How to Choose a Sleeping Bag – Choosing the Right Temperature Rating

So you’ve finally gone camping with your friends. You set out on your trip early in the morning, gather your gear, and then set out to find a good place to overnight. There are many popular places to go camping such as state parks, national parks, and even your own backyard. Yet with all the places that are popular, there are certain things that are not as widely known or recognize. One thing that many people do not think of is the importance of a sleeping bag. The importance of a sleeping bag is that it will keep you warm enough while you sleep. Without a sleeping bag, you may have to worry about waking up in the middle of the night because you did not get a chance to adjust to a new temperature. There are many factors to take into account when choosing a sleeping bag, but I will go over the basics to give you a better understanding.

When purchasing a sleeping bag, it is a very straightforward decision whether you want a down or synthetic fill sleeping bag. Both materials have their positives and negatives, so it’s best to choose based on what sufficient warmth you need. Down is a soft and extremely light material which compresses down easily. Its warm close to the body without many areas where heat can leak in.Synthetic materialas factory bought material generally does not have the same resistance to water as down does. Therefore, no matter how good the synthetic sleeping bag is, it will not keep you warm as a down bag will.

There are certain things that you should look for in a sleeping bag that attracts your attention to purchase one. Look for a double sleeping bag because they are more durable and will last longer. They can also be zipped together to create a double bed. Never forget to buy a sleeping bag made by a well known manufacturer. Believe me, they will not last longer than the amount of time you will actually use it. Also, look for a bag that has a comfortable weight inside and an amount of foot room to allow for a bit of comfort when sleeping.

There are certain kinds of sleeping bags with a certain temperature rating. These ratings can be misleading. Unless you know the manufacturer of the bag, understand that a 15 degree bag is only 15 degrees and a 30 degree bag is 30 degrees. The degrees are a guide, not a guarantee, and are depending on the outdoor conditions where you will be using the bag. You should also consider the fact that the middle of the bag will be warmer than the bottom. Look for a sleeping bag that has a few different temperature ratings for your needs.

Do not just look at the price and decide on the bag you want without also looking at the bag. As with everything there are many different brands and styles of bags. One of the brands is the slumberjack brand. This bag is famous for their mummy bags that are light weight and affordable. If you are looking for a comfortable bag for sleeping, this bag is not a good choice. The reason is that it is not designed to be compression sack compatible. In fact, some of the bags are so tight that it will keep the manatee in the bag. You should look for a bag that is made by Thermarest. They have a compression stuff sack and instructions on how to pack the sack. Also, the zipper of this bag is at a point where it will allow the most ventilation which will give you the best comfort while sleeping.

While purchasinga sleeping bag, always remember to ask for the style and the temperature rating. This will give you a better idea of what you will use the bag for. If you are planning to travel during cold weather, then try to find a bag that is rated for minus 20 degrees. If you will venture into the middle of winter, then you can determine which of the styles warmer you need. Generally, warm weather bags are cheaper than the cold weather varieties. Therefore, you will need to save your money when it comes to bag rentals. For example, you will need to plan your budget considering the factors of where you will be staying. Make sure that you have adequate money with you. It is also essential for you to plan your activities, as well as the equipment that you will bring. With these pointers, you will surely have a pleasant camping vacation, even if it isuctually colder at night.