Colin Snow
Sleeping bags come in various shapes and sizes, with the most common shapes being mummy, rectangular, and semi-rectangular. The size of a sleeping bag is a crucial factor when packing it and carrying it on a trip. Sleeping bags are sized by their length, which should correspond with your height. The most important measurements to consider when it comes to fitting a sleeping bag are length, shoulder girth, and hip girth. The standard hip girth for men's sleeping bags is 58 inches, while women's bags are slightly wider at around 60 inches. Sleeping bags generally come in three sizes: small (5'6), regular (6'0), and long (6'6). It is recommended to choose a bag that is one size longer than your height to ensure a proper fit.
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What You'll Learn
Sleeping bag length
The length of a sleeping bag is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a sleeping bag. An appropriate length sleeping bag will give you enough room to be comfortable without sacrificing heat retention. Bags that are too long for your body will have more surface area for heat to escape, and more empty space that you will expend energy to heat.
Sleeping bags come in different lengths, with men’s sleeping bags typically coming in two standard lengths: regular (which fits people up to 6 feet in height) and long (up to 6 feet 6 inches). A short version is sometimes available, which usually fits people up to 5 feet 6 inches. Women’s bags also come in a regular and long, though the measurements vary slightly by brand and style. Women's regular bags usually fit up to 5 feet 4 inches, and long bags are usually up to 5 feet 10 inches.
When choosing a sleeping bag, it's important to consider the activity and the temperature range you'll be using it in. If you're using it for backpacking, you'll want a lightweight bag that packs down small. If you're camping in cold weather, you might need to store temperature-sensitive items like electronics, fuel, water, clothing, or boot liners in your sleeping bag, so you'll need a bag with extra length and width.
To find the right sleeping bag length, it's recommended to measure your dimensions when lying on your back in a "mummy" or "casket" position. This will give you the most accurate numbers to evaluate bags with. It's also important to consider the width of the bag in the torso, as your body will reduce the length of the bag when you get inside. For example, a person who is 6 feet tall may think that a sleeping bag that is 80 inches (6 feet 6 inches) long will fit them, but their body will reduce the usable length of the bag.
Ultimately, the best sleeping bag length is one that fits your height as closely as possible without compressing any down in the footbox or hood. This will ensure that you're not wasting energy warming empty air, helping your feet and head stay warm.
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Shoulder girth
Most men's sleeping bags have a shoulder girth ranging from 60 to 64 inches. Women's sleeping bags typically have a narrower shoulder girth, usually measuring between 56 and 60 inches. It is worth noting that a difference of just 4 inches can noticeably affect how roomy the bag feels. For men of standard build, a 60-inch shoulder girth may feel snug, while a 64-inch bag will provide a more pleasant, spacious experience.
The importance of shoulder girth is particularly evident when considering individuals with broader shoulders. Traditional mummy bags, for instance, may not be ideal for those who are under six feet tall but have broad shoulders. In such cases, a bag with a larger shoulder girth, or even a semi-rectangular bag, might be more suitable.
When selecting a sleeping bag, it is essential to consider the trade-off between warmth and comfort. A bag that fits snugly will retain heat more effectively, as there is less air space to warm up and less risk of warmth escaping during movement. However, a tighter fit may be uncomfortable for restless sleepers or those who feel confined in smaller spaces. In such cases, a roomier bag might be preferable, even if it means sacrificing some warmth.
To determine the ideal shoulder girth, individuals are advised to test out several sleeping bags of different dimensions. This allows for a personalized balance between comfort and warmth, ensuring a good night's sleep during outdoor adventures.
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Hip girth
The hip girth of a sleeping bag varies primarily based on whether it is designed for men or women. Most men's sleeping bags have a hip girth of around 58 inches, while women's sleeping bags are often slightly wider, with a hip girth of up to 60 inches, to accommodate the wider hips of the female physique. This difference in hip girth allows for more freedom of movement in the hips and brings in the shoulders to help prevent body heat loss.
When choosing a sleeping bag, it is important to consider your preferred hip girth. The best way to determine this is to test out several sleeping bags of different dimensions to find the measurement that best balances comfort and warmth for your needs. You can also measure your hip circumference while lying on your back in a "mummy" or "casket" position and use this measurement to evaluate different sleeping bags.
Some sleeping bags offer wider sizes, providing more girth at the hips and shoulders. For example, the Big Agnes Echo Park 20 has a hip girth of 74 inches, making it much broader than most standard sleep sacks. This bag is specifically designed for people with larger body sizes who may not fit into standard-sized sleeping bags.
In addition to hip girth, other important factors to consider when choosing a sleeping bag include length, shoulder girth, and the size of the hood. The length of the sleeping bag should be based on your height, and it is generally recommended to choose a bag that is one size longer than your height. The shoulder girth and hood size also impact the warmth and comfort of the sleeping bag, with larger dimensions providing more room to move around but potentially sacrificing some warmth.
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Body size
The size of a sleeping bag is a crucial factor when packing and carrying it for a trip into the wild. Sleeping bags generally come in three sizes: small (5 ft 6 in), regular (6 ft), and long (6 ft 6 in). The correct length of the sleeping bag should correspond with your height. For instance, if you are 6 feet tall, you should sleep in a bag of roughly the same length. However, a sleeping bag that is sized to fit a 6-foot person will be at least 8 inches longer than the "Fits Up To Length". This is because, when we lay down flat, our spine extends, our feet fall forward, and we spread out larger than our standing size. Therefore, it is recommended to go with the closest size to your height without going over.
The shape of the sleeping bag should reflect the style of camping you are planning. Mummy-shaped bags are the most popular and warmest option. They are broadest at the shoulders and least wide at the feet, with no room for extra air. This means there is less air to heat, making it efficient. However, the tapered shape means there is less room for turning, which may be uncomfortable for some. Rectangular bags are less efficient at heating but offer more room and are less restrictive.
The next most important measurements to consider are shoulder girth and hip girth. Shoulder girth is the circumference of the bag across the shoulders. Most men’s sleeping bags have a shoulder girth between 60 and 64 inches, while women’s bags are slightly narrower, ranging from 56 to 60 inches. Hip girth is the circumference of the bag across the hips. Men’s bags usually have a hip girth of 58 inches, while women’s bags are wider at 60 inches. The easiest way to find your preferred girth is to try out several models. It is important to remember that an oversized bag will let in drafts and allow heat to escape, while an undersized bag will compress the insulation.
Some other factors to consider are the size of the hood and the temperature range. A bigger hood will feel more spacious, but smaller hoods are better at preserving body heat. The temperature of your camping location will also determine how much extra room you will need in the bag. If you are camping in subzero temperatures, you may want to size down your bag to reduce pack weight and help with temperature regulation.
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Temperature
The temperature rating of a sleeping bag is a key factor when choosing one. Lab-tested temperature ratings, indicated by "EN" or "ISO" ratings, are useful for comparing bags from different brands. EN 13537 offers four temperature ratings: Upper Comfort, Comfort, Lower Limit, and Extreme. The Comfort rating is the temperature at which a cold sleeper might feel comfortable, and it is the rating used for women's bags. The Lower Limit rating, which is always lower than the comfort rating, is the temperature at which a warm sleeper might still feel comfortable, and it is the rating used for men's bags.
The ISO Comfort Range is defined as the temperature range at which a standard woman is "not feeling cold" while sleeping in a relaxed posture. The ISO Transition Range is where a standard man is "fighting against the cold" in a curled-up position inside the sleeping bag but is not shivering. The ISO Extreme Range indicates a strong sensation of cold and a risk of health damage by hypothermia. It is important to note that these are just standardized ranges, and actual performance may vary depending on individual factors.
When choosing a sleeping bag, it is recommended to consider the lowest temperature you are likely to encounter and your personal tolerance for cold. If you often feel cold, opt for comfort ratings as a baseline and choose a bag with a lower comfort figure than the coldest expected temperature. If you tend to sleep warm, you may rely on lower limit ratings, but it is advisable to allow a buffer of a few degrees Celsius. Additionally, consider the shape of the bag, as a wider bag may feel more comfortable but may not retain heat as efficiently as a bag that fits closer to your body.
The type of insulation also affects the temperature rating of a sleeping bag. Synthetic insulation, made primarily of polyester, is a popular choice for damp climates as it continues to insulate when wet. Down insulation, on the other hand, loses insulating efficiency when wet, so most bags with down insulation have a water-repellent treatment. Water-resistant down insulation is a more expensive option but performs better in wet conditions.
For cold-weather use, a longer sleeping bag can provide extra space to store temperature-sensitive items. A snug-fitting hood can also make the bag warmer, and zipper features like multiple sliders can help adjust ventilation. A soft sleeping bag liner can add extra warmth and protect the bag from wear and tear.
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Frequently asked questions
The shoulder girth of a sleeping bag is the circumference of the bag across the shoulders. Men's sleeping bags usually have a shoulder girth of 60 to 64 inches, while women's bags are slightly narrower, ranging from 56 to 60 inches.
Hip girth is the circumference of the sleeping bag across the hips. Men's sleeping bags typically have a hip girth of 58 inches, while women's bags are slightly wider at 60 inches.
Sleeping bags are sized by their length, which should correspond to your height. Most bags come in three sizes: small (5'6"), regular (6'0"), and long (6'6"). It is recommended to choose a bag that is one size longer than your height to ensure a comfortable fit.
Yes, there are three basic shapes of sleeping bags: Mummy, Rectangular, and Semi-Rectangular. The Mummy bag is the most popular shape as it is lightweight, packs easily, and provides a snug fit, making it ideal for backpacking. Rectangular bags offer more room but sacrifice some insulating properties. Semi-rectangular bags offer a balance between the other two shapes.
