How To Choose a Sleeping Bag

Sleeping bags are available in two types of material - feather and synthetic fiber.

• Feather sleeping bags – feathers are a perfect insulator against severe frosts. The most commonly used is goose feathers, which remain in perfect condition and provide comfort for more than 10 years. However, they are more expensive and feathers cannot withstand moisture. They are also more complicated to maintain - you cannot wash the sleeping bag and they are slow drying. Even so, feather sleeping bags, which are lighter than synthetic ones, are still popular.
• Sleeping bags made of synthetic fibers – synthetic fiber is suitable for those who prefer comfort, because these sleeping bags are easy to maintain. Synthetic fiber sleeping bags can be washed in a washing machine at a temperature of around 30 degrees. Even so, do not overdo it with washing, with each wash it loses some of its thermal properties. It is heavier than a feather sleeping bag and offers better thermal comfort at normal temperatures above freezing (it does not heat as much as feathers). However, due to its greater weight, it also has a larger volume and is less compact. We can also recommend a synthetic sleeping bag for those who suffer from allergies.

• Blanket sleeping bags are really only suitable for use indoors. They cover a larger area, which is harder to heat with body-heat. Therefore, they are not suitable for use (for example) in a tent during winter
• Mummy sleeping bags have better thermal properties than blankets. Because it covers less space, the air between the body and the sleeping bag is heated up more quickly. Mummy sleeping bags also do not leak as much heat.

Blanket sleeping bags

Mummy sleeping bags

The size of the sleeping bag is also an important criterion. Choose it according to the height of whom it is for. Sleeping bags are often marked S, M, L. You should never feel tight in your sleeping bag, so you should add another 25 cm on each side in addition to your height. At the same time do not buy a sleeping bag that is too big for your body as it will be more difficult to heat. A smaller bag is always better, but with a sufficient amount of space.

• according to the height of the figure - often sleeping bags are marked S, M, L
• sleep in comfort - a smaller sleeping bag is better than a larger one (there is a risk that it will not heat up enough)
• 25 cm reserve - on each side of the sleeping bag

The weight of the sleeping bag also plays a role, as even a small load can become heavy on a longer hike. If you need to have an extremely light and compact sleeping bag, choose from the feather sleeping bags. If thermal comfort is more important to you, choose a sleeping bag with synthetic fibers. It will make you warmer ibut is heavier and takes up more space.

An essential criterion underlining the comfort of a sleeping bag is the temperature determination of the sleeping bag. There is no such thing as a sleeping bag for all seasons. Although you will have sufficient insulation in winter, you will sweat excessively in summer.

Sleeping bags are divided into three categories according to seasons:

• summer - light sleeping bags
• three-season - sleeping bags that can be used from spring through summer to autumn
• winter - such sleeping bags provide high comfort in the winter months, but they are too warm for summer days

The basis of these divisions of sleeping bags is according to their temperature limits, which determine in which temperatures you can use the sleeping bag. These temperatures are:

• comfortable - at this temperature you will feel like you’re at home in your bedroom
• limit - this is the temperature at which you will feel good, but for lower temperatures the sleeping bag will no longer be suitable for long sleeps
• extreme - this is the lower limit, where there is a risk of uneven heat distribution and you will only heat up a little when sleeping in the foetal position

It is not possible to say unequivocally for whom which sleeping bag will be most suitable. This depends on the above-mentioned temperature determination as well as the size of the sleeping bag and (especially) the age, height, weight and sex of the person using the sleeping bag.

If you are choosing a sleeping bag for a woman, choose according to their comfort temperature as the limit, while for men, choose according to the limit temperature - even at this, the man will feel fine.

When buying a sleeping bag, be sure to check how big it is in its packaged state. You should be able to comfortably pack compact, light summer sleeping bags into a backpack. Larger ones will need to be placed outside the luggage, or carried in your hand. The way the sleeping bag is packed is also closely related to its area. Some have a package that includes parts of a sleeping bag - and this makes their packaging easier. But if you have a sleeping bag with a separate cover/ bag it can sometimes be quite a puzzle. Of course, it depends on your experience and dexterity, but in any case, remember that the volume of the sleeping bag can increase quite a bit if it is poorly packed.

For convenient access to the sleeping bag, it is better to have the zipper located on the opposite side to your strong hand. So right-handed people will prefer to have the zipper on the left side and vice versa. If you would like to connect two sleeping bags, choose two bags of the same size but with zippers on opposite sides.