Getting to Know Your Sleeping Bag
Posted on 27 April, 2009 | No Comments
Like tents, backpacks and jackets, sleeping bag is an outdoor gear that each camper should not miss on their checklist. If this is your first time to buy one, here are some basic information that you need to know.
Your sleeping comfort during the camping adventure is affected by the type of environment or the weather in the campsite. Your sleeping bag therefore should be able to withstand this challenge so you have to check its insulating ability. It will be helpful if you will check customer reviews like those of Marmot Atom reviews.
Critical to sleeping bags are the materials used and its construction. These will define the bag’s weight and insulating power. Because each camper has special needs and preferences, sleeping bags are designed either as mummy or rectangular shaped, for men, women and children.
Sleeping bags are also rated according to the number of seasons they can withstand thus they are rated as one-season, two-season, three-season or four-season bags. Relative to this, down fill bags the ones used for extreme weather camping due the material’s insulating ability. Synthetic fill is a cheaper, lighter alternative but does not provide maximum comfort during extreme weather conditions.
The materials used to construct the sleeping bag also define its quality. Manufacturers use different shell, liner and fill materials for each type of bag. The most common shell materials are nylon, polyester and taffeta. They are cheaper than synthetic materials but are less durable yet extremely breathable. Like canvass, these are recommended for car camping and general camping during warmer seasons. Microfiber, Gore-Tex and DryLoft are ultra light materials used in sleeping bags for cold weather camping.
Sleeping bag’s performance is also enhanced by its zipper system and stitching. To prevent the entry of cold spots, bags are built with hoods, collar and pillow pockets for maximum comfort. Your choice of sleeping bag should be based on your actual needs in the campsite and your budget.