Backpacking sleeping bag
Style There are different styles of sleeping bags. A mummy sleeping bag is the most appropriate choice for wilderness backpacking. Mummy sleeping bags are considered the most efficient for weight and warmth. These bags are cut wider at the shoulders and taper down to the feet, which remove the unused space around your body resulting in a smaller area to keep warm. Hood A bag with an adjustable hood that can be closed around the face is a must have option, because a large part of your body heat escapes from the head and neck area. Hoods come in a variety of styles: some are simply made and others may be insulated and offer other features to help keep the rest of you warm. Insulation fill A sleeping bag's overall ability to keep you warm depends on its insulation fill. The insulation fill is sandwiched between the sleeping bag's shell and lining via enclosed channels, layers or baffles. Fill basically comes in two types of materials; natural down, typically goose or duck feathers, and synthetic or manmade fibers. Sleeping pad Use a sleeping pad under your backpacking sleeping bag. This is essential for insulation from the wet and cold of the bare ground. Season and Temperature rating Ratings vary according to manufacturer. However, season ratings and temperature comfort ratings are the most commonly used. Both assume use of a sleeping pad and a tent. Season ratings are an approximate guide to use when you can expect a sleeping bag to keep you warm. A four seasons rating indicates that a sleeping bag has a high enough specification to be used year round. Temperature ratings provide the lowest temperature at which the bag should keep you comfortable. However, as individuals have different tolerances to cold, and bags are used in different conditions, sleeping bag ratings are only a rough guide. Choosing your sleeping bag Get some tips on how to choose the best backpacking sleeping bag for your needs? Back to: Wilderness backpacking homepage
|
