quality sleeping bags

Down or synthetic?

Each has their benefits and you need to choose which one suits your needs better.

Synthetic sleeping bags are:

• easy to clean
• low maintenance

Down bags are generally warmer, lighter and more compact than synthetic sleeping bags. But they:

• need to be cleaned
• need to be stored properly
• generally require more care
• can be affected by the environment as it has natural oils.

Temperature ratings

Sleeping bags are rated in terms of seasons or degrees. Generally, a season rating is more informative as temperature ratings can be varied by numerous factors.

Warmer sleeping bags will be heavier and bigger so you need to decide what climate you will use it in. The extra space taken up by a warmer sleeping bag may not be worth it.

Predictably, season ratings are one through four. It tells you in how many different seasons the sleeping bag will keep you warm in. Sleeping bags suitable for 3 seasons are most popular as the are slightly lighter and smaller and offer versatility. Most people don't go hiking in the middle of winter or if they do, its only a short hike.

If sleeping bags are rated in degrees, the degree rating simply means at what temperature the average person would stay warm in. Ratings usually range from +10 to -5 degrees celsius. Some quality sleeping bags are rated -10 or even -15 degrees celsius. The average backpacker won’t need quality sleeping bags that warm.

Temperature ratings are not the be all and end all for quality sleeping bags. Various factors influence how warm a person feels inside a sleeping bag. It depends on whether you are a warm or cold sleeper. Of course, it depends on whether you are sleeping outside, in a tent or in a cabin. Warmth is also affected by use of sleeping mats and sleeping bag liners. Even your general height and body size influences the warmth as smaller people within a normal sized sleeping bag has comparatively more air inside to be warmed up.

How to get extra warmth from a sleeping bag

To increase warmth, use sleeping bag liners and self inflating sleeping mats. An easy solution is to wear thermal underwear.

If you're travelling with your girlfriend or boyfriend, then you might be able to zip two sleeping bags together. But to do this, you’ll probably need sleeping bags made by the same manufacturer with the same zip system.

Sleeping bag liners

Sleeping bag liners can increase the warmth in a sleeping bag by 2 to 5 degrees celsius. It is an easy way to increase the warmth in a sleeping bag.

Sleeping bag liners are made of various fabrics. Cotton is the most common and cheap. This is what most backpackers will use in cool to warm climates. The annoying thing with cotton is that it soaks up water and takes a while to dry.

Some sleeping bag liners are made of silk. This is more expensive than cotton but you do have many benefits. Silk sleeping bag liners are small and lightweight. They also have a wonderful feel to them. They also help prevent bed bug infiltration. If you can afford it, buy the silk sleeping bag liner. But most people will stick to cotton to save money.

Sleeping bag liners are also made of synthetic materials. One example is Thermolite. This will increase the warmth of quality sleeping bags by around 8 degrees celsius. The dramatic increases warmth generation and would only be useful in really cold climates and for the extreme hiker or backpacker.

Read about:

• why use a backpack?
• size and features of your backpack
• other things to take – sleeping bag, books, Ipod, digital camera
• choose a backpack part 1
• choose a backpack part 2
• carry on luggage restrictions

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