SLEEPING BAGS BUYING GUIDE
Finding the right sleeping bag depends on lots of different factors, so here’s our guide to help you make the best purchase for a restful night.
1
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 self-explanatory, 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.
2
TEMPERATURE RATINGS EXPLAINED
Sleeping bags are commonly graded by the EN/ISO standard, stating temperature ratings as ‘comfort’ (warm enough for the average female), ‘comfort limit’ (warm enough for the average male), and ‘extreme’ (you won’t die, but it’ll be very uncomfortable). To confuse matters, some brands publish their own in-house temperature ratings (eg the ‘Rab Sleep Limit’).
3
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
DOWN FILL POWER
& FILL WEIGHT
Fill power is a rating system for down that measures compressibility and loft (fluffiness) – and gives an indication of its insulating properties. A higher fill power indicates better quality down and a greater warmth-to-weight ratio. Fill weight is the amount of down in a bag, measured in grams. The higher the fill weight, the warmer a bag will be. This means that it’s important to check both the fill weight and fill power. A sleeping bag with only 650 fill power down can still be as warm as a bag with 900 fill power down, for example, if it has a higher fill weight (ie more down) inside the bag.
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 drawcords so you can adjust the fit.