Fishing
Camping
Hunting
General
 
 
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If you plan on enjoying your camping trip, one of the most important things you can do is make sure you have a good Sleeping Bag. While there are numerous sleeping bags from which to choose, you can simplify the selection process by considering a few facts; your body size, the climate where you will be camping, and whether or not you will be carrying it in a back pack. If you rarely camp, you may be able to get by with a lighter sleeping bag and some extra blankets. But if you plan on camping often, you may want to consider some of these other possiblities. Sleeping bags are specifically designed for certain temperatures, come in certain weights, shapes and sizes, and are filled with a various types of fillings, include down and synthetic.
I would recommend a waterproof / water resistant sleeping bag. Your tent may already be waterproofed, but even so, leaks can happen, and so can spills. If you are not going to be sleeping in a tent and prefer to sleep under the stars, definitely look for a water proof sleeping bag.
If you are backpacking, you will certainly want a light bag to reduce the weight you will be carrying. But if you are going to be taking your supplies to the campground by vehicle, go with a heavier bag in case of extreme cold. If you get too warm, you can open the bag a little to cool off, but if you get too cold, you are out of luck. The bag should have manufacturer specifications so you can see what temperature it was designed to be used in.
One thing to consider is using a cot to sleep on on. Another is, and you will at least want to do this, is getting an air filled pad or a regular pad to sleep on. This will make a big difference and it was worth it.
There is an inner lining that helps protect you from the cold. You have the outer shell, and the inner lining. The area between the inner and outer lining (the loft) helps to retain the heat your body generates. This is usually goose down, duck down or something synthetic. Down is very light and makes for great insulation, though if it gets wet takes a long time to dry. Down is best, but synthetic is less expensive (remember, a sleeping bag may not be the place to cut corners on expense).
There are definite advantages to synthetics. They do cost less and they dry quickly when they get wet. The better synthetics work nearly as well as down. However, they are heavier to carry and bulkier. Good synthetics to consider would be Duofill and Hollofil.
Sleeping bags also come in a variety of sizes from rectangular to mummy type bags. Mummy type bags taper near the feet and allow you to 'wrap up' in the bag. If you need more room to move around, consider a rectangular bag. Something in between would be a semi-rectangular bag which is tapered at the foot, has more room in the body of the bag and still has a contoured hood for extra warmth.
If you have that significant other in your life, you can get a double bag. This bag can also be used as an extra source of warmth for one person because you can wrap the extra material around you.
The shell of the sleeping bag is usually polyester or nylon. Look for something with a higher thread count for better quality. Ripstop (a type of nylon) is a very good choice. Linings are usually a blend of polyester and cotton. Fleece is the softest.
Make the right choice and you will have the right sleeping bag to give you years of enjoyment in the wilderness.
Make the right choice and you will have the right sleeping bag to give you years of enjoyment in the wilderness.
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By Bobby Ivie
Bobby Ivie is an avid fishman and owner of Fishing-Hunting-Camping.com and Fishing-Articles.net He makes his living online by building Virtual Real Estate
This article may be reprinted as long as this source box is added and the source box hyperlinks are kept intact.
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