Choosing the right sleeping bag is crucial for a comfortable night's sleep outdoors. If you're unsure about the different types available, this comprehensive guide will help you understand the various options and decide on a budget that suits your needs.

SLEEPING BAGS - SEASON RATINGS

SUMMER

Season Rating 1 (Ideal for summertime outdoor or indoor use). Summer sleeping bags with a season rating of 1 are perfect for warm weather adventures, providing just enough warmth and comfort without causing you to over heat during those balmy nights. For temperature above +5℃.

Season Rating 2 (Ideal for late spring and early autumn when the nights are still mild). A season 2 rating sleeping bag is perfect for the outdoor enthusiasts who camp in moderate climates, providing the right balance of warmth and comfort for those conditions. For a temperature range of 0 to +5℃.

WINTER

Season Rating 3 (Ideal for autumn and winter when there’s no frost). A season rating 3 sleeping bag is an excellent choice for those who like to camp in diverse weather conditions throughout the year, excluding the extreme cold of winter. It’s versatility, combined with features designed to enhance comfort and warmth, makes it a staple for most camping and hiking trips. For temperatures 0 to -5℃.

Season Rating 4 (Ideal for nights when there’s snow or frost). This season 4 sleeping bag is for outdoor adventurers who really love to face extreme cold and harsh conditions. It’s advanced insulation, robust features and durable construction, make it the ultimate choice for winter camping, high altitude expeditions and high alpine adventures. This type of sleeping bag will ensure you stay warm, comfortable and protected in the most challenging environments. For temperatures -10℃ to -40℃.

TOGS:

A TOG or (Thermal Overall Grade), is a measure of the thermal insulation that’s used to rate the warmth of sleeping bags. The higher the TOG rating, the warmer the sleeping bag will be. This type of rating usually helps consumers choose a sleeping bag that will provide the appropriate level of warmth for different temperatures and seasons.

Summer Season (1-2.5 Tog):

Spring/Autumn Season (2.5-3.5 Tog):

Winter Season (3.5+ Tog):

SLEEPING BAG’S COMFORT RATING

Comfort Rating

The comfort rating of a sleeping bag is the temperature at which a cold sleeper can expect to sleep comfortably. Generally women are colder sleepers therefore, sleeping bags for women are rated for comfort and bags for men are rated for survival.

Therefore, if a sleeping bag has a comfort rating of 32℉ (0.℃), it means most people will feel warm and comfortable sleeping in a temperatures as low as 32℉

Limit Rating

The temperature at which a warm sleeper can expect to sleep without feeling cold. This rating is typically lower than the comfort rating and is suitable for the average man or a warm sleeper.

Therefore, if a sleeping bag has limit rating of 20 ℉ (-6℃), it means a warm sleeper can sleep comfortably in temperatures down to 20℉.

Extreme Rating

The minimum temperature at which a sleeping bag can protect a sleeper from hypothermia. This rating is often much lower than the comfort and limit ratings and is intended for survival rather than comfort.

Therefore, if a sleeping bag has an extreme rating of 5℉ (-15℃), it means the sleeping bag can protect a sleeper from extreme cold conditions, but the person might still feel very cold and uncomfortable.

SYNTHETIC OR DOWN: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

Down Sleeping Bags

Down sleeping bags are insulated with natural fluffy clusters which are found underneath the feathers of the waterfowl bird. These clusters are what gives that exceptional warmth-to-weight ratio and compressibility. They provide superior insulation in cold and dry conditions. However, down bags are more expensive than synthetic options and lose their insulation properties when wet, requiring careful maintenance to keep them dry.

Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific needs. If you prioritize lightweight warmth and have a higher budget, a down sleeping bag may be ideal. For a more budget-friendly option that performs well in wet conditions, consider a synthetic sleeping bag. Polyester sleeping bags are a good middle-ground choice, offering durability and moisture resistance at an affordable price point. Choose based on your outdoor activities and the environmental conditions you expect to encounter.

Synthetic Sleeping Bags

Synthetic sleeping bags has a polyester insulation rather than the natural feathers of a down sleeping bag. Therefore, they are filled with man-made fibres designed to mimic the insulating properties of down. They are often more budget-friendly than down bags and perform better in wet conditions since they retain warmth when damp. Synthetic bags are hypoallergenic and dry faster than down, making them a good choice for humid environments or for those with allergies.

UNDERSTANDING THE SHAPES WEIGHTS AND SIZES

Choosing the right sleeping bag involves considering various factors to ensure you have a comfortable and restful sleep outdoors. Here’s a detailed look at the size, weight, and shape of a regular sleeping bag:

SIZE

Length

Regular sleeping bags typically fit individuals up to 6 feet tall. They offer enough room to stretch out comfortably without leaving excessive empty space that could cause heat loss.

Width

The width at the shoulders for a regular sleeping bag is usually around 60 inches, tapering down to about 40 inches at the foot. This provides enough room for you to move your arms and legs slightly while still maintaining warmth.

WEIGHT

Packed Weight

The weight of a regular sleeping bag can vary depending on the type of insulation (down or synthetic) and the temperature rating. On average, a regular sleeping bag weighs between 2 to 4 pounds, making it lightweight enough for backpacking yet substantial enough to provide warmth.

Packed Size

When compressed into its stuff sack, a regular sleeping bag generally measures around 10 to 14 inches in length and 6 to 8 inches in diameter. This compact size allows for easy packing and transportation.

SHAPE

Mummy Shape

Regular sleeping bags often come in a mummy shape, which is designed to minimize weight and maximize warmth. The mummy shape tapers from the shoulders to the feet, reducing the amount of space inside the bag and therefore the amount of air your body needs to heat.

Rectangular Shape

While less common for regular bags intended for colder temperatures, some regular sleeping bags feature a rectangular shape, providing more room to move around. This shape is ideal for warmer conditions where heat retention is less of a concern.

Semi-Rectangular (Barrel) Shape

This shape offers a compromise between the mummy and rectangular designs, providing a bit more room than a mummy bag while still being more thermally efficient than a fully rectangular bag.

NOTABLE FEATURES FOR EXTRA COMFORT!

Insulation Regular sleeping bags come with either down or synthetic insulation. Down provides excellent warmth-to-weight ratio and compressibility, while synthetic insulation retains warmth even when wet and is typically more affordable.

Zippers Look for features like full-length zippers for easy entry and exit, two-way zippers for ventilation, and draft tubes along the zippers to prevent heat loss.

Hoods and Draft Collars Many regular sleeping bags include a hood to insulate your head and a draft collar to prevent warm air from escaping and cold air from entering around your neck.

Baffles Baffles structures used in a sleeping bag to keep the insulation material ie. synthetic or down fibres evenly distributed.

Inner Linings Inner linings in a sleeping bag refer to the material that comes into direct contact with the sleeper. They are designed to provide comfort, warmth, and moisture-wicking properties. Common materials used for inner linings include Nylon and Polyester. Flannel and Cotton are also popular but Cotton tends to retain moisture therefore, it’s not ideal for cold conditions.

Outer Fabrics Outer shells are commonly made of nylon-ripstop as it is highly durable. Dryloft is a water resistant, breathable fabric that is often used for sleeping bags.

Left & Right Hand Zips Sleeping bags come with zippers on either the right or left side. For easier access, opt for a bag with the zipper on the opposite side of your dominant hand: right-handed individuals should choose a left-zip bag, while left-handed individuals should go for a right-zip bag.

Two Way Zip A two-way zipper allows for easy opening when you need ventilation. Zippers can be either full length or half length. Additionally, two-way zippers enable you to create a double sleeping bag by zipping two identical bags together.

Zip Baffle An insulated zip baffle which is located behind the zip of a bag will help to lessen the amount of heat that’s lost through the zipped area.

Zip Cover When the bag is fully zipped up, to stop it from becoming undone whilst asleep a piece of fabric is there to cover the zip and is fastened with velcro.

Hood A shaped hood will help to retain heat loss from your head and a draw cord closure will enable you to pull the hood up tight against your face.

Draft Collar (or Neck/Shoulder Baffle) An insulated draft collar at the base of the hood helps retain body heat and keeps the cold out around the neck and shoulders. Most draft collars feature an adjustable drawcord for a customizable fit.

Inner Pockets Found near the top of the bag, and is an ideal place for keeping small valuable items such as wallets and phones.

Stuff Sack Mummy sleeping bags include a stuff sack with a drawstring closure. Unlike rectangular bags that can be folded, a mummy bag should be stuffed directly into its sack. Compression straps are used to minimize the packed size of the bag.

By understanding these features, will help you to choose a sleeping bag that’s both comfortable and warm for a good night’s sleep outdoors.

DONT’ FORGET THE ASSESSORIES

When gearing up for a comfortable night's sleep outdoors, enhance your camping experience with these essential accessories:

Sleeping Bag Liner: Used to keep your sleeping bag clean and add an extra layer of warmth. Liners are easy to wash and can significantly extend the life of your sleeping bag.
Pillow: Don’t compromise on comfort. A compact, inflatable camping pillow provides support and ensures a good night's sleep without taking up much space in your pack.
Sleeping Mat: Insulate yourself from the cold, hard ground with a sleeping mat. These mats provide cushioning and thermal insulation, making your rest more comfortable and warm.
Airbed: For ultimate comfort, consider an airbed. Lightweight and easy to inflate, airbeds offer superior cushioning and are perfect for those who prioritize a plush sleeping surface.

So equip yourself with these essentials to make your camping trips more comfortable and enjoyable.

Happy camping!

The Sleeping Bag: The Ultimate Guide