bags are typically bulkier and heavier, but they’re also usually cheaper and don’t absorb water, which makes them a good choice for the wet conditions usually found in Britain.
4 ALWAYS CHECK THE PACKED SIZE
If your camping is limited to campsites then the packed size of your bag isn’t crucial, but if you’re sleeping wild then it’s a big deal. Most websites will list the packed size of their sleeping bags, but it’s even better to head into a gear shop and check them out for yourself. You should get a compressible stuf fsack with your sleeping bag that allows you to pack it down small, plus a larger storage sack to let it loft and breathe at home.
5 CONSTRUCTION IS KEY The better the construction method of your sleeping bag, the less opportunity there will be for the insulation to migrate and leave cold spots. Down bags use internal fabric baffles (dividing walls between the insulation) of various shapes and sizes to trap the down where it is needed most. Larger baffles give more space for insulation to loft, smaller baffles help stop the fill from spreading out. Synthetic bags are usually made from one or two layers of insulation attached to the inner and outer materials.
6 KEY FEATURES TO CONSIDER
■ Zips
A full-length zip allows you to vent heat and makes getting in and out easier, though a shorter zip saves weight.
■ Fabric
Shells and linings are usually made from nylon, though cheaper bags use polyester.
■ Cut Most sleeping bags are available in different lengths or widths, as well as women’s specific fit.
■ Shoulder baffle
An extra neck or shoulder baffle helps to lock heat inside the bag.
■ Hood
An insulated and close-fitting hood makes a big difference in cold conditions. Look for a sleeping bag with hood draw cords so you can adjust the fit.
■ Fill power
The warmth of down depends on the ‘fill power’, with ratings ranging from about 600 to 900. The higher the number, the warmer the bag will be.