Evie Summers
Choosing the right size sleeping bag is essential for comfort and warmth. The basic idea is that you want to minimise the amount of air space around your body. This reduces the amount of air you need to heat up and keep warm. However, if you're a restless sleeper, you may want to opt for a roomier bag that gives you more space to roll over and move around. Sleeping bags come in a variety of shapes and sizes, with the most common lengths being regular (for people up to 6 feet in height) and long (up to 6 feet 6 inches). Some bags also come in a short size, which usually fits people up to 5 feet 6 inches. It's also important to consider the shoulder and hip girth of the bag, especially if you plan on wearing extra layers to stay warm. The weight and shape of a sleeping bag are often best suited to specific activities, so it's crucial to choose one based on how you plan to use it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Consider the intended purpose of the sleeping bag. Bags for camping tend to be heavier and bulkier, focusing on comfort, whereas bags for backpacking are lighter and less technical. |
| Length | Sleeping bags typically come in regular and long sizes, with some offering a short option. The length should match your height as closely as possible to balance warmth and comfort. |
| Shoulder Girth | The circumference of the bag across the shoulders. Most men's bags range from 60-64 inches, while women's bags are narrower, ranging from 56-60 inches. |
| Hip Girth | The circumference of the bag across the hips. Men's bags usually have a hip girth of around 58 inches, while women's bags are often wider, up to 60 inches, to accommodate wider hips. |
| Temperature Rating | Choose a bag with a suitable temperature rating for the conditions you'll be using it in. Warmer bags tend to be heavier and bulkier. |
| Insulation | The type of insulation impacts the size of the bag when packed. Synthetic insulation is bulkier and heavier but performs better in wet conditions, while advanced synthetics and high-fill-power downs provide greater warmth for less weight. |
| Shape | The shape affects both comfort and thermal efficiency. Wider bags offer more room to move but may sacrifice heat retention. Mummy bags are the lightest traditional bags, while semi-rectangular bags offer a balance between weight and comfort. |
| Additional Features | Consider features like stash pockets for small items, zip compatibility for coupling bags, and sleeping pad compatibility. |
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Sleeping bag length
The length of a sleeping bag is one of the most important factors when choosing a sleeping bag. The basic idea is that you want to minimise the amount of air space around your body. This reduces the amount of air you need to heat up and keep warm.
Most sleeping bags come in regular and long sizes. Some also come in a short size, which usually fits people up to 5 feet 6 inches. A regular sleeping bag typically fits people up to 6 feet in height, while a long sleeping bag fits people up to 6 feet 6 inches. Women's sleeping bags are generally shorter, with regular and long sizes usually fitting people up to 5 feet 4 inches and 5 feet 10 inches, respectively.
If you are close to the upper limit of a size, it is recommended to try both that size and the next size up to determine which is more comfortable. However, in general, it is best to choose the shortest sleeping bag that fits you to maximise warmth and minimise weight.
If you are using your sleeping bag in cold weather, you may want to size up to create extra space for temperature-sensitive items like electronics, fuel, water, clothing, or boot liners. Additionally, if you are a restless sleeper, you may prefer a roomier bag that allows you to move around more easily.
The weight and size of your sleeping bag are also important considerations, especially if you are backpacking or mountaineering. In these cases, you will want a lightweight and compact sleeping bag that is easy to carry over long distances.
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Shoulder girth
The shoulder girth of a sleeping bag is a key consideration when choosing the right size. It is the circumference of the bag across your shoulders. The right shoulder girth will depend on your body size and shape, your tolerance for being confined, and the temperature conditions you'll be sleeping in.
Most men's sleeping bags have a shoulder girth of between 60 and 64 inches, with some models as narrow as 58 inches or as wide as 66 inches. A 60-inch bag will feel snug for most men of a standard build, while a 64-inch bag will feel more spacious. Women's sleeping bags are usually slightly narrower, with a shoulder girth ranging from 56 to 60 inches.
The best way to determine your preferred shoulder girth is to test out several sleeping bags of different dimensions. This will help you find the right balance between comfort and warmth. A bag that's too tight may cause discomfort and claustrophobia, while a bag that's too roomy may sacrifice warmth as there will be more air to heat up and keep warm.
If you're planning to wear extra layers to bed, such as a jacket or insulated pants, you'll need to account for this in your shoulder girth measurement. For example, if you have a 62-inch girth and plan to wear a puffy jacket, you might need a bag with a 63-inch or 64-inch girth to accommodate the extra bulk.
The shape of the sleeping bag also plays a role in determining the shoulder girth. Mummy bags, for instance, are broadest at the shoulders and taper towards the feet, maximising warmth and minimising weight. Rectangular bags, on the other hand, offer more room to move around but are less efficient at heating. Some bags also come with expansion features, such as zip-on baffles or expandable panels, allowing for a more customizable fit.
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Hip girth
The hip girth of a sleeping bag varies primarily based on whether it is a men's or women's sleeping bag. Most men's bags feature a hip girth of around 58 inches, while women's bags are often wider, with a hip girth of up to 60 inches, to accommodate the wider hips of the female physique. However, most bags have standardised hip girth circumferences, and the difference is not that important.
To determine your preferred hip girth, it is recommended that you test out several sleeping bags of different dimensions to find the measurement that best suits your needs.
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Weight and shape
The weight and shape of a sleeping bag are determined by its intended use. Sleeping bags for camping, for example, tend to be heavier and bulkier, with a focus on comfort. On the other hand, bags designed for backpacking or mountaineering are lighter and more compact. The weight of a sleeping bag is influenced by its insulation and shape, with advanced synthetics and high-fill-power downs providing greater warmth with less weight.
The shape of a sleeping bag impacts both comfort and thermal efficiency. A wider bag provides more room to move around, which is ideal for restless sleepers. However, a bag that is too wide may compromise heat retention. Conversely, a bag that is too narrow may compress the down, creating cold spots. The ideal bag strikes a balance between comfort, weight, and thermal efficiency.
Sleeping bags come in various shapes, including rectangular, semi-rectangular, and mummy bags. Rectangular bags can be unzipped and used as blankets or connected to another rectangular bag to create a double bag for couples. Mummy bags are the lightest traditional sleeping bags, but they may feel too tight for some people. Semi-rectangular bags offer a middle ground between mummy bags and rectangular bags, providing a balance between weight savings and comfort.
The length of a sleeping bag is an important consideration. Most bags come in regular and long sizes, with some also offering a short option. The ideal length provides a close fit without compressing the insulation at the head or foot of the bag. For three-season use, it is recommended to choose a bag length that closely fits your height. If you are on the taller side and want to reduce weight, you may opt for a regular length.
In addition to length, shoulder girth and hip girth are also key measurements. Shoulder girth refers to the circumference of the bag across the shoulders, and it varies between men's and women's bags. Hip girth is the circumference of the bag across the hips, and it also differs between genders, with women's bags typically being wider to accommodate wider hips.
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Insulation type
The insulation type of a sleeping bag is a key factor in determining its size and performance. Sleeping bags use insulation to trap warm air inside, and the two main types of insulation are down and synthetic. Down insulation is made from the fluffy filaments of goose or duck feathers, while synthetic insulation uses polyester threads. Synthetic insulation is better at retaining warmth when wet, making it a good choice for damp climates. However, down insulation provides better warmth for the same weight, making it a good long-term investment.
Down sleeping bags have different baffle configurations, with vertical and horizontal baffles being the most common. Vertical baffles are great for sleeping bags with more dialled-in shapes and sculpted hoods, but they need mesh walls to prevent the down filling from migrating, making them heavier. Horizontal baffles are warmer by weight, and they allow you to move the down insulation around to adjust your warmth level. However, they cannot be sculpted into ergonomic shapes.
Synthetic sleeping bags, on the other hand, have baffles that are mostly for show. Synthetic insulation is available in a variety of branded names and is generally more affordable. Synthetic bags retain their warmth when wet, making them suitable for damp climates. They are also easy to care for and are a good option for campers on a budget. However, the fibres may compress over time, causing them to lose some of their fluffiness and durability.
The type of insulation impacts the size of a sleeping bag, especially when it is compressed for storage or transport. Synthetic insulation tends to compress less, while down insulation provides better loft. Therefore, a sleeping bag with synthetic insulation may have a smaller compressed volume compared to a down-insulated bag of the same temperature rating.
When choosing a sleeping bag, it is important to consider the temperature rating, which indicates the lowest temperature the bag is intended to keep the average person warm. A proper fit is also critical, as a bag that is too big or too small can impact the effectiveness of the insulation and the overall warmth of the bag. The length of the sleeping bag should match your height, with an extra inch or two to ensure a comfortable fit.
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Frequently asked questions
The size of your sleeping bag will depend on your height, with most bags coming in regular and long sizes. The best way to determine the right size is to test out several bags of different dimensions to find the best balance of comfort and warmth for you. Generally, you want to opt for the shortest length sleeping bag that fits you to minimize extra room and maximize warmth.
If you're a restless sleeper, you might want to opt for a roomier bag that makes it easier to roll over and move around. While a bag that fits close to your body will retain heat more efficiently, a bag that is too narrow will compress the down, creating cold spots.
In cold weather, you may want to size up your sleeping bag to store temperature-sensitive items like electronics, fuel, water, clothing, or boot liners.
