Miya Pearson
Sleeping bags are a relatively new invention, with people relying on animal skins to keep warm for thousands of years. The first commercial sleeping bag was produced in Norway in the late 19th century, influenced by the sleeping habits of the Inuit people in Lapland. Before this, people would wrap themselves in blankets, and mountaineers and hikers would use bags made from the leftover fabric used to repair ship sails. In the 1850s, French officials patrolling the mountains used a knapsack bag made of sheepskin and lined with wool, and in 1861, Alpine explorer Francis Fox Tuckett tested a prototype sleeping bag made from a blanket with a waterproof rubber bottom.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Before the invention of sleeping bags | Animal skins, blankets |
| First recorded use of sleeping bags | 1850s, marketed as the "Crimea Wrapper" towards soldiers posted to the Crimean War |
| Proto-sleeping bag | The "Euklisia Rug", patented in 1876 by Pryce Pryce-Jones |
| Sleeping bag insulation | Synthetic or down insulation |
| Sleeping bag shape | Rectangular or mummy-shaped |
| Mummy bag features | Insulated hood, no feet unzipping, tapered shape, drawstring at the head end |
| Sleeping bag use cases | Camping, hiking, hill walking, climbing, indoor use for children or people without beds |
| Sleeping bag alternatives | Quilts, mattresses, cots, air mattresses |
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Animal skins
North American Indians made sleeping blankets out of woven rabbit fur. Sheep pelt has also been used as a sleeping pad, providing warmth and comfort. However, it can get matted and collect debris, requiring regular brushing to keep it clean. Caribou hides have also been used as sleeping pads, but they are heavy and shed.
Buffalo calf hide was also used as a covering for sleeping, particularly in the past when it was lighter and had longer hair. Musk oxen hides were used by those who lived or hunted further north as they also have long hair. However, a problem with all hides with hair is that if they are sourced during the spring moult, the hair can easily fall out and get into food and tea. If the hides get damp, they can start to smell and require work to keep them in good condition.
Overall, animal skins can be a warm and comfortable alternative to sleeping bags, but they require more care and can be bulkier.
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Blankets
A sleeping bag is an insulated covering for a person, designed to function as lightweight, portable bedding in situations where a person is sleeping outdoors, such as when camping, hiking, hill walking or climbing. It provides warmth and thermal insulation through its synthetic or down insulation.
However, sleeping bags can be expensive, bulky, and uncomfortable. They are also fragile, with the fabric tearing easily and zips breaking or getting stuck. For these reasons, some people opt for blankets when sleeping outdoors. Blankets are often cheaper, lighter, and less bulky than sleeping bags. They also allow you to position yourself as you would in your bed at home, which may be more comfortable, especially for side sleepers. Additionally, blankets are generally sturdier than sleeping bags, with no zips to break, and as long as they are made with non-flammable material, they can be used around campfires without the worry of stray sparks.
That being said, sleeping bags provide more insulation than blankets, and their fully enclosed design traps heat, making them ideal for colder conditions. Mummy bags, for example, are designed to improve heat retention, with a tapered shape that reduces volume and surface area. They also have an insulated hood for the head, which helps to protect against heat loss.
Ultimately, the decision between a sleeping bag and a blanket depends on factors such as cost, weight, comfort, and the expected temperature conditions.
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Explorers' influence
The evolution of the sleeping bag has been influenced by explorers and the demands of exploration. For millennia, people relied on animal skins for warmth, wrapping themselves in blankets made from animal hides. Explorers in the 19th century continued to use blankets, but also began experimenting with different materials and designs to create more effective and convenient sleeping bags.
In the 1850s, French officials patrolling the mountains carried knapsack bags made of sheepskin and lined with wool. These bags could be rolled up, buckled, and carried with shoulder straps, but they were open-ended, making it inconvenient to get in and out. In 1861, Alpine explorer Francis Fox Tuckett tested a prototype sleeping bag made from a blanket with a waterproof rubber bottom. This design also had limitations, as it lacked a closure at the top.
The Welsh inventor Pryce Pryce-Jones introduced a more convenient design in 1876 with the Euklisia Rug. This design consisted of a wool blanket with an off-center pocket for a sewn-in, inflatable, rubber pillow. The user would fold the blanket over and fasten it to stay snug. Pryce-Jones also created a sewn blanket sleeping bag with an in-sewn airtight pillow and exported it worldwide in the late 19th century. His design was used by the Russian and British armies and even by civilians in Africa and Australia.
The first commercial sleeping bags that we would recognise today were produced by the Norwegian company G. Fuglesang AS with the guidance of Norwegian explorer Fridtjof Nansen. Before skiing across Greenland in 1888, Nansen spent time with the Inuit in Lapland to learn how they coped with extreme cold conditions. Inspired by their use of sealskin blankets, Nansen sewed some together to create three-person sleeping bags for his expedition.
The manufacture of sleeping bags began in Norway in 1889, and the designs continued to evolve over the next few decades. In the 1930s, the mummy bag was developed, followed by the introduction of full-length zippers for convenience in the 1960s. Synthetic fillings also became available during this time, providing lighter and warmer options.
Explorers' demands for warmth and comfort in extreme conditions have driven the innovation and improvement of sleeping bags over the years. Today, sleeping bags are designed to balance breathability, moisture resistance, lightweight construction, insulating properties, and cost, catering to the specific needs of serious hikers, adventurers, and campers.
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Sewn-in pillows
For centuries, people relied on animal skins and blankets to keep warm at night. The first commercial sleeping bags that we would recognise today were produced in Norway by G. Fuglesang AS in the late 19th century. The company had been producing "wadding" since 1855, and the sleeping bags were designed by Norwegian explorer Fridtjof Nansen, who had spent time living with the Inuit in Lapland and observed their practice of sleeping under sealskin blankets. Nansen sewed some of these blankets together to create three-person sleeping bags.
In 1876, Pryce Jones patented a sewn blanket sleeping bag with an in-sewn airtight pillow, known as the "Euklisia Rug". This design was exported all over the world, with 60,000 sold to the Russian Army and additional sales to the British Army. The "Euklisia Rug" was also used by civilians, including missionaries in Africa and pioneers in the Australian outback.
The Euklisia Rug was a forerunner of the modern sleeping bag, featuring a basic square blanket or quilt fitted with a zipper on two or three sides, allowing users to get into the bag and close it up. This design could be packed by folding it in half or thirds, rolling it up, and binding it with straps or cords.
The sewn-in pillow of the Euklisia Rug provided additional comfort and convenience for users, especially those sleeping outdoors or in other challenging environments. The pillow was designed to be airtight, ensuring that it retained its shape and providing a soft and supportive surface for the head and neck. This feature was particularly advantageous for soldiers, explorers, and adventurers who needed a compact and portable sleeping setup that offered both warmth and comfort.
Over time, sleeping bag designs continued to evolve, incorporating new materials and features. In the 1930s, the Egyptian sarcophagus-inspired 'mummy' bag was developed, improving heat retention with its tapered shape. The 1940s saw the introduction of full-length zippers for added convenience, and the 1960s brought the popularity of synthetic fillings, which offered lighter and warmer fibres. Today, sleeping bags are widely used for outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, and climbing, providing essential warmth and insulation in various weather conditions.
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Commercial production
The commercial production of sleeping bags emerged in the late 19th century, spurred by the demands of exploration and mountaineering. Before this, people used animal skins and blankets to keep warm while sleeping outdoors.
The first commercial producers of sleeping bags with insulating filling were Ajungilak, a Norwegian company, in the 1890s. These early sleeping bags used plant materials such as kapok as filling, similar to mattress filling. Down-filled or feather-filled bags soon followed, with the first recorded use in 1892 by Albert Mummery.
From the early 20th century onwards, sleeping bag development took two paths: specialist designs driven by the needs of high-demand users and lower-quality, cheaper bags for trampers and campers. In the 1930s, the Egyptian sarcophagus-shaped 'mummy' bag was introduced, designed to improve heat retention with a tapered shape from the head to the foot end.
Over time, sleeping bags evolved to incorporate various features to enhance comfort and functionality. These include hoods, collars, zip covers, drawstrings, and compression bags. The development of synthetic fabrics, such as Pertex and synthetic taffetas, improved the weight, breathability, and moisture resistance of sleeping bags.
Today, sleeping bags are widely available for a range of purposes, from indoor slumber parties to outdoor adventures like hiking and camping. They come in different insulation levels, from lightly insulated bags for summer camping to well-insulated bags for cold weather use. The most well-insulated and lightweight bags are designed for serious hikers and adventurers and tend to be more expensive.
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Frequently asked questions
Before the invention of sleeping bags, people relied on animal skins and furs to keep warm at night.
Animal skins, such as buffalo and sealskin, were used by the Eskimo and Inuit people, who lived in extreme cold conditions.
The first sleeping bags were little more than open-ended bags, which were a hassle to get in and out of. Over time, designs evolved to include features such as inflatable pillows, zippers, and tapered shapes for improved heat retention.
The modern sleeping bag began to take shape in the 19th century, with various pioneers experimenting with different designs. By the 1890s, the first commercial sleeping bags with insulating fillings were produced.
Today, sleeping bags are designed with a range of materials, including synthetic fillings and down or feather fillings. The type of filling and level of insulation vary depending on the intended use, from indoor slumber parties to outdoor adventures in cold weather conditions.
