How To Have a Comfortable Sleep When Camping!
Trevor Kassulke
The last thing you want to happen when you're 20 miles into the
woods is to find your sleeping bag is not warm enough. You will
be facing a very long and restless night which can ruin your
spirits and sap your strength for the next day.
So how do you make sure you've selected the right sleeping bag
for your needs? There are several aspects to consider:
GOOSE DOWN or SYNTHETIC?
There are pros and cons to most of the options available in
sleeping bags.
Goose down is very warm. It is lightweight to carry and can be
easily compressed for travel and quickly regain form when shaken
out. It is by far a better choice for backpackers who intend to
carry the bag with them for extended trips because of the lighter
weight and smaller packing. However, goose down is also more
expensive and loses its insulating properties when wet - a
consideration if sleeping outdoors or traveling in inclement
weather.
Synthetic filled bags are cheaper than goose down and retain
their warmth even in wet conditions. They dry faster than down
and are good choices if traveling by boat or sleeping outdoors
on the ground. However, synthetic bags are heavier and larger
which can be a downside if you are hiking long distances with the
bag.
For the average family camper synthetic bags are the least
expensive and least affected by wet conditions. If traveling by
car to a campground the size and weight of a synthetic bag should
not be a problem.
RECTANGLE, TAPERED or MUMMY BAG?
As with the insulating materials, the shape of bag you choose
will depend on your specific needs with pros and cons for each
type.
Rectangle bags are most similar to bed sleeping and most familiar
to the average user. They permit room for movement and you can
easily zip two bags together for shared sleeping. However,
rectangle bags are the biggest and not the best option for
carrying on extended hikes.
Tapered bags are somewhat narrower towards the feet area of the
sleeping bag. This shape provides less freedom of movement but
more warmth because of the restricted space.
Mummy bags are the smallest and lightest to carry. They are very
snug to the body (as the name suggests) with a hood that can be
fitted around the head to conserve the greatest amount of body
heat. While the average user may find the mummy bag uncomfortable
to sleep in because of the restriction, they are the best choice
for cold weather camping and long hikes because of their warmth
and small size.
WHICH TEMPERATURE RATING?
Sleeping bags will list the coldest temperature they are suitable
for sleeping in. Depending on if you are camping in the summer or
colder months you will need to choose a bag accordingly. Also
take into consideration if you are normally cold or hot when
sleeping and make the adjustments.
In most cases it is recommended to choose a warmer bag since you
can always open it for venting if it is too warm. The temperature
rating is based on using a sleeping pad under the sleeping bag
which conserves body heat from the ground.
ADDITIONS:
If you frequently camp out you may want to consider a liner for
your bag which will increase its warmth and can be washed
separately, saving your sleeping bag from extra wear and tear.
You can also purchase sleeping bag covers. Some of these can
substitute for a warm weather sleeping bag and can extend an all
season bag into a cold weather bag by increasing the warmth. They
can also provide extra protection from wet conditions and are a
good choice for protecting goose down sleeping bags.
How comfortable you are when you sleep will drastically affect
your enjoyment of a camping or hiking trip. Saving five or ten
dollars at the expense of a good nights sleep will not seem like
a good idea when you are tired and cold out in the woods, so
choose wisely.
Trevor Kassulke writes articles on many disciplines
This article is provided courtesy of
http://backpackpacker.com
backpackpacker.com is an information resource for the backpacker,
including hiking, camping, trekking, backpacking equipment, tips
and much more.
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