How to Find a Compact Sleeping Bag for Travel?

How to Find a Compact Sleeping Bag for Travel?

If you are a hiker, biker, traveller or maybe a regular festival visitor then you should not have to worry about your gear too much. It should be light and compact. That’s why they invented compact sleeping bags. A compact sleeping bag takes a little bit of room in your (back)pack. For compact bags the general rule that the smaller the more expensive doesn’t count. The opposite is true.

What is important though is the fact they are compact of course but also comfortable and made of good quality. When you want to sleep after a long day you want the comfortability of something that comes close to your own bed. This is the reason you should choose a sleeping bag that is warm and comfortable during a cold night. The most comfortable for most people are the sleeping bags constructed from down material. The tend to be the warmest yet though not the lightest.

Another thing to think about is the times you have to fold your sleeping bag and tuck it into your bag. When doing this many times it should be easy and simple. The effect should be minimal. A compact bag is constructed especially to handle these procedures. In this regard we know that a synthetic bag is just a bit more robust than other materials. I use a synthetic one myself because I am a regular hiker. I like going outdoors with my little tent and stay outdoors mostly in the summer months. For that reason I use a very lightweight bag which is hardly noticeable in weight. My hiking shoes weigh much more.

In the world of compact sleeping bags there is no rule to what is best, it depends on your travel requirements and what your preferences are. I like easy and effectiveness so I choose the lightest and easiest bag. How is your experience with other bags? Did you ever find it difficult to roll the bag back into the same cover where it came from? Yes, I had one of those.

For those looking for advise here is mine:

A mummy shaped if you are going on trips more than 4 times a year and travelling alone or with friends. If you have nights where it can be cold look at the indication on the sleeping bag. The numbers will indicate until what temperatures you will keep warm.

A semi-rectangular bag when you are immune to cold. I know these people who still wear t-shirts outside when it’s almost freezing. In that case you don’t want a mummy shaped one. Same goes for the people who are a claustrophobic. You feel like there is no way to escape and this will result in a sleepless night. With a semi-rectangular you have more room and you have to possibility to unzip it when you feel it’s too hot or you feel enclosed.

A rectangular bag is a good choice when you travel with you partner. During those cold nights you can attach those bags together. Nothing is better to stay warm than another person close too you. You still have the option to separate the sleeping bags in times where you want to sleep separate.

Finally you can choose the double sleeping bag. I used this on a vacation with a big tent. We had to car to travel and enough space so we didn’t worry about that. It was practical and easy for two persons.