Frankly speaking, sleeping bags are an integral part of any outdoor activity. Whether you venture out for car camping, backpacking or other such adrenaline-rushing adventures, you will certainly require a sleeping bag to help relieve your exhaustion and refresh your mind and body. As a matter of speaking, sleeping bags can be considered your mobile beds. And, since there is a vast array of sleeping bags, you should dig through some sleeping bag reviews to find out what makes a good sleeping bag and which will be ideal for you.
Generally, the sleeping bags are of two basic shapes i.e. rectangular or mummy shaped. Rectangular sleeping bags are roomier and if you are the type of person that needs to toss around while sleeping then this is the right one for you. On the other hand, the mummy sleeping bags are warmer thanks to their body-hugging shape. Also, they are lighter than the rectangular ones and will be a better choice for backpacking.
Similarly, there are sleeping bags of every type in the market, namely the kid’s sleeping bag, women sleeping bag, 2 person sleeping bag and so on. Anyway, most of the sleeping bag reviews recommends the 2 person sleeping bag.
Further speaking, the sleeping bag comes in two different insulation types i.e. Goose Down or Synthetic. So, the question is- Which is better among these two? Now, since both have their own advantages, it becomes a little bit difficult to choose on over the other. So, to lessen this difficulty, here is a brief take on the pros and cons of down and synthetic.
Down Insulation:
Pros:
- If cared for properly, their insulating power holds on for decade, which means that the down sleeping bags have a long-term durability.
- They are extremely compressible, which is a good thing for backpackers and other campers alike.
- In spite of being light-weight, they are extremely warm.
Cons:
- The down sleeping bags perform quite badly when they are wet or damp. So, they need to be kept dry.
- It also takes a longer time for them to be dry.
- One must take extra care while cleaning or storing the down sleeping bags.
- They are very expensive as compare to the synthetic sleeping bags.
- They have been found to lack breathability.
Synthetic Insulation:
Pros:
- They are cheaper than the down sleeping bags.
- Unlike the down sleeping bags, the synthetic ones can perform better even when exposed to wetness.
- The synthetic sleeping bags are generally roomy and the circulation of heat is also plentiful.
- No need to be extra careful while cleaning or storing.
- Dries faster.
Cons:
- They are not as warm as the down sleeping bags considering their weight to warmth ratio.
- Also, the synthetic sleeping bags quickly lose the heat.
- They are bulkier and much heavier than the down sleeping bags. Backpackers tend to have an ultralight sleeping bag to ease their journey.
Now, beside the insulation, one of the most essential things that you should look for in your sleeping bag is the temperature rating. While camping in the wilderness, the night temperature may dropped to 0 degree Celsius or even lower and, if your sleeping bag has not the appropriate temperature ratings then, don’t blame me, but you’ll certainly catch the cold.
To make you understand what the temperature ratings are, take this example- If a sleeping bag is 20 degree F temperature rated, then it means that it will keep you warm in the temperatures down to 20o Fahrenheit, if the temperature is below this, then you’ll experience a shivering night. Similarly, if it is 15 degree product, then it will keep you warm in the temperatures down to 15 degree.
Required temperature ratings according to season:
- During summer, your sleeping bag should have the temperature ratings of about 40 degrees F or comparatively higher.
- During winter, your sleeping bag must have the temperature ratings of 0 degree F or even lower.
As a side note, the 3 season sleeping bags generally have the temperature rating of around 20o Fahrenheit. Nevertheless, these temperature ratings are not 100% accurate if we take into account the sleeper’s body heat, environmental condition of that place and so on.
Additionally, if you want to make your sleeping bag more personalized, then you could add some accessories like sleeping pad, feather-filled pillows, flannel liner and other quality features that are on sale. Keep in mind that your sleeping bag can not only come into handy during outdoor camping but you can also use it for indoor purpose like when you receive guests and friends.
The leading brands in sleeping bag are the Big Agnes, Mountain Hardware, North Face, Casper, Coleman, Grizzly and some others. Each brand claim their products to be the best and your cool head will probably get hot if you try to decipher which is actually the best sleeping bag. So, it would be wise for you to read the specific sleeping bag reviews before you rush on to purchase one particular sleeping bag. And the best place for both buying and reviewing is the amazon.com where you can get yourself acquainted with the experience of other customers who have bought that specific sleeping bag for which you have an eye for.
Thanks to the intriguing features attached to this soft rectangular double sleeping bag, the Hampton manufacturers guarantee you and your partner a good long sleep when you go camping outdoors. You can purchase this comfortable sleeping bag at the price of around £50.00 if you go to right shop.
This roomy sleeping bag offers two happy campers a comfortable sleep, making them feel as if they are actually in their bed at home. The standard price of this bag is around $139.00 but if you go to amazon.com or other such sites, you can buy it in a cheap price.