If you spend a lot of time outdoors camping, then you know how important choosing the right sleeping bag can be. When looking to buy a sleeping bag there are many choices that you have to make in order to get the one most suitable for you. You need to decide what size and style you want. You need to determine what type of filler and lining you want. You need to know how warm / cold the climate is that you will be using it in.
The first decision is to choose the shape or style. Once this decision is made, the others fall into place more easily. The basic choices are mummy, rectangle and combination and each addresses different preferences of each individual user. If warmth is your primary concern then the mummy style may be just what you need. It adapts and molds closer to the body and allows less space for cold air to get in than other styles while the drawstring hood or draft collar keep warm air from escaping around your neck.
The rectangle style bag allows much more space for movement but does not have a hood or draft collar. Rectangular bags are indeed a great deal wider and arguably more comfortable. As an addition, two rectangular bags could be joined together to form a much larger double sleeping bag to hold two people. The combination sleeping bags use different features from each style, enabling you to possible have the best of both worlds, depending on your preferences. It is important to look at all styles and judge what you would personally feel more comfortable in.
Once you have chosen the style you want, the next step is to choose a lining and filler. The filler is especially important if you are allergic to down, or have a particular sensitivity to down with asthma or other respiratory conditions. There are two fillers to decide on - synthetic and down. A synthetic fiber filler is generally heavier than down but when wet, it does not absorb water so therefore insulating ability is not reduced. A down filler is lighter than synthetic fiber but it requires more care and you must not get it wet or it will be useless.
It is essential to take note of the temperature ratings of each bag. Know the expected temperature range where you will most often be using the bag and then choose one that is rated for a colder environment. Having more warmth available to you than you need is the prudent choice. The final decision to be made is the size of the bag. You should always be sure the bag is longer than your height by a few inches. It allows you to stretch out full-length and that is a vital comfort factor.
The first decision is to choose the shape or style. Once this decision is made, the others fall into place more easily. The basic choices are mummy, rectangle and combination and each addresses different preferences of each individual user. If warmth is your primary concern then the mummy style may be just what you need. It adapts and molds closer to the body and allows less space for cold air to get in than other styles while the drawstring hood or draft collar keep warm air from escaping around your neck.
The rectangle style bag allows much more space for movement but does not have a hood or draft collar. Rectangular bags are indeed a great deal wider and arguably more comfortable. As an addition, two rectangular bags could be joined together to form a much larger double sleeping bag to hold two people. The combination sleeping bags use different features from each style, enabling you to possible have the best of both worlds, depending on your preferences. It is important to look at all styles and judge what you would personally feel more comfortable in.
Once you have chosen the style you want, the next step is to choose a lining and filler. The filler is especially important if you are allergic to down, or have a particular sensitivity to down with asthma or other respiratory conditions. There are two fillers to decide on - synthetic and down. A synthetic fiber filler is generally heavier than down but when wet, it does not absorb water so therefore insulating ability is not reduced. A down filler is lighter than synthetic fiber but it requires more care and you must not get it wet or it will be useless.
It is essential to take note of the temperature ratings of each bag. Know the expected temperature range where you will most often be using the bag and then choose one that is rated for a colder environment. Having more warmth available to you than you need is the prudent choice. The final decision to be made is the size of the bag. You should always be sure the bag is longer than your height by a few inches. It allows you to stretch out full-length and that is a vital comfort factor.
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