Lightweight Sleeping Bags Guide: 3 Tips

Lightweight Sleeping Bags Guide: 3 Tips

Shopping for a sleeping bag can be baffling, especially if you are a first time buyer. To make things easier for you, we have put together a list of the three most important tips to take note of and follow when shopping for it.

Here are the key factors to take note of when choosing the most suitable one for you:

Shape

They come in either rectangular, semi rectangular or mummy shaped. If you prefer a snug fit, a mummy shaped sleeping bag would be most suitable as it is tapered and comes with a hood to maximize thermal insulation. The mummy shaped ones are the most suitable choice when doing any outdoor activity in cool and/or cold environments.

If you prefer the option of a bag with that offers more room and space that allows you to shift or switch positions, a rectangular shaped bag would be ideal. However, most rectangular bags do not support a build-in hood. Unlike the mummy shaped ones, it is less compact, more bulky and is not advised for use during prolonged periods of outdoor adventure.

Temperature Rating

A sleeping bag’s temperature rating refers to the lowest temperature at which it will be able to keep an average sleeper sufficiently warm. Most of these ratings would assume that the user is already wearing a layer of underwear and clothing; after all, they are only guidelines.

For the most part, a summer seasoned bag would be suitable for temperatures ranging from 35degrees Fahrenheit or higher. A three-seasoned bag would suit temperatures from 10 to 35 degrees Fahrenheit. This is commonly used during the autumn, spring and early fall seasons, when the environment is cool. A cold weather type is most appropriate for use in places with temperatures ranging from -10 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Lastly, an environment with temperatures of 10 degrees Fahrenheit and below would require an extreme or winter model.

Insulation

Sleeping bags have two types of insulation, down and synthetic fill. Synthetic insulated bags are generally less costly than down fill; however they are more bulky and less compressible as compared to down fill. Materials typically used in synthetic fill include nylon and polyester. Additionally, synthetic insulated ones are able to provide better insulation when used in a moist/damp environment.

On the other hand, down fill ones are compact, lightweight and that makes it convenient for bringing it from one place to another. Furthermore, down fill is mostly able to hold up for a longer time, thus the bag would be of better value in the long run. The fact that down fill is not fully hypoallergenic is one disadvantage to take note of. Especially if you have sensitive skin, you are advised to opt for a higher quality down fill insulated sleeping bag instead as lower quality ones may cause an allergic reaction in the event, the bag is not thoroughly cleaned and still contains dust particles and other allergens. In this case, you will want to choose a bag with down fill as it first the specific want for a lightweight sleeping bag.

Finally, it is imperative that you think through the different sleeping bag models, and be sure that the one you choose is the most suitable one for you.