Camping Sleeping Bags

You should know by now that you won’t ever be able to find a sleeping bag to use in all the possible situations.

Opting for some cold weather features will negatively affect your summer camping using the same bag; there’s a reason why they are temperature rated between some values.

The mummy shaped sleeping bag rated between 10 to 20 Fahrenheit degrees will most likely be easy to adapt to all three seasons:

Will keep you dry with a suitable impermeable shell
The mummy shape will improve and maintain your body temperature in a cold
Snowy late spring and the two zippers will keep you ventilated and comfortable during summer nights.

But if you are camping in the wintertime, on snow, the safest way is to purchase a sleeping bag rated below zero Fahrenheit degrees.

Camping in the mountains require a sleeping bag rated below minus 40°F and your three season mummy cocoon will probably freeze along with you.

Same goes for the summer: if you want an optimal comfort and ventilation, a bag rated 35°F would be ideal. We are basically suggesting you to adapt to the extremes.

Mummy shaped bags are the most efficient in keeping the body warmth. However, some people find it difficult to feel comfortable in a position restricting sleeping bag so if you have any doubts about it don’t hesitate to ask and try it out before actually purchasing it.

If you are looking to purchase bags to zip them together, make sure the zippers are compatible.

Rectangular bags or cotton interior/exterior bags are not recommended for low temperatures camping.

Picking a synthetic or down or cotton fill affects the packing capabilities of your bag.

Make sure it is lightweight enough if you have to carry it in your backpack.

Camping Sleeping Bags Features to Consider

Taffeta and other similar non cotton linings are warmer, comfortable and breathable through
Two way zippers offer flexibility but make sure to buy compatible zippers if you want to zip two bags together.
Check for more loft if you need better insulation and warmer sleeping bags.
The collar and helmets keep your head and neck protected against cold and seals the cold away from the bag’s interior.
Check the zipper for a hook or similar system to kep it from unzipping during sleep.
Down and synthetic fills are the best for insulation. Synthetic fills have an optimal performance in case the bag gets wet.
The outer shell must be windproof and water resistant.
Dark colors attract heat so they will dry faster in case you get your bag wet.
The stuff sack can be easily turned in a comfortable pillow if you fill it with your clothes or other soft materials.

Making the Decision

So you had laid your eyes on some camping sleeping bags. How do you take a final decision? These are a few points to consider:

Check for cold spots – the design of the bag plays a very important role: if you can notice any corner that would leave a cold spot, avoid this bag.
Carefully check for the insulation, if it gets thicker in some points it will let cold in.
Check the zipper as if it is unprotected from an inside lining, it will let cold air inside. Zipper protection must be inside the sleeping bag.
If your sleeping bag is voluminous, check if the insulation is proportional to the size of it. Bigger sleeping bags need more insulation.
If you want a down fill sleeping bag, consider that the down can shift and leave cold spots behind.
Check if the compartments are firm or if they are fluid, permitting the down to shift from one side to another.
Sleeping bags with down fill usually have a specific design created to avoid the shifting: special compartments and sews.

How to Properly Maintain Your camping sleeping bags

Considering that you are a serious and informed buyer, looking for quality and durability, it’s likely you ended up purchasing a pretty expensive capable camping tool.

It’s only fair that you know how to maintain it properly in order to benefit from it for the longest time possible.

When packing the bag, stuff it, don’t roll it in. Rolling creates tension through the textures and in time it can damage it.
Following the same logic, be gentle when unpacking it. Sews can be quite fragile.
Don’t compress your sleeping bag while storing it. Don’t store it in the stuff sack. Keep it as loose as possible in order to prevent fill shifting.
Wear clothes while sleeping in your bag and thus you protect the material from sweat and body oils.
Always put a protective cloth between the ground and bag, to keep it away from sticks, rocks or other debris that could damage it.
Clean and air it up before every use, don’t store it wet or dirty.