Choosing a Sleeping Bag

Having chosen the tent that fulfils all your requirements attention then must be given to the type of bedding suitable for your needs. There are many sleeping bags available. Choosing the right one for the use you intend it for is important. Nothing can spoil a holiday as much as nights spent shivering in an unsuitable sleeping bag. At night the temperature drops, as does our heat output. Air is the best insulator and so what is needed is a method of cocooning us in trapped warm air around our body. This cocoon should keep the air still and prevent loss of heat but should be breathable to allow body moisture to escape into the outside air.

Factors to take into account when choosing your sleeping bag include warmth ratings, materials used, design shape and size, weight, pack size and cost.

Warmth ratings

Sleeping bags are rated for different seasons and temperatures. Most manufacturers will list the season rating along with a minimum temperature and a comfort temperature rating that the bag will be suitable for.

• A one-season bag is designed for summer use only, June to August.
• A two-season bag is for late spring to early autumn, when temperatures do not drop below zero.
• Three season bags are for late autumn and early spring when the temperature may drop below zero or for mild winter nights.
• Four season bags are for cold winter nights.

This is a general guide and note must be taken of the temperature ratings given to each sleeping bags. Seasonal conditions can vary greatly e.g. frosts occurring in May or September. Also note that all these ratings are for valley use and that temperatures will usually be colder high in the hills and so a warmer sleeping bag may be required. The amount of insulation required can vary greatly from one person to another, with one person comfortable in a one-season sleeping bag for two season temperatures or another needing a three season bag to be warm in the summer. What you sleep on or in matter greatly too. Ratings assume use of a mat and tent. If you choose to sleep on the ground under the stars you will not feel so warm.

As sleeping bags work by trapping warm air, it’s best to get into your bag while you are feeling warm and giving off heat. Opening the bag from the foot end can cool hot feet. Square style bags can be zipped together to make a double size and will be marked left or right zip to ensure that they match together.