Alright, let's talk sleeping bags!
There are a bunch of different styles.
Mummy bags are snug and keep heat in super well. Great if it's chilly or you're backpacking since they're warm but don't weigh much.
Rectangular bags? So comfy and roomy! You can unzip them all the way and use them like a blanket. Perfect for warm weather or crashing indoors.
If you want something in between, check out semi-rectangular or barrel-shaped bags. They're a bit more roomy than mummy bags but still keep you pretty warm.
For couples (or parents with little ones), double sleeping bags are the way to go. Tons of space, but they're kinda heavy to lug around.
Then there are backpacking quilts. These are super light because they don't have insulation on the bottom. You use them with a sleeping pad. Minimalist hikers love 'em.
🌡️ What About Temp Ratings?
Sleeping bags come with temperature ratings to tell you how cold it can get before you freeze. Look for ratings from EN or ISO – they're the most trustworthy.
The comfort rating tells you the lowest temp a cold person can sleep comfy.
The limit rating is for the lowest temp that a warm person can still sleep okay.
The extreme rating? That's just if you're trying to survive. Don't use that for normal camping!
Keep in mind these ratings assume you have a decent sleeping pad and you're wearing some layers.
🪶 What's Inside?
Down insulation is made from duck or goose feathers. It squishes down small and is really warm without being heavy. Works great when it's dry, or when weight is your main problem. But if it gets wet, it's not so good unless it's treated to repel water.
Synthetic insulation is often polyester. It stays warm when it gets wet and dries fast, so it's good for damp places. It's heavier than down, but it's cheaper, and good for those with allergies.
🎒 What They're Made Of
The outside of the bag is usually nylon or polyester. Nylon, especially ripstop nylon, is light but tough. Some have a coating that repels water.
The inside lining is usually soft and breathable to keep you from getting sweaty. Inside, there are things that keep the insulation evenly spread, which means no cold spots.
🧤 Cool Features
Draft collars go around your neck to keep warm air from escaping.
Draft tubes are like padded strips along the zipper to block cold air from getting in.
Two-way zippers let you open the bag from the bottom or top to cool off.
Hoods keep your head warm when it’s super cold.
Footboxes give your feet extra space or warmth.
Inside pockets are for stashing small stuff like your phone or a headlamp.
Compression sacks make the bags easy to pack. Storage sacks are bigger and breathable for when you're storing the bag long-term.
📏 Find Your Size
Make sure your bag is the right length (regular, short, or long) for your height. If it’s too big, it's a waste of warmth. Too small, and you'll be uncomfortable.
Some bags are wide or slim fit. Women’s bags are often shorter with narrower shoulders, wider hips and extra heat in important areas.
Bags for kids are smaller and lighter, often with fun designs. They still focus on safety and keeping those little ones warm.
🪶 Weight
For backpacking, lighter is better. Down bags pack smaller and weigh less, but synthetic bags might be better if you're not worried about the weight and it will be wet.
Super light bags are under 2 pounds and keep things simple. Normal camping bags are like 2–4 pounds. Winter bags can be way heavier cause they need extra padding.
There are a bunch of different styles.
Mummy bags are snug and keep heat in super well. Great if it's chilly or you're backpacking since they're warm but don't weigh much.
Rectangular bags? So comfy and roomy! You can unzip them all the way and use them like a blanket. Perfect for warm weather or crashing indoors.
If you want something in between, check out semi-rectangular or barrel-shaped bags. They're a bit more roomy than mummy bags but still keep you pretty warm.
For couples (or parents with little ones), double sleeping bags are the way to go. Tons of space, but they're kinda heavy to lug around.
Then there are backpacking quilts. These are super light because they don't have insulation on the bottom. You use them with a sleeping pad. Minimalist hikers love 'em.
🌡️ What About Temp Ratings?
Sleeping bags come with temperature ratings to tell you how cold it can get before you freeze. Look for ratings from EN or ISO – they're the most trustworthy.
The comfort rating tells you the lowest temp a cold person can sleep comfy.
The limit rating is for the lowest temp that a warm person can still sleep okay.
The extreme rating? That's just if you're trying to survive. Don't use that for normal camping!
Keep in mind these ratings assume you have a decent sleeping pad and you're wearing some layers.
🪶 What's Inside?
Down insulation is made from duck or goose feathers. It squishes down small and is really warm without being heavy. Works great when it's dry, or when weight is your main problem. But if it gets wet, it's not so good unless it's treated to repel water.
Synthetic insulation is often polyester. It stays warm when it gets wet and dries fast, so it's good for damp places. It's heavier than down, but it's cheaper, and good for those with allergies.
🎒 What They're Made Of
The outside of the bag is usually nylon or polyester. Nylon, especially ripstop nylon, is light but tough. Some have a coating that repels water.
The inside lining is usually soft and breathable to keep you from getting sweaty. Inside, there are things that keep the insulation evenly spread, which means no cold spots.
🧤 Cool Features
Draft collars go around your neck to keep warm air from escaping.
Draft tubes are like padded strips along the zipper to block cold air from getting in.
Two-way zippers let you open the bag from the bottom or top to cool off.
Hoods keep your head warm when it’s super cold.
Footboxes give your feet extra space or warmth.
Inside pockets are for stashing small stuff like your phone or a headlamp.
Compression sacks make the bags easy to pack. Storage sacks are bigger and breathable for when you're storing the bag long-term.
📏 Find Your Size
Make sure your bag is the right length (regular, short, or long) for your height. If it’s too big, it's a waste of warmth. Too small, and you'll be uncomfortable.
Some bags are wide or slim fit. Women’s bags are often shorter with narrower shoulders, wider hips and extra heat in important areas.
Bags for kids are smaller and lighter, often with fun designs. They still focus on safety and keeping those little ones warm.
🪶 Weight
For backpacking, lighter is better. Down bags pack smaller and weigh less, but synthetic bags might be better if you're not worried about the weight and it will be wet.
Super light bags are under 2 pounds and keep things simple. Normal camping bags are like 2–4 pounds. Winter bags can be way heavier cause they need extra padding.
🔥 How to Use Your Bag Like a Pro
Always put a sleeping pad under your bag. It makes things comfy and keeps you from losing heat to the ground.
A liner helps keep your bag clean, makes it last longer, and gives you extra warmth.
Wear the right clothes to bed – thermal base layers help keep your body at the right temp without getting too hot.
If you're feeling sweaty, open up the bag to let some air in. And use the hood and other features when it's freezing.
Keep your bag dry. When it's wet, use dry sacks or waterproof bags. If it's cold and dry, let your bag air out every day so it doesn't get damp.
🧼 Taking Care of Your Bag
After you use your bag, let it air out.
If you need to clean it, just clean the dirty parts. If you have to wash the whole thing, use a front-loading washing machine with soap made for down or sensitive fabrics. Don't use a top-loading machine – it can mess up the insulation.
To dry down bags, toss them in the dryer with clean tennis balls on low heat. This keeps them fluffy. Synthetic bags are simpler to dry, but still use low heat.
Never keep your bag squished up for a long time. Keep it loose in a bag that breathes or hang it up somewhere cool and dry.
🧊 Freezing Weather Tricks
Use a liner for more warmth.
Eat something warm and filling before you sleep.
Wear a beanie or something over your head in the bag.
Heat up a water bottle and keep it close to your body or feet.
Make sure your sleeping pad is well-insulated for frozen ground.
Try not to breathe into the bag – dampness makes it less warm.
🚫 Things to Watch Out For
Picking a bag that's not right for the weather.
Not using a sleeping pad.
Storing your sleeping bag all squished up.
Not paying attention to the zipper.
Thinking the insulation will work even if your tent or tarp is wet.
🔍 Quick Look: Down vs. Synthetic
Feature. Down. Synthetic
Warmth. Great. Good
Wetness. Bad. Good
Easy store.Yes. Okay
Cost.High. Low
Last. Long. Short
Always put a sleeping pad under your bag. It makes things comfy and keeps you from losing heat to the ground.
A liner helps keep your bag clean, makes it last longer, and gives you extra warmth.
Wear the right clothes to bed – thermal base layers help keep your body at the right temp without getting too hot.
If you're feeling sweaty, open up the bag to let some air in. And use the hood and other features when it's freezing.
Keep your bag dry. When it's wet, use dry sacks or waterproof bags. If it's cold and dry, let your bag air out every day so it doesn't get damp.
🧼 Taking Care of Your Bag
After you use your bag, let it air out.
If you need to clean it, just clean the dirty parts. If you have to wash the whole thing, use a front-loading washing machine with soap made for down or sensitive fabrics. Don't use a top-loading machine – it can mess up the insulation.
To dry down bags, toss them in the dryer with clean tennis balls on low heat. This keeps them fluffy. Synthetic bags are simpler to dry, but still use low heat.
Never keep your bag squished up for a long time. Keep it loose in a bag that breathes or hang it up somewhere cool and dry.
🧊 Freezing Weather Tricks
Use a liner for more warmth.
Eat something warm and filling before you sleep.
Wear a beanie or something over your head in the bag.
Heat up a water bottle and keep it close to your body or feet.
Make sure your sleeping pad is well-insulated for frozen ground.
Try not to breathe into the bag – dampness makes it less warm.
🚫 Things to Watch Out For
Picking a bag that's not right for the weather.
Not using a sleeping pad.
Storing your sleeping bag all squished up.
Not paying attention to the zipper.
Thinking the insulation will work even if your tent or tarp is wet.
🔍 Quick Look: Down vs. Synthetic
Feature. Down. Synthetic
Warmth. Great. Good
Wetness. Bad. Good
Easy store.Yes. Okay
Cost.High. Low
Last. Long. Short