{"id":336,"date":"2021-01-20T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-01-20T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/opensourceoptions.com\/publiclandsjournal\/?p=336"},"modified":"2021-01-20T06:01:43","modified_gmt":"2021-01-20T06:01:43","slug":"choose-the-right-sleeping-bag-for-camping","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/publiclandsjournal.com\/choose-the-right-sleeping-bag-for-camping\/","title":{"rendered":"Choose the Right Sleeping Bag for Camping"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Choosing a sleeping bag for camping is an important task. A sleeping bag is one of the most important pieces of camping gear you will own because it’s what keeps you comfortable at night. Sleeping discomfort is what makes many people shy away from camping. Pick the right sleeping bag and you’re in for a good night’s rest in the woods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When choosing a sleeping bag for camping it’s important to know the conditions you expect to use the bag in. This will help you know which style of bag to select and which temperature rating you need. Once you’ve determined those things it’s easy to find a bag that will keep you comfortable. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Before purchasing a sleeping bag it’s important to consider which activities and conditions you’ll be using your sleeping bag in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Do you want it to double as a backpacking sleeping bag? If so, you’ll want to get a bag that isn’t too heavy and bulky. If you camp on a cot or a big air mattress you may want to get a roomier bag so you’re not as confined. Maybe you want the option to zip two bags together to create a big double-bag, or just want to get a double bag from the start. If you camp year-round and want one bag to use in all conditions there are modular sleeping bags that fill that niche.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You’ll find that narrowing down the purpose of your sleeping bag makes it easy to limit your search down to a few styles that will best fit your needs. Then you can decide on the temperature rating that will work best for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Getting the right temperature rating for the locations and seasons you camp is going to be the most important part of choosing a sleeping bag. Getting a bag that isn’t warm enough could lead to some really uncomfortable, and potentially dangerous, nights. A bag that’s too warm will also be uncomfortable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Unfortunately, there’s no temperature rating I can tell you that will work well for all situations. You’ll have to determine the temperature rating you need your bag to be based on the places you visit and the seasons you camp. To help you out I’ve developed a guide that walks you through what to consider when choosing a sleeping bag temperature rating<\/a>. The guide is complete with maps of seasonal low temperatures for the United States so you can know what to expect in different locations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I always recommend selecting a bag that is EN or ISO rated. EN and ISO are testing standards for sleeping bags so you know that your bag was actually tested to determine its temperature limits instead of a company just making their best guess. You can read more about EN and ISO ratings in this article<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you’ve decided on the temperature rating you need it’s time to decide what type of fill material will work best for you. Sleeping bags are made with two primary options for fill material: synthetic fill and down fill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Synthetic fill is man-made insulation. There are many different types of synthetic fill. Each company makes its own variation. In the end, they all end up being pretty similar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For most camping situations I would recommend a synthetic fill sleeping bag. Synthetic fill has two main advantages over down fill. First, synthetic sleeping bags cost considerably less than down bags. Second, a synthetic bag will insulate you, even if the insulation becomes wet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The big disadvantage of synthetic fill compared to down fill is that synthetic bags are heavier and bulkier than down bags of the same temperature rating. In camping situations, weight and bulk usually aren’t an issue. Most campers transport gear in their vehicles and only carry it a short distance to a campsite. A few extra ounces or cubic inches won’t make much of a difference in these situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDecide How You Will Use Your Sleeping Bag<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Determine the Temperature Rating You Need<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Decide on a Fill Material<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Synthetic Fill<\/h3>\n\n\n\n