The sleeping bag is a crucial part of kit for anyone sleeping in the great outdoors. Explorers have made use of sleeping bags for their excursions since the 1900′s when Pryce Pryce Jones first made the ‘Euklisia Rug’. There are [a lot of factors to take into consideration before choosing a sleeping bag; namely the style, insulation type, season rating and weight.
The sleeping bag is produced in either a tapered mummy shape or the more conventional envelope style. The mummy sleeping bags have a more snug fitment with less material as it tapers around the feet and the head where the hood fits. Mummy sleeping bags generally have improved heat retention, because of the close fitment the air in the sleeping bag heats up a lot more than a wider fitting envelope shaped sleeping bag shaped sleeping bag also reduces the weight and size of the sleeping bag as some ofthe excess material that would be around the foot in a envelope sleeping bag is reduced. These aspects of the sleeping bag make it ideal for sports where weight and pack size must be kept minimal whilst keeping maximum heat within the sleeping bags..
A negative aspect of the mummy shaped sleeping bag is that a lot of users dislike the feel of being restricted within the tighter shape.The rectangle, is as it’s title suggests, a rectangular style sleeping bag more familiar with regular holiday campers.Rectangle sleeping bags are much less restrictive, it’s wide shape offer plenty room for all shapes of user, though rectangle sleeping bags are often heavier and are bulkier.
Sleeping bags use captured air within their fill, this trapped air insulates the user by stopping heat from escaping. Sleeping bag insulation is made using two different forms; synthetic and down, both have their disadvantages and advantages. The synthetic fill weighs more and is bulkier than down but the synthetic fill sleeping bag retains its insulating capabilities when wet and is easier to wash and dry than the down filled sleeping bag. While down sleeping bags are harder to clean and perform worse when damp, the overall capability of a down sleeping bag is far better than that of a synthetic sleeping bag, goose down is far more efficient at insulating and because of this the pack size and weight of down bags is greatly smaller.
Season ratings of sleeping bags are used to explain the temperatures during which the sleeping bag can be slept in, this rating system ranges from 1 to 4: 1 season is for summer as well as indoors use; 2 season is best for summer use and the months at either side; 3 season is ideal for colder weather use and 4 season should be used in harsh conditions such as at greater altitude or in harsh climates. The temperature ratings of sleeping bags utilise a standard labelled the EN13537, this standard gives an upper limit, the comfort rating, the lower limit and lastly the extreme rating. Everyone of these temperatures offers clear information regarding the sleeping bag, the upper limit is the highest temperature that the sleeping bag can be used comfortably, the comfort temperature is the perfect temperature and a lower limit is similar to the upper limit, it is the coldest temperature in which the sleeping bag will be comfortable. An extreme limit is the temperature in which the sleeping bag will ensure survival.
Lastly, weight and size is something worth considering whilst pondering on which sleeping bag to pack along on a camping trip. The casual family camper doesn’t have to worry about this as typically a car or motor home would be available. For a user such as a trekker or hiker, weight and size will be vital because the sleeping bag has to be carried in their backpack. In this instance it may be best to consider a mummy style down fill sleeping bag.
Everyone should consider all the specs of a sleeping bag before deciding on, this way you are most likely to purchase one that matches your needs and gives you a comfortable nights sleep.
