Sleeping Bags (Your Bed)
If you want to stay warm on a cold night then you might want to pick the right sleeping bag. Sleeping bags should probably be one of the first pieces of equipment you buy.
Generally, they are not real expensive but since you spend about one-third of your time in your sleeping bag on a typical backpacking trek, you'll want to make the investment wisely. There are three major characteristics of sleeping bags: temperature rating, insulation material and shape.
- Temperature ratings are made so you can tell what the warmth of the bag is. The rating basically tells what the comfort range of the bag is. If the rating is 20 degrees (Fahrenheit), then you should be comfortable down to about 30-40 degrees (I never give the manufacturer benefit of the doubt). Keep in mind too that sleeping bag manufacturers have no universal set of guidelines for how to rate a bag. Each company places the rating on the bag which they feel is correct for their bag.
- Now that you know how warm a bag is, don't you want to know what makes it warm? There are two major materials, down and synthetics. Down is what has been used since sleeping bags were made. This is probably the warmest material for it's weight and it compacts very nicely in a stuff sack. But if you ever get down wet, be warned, it loses all it's warmth and it becomes a bear to dry. This is where synthetics come in. These new materials are almost as warm as down and compact almost as much as down. The great thing about synthetics though is that if it gets wet, then it will still be warm.
- Shape makes a difference in sleeping bags. The two shapes, mummy and rectangular each have their own good parts. If you are going to go backpacking in all seasons, then by all means buy a mummy bag. It is called a mummy bag because it is more form fitting and looks like a wrapped mummy (see photo). This close shape keeps you warmer since there is less air to warm up inside the bag. Rectangular bags are usually bigger, a little more bulky, and a tad heavier. They are not as warm as mummies since they are not form fitting.
What to Look for
My basic criteria for choosing a sleeping bag would be:
- Weight less than 4 pounds for a 6' bag. Shorter bags should be proportionally lighter and longer bags a little heavier. If it is low in weight, it will likely stuff into a small shape for packing. Sleeping bags are relatively bulky items. Tapered "mummy" bags (see pictures above) hold weight down and the heat in. Stay away from department store rectangular bags; they generally are low priced, less efficient heat preservers, and usually weigh a minimum of seven pounds—way too much for a 100 lb Scout who needs to keep total pack weight below 25 lbs.
- The bag is rated for 20-30 degree F temperatures. This is a good balance of weight and function, and the rating of the majority of bags on the market. Such bags span three seasons - Spring, Summer, Fall. With additional clothing or a liner, they can provide adequate warmth in even lower temperatures.
- The bag uses synthetic fill of Hollofil, Quallofil, or Polarguard. Down is light weight, stuffs into a small shape, is expensive, and has great insulating qualities. But it can be disastrous when wet. Once wet, it is heavy and hard to dry. Leave down to the experienced backpackers. Synthetic fill is more forgiving and I wouldn't worry too much about the outer shell of the bag; most are made of some form of serviceable washable nylon and clean easily.
- It fits your build. If you are 5'4", why carry the weight for fitting someone 6 feet tall? If you are 6'4", a standard 6' bag will be crammed. Pick the length that is suited to your needs. Consider width too. Most people will fit nicely into a 30" (well muscled) should consider "oversized" bags that are 36" wide.
How Much Do They Cost?
So, what should you pay for a sleeping bag? A sleeping bag may be had for as little as $40 - $50. You can pay a lot more, but it probably isn't necessary for normal backpacking activity and certainly not for some of the trips we have planned at present. Local stores offer fine selections, but prices can vary immensely so be prepared to spend some time doing price comparisons. A few good sources to look at include (but certainly not limited to):
Don't buy on impulse. Stores often have special prices on last year models, floor models, and returned-for-repair items (look for ones with a guarantee). Some examples from Fall 2008 catalogs are shown below.
| Source |
Brand |
Model (Rating-F) |
Weight |
Condition |
Price |
| Campmor |
Slumberjack |
Minaret (60) |
1lb. 11oz. |
New |
$39.97 (Sale) |
| Campmor |
The North Face |
Beeline (30) |
1lb. 6oz. |
New |
$219.97 (Sale) |
| Campmor |
Kelty |
Tundra (15) |
4lbs. 1oz. |
New |
$49.99 (Sale) |
| Campmor |
Kelty |
Light Year (0) |
3lbs. 4oz. |
New |
$209.99 (Sale) |
| Outdoor Outlet |
Kelty |
Light Top (55) |
2lbs. 15oz. |
New |
$49.99 |
| Outdoor Outlet |
Mountain Hard Wear |
Phantom (32) |
1lb. 5oz. |
New |
$244.99 |
| Outdoor Outlet |
Kelty |
Light Year (25) |
3lbs. 2oz. |
New |
$159.99 |
Caring for Your Sleeping Bag
Now, a few hints on packing your bag. During storage (non-use), sleeping bags should not be stuffed in sacks because the lengthy period of constriction can reduce the "loft," which in turn reduces its insulating qualities and rating. When in use, stuff the bag into the smallest stuff sack it will fit. Sadly, most manufactures bags are terribly inadequate for this purpose so you might want to invest in some compression sacks which use webbing and straps on the exterior to help compress the bag further once stuffed inside. This is particularly important for internal frame packs because the bag generally goes inside the lower zipper opening. If too bulky, it will displace other gear. Size is not as crucial for external frame packs since they can be strapped on the outside bottom or top of the frame. I recommend too, that you line your stuff sack with a plastic bag before inserting the sleeping bag. A "goose neck" closure on the opening will keep the water out. External plastic bags work well but they tend to get snagged and torn too easily. Also, never use your sleeping bag stuff-sack as a bear bag; the food smell may transferred from the stuff-sack to the sleeping bag and you could easily become a bear lollipop!