Sleeping Bags...

HOT OR COLD SLEEPER

First off, not every one has the same body temperature. Metabolism varies from person to person, ensuring that body temperature does so as well. Add in the fact that women, as a general rule, tend to sleep colder than men do. Why you ask? Because, believe it or not, we are designed more efficiently. We have an extra layer of fat that men don’t, and to keep our core warm, we pull heat from the extremities. Yes, those icy toes and fingers that can set your partner shrieking in the middle of the night!

This is why you see most women bundled up for bed in the colder months (and sometimes the warmer ones), while their other half is sporting a pair of boxers and nothing more. Women need more warmth.

Sadly, I know this one from experience. I tend to sleep really cold, except in the summer. Even then some nights are questionable. I need to make sure I’ve got a few extras to stay warm, including a liner for my sleeping bag, and a top cover. As well as a really good sleeping mat. I’ve encountered snow and freezing temperatures in the Spring months, so… I learned my lesson! I like my sleep and I don’t like getting sick.

When a bag has a temperature rating of say +35º(F), that means it is a summer sleeping bag, and the user will remain comfortable IF the temperature outside goes no lower than 35º(F). A 3-season bag will normally have a rating of +10º(F) to +35º(F). Your winter sleeping bags are +10º(F) or lower. These guides will be assuming that you are sporting long underwear as well as using a sleeping pad to keep the ground chill from affecting you. A lot of the manufacturers these days are also adding in a temperature rating for women, as well.

If you plan on being a summer camper only, then you ought to be okay with the summer bag, although I would think about a 3 season bag for some areas. However, if you are planning on hitting the wilds during the other seasons, look into a bag that will handle temperatures a little lower than the worst you expect to be experiencing.

If you find you get too hot, you can always open the zipper. However, if you find you are freezing, then it can be difficult - if not impossible -  to get warm again.

Your sleeping bag works with you to keep you warm. When zipped up properly, it traps a layer of  ‘dead air space’ around you. This non-circulating air is warmed up by your body heat and the bag traps it in with you.

CAMPING OR BACKPACKING

You also need to match the sleeping bag with the activity. Camping bags tend to have more room and be more comfortable. However, they weigh more and have more ‘dead air space’ which needs to be warmed up. So, they are technically less efficient than backpacking bags are.  They are also difficult to take backpacking if you are going any distance as they take up far too much room.

SHAPE

There’s a whole variety of shapes out there these days. The most common of which and used prevalently for camping is the rectangular bag. As long as the zippers match up you can join them to make one large bag for two to share. This is great, but not so efficient in the colder months. So keep that in mind.

The barrel shaped bags are still basically a rectangular shape, but they’ve been tapered for comfort and room. These are fantastic for the restless or claustrophobic sleepers who cannot abide the mummy bag, and who want something easier to heat than the standard bag.

The mummy bag is fantastic for staying warmer, although far more restrictive. It is also lighter and less of a burden on the trail.

It all depends on what you are going to be doing, what you are personally comfortable with. Some people love the mummy bag, while others couldn’t sleep in it if their life depended on it. Take the time before you go out to find what is comfortable for you, because once you are out there, it’s too late to discover you aren’t comfortable.

FILLING

Once upon a time it was simple, all that was available was down. Then came the synthetics. Offering a heavier bag, but far more element friendly.

Synthetic fill has a lot of things going for it. It has a much friendlier price tag, not too mention it is quick drying should the worst happen. It can stand up to the kids and pets far better than a down filled bag would. The one thing that the synthetic bag really has against it, it just doesn’t pack down as small as the down, so it’s not quite as versatile if you are going to be backpacking.

These days weight and heat holding ability are about matched up between synthetic and down. Compression factors are getting closer and closer all the time, as well. However, the down bags still beat out the synthetics.

Down is wonderful for warmth and a down bag tends to last longer than a synthetic, which is why the higher cost. The Down bag has a weakness - moisture. When wet, it loses its insulating ability and won’t do squat to keep you warm. So that is a huge risk if you are heading out backpacking. Although, now there are water resistant down bags; they’ve been chemically treated to repel the water. This helps to a certain extent. If you want to go beyond the standard down bag, you can also step up to the even more durable goose down.


WOMEN’S BAGS

These are simply wonderful! Specifically designed, and engineered to match the contours of a woman - wider at the hips and narrower at the shoulders, and the bags are shorter! They also thought of the added kindness of extra insulation in the upper body and the foot area. Ensuring a far more comfortable sleep.

The best way to purchase is to decide what you want the bag for, your preferred materials, and what you can afford. Once you have those options covered, it narrows the field allowing you to find a bag that will fit your body comfortably. Not too big so you freeze your hinny off, and not too small so you are uncomfortable and too warm. Do your research and you’ll have a comfortable sleep.

Happy Trails!