By Steve H.
So, you've bought a backpack, a tent, some other gear. Now you need a sleeping bag. There are about as many sleeping bags to choose from as there are backpacks or tents, but it's an essential piece of gear for backpacking in the wilderness or even somewhere locally. Choosing a sleeping bag can be time consuming, much the same as buying a pack or a tent, but here's some info that may help you in your decision.
When looking at sleeping bags, you'll find that there are two types of bags, down & synthetic. Down is the lightest & warmest of the two, hands down. Down is considered the best between the two types. Yet it should be noted that over the last several years, synthetic sleeping bags have come a long way. Down is generally more money than synthetic. It's lighter & compacts smaller than synthetic bags of the same temperature rating. However, down bags do not do well in wet weather. Once down becomes wet, it loses its loft & its thermal characteristics. The time required to dry a down bag can be several hours to over a day. Therefore, many backpackers & campers in New England, as well as other wet climates, do not rely on down sleeping bags. In extreme cold temperatures, down is the choice for most people.
Both types of sleeping bags are beneficial, so which one should you buy? First of all, ask yourself where you'll be backpacking or camping. This will help determine what type of bag you should be considering. If you'll be located in a hot & dry climate, but with temps that fall quite low at night, then you may be best to go with a down sleeping bag. If you'll be sleeping in warm temps, a lightweight synthetic bag will be more beneficial. If the climate is wet & humid, I'd suggest bringing a synthetic sleeping bag. Synthetic bags dry quickly once they've become wet.
Many people want to buy one sleeping bag that will work year round. This is possible, provided you camp in temperatures & climates that fall within a similar range. Yet many enjoy backpacking & camping in all 4 seasons, so one bag will not likely fill every application. Everyone is different. Some people sleep colder than others, requiring say, a 15 degree sleeping bag when temps are in the twenties or warmer. Some people, myself included, have used a 30 degree bag on nights that dropped to the low twenties or colder. For a bag that will work for 3-season backpacking & camping, I'd suggest going with a 25-30 degree bag. On cooler nights, you can layer clothes & wear an extra pair of socks for warmth. On warmer nights, wearing less clothes while unzipping the sleeping bag part way can help keep you from overheating.
Weight is something that should be considered when shopping for a sleeping bag. For backpacking, especially long-distance hikes, it's wise to carry a bag that's under three pounds. Bags that are over three pounds generally fall in the category of 0 degrees and lower temperatures. Many lightweight bags are 1-1 ½ pounds. This makes a big difference when hauling pack weight over several days of hiking. Keep in mind also, a sleeping bag liner can help add warmth to your sleeping accoutrement. It'll also help prevent the bag from getting dirty too quickly, and minimize the normal wear & tear over time.
This article hasn't been a very thorough analysis of the process involved in choosing the right sleeping bag to buy by any means. Yet hopefully, one or two points here can help you in narrowing down the choices you have when walking into an outfitter. Remember, you don't need a $300 sleeping bag when a $100 or less bag will do just as well. Do a little research, read some reviews, ask lots of questions.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_H.
http://EzineArticles.com/?Choosing-the-Right-Sleeping-Bag&id=2324945
