How To Choose The Best Backpacking And Sleeping Bags

Source: DHgate, Tag: Outdoor Sports

Many of us will be itching to travel again after COVID-19. Check out these top sleeping bags for a budget-friendly holiday.

• Since backpacking holidays are often spent in the great outdoors, sleeping bags are an essential item to purchase for your trip. In a world that has become increasingly dependent on technology, backpacking holidays are also one of the best ways to reconnect with nature.
  Even if you are not planning to sleep outdoors, you may find yourself somewhere remote with few accommodation options and even if you do find some hostels, bedding can be so uncomfortable that you will probably still need a sleeping bag.

A sleeping bag is a very practical item that is portable, can keep you warm, and can be set up at a moment’s notice. After a long day hiking through muddy terrains, a good sleeping bag that can help you get quality sleep is simply a must! However, there are a variety of sleeping bags with different features that you need to consider before you choose one for your backpacking trip, such as the weight of the sleeping bag and materials among other things. This article covers the main points to keep in mind when you choose a backpacking sleeping bag.
Temperature
The temperature will be one of the first things many people pay attention to when they choose a backpacking sleeping bag. If you are too cold to sleep outside due to an inadequate sleeping bag your backpacking experience will be much less enjoyable and potentially dangerous. Therefore, it is important to know the average temperature of places in your backpacking journey. The temperature of a sleeping bag usually refers to the lowest number in degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit that you would be comfortable sleeping in. If the temperature falls below the number on the sleeping bag, you will need to choose a sleeping bag with a lower number.
Many sleeping bags also have two temperature ratings that tell you ‘the comfort rating’-the temperature at which the average cold sleeper will be comfortable and the lower limit rating’-the temperature at which the average warm sleeper will be comfortable. It should be noted that men tend to be cold sleepers, while women tend to be warm sleepers
Weight
Some sleeping bags are appropriate for hot or cold weather and this will largely depend on the thickness of the material. In general, a sleeping bag made of a thicker material will be more suitable for colder climates but will also add more weight to your backpacking trip. Therefore, your choice of the sleeping bag will be influenced by the weather, the amount of weight that is comfortable for you to carry as well as the environment of your destinations(s). Because a thicker sleeping bag will usually be heavier, it is important to find one that will keep you warm (or cool during the summer months) whilst also being light enough for you to carry whilst you are trekking on your backpacking adventure.
At the same time a sleeping back that is too light and made of thin material, may fail to keep you warm or may not be robust enough to avoid damage. While it is a general rule of thumb that a weightier sleeping bag makes for a heavier and warmer one this is not necessarily the case. The weight of your sleeping bag does not indicate its insulation capacity for example. Some types of materials will result in more warmth at less weight, including synthetics and Fill Power Downs which we will explore below.
Materials and Fill Power
Materials are one of the most important factors to consider when you choose a backpacking sleeping bag because the material will impact the weight as well as the temperature of the bag. ‘Fill Power’ is a measurement on a scale of 1-10 of how efficiently a sleeping bag filled with down (bird plumage) will insulate. The higher the number, the better the sleeping bag will insulate and will weigh less. Down sleeping bags have the advantage of being light, without compromising on warmth and they also tend to be more packable than ones made from other materials.
Almost all sleeping bags are water-repellent, but the drawback of down sleeping bags is that the feathers become weighed down when the surface becomes wet, reducing its ability to retain heat. Polyester and other synthetic materials used to fill sleeping bags are a cheaper alternative and they are not negatively affected by wetness, but they are less packable and the ‘Fill Power’ measure cannot be used to determine its insulation capacity.
Shape
Backpacking sleeping bags come in a variety of shapes that should also influence which one you choose to purchase. Shapes such as double bags, are perfect for couples, allowing you to share body heat but they are often much heavier and bulkier than other varieties.
Rectangular sleeping bags are by far the most popular backpacking sleeping bag shape. They allow you to move your bodies’ position and sleep naturally but because they do not fit as tightly they tend to be heavier and cumbersome to pack. They are also less able to retain heat due to the fact that they are spacious, which makes them a better option for the summer months.
Mummy Bags are usually the lightest variety and they fit snugly to the outline of your body shape, giving you little room to manoeuvre. They give less chance for heat to escape but they can feel confining and claustrophobic for some.?
These are the most frequent shapes but there are others that you can consider. These shapes and their advantages and disadvantages can be used as a guide for deciding whether or not other shapes are right for you. Sleeping bags also come in various lengths, catering to men, women, and children of all shapes and sizes.
Additional Features
There are other small details in a backpacking sleeping bag such as different zippers, hoods, and a storage sack. Some will include a draft blocking feature below the zipper to prevent warmth from escaping from the bag whenever you unzip it and others will have a stash pocket so that you can keep valuables or other important things close to hand whilst you sleep.