Ashwin Lewis
A camping sleeping bag is an essential piece of outdoor gear for anyone planning to spend a night in the wilderness. Sleeping bags are designed to keep you warm and comfortable, and they come in various shapes, sizes, and temperature ratings to suit different needs and budgets. When choosing a camping sleeping bag, it's important to consider factors such as insulation type, weight, packability, and additional features like zippers, stash pockets, and hoods. Whether you're car camping or backpacking, selecting the right sleeping bag can ensure you get a good night's rest and make your camping experience more enjoyable.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To provide warmth and comfort for a good night's sleep outdoors |
| Types | Camping bags, backpacking bags, car camping bags |
| Shape | Rectangular, semirectangular, mummy, double |
| Fabric | Synthetic, down, canvas, cotton, polyester |
| Features | Waterproof shell, hood, zippers, stash pocket, baffles, liner |
| Temperature Rating | -10° F to 30° F |
| Weight | 2 lbs to 11.7 lbs |
| Size | Regular, long, short, wide |
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What You'll Learn
Sleeping bag shapes
Sleeping bags come in a variety of shapes, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. The most common shapes are rectangular, semi-rectangular, and mummy.
Rectangular sleeping bags are the most traditional, offering ample room for legs and arms to stretch out. They are ideal for campers who prioritise comfort over warmth. Some rectangular bags can be completely unzipped and used as a comforter, making them suitable for warm-weather camping. They are also available in double sizes for couples.
Semi-rectangular sleeping bags, also known as "modified mummy" or "barrel" shapes, offer a compromise between warmth and roominess. They are generally more slender than rectangular bags, with a rounded top and tapered bottom. This shape is well-suited for cool-weather camping when conditions are chilly but not extremely cold.
Mummy-shaped sleeping bags are designed to boost warmth and reduce weight. They have a slim cut and a contoured hood that can be cinched tight for added warmth. The overall fit is snug, and you typically roll over with the bag rather than inside it. Mummy bags are popular among backpackers as they are lightweight and maximise heat retention.
Other less common sleeping bag shapes include double sleeping bags, which are typically rectangular but double the width of a standard bag, and kid-sized sleeping bags, which come in various shapes such as mummy, rectangular, or semi-rectangular.
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Temperature ratings
Sleeping bags are available with different temperature ratings to suit various camping conditions. One-season sleeping bags are designed for summer camping, with temperatures above +5° Celsius or 40° Fahrenheit. Two-season sleeping bags are suitable for slightly cooler nights in spring and summer, with temperatures ranging from 0 to +5°C or 30 to 40°F. Three-season sleeping bags are versatile and can be used in spring, summer, and autumn when temperatures might dip just below freezing (around -5°C or 20°F).
When choosing a sleeping bag, it's important to consider the lowest expected temperature at your camping location. If you tend to feel cold, opt for a bag with a comfort rating that is significantly lower than the coldest expected temperature. On the other hand, if you sleep warm, you might rely on lower-limit ratings but still allow for a buffer of a few degrees Celsius.
Some popular sleeping bags with good temperature ratings include the Alps Outdoorz Redwood, which is designed for colder weather camping, and the REI Co-op Siesta Hooded 20, which is a lightweight and warm option for multiple seasons. The Coleman Brazos is another affordable option that performs well in terms of warmth.
It's worth noting that sleeping bag temperature ratings are estimates, and real-world comfort may vary. The presence of a hood, the type of zipper, and the use of a sleeping bag liner can also affect the warmth of the bag.
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Insulation types
When it comes to insulation types, there are two main options: goose down and synthetic. Goose down refers to the insulation found beneath the feathers of ducks, geese, and other waterfowl. Sleeping bags with goose down insulation are often more expensive, as the process of obtaining this insulation is not cheap or easy. They also require special storage considerations, as leaving them compressed inside a stuff sack for long periods will reduce their loft, causing them to lose insulating ability. Synthetic insulation, on the other hand, is artificial and generally more affordable. While synthetic bags can also be stored in a stuff sack, they are less susceptible to damage from compression.
The choice between goose down and synthetic insulation depends on factors such as camping location, temperatures, and means of transportation. Synthetic insulation is commonly used in car camping bags, while goose down is often preferred for backpacking due to its lightweight and compressible nature.
It's worth noting that temperature ratings play a significant role in selecting a suitable sleeping bag. Bags with higher fill power, such as those with 600+ or 900+ fill goose down, tend to provide more warmth. However, it's recommended to pick a bag with a lower temperature rating than the lowest expected nighttime temperature at your camping location. Additionally, factors like your sleeping pad, clothing, humidity, wind, and metabolism can influence how warm or cool you feel.
Some popular synthetic insulation bags include the Coleman Brazos, which offers warmth and durability at a budget-friendly price, and the recycled-poly-fill bag recommended by Wirecutter, which is ideal for car camping as it is warm, moisture-resistant, and easy to clean and pack away.
For goose down options, the Montbell Down Hugger 650 #1 is a great choice for people with broad shoulders and narrower hips who tend to sleep hot or move a lot in their sleep. It's a comfortable and roomy bag that falls within a reasonable price range for down bags. The REI Co-op Siesta Hooded 20 is another notable mention, featuring 98% recycled insulation fill that provides ample warmth and durability.
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Storage and maintenance
Storing your sleeping bag correctly is essential to maintaining its quality and ensuring a comfortable night's sleep. An incorrectly stored bag can easily become soiled or damaged, and the insulation fibres inside can break, leading to a cold night's sleep.
Firstly, you should never permanently store a sleeping bag by compressing it. Compressing a sleeping bag into a stuff sack is only for camping trips or hiking adventures when you need to carry your bag from place to place. Instead, you should extract your sleeping bag from its stuff sack and dry it thoroughly.
Next, you should loosely stow it inside a large, breathable cotton or mesh sack. Most bags are sold with a jumbo cotton storage bag, but if yours didn't come with one, you can use a king-size pillowcase or buy a cotton or mesh sack (90L is a good size). You can also sew your own cotton bag.
Finally, store your sleeping bag in a place that is both cool and dry. Avoid damp basements and unheated or uncooled spaces like garages and attics. If no outdoor space is available, hang the bag in a dry, temperature-controlled indoor area.
In addition to the above, there are some other care and cleaning tips to keep your sleeping bag in good condition:
- Air out your sleeping bag daily.
- Avoid leaving your bag in direct sunlight for very long, as UV light slowly degrades the fabric.
- Wash your bag periodically, as body oils, sweat and dirt can reduce its insulating power.
- Protect your bag from the ground by putting a pad down first.
- Be careful not to jump around camp standing inside your sleeping bag, as this will damage the toe box.
- Be picky about lending your bag to friends. Set some rules and ask them to use a liner.
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Weight and portability
On the other hand, if you're backpacking or hiking, weight becomes a crucial factor. You'll want a lightweight sleeping bag that can be easily packed and carried on your back. Down insulation is a popular choice for backpacking bags because it is lightweight, durable, and compresses into a small size. The REI Co-op Siesta Hooded 20, for example, is a lightweight option that packs into a stuff sack for easier transport. The Western Mountaineering MegaLite and the Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass 15 are also lightweight options suitable for backpacking trips.
The shape of the sleeping bag also affects its weight and portability. Mummy-shaped bags, for instance, tend to be lighter and more snug, making them a good choice for backpacking. Rectangular bags, on the other hand, offer more room to move around but are typically bulkier and heavier. The REI Hunkerdown 20, for instance, is wider than most mummy bags, providing ample space to sprawl out, but it is still lightweight and packs into a stuff sack.
Temperature ratings and insulation type also impact weight. Bags with higher temperature ratings tend to be heavier, while those with lower temperature ratings are lighter and more portable. Additionally, synthetic insulation is often found in more affordable bags, but it can be bulkier and less compressible than down insulation.
When considering weight and portability, it's essential to think about the type of camping you'll be doing. If you're primarily car camping, weight is less of a concern, and you can prioritize comfort and warmth. For backpacking or hiking trips, however, opting for a lightweight and compressible bag will make your journey much more enjoyable and manageable.
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Frequently asked questions
A camping sleeping bag is a type of sleeping bag designed for camping trips. They are usually designed to offer ample room to stretch out and roll over, and often have a simple rectangular design.
Camping sleeping bags can be made from synthetic or down materials. Synthetic bags are more affordable, dry faster, and provide warmth when damp. Down bags are lightweight, durable, and pack down smaller.
The best shape depends on your preferences and needs. The four main shapes are rectangular, semirectangular, mummy, and double. Rectangular bags offer more room to move around, while mummy-style bags are more snug.
The temperature rating you need depends on the lowest expected nighttime temperature during your camping trip. It's recommended to select a bag with a rating slightly below the expected temperature. Keep in mind that bags tend to sleep about 20 °F (11 °C) colder than their rating.
There are various recommended camping sleeping bags available. Some popular options include the Alps Outdoorz Redwood, REI Co-op Siesta Hooded 20, Coleman Brazos, Western Mountaineering MegaLite, and NEMO Disco Endless Promise 30.
