Guide To Sleeping Bags-How to Choose
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\r\n Owning a cool, affordable sleeping bag is useful for many times when you want to sleep over at a friend's house or maybe have a backyard party and sleep in the garden for fun.\r\n
\r\n\r\n There are a variety of options to choose from with different shapes, sizes and features, but your choice should be based on where you will use the sleeping bag. Will you be camping in below zero temperatures? Will you need to haul your backpack through rough terrain? These are questions to consider before you purchase a sleeping bag or sleeping bag accessories,Here's some ideas to choose one suitable for such use.\r\n
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\r\n\r\n Components\r\n
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\r\n\r\n Hood\r\n
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- \r\n Prevents heat from escaping the head, neck and shoulders\r\n \r\n
- \r\n Varying shapes of hoods, form fitting hoods usually for trail campers and flat hoods for campground and wilderness campers\r\n \r\n
- \r\n Not featured in every sleeping bag\r\n \r\n
\r\n Draft Collars\r\n
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- \r\n Tubes of insulation inside the hood on mummy bags\r\n \r\n
- \r\n Seal the neck and shoulders from heat loss\r\n \r\n
\r\n Draft Tubes\r\n
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- \r\n Strips of insulation that run along the inside of the zipper\r\n \r\n
- \r\n Prevent heat loss through the zipper\r\n \r\n
\r\n Chest Baffles\r\n
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- \r\n Tubes of insulation that wrap across the chest\r\n \r\n
- \r\n Prevent heat loss through upper torso area\r\n \r\n
\r\n Accessory Pockets\r\n
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- \r\n Sewn into some sleeping bags, these pockets allow campers to store small objects, like a phone or watch, inside the bag\r\n \r\n
- \r\n Gives campers easy access to items without opening the bag and losing heat\r\n \r\n
\r\n Lining\r\n
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- \r\n Nylon: Lightweight, easy to wash, dries easily\r\n \r\n
- \r\n Polyester: Dries quickly, not as breathable, wrinkle-resistant\r\n \r\n
- \r\n Cotton: Strong, absorbent, breathable\r\n \r\n
- \r\n Poly cotton: Coolness and lightness of cotton with the strength, durability and wrinkle-resistance of polyester\r\n \r\n
\r\n Zipper\r\n
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- \r\n Two way zipper allows better ventilation and flexibility\r\n \r\n
- \r\n On mummy bags: Right handed people should buy a left handed zipper sleeping bag, and left handed people should buy a right handed zipper sleeping bag\r\n \r\n
\r\n Outer Shell\r\n
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- \r\n Nylon: High quality bags use nylon because it is lightweight and durable\r\n \r\n
- \r\n Polyester: Less expensive bags use polyester shells, dries quickly, tough\r\n \r\n
- \r\n Poly cotton: Lightness of cotton with strength of polyester\r\n \r\n
- \r\n Cotton: Provides maximum comfort and feel\r\n \r\n
- \r\n Element barrier : Super durable and weather resistant\r\n \r\n
- \r\n Canvas duck: Heavy duty fabric for rugged camping\r\n \r\n
\r\n Storage Sacks\r\n
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- \r\n Stuff Sack—Durable drawstring bag that holds your sleeping bag. Make sure you completely dry your sleeping bag before putting it in a storage sack.\r\n \r\n
- \r\n Compression Sack—Saves space, reduces size and easy to use. Don't leave bag in compression sack for long periods of time, as it will reduce the loft.\r\n \r\n
- \r\n Storage Sack—Loose fitting cotton bag that you store your sleeping bag in at home\r\n \r\n
\r\n Note: The ideal way to store your sleeping bag at home is hanging in a closet from the loops provided on the bag\r\n
\r\n\r\n Footboxes\r\n
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- \r\n Eliminates dead air around the feet\r\n \r\n
- \r\n Different shapes and sizes, from roomy to form-fitting\r\n \r\n
- \r\n Trapezoidal box that provides extra foot room\r\n \r\n
\r\n Sleeping Bag Care\r\n
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- \r\n Dry out your bag after every use.\r\n \r\n
- \r\n Pay careful attention to the washing instructions provided when you purchased the sleeping bag. If you lost them, wash your bag by hand in a tub with a mild detergent and tumble dry on low heat, or wash in a front-loading washer on a gentle cycle with cold water.\r\n \r\n
- \r\n Store you bag in a cool, dry place. The sleeping bag will last longer if you store it loosely in a cotton storage sack because it prevents insulation from getting permanently compressed.\r\n \r\n
- \r\n Hang out sleeping bags to dry or tumble dry on low heat when they are wet. Never store a wet sleeping bag.\r\n \r\n
\r\n Glossary\r\n
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- \r\n 7 Hole Fiber Insulation: Insulation fibers with 7" interior tubes or air pockets that trap heat while reducing weight compared to solid fibers.\r\n \r\n
- \r\n Baffle Construction: Vertical walls of fabric are sewn between the shell and liner to keep insulation in place and minimize the compression found in a sewn-through construction.\r\n \r\n
- \r\n Blanket or Single Layer Quilted Construction: Sleeping bag construction method where shell and liner are sewn together to compress insulation.\r\n \r\n
- \r\n Double Layer Offset Construction: Sleeping bag construction method where insulation is sewn to the shell and liner separately with stitches offset to improve insulation efficiency, loft and warmth per pound of insulation.\r\n \r\n
- \r\n Shingled Construction: Sleeping bag construction method where insulation is stacked in layers and sewn to the shell and liner, similar to using the insulation as its own "baffle".\r\n \r\n
- \r\n Draft Tube: Additional insulation that folds against a zipper or person's shoulders to eliminate drafts or cold spots.\r\n \r\n
- \r\n Right vs. Left Zipper: Zipper location on a mummy-style sleeping bag. One left and one right are required to "mate" or zip together two mummy-style bags.\r\n \r\n
- \r\n Ripstop: Unique fabric weave that adds tear resistance to fabrics.\r\n \r\n
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\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Pick a Temperature Rating\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n A sleeping bag's temperature rating identifies the lowest temperature at which a bag is intended to keep the average sleeper warm. When a bag is described as a "20 degree bag," it means that most users should remain comfortable if the air temperature drops no lower than 20°F. These ratings assume that the sleeper is wearing a layer of long underwear and using a sleeping pad under the bag.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Metabolism varies from person to person, and sleeping bag temperature ratings vary from one manufacturer to the next. Use these ratings as a guide only—not a guarantee.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n What Else Affects My Overall Warmth?\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Besides the sleeping bag itself, these factors influence your warmth and comfort:\r\n
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- \r\n Sleeping pad: This insulates the space between your bag and the cold ground (reducing convective heat loss) and adds a layer of cushioning.\r\n \r\n
- \r\n Tent: Using a tent traps another layer of "dead air" around you, warming it by up to 10°F.\r\n \r\n
- \r\n Metabolism: Are you a "cold sleeper" who prefers extra insulation when sleeping? Or are you a "warm sleeper" who kicks off the covers at home?\r\n \r\n
- \r\n Gender: Women generally prefer a bit warmer bag than men, up to 8°F warmer per EN (European Norm) testing on backpacking bags.\r\n \r\n
- \r\n Clothing: What you wear inside the bag makes a difference. Long underwear and clean socks help insulate you while also keeping body oils off of your bag. A cap and neck gaiter help retain body heat. For colder-than-expected nights, a fleece jacket and pants can help.\r\n \r\n
- \r\n Hood: Sleeping bags with hoods (more commonly found on backpacking bags) can be cinched up on cold nights to help retain warmth.\r\n \r\n
- \r\n Hydration: Staying hydrated adds warmth. Enjoy a warm drink before bed.\r\n \r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Tips on Choosing Wisely\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Select a bag with a temperature rating a bit lower than the lowest temperature you expect to encounter. If you're headed for near-freezing temperatures, then choose a 20°F bag instead of a 35°F bag. If temperatures remain higher than expected, you can easily vent the bag to provide more air circulation.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Sleeping bags are typically categorized like this:\r\n
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\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n Bag Type\r\n \r\n\r\n Temperature Rating (°F)\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n Summer Season\r\n \r\n\r\n +35° and higher\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n 3-Season Bag\r\n \r\n\r\n +10° to +35°\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n Cold Weather\r\n \r\n\r\n -10° to +10°\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n \r\n\r\n Winter/Extreme\r\n \r\n\r\n -10° and lower\r\n \r\n\r\n
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\r\n\r\n Note: Most camping bags feature a temperature rating between +15°F and +50°F.\r\n
\r\n\r\n Shop REI's selection of sleeping bags (to narrow search, click on "family & car camping" under the Best Use option in left column).\r\n
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\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Once you've landed on a temperature rating, insulation and shape, consider these points.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Zipper compatibility: Some bags can be zipped together to create a double bed. You can mate any 2 sleeping bags IF:\r\n
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- \r\n One bag has a "right-hand" zipper and the other a "left-hand" zipper. Note: A right-hand zip means the bag opens and closes to your right when you are lying in the bag on your back.\r\n \r\n
- \r\n The zippers are the same size, style and roughly the same length.\r\n \r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Double-wide bags: Designed to comfortably sleep 2 people, roomy double-wide bags can be combined with an air mattress (or foam sleeping pad) for a cozy night's sleep. Most models zip apart to create 2 individual bags.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Hood: Camping in cooler temperatures? You'll lose a lot of heat through your head. Consider a semirectangular bag with a built-in hood. When cinched with a drawcord, the hood prevents heat from radiating away. Some hoods offer a pillow pocket that you can stuff with clothing to create a pillow.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Stash pocket: This keeps small items, such as an MP3 player, watch or glasses, close at hand.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Sleeping pad sleeve: On some bags, the underside insulation has been replaced with a sleeve to fit a sleeping pad. The result: no more rolling off the sleep pad in the middle of the night!\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Pillow: Most of us need one for comfortable sleep. Some bags include a "pillow pocket" which allows you to stuff your clothes inside to create a pillow. You can also purchase a camp-specific pillow or, if you have room, simply bring your own pillow from home.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Sleeping bag liner: Slip a soft sleeping bag liner (sold separately) inside your bag to minimize wear and keep the bag clean. Layering in a liner adds 8° to 15°F of warmth, allowing a single bag to serve you in a wider variety of temperatures. Camping in very warm weather? Skip the bag and just sleep in the liner.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Stuff sack: Many bags come with a stuff sack (sold separately) to easily transport your bag. New or replacement stuff sacks are now sized by volume (liters) in addition to length x width dimensions.\r\n
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