Colin Snow
Sleeping bags are an essential piece of outdoor gear, providing warmth and comfort during camping and backpacking trips. When choosing a sleeping bag, it's important to consider various factors such as temperature rating, shape, insulation type, weight, and additional features. REI offers a wide range of sleeping bags, including mummy bags for solo use and double bags for couples, with different models and brands available to suit specific needs and preferences. While the model of an REI sleeping bag can be identified by features like colour, logo, and the presence of a hood or stash pocket, it is also important to consider the bag's temperature rating, insulation type (down or synthetic), and shape to make an informed purchase decision.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature rating | Below the lowest expected nighttime temperature |
| Shape | Rectangular, semirectangular, mummy, or double |
| Insulation type | Synthetic or down |
| Weight | Efficient insulation delivers greater warmth for less weight |
| Size | Short, wide, or long |
| Waterproofing | Waterproof shell |
| Hood | Snug-fitting with differentiated drawcords |
| Zipper | Anti-snag with guard or cover |
| Stash pocket for small items | |
| Storage | Stuff sack for compact storage |
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What You'll Learn
- Sleeping bag shells: The outer fabric is made of durable polyester or nylon, with a DWR finish
- Sleeping bag shape: There are four main shapes: rectangular, semirectangular, mummy, and double
- Temperature ratings: Choose a bag with a temperature rating below the lowest expected nighttime temperature
- Insulation: Synthetic insulation is more affordable, while down is lightweight and compresses small
- Additional features: A waterproof shell, hood, extra zippers, and a stash pocket can add durability and functionality
Sleeping bag shells: The outer fabric is made of durable polyester or nylon, with a DWR finish
When choosing a sleeping bag, it's important to consider the type of shell fabric. The outer fabric, or shell, is made of durable polyester or nylon and has a durable water repellent (DWR) finish. This finish helps to protect the insulation inside the bag from dampness and water damage. If you're looking for a soft and smooth fabric, polyester or nylon are great options for the outer shell of your bag. These synthetic materials are affordable, breathable, and comfortable, but they may not be as durable as other fabrics.
Polyester and nylon are ideal for moderate weather conditions, such as spring and summer. They are suitable for dry conditions where rain is not a concern. However, if you plan to use your sleeping bag frequently or in rough terrain, you might consider investing in a ripstop fabric. Ripstop is made from reinforced threads of nylon or polyester, making it stronger and more durable. This type of fabric is ideal for hiking in dry climates as it can withstand wear and tear, but it may not be the best choice for wet conditions.
If you're looking for a sleeping bag that can handle more intense outdoor adventures, premium fabrics like Dryloft are worth considering. Dryloft is the most expensive material for sleeping bags, offering excellent water resistance while maintaining breathability and comfort. It's important to note that some fabrics, like Gore-Tex, may trap moisture inside the bag due to their lack of breathability.
When choosing a sleeping bag shell, it's essential to consider factors such as comfort, breathability, and weight. The shell fabric should be smooth enough to prevent catching on your clothes, and breathable enough to allow heat to escape, ensuring a comfortable night's rest. Additionally, if you're looking for a sleeping bag for kids, you might prioritize affordability and insulation options, such as down fill or synthetic fill.
In summary, when selecting a sleeping bag shell, consider the durability, water resistance, and breathability of the fabric. Polyester and nylon are common and affordable options, while ripstop and premium fabrics offer enhanced durability and water resistance for more intense outdoor adventures. The ideal sleeping bag shell will depend on factors such as climate, frequency of use, and your specific needs, such as weight considerations for backpacking trips.
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Sleeping bag shape: There are four main shapes: rectangular, semirectangular, mummy, and double
When choosing a sleeping bag, it's important to consider its shape. The four main shapes are rectangular, semirectangular, mummy, and double. Each shape has its own advantages and is suited to different needs.
Rectangular sleeping bags are spacious and comfortable, allowing for more freedom of movement. They are ideal for those who move around a lot in their sleep or prefer to sleep in various positions. This shape is also suitable for car camping as it is bulkier and heavier, which is less of a concern when the vehicle is carrying the gear. Rectangular bags are also available in kid-size variations, which are shorter and smaller and may include features like zip-open bottoms.
Semirectangular sleeping bags offer a balance between the features of rectangular and mummy-style bags. They provide more room to stretch and move than mummy bags, while being more lightweight and packable than rectangular bags.
Mummy-style bags are designed to boost warmth and cut weight. They have a snug fit, with a tapered form that is wider at the shoulders and narrower at the feet, resembling a mummy's shape. This design means you roll over with the bag rather than inside it. Mummy bags are ideal for cold-weather camping and mountaineering as they retain heat more efficiently due to their tapered shape, which leaves less empty space to warm up. They are also more lightweight and packable, making them a good choice for backpackers and hikers who need to save space.
Double sleeping bags are designed for couples and are available in rectangular and mummy styles. To zip two bags together, they need to be the same model and brand, and have compatible zips (right-hand zip with left-hand zip).
Other features to consider when choosing a sleeping bag include the shell fabric, which should have a durable water repellent (DWR) finish to protect the insulation from dampness; a snug-fitting hood, which can add warmth; extra zippers for ventilation; and stash pockets for small items.
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Temperature ratings: Choose a bag with a temperature rating below the lowest expected nighttime temperature
When choosing an REI sleeping bag, it is important to consider the temperature rating that matches your needs. Sleeping bags with lower temperature ratings tend to have snug-fitting hoods, which make the bag warmer.
The temperature rating of a sleeping bag is a key factor in your selection. It is determined by the lowest temperature at which the bag is designed to keep an "average sleeper" warm. The ISO 23537 standard, recognised globally, is considered the best rating system for sleeping bags. It provides three temperature thresholds: a comfort rating, a limit rating, and an extreme rating.
The comfort rating is based on the temperature at which the "average female" can sleep comfortably through the night without curling up for warmth. The limit rating is based on the temperature at which the "average man" can maintain thermal equilibrium in a curled-up position. This rating indicates that the person will not be shivering and is not in danger of hypothermia. The extreme rating indicates the temperature at which there is a serious risk of death from hypothermia within a few hours.
When selecting a sleeping bag, it is generally recommended to choose one with a temperature rating slightly below the lowest expected nighttime temperature. This is because real-world comfort may not match the lab-tested temperature ratings due to various individual factors, such as sleep style, metabolism, and age. Additionally, temperature ratings are based on a person wearing long underwear and socks and sleeping on an insulated pad, so your personal sleep attire and conditions may vary.
It is also worth noting that sleeping bags for women tend to have more insulation, making them warmer than similarly rated men's bags. However, individual preferences may vary, so it is important to consider your personal sleep habits and comfort levels when making a selection.
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Insulation: Synthetic insulation is more affordable, while down is lightweight and compresses small
When choosing a sleeping bag, one of the most important decisions you'll have to make is the type of insulation. The insulation type directly affects the warmth, weight, water resistance, compressibility, and price of sleeping bags. Synthetic insulation is more affordable, while down insulation is lightweight and compresses small.
Synthetic insulation offers solid performance at a lower price. Synthetic fills are usually made of polyester and are available under a variety of branded names. Synthetic insulation continues to insulate when wet, making it ideal for damp climates. It dries faster and provides warmth when damp. Synthetic insulation is also lighter for its warmth than down. However, synthetic insulation is less durable than down and loses some insulating power each time the bag is stuffed into a stuff sack.
Down insulation, on the other hand, is more expensive but performs exceptionally well in cold, dry weather. Down is the insulation of choice for backpacking bags because it is lighter and more compressible. It is also more durable than synthetic fills, retaining a more consistent level of warmth for longer. Down bags typically use a variety of baffled constructions, while synthetics typically use quilted or shingled constructions.
If you're looking for a sleeping bag for car camping, you don't need to worry about weight or packability, so you can choose the warmest, roomiest bag in your price range. But if you'll be backpacking, you'll want to minimize weight and bulk, so a lightweight, compressible down bag might be a better option.
Some sleeping bags use a blend of down and synthetic insulation to combine the benefits of both materials. These hybrid bags may have synthetic insulation on the bottom for less compression and down on top for better loft, or they may blend the two types of insulation throughout the bag.
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Additional features: A waterproof shell, hood, extra zippers, and a stash pocket can add durability and functionality
When choosing an REI sleeping bag, you should consider the shape, insulation type, and additional features. The four main shapes are rectangular, semi-rectangular, mummy, and double. Synthetic insulation is more affordable, dries faster, and stays warm when damp, while down insulation is lightweight, durable, and compressible.
Waterproof Shell
A waterproof shell can add durability and functionality to your sleeping bag. This feature will keep you dry in damp environments and protect against moisture, which can help you stay warm.
Snug-Fitting Hood
A snug-fitting hood is typically found on bags with lower temperature ratings to make them warmer. Most hoods have drawcords that allow you to adjust the snugness, providing more warmth when needed. This feature is especially useful in colder environments, helping to retain body heat and keep you comfortable.
Extra Zippers
Extra zippers can provide added ventilation and adjustability. They allow you to unzip your sleeping bag in warmer conditions to cool off. Additionally, zippers with guards along their length can prevent snagging, ensuring smooth operation and reducing the risk of damage to the sleeping bag.
Stash Pocket
A stash pocket keeps your personal items, such as watches, phones, or lip balm, close at hand. This feature adds convenience and ensures you don't have to fumble around in the dark looking for essential items. It can also provide a secure place to store valuables while you sleep.
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Frequently asked questions
The REI sleeping bag is likely to have a logo on it. If it's an older model, the logo might be embroidered. Newer models have printed logos.
REI sleeping bags are known for their durability and water-repellent finish. They also have a snug-fitting hood, extra zippers, and a stash pocket.
Consider the shape and temperature rating of the bag. There are four main shapes: rectangular, semirectangular, mummy, and double. The temperature rating should be lower than the lowest expected nighttime temperature.
The mummy-shaped bag boosts warmth and cuts weight due to its snug fit. It allows you to roll over with the bag rather than inside it.
Yes, REI offers flexible returns for members, usually within a year of purchase. You can return or exchange your sleeping bag as long as it is clean and in good condition. Contact REI customer support at 800-426-4840 for more information.
