How to choose a sleeping bag

Form

Cocoon — has a trapezoidal shape (they are wider in the shoulder area, narrower in the legs) and retains heat well. Most sleeping bags designed for cold temperatures are shaped like this. However, compared to blankets, these sleeping bags are less comfortable.

Blanket — has a rectangular shape (the same width along the entire length) and is more convenient than a cocoon. The sleeping bag can be unzipped and used as a bedding or blanket. However, such sleeping bags retain heat worse and, accordingly, are poorly suited for low temperatures.

• Sleeping bag «cocoon»
• Sleeping bag «blanket»

Purpose

camping — used for outings, picnics, simple hikes and similar events in favorable weather. Mostly in the form of a blanket. Pretty heavy.

Trekking (three-season) — a universal option, designed for the period from spring to autumn. Designed for long walks or bike rides. It has a small weight (up to 3 kg). Sometimes there are purely winter and purely summer models.

Extreme — it is used in severe weather conditions (winter expeditions, high mountain climbs, etc.) and is designed for negative temperatures. These sleeping bags are equipped with hoods, zippers and other devices that provide maximum thermal insulation.

Kind

Universal — Designed for the size of an adult. This type includes most sleeping bags.

Children’s — differs from the universal smaller size. In some models, the length can be adjusted so that the child can use the sleeping bag for several years.

Important: if an adult sleeping bag is also suitable for the warm season, then in cold weather a special children’s bag should be selected.

Female — differs from the universal one in additional insulation in some places, appearance and lower temperatures of comfort, since the female body is more sensitive to cold than the male one.

Filler

Pooh — has excellent thermal insulation properties and well restores its shape after compression (a feather is added for this). However, if moisture gets in, the fluff loses its properties and may even rot. Another disadvantage is that it takes a long time to dry. Not suitable for hot and humid climates. Widely used for making extreme sleeping bags.

Important: on the label, the down/feather ratio is basically 80/20.

Synthetics — a cheaper and more practical option. At the same time, there are many synthetic fillers that differ from each other in properties and price.

Combination (down/synthetics) — a compromise between the two previous options, combining the thermal insulation properties of down and the practicality of synthetics.

Type of filler

goose down — has good thermal insulation and light weight. Sleeping bags on this material are the best option for cold, dry weather.

Sintepon — poorly absorbs moisture, dries quickly, has a low price, but quickly cakes and keeps heat worse. Sintepon sleeping bags are suitable for hiking and water trips in warm weather.

Silicone – has good thermal insulation even in wet conditions. These sleeping bags are lightweight, easy to care for (silicone does not rot, has no smell, does not cause allergies, does not fall off when washed). Also, silicone is able to restore its shape and volume after compression. Holds up well to multiple washes and dry cleaning.

Cotton — it is inexpensive, does not cause allergies, but it absorbs moisture strongly and has a lot of weight. It is rare and is used only for hiking over short distances.

Hollowfiber — based on polyester. Dries quickly, has good thermal insulation properties. Environmentally friendly material, does not burn, withstands wet conditions. This bag is suitable for water trips.

Thinsulate Lite Loft – optimal balance between good thermal insulation and low weight.

Polarguard, Polarguard 3D — soft, light and durable material, but quite voluminous.

Thermoloft-6 – does not absorb moisture and is elastic. Doesn’t take up much space when packed.

Micro-loft — characterized by maximum elasticity and thermal insulation properties. In terms of fluffiness, it approaches fluff. Anti-allergic.

Thermolite — durable, resistant to deformation and sufficiently warm material.

Primaloft — similar to down, but at the same time does not lose volume and thermal insulation properties when wet. Durable and lightweight material that can withstand the harshest weather conditions.

QualloFIL – combines good elasticity and thermal insulation with low weight. Sleeping bags with this filler are used in extreme conditions.

Lining

Nylon — occurs most often. Durable and breathable material.

Polyester — used much less frequently.

Cotton — is rare. Pleasant to the touch and does not cause allergies.

Insulation layers

Indicates the number of layers of synthetic insulation, since down does not fit in layers. As a general rule, the more layers, the better the thermal insulation qualities of the sleeping bag will be. However, along with the number of layers, it is important to consider the type of filler and the thickness of the individual layer.

Temperature comfort

Maximum temperature — the maximum temperature at which a person can sleep comfortably with an unbuttoned sleeping bag.

Minimum temperature — the minimum temperature at which a person can sleep comfortably with a sleeping bag zipped

The maximum comfort temperature varies from -20 to 30 °C, the minimum from -49 to 25 °C

Important: it should be remembered that the comfort temperature also depends on the characteristics of the body, gender and clothes in which a person sleeps, air humidity, wind, etc.

extreme temperature — extremely low temperature at which you can use a sleeping bag in a buttoned state without the risk of hypothermia. It ranges from -80 to 15 °C.

Dimensions

Length

• Children — up to 170 cm
• Adults — up to 230 cm

To choose the right sleeping bag, the length should be 15-20 cm longer than the full height of a person (for models with a hood) or the height of a person to the chin (without a hood). This is necessary to avoid rupture of the bag, when moving or turning the person in the bag during sleep.

Height (thickness) varies from 16 to 40 cm.

This indicator should be such that it is convenient for a person to roll over and put his hands inside the sleeping bag.

Width

Cocoon models have two widths — width in legs (from 30 to 168 cm) and width in shoulders (from 35 to 170 cm). An acceptable leg width would be one where the material of the bag does not stretch (to avoid heat loss) when the legs are bent. The width for the shoulders (blanket or cocoon) is determined by the ease of movement inside the sleeping bag.

Important: a balance should be struck between space and warmth. Too wide and short sleeping bag will not protect from the cold (you can catch a cold), too narrow — will cause discomfort.

The weight

Weight does not play a significant role if there is no need to wear it for a long time (for example, caravanning). The average trekking sleeping bag weighs from 1.3 to 2.7 kg. Sleeping bag, designed for warm, dry weather — up to 1 kg, for winter hiking (blanket) — 3 kg.

It should be borne in mind that warmer sleeping bags are usually heavier than their counterparts, and from models with the same thermal insulation properties, a lighter one will cost more.

Equipment

Hood — protects the head and neck from the cold, keeps the heat inside the sleeping bag. Must be present in winter and off-season sleeping bags.

• Detachable hood — a kind of hood, which differs from the usual one in that, if necessary, it can be unfastened from the sleeping bag (for example, in warm weather).
• Anatomical hood — a special cut of the hood, tightly fitting the head (whisky, ears, forehead). It has a screed around the edge that protects against the penetration of cold.

Quilted model — allows using special zippers to connect several sleeping bags into one multi-seat one. This allows you to better keep warm. For this purpose, it is recommended to choose the same models of sleeping bags so that the type of zipper matches.

Padded zipper — a special strip (valve) located along the zipper. Protects from the penetration of cold through the zipper — the weak point of the sleeping bag. Especially important for trekking and extreme models.

Two runners – double zipper allows you to create an air vent in any part of the sleeping bag (legs, etc.).

Lightning Jamming Protection — a special strip tape located between the «dog» and the teeth of the lightning. Protects the clasp from jamming. It increases the convenience of using the sleeping bag, and in an extreme situation it makes it possible to get out of the sleeping bag as quickly as possible.

Pockets — allow you to store valuables, money, documents, etc. Located on the inside of the sleeping bag, fastened with a zipper.

Compression bag — allows you to significantly reduce the size of the sleeping bag during transportation and save space in the backpack. It should be noted that if the sleeping bag is in a compression bag for a long time, then the filler may become compressed and lose its heat-insulating properties. A simple bag (mesh) is provided for storing the sleeping bag.

Stretch knit sections — make it possible to stuff the sleeping bag like a pillow without damaging the bags with insulation.

Light-accumulating loop — a special loop located on the «dog» of the zipper with an insert, glowing in the dark. With its help, it is easy to find the clasp at night.

Pillow compartment — a special pocket in the head area, designed for a pillow, preventing damage to the sleeping bag.

Foot warmer — A special section in the leg area with reinforced padding allows the legs to warm up quickly.

Thermal collar — a roller located in the neck area. Protects against the penetration of cold air, helps the neck and head warm up faster.

Drying loops — allow you to hang your sleeping bag on a hook, a branch for cleaning, airing or drying. They are located at the foot of the sleeping bag.

Manufacturer

Sleeping bags of no-name brands from supermarkets are only suitable for short hikes in the warm season. They are sewn from the cheapest fabrics, there is no question of any advantages of technology.

A good choice would be sleeping bags Time Eco, Camping, Carp Zoom, Fox, HouseFit, Red Point, Terra Incognita, USA Style, Fleece. You can choose budget models for tourism or fishing. Brands have proven themselves to be of good quality at an affordable price. In some models, the declared characteristics do not correspond to the real ones. For example, a sleeping bag is designed for a specific temperature regime, but in fact it may not be enough. Before buying, you should study the reviews on individual products.

The best sleeping bags are Alpinus, Campus, Coleman, Hannah, High Peak, Holiday, Norfin, Alexika, Deuter, Easy Camp, Fjord Nansen, JRC, Kilimanjaro, Marmot, Nordway, Pinguin, Salewa, Sirjoseph, Snugpak, Tramp, Trimm. High-quality and reliable bags fully meet all the requirements of any trip — from overnight stays in summer to mountain hikes in winter. Special technological fillers make sleeping bags light, durable, easy to pack to small sizes. And most importantly, the promised temperature regime corresponds to reality. Specialized manufacturers provide their sleeping bags with better heat retention.