How To Buy Your First Sleeping Bag

Like you, I love camping and there is nothing better than sleeping outside on a cool spring night.  I started camping a few years ago and decided to make the investment and buy a tent, sleeping bag and all of the other amenities.  When I started looking for a sleeping bag  I was overwhelmed with the style and selection that were available.  After some research I bought my first sleeping bag and I have been happy ever since.  To save you some time, I have written down some tips that helped me make my first sleeping bag purchase.

To start, you have to decide on the temperature rating you want for your sleeping bag.   Think about the approximate temperature when you will be camping or hiking.  Generally, sleeping bags are rated as: 3-Season (+10 degrees to +32 degrees), winter (-10 and below), summer (+32 and higher) and cold weather (+10  to -10).  And remember, it makes sense to choose a bag that is rated a little bit lower than you will need.  A lower rated sleeping bag will keep you warm if the temperature really drops down on a cold night. Plus, you can always unzip the bag if you need to cool off.

Second, you have to choose the insulation that makes sense for your needs.  The two types of insulation that are available include down or synthetic.    The biggest advantage for down sleeping bags is that they are typically very light and goose down is an excellent insulator.  The biggest problem with a Down Sleeping Bag is that if it gets wet, it will take forever to dry and it will lose its insulating benefits.  On the flip side, Synthetic Sleeping bags can get wet because they can dry quickly.  In addition, Synthetic Sleeping bags are typically less expensive than down sleeping bags. The only real problem with synthetic sleeping bags is that they will be typically heavier than a down sleeping bag.

The last part of the equation is choosing the shape of the sleeping bag.  You will see that most sleeping bags are designed in a “Mummy” form.  These bags are optimized to keep you the warmest since they are narrow and your body heat will be conserved efficiently.  Plus, the “Mummy” shape can pack up pretty small since they are designed with less material.  However, these bags can be a little snug and if you are claustrophobic you might be more interested in a rectangular bag.  The rectangular bag will take up more space and will be a little bit heavier, but it will give you more space.  Lastly, there are also sleeping bags specifically designed for women.  These bags are typically shorter in length and are wider in the hip area.

Again, just take your time and do the research before you buy your first sleeping bag.  There are plenty of great websites out there that can help you start your search.  One website, SleepingBagDeal.com finds and posts deals on down and synthetic sleeping bags.  Plus, they find information about sleeping bag brands and styles that are recommended for your outdoor camping or hiking trip.  They are good site to start your search.

Down or Synthetic Sleeping Bag? Make the Right Choice

Sometimes it’s tough having too many choices. For example, when I first started shopping for a new sleeping bag I was overwhelmed by the selection and styles that were available.   There were warm weather, cold weather, ultra-light, down, synthetic, mummy and rectangular sleeping bags.  So I went online and did a little research to learn everything I could about each style.  After some analysis I was able to choose a sleeping bag that made sense for my needs.  To save you some time, I have written down a few tips that helped me make my decision.

To begin, you will see sleeping bags broken into two groups, down and synthetic.  The biggest advantage for down sleeping bags is that they are typically very light and goose down is an excellent insulator.  The biggest problem with a down sleeping bag is that if they get wet, it will take forever to dry and the goose down will lose its insulating benefits.  On the flip side, synthetic sleeping bags can get wet because they can dry quickly.  In addition, synthetic sleeping bags are typically less expensive than down sleeping bags. The only real problem with synthetic sleeping bags is that they will be typically heavier than a down sleeping bag.

In my case, the right choice was a down sleeping bag.   We typically hike to our campsite and weight was one of the most important factors in making my choice.  I wanted to keep the overall weight of my backpack as light as possible so I started my search for ultra-light sleeping bags.  I eventually found a great “mummy” style sleeping bag that only weighed a little over 2 pounds.  One footnote, “mummy” style sleeping bags can make you feel a little claustrophobic. They are tapered and can be a little snug.  It was a little strange for me at first, but I got used to it.  You may want to keep this in mind if you have issues with close quarters. If this is an issue with you, consider looking for a rectangular sleeping bag.  It will probably be a little heavier than a “mummy” style sleeping bag, but it will give you more room to move around.

Also, make sure you find out the temperature rating of the sleeping bag.  Generally, sleeping bags are rated as: 3-Season (+10 degrees to +32 degrees), winter (-10 and below), summer (+32 and higher) and cold weather (+10  to -10).  And remember, it makes sense to choose a bag that is rated a little bit lower than you will need.  A lower rated sleeping bag will keep you warm if the temperature really drops down on a cold night. Plus, you can always unzip the bag if you need to cool off.  The down sleeping bag that I chose was rated for three seasons.  We usually camp during the spring and summer so I didn’t need to spend the extra money on a sleeping bag rated for the winter or the cold weather. 

My last point is to check the length of the sleeping bag.  This is especially important to those of us who are a little taller and need more room.  Plus, by checking the length you will make sure your sleeping bag will fit in your camping tent. The last thing you want is to get a sleeping bag that is longer than the length of your tent.

Again, just take the time to do some research before you buy your sleeping bag.  There are a tremendous number of sleeping bag brands and styles. You can start looking at your local outdoor store, but you might save some time by shopping online first. It will take you less time and you should be able to save some money as well.   I hope this article can help you on your sleeping bag purchase.   See you around the campsite!

Silk Sleeping Bag Liner

A silk sleeping bag liner is not what you would expect when you read the label. These bag liners are perfect for using in a hotel or other place you may need to sleep. These liners are easily put inside your traditional bag to add warmth to your sleeping bag. The liners can add up to ten degrees of heat to a regular bed roll. They can also extend the life of your sleeping bag by preventing frequent washings.

You can use the silk bag liner as a barrier against questionable mattresses or other sleeping areas. These are great for people who may have sensitive skin, or are susceptible to allergies. The sleeping liners protect your skin from chemicals that may be used while laundering sheets.

If you just prefer sleeping on high quality silk, rather than an average sheet, these sleeping liners are the perfect solution. A silk sleeping bag liner ensures you can have a luxurious bed wherever you may be.

These silk liners are very lightweight, making them very easy to carry around. Some of these liners come with their own travel bags making it even easier to tote them around.

The sleeping liners are available in several different sizes. They are available in king, queen, full or twin size bags. The bag liners are available in a variety of colors as well. You can choose to make your own silk liner if you are crafty enough.

These liners are fairly low cost, and start around $40.00 a liner. This is a great low cost item, that can be used by everyone in the whole family.

Read more about Silk Sleeping Bag Liner. Visit our site for lots of army sleeping bag Information.