The hood serves a valuable purpose, and it is better to go with bags that have this feature. Since you might lose plenty of heat if your head is not covered correctly, you should opt for those with hoods with drawcords, making it easier to close the hood around your head.
- What is the temperature rating?
It would help not to wash sleeping bags unless they become filthy because regular washing causes them to lose their thermal and warmth-giving properties. After washing them, lay them out under the sun until they are dry. It is better to use a soft soap than hard soaps containing hydrogen peroxide.
- Does it come with a zipper?
The temperature rating is the lowest temperature at which the bag would keep you comfortable. A higher rating is suitable for the summers, while a low rating works best for winter. For example, you might consider choosing one with a 12 degrees Celsius rating.
- What material is it made from?
Some people are comfortable carrying heavier bags, while others find the extra weight uncomfortable. The bag’s weight will largely depend on the fabric used in its manufacture, and those made from goose-downs are incredibly lightweight. Your bag should not weigh more than two pounds, as anything heavier than that would be challenging for you to handle.
- How much does it weigh?
How long has it been since you last tried camping? Enjoying nature’s company, listening to its musical symphonies, allowing it to caress your inner self, and rediscovering the lost ties to nature: talk about sheer bliss! During a camping trip, you could learn to build a fire, go fishing, hiking, roast smores, and even try your hand at photography. According to experts, you require torches, paracords, pillows, water bottles, first aid kits, and camping sleeping bags during a camping trip. Since you would be out in the wilderness, a bag provides you protection from the rain, sun, and other elements of nature. If you’re camping during the winter season, its usefulness increases several times over, as it would provide you with warmth and comfort at all times. But what are some things you must look for in a sleeping bag?
- What is the bag’s shape?
Tips for maintaining sleeping bags
- Does the bag have a hood?
Interestingly, the shape also plays a role in keeping you warm inside. Rectangular or barrel-shaped bags might give you plenty of room to move but would not be ideal if keeping warm is your priority. In contrast, although restrictive in movement, mummy-shaped bags offer maximum warmth and are excellent for cold weather conditions.
- Is there a pillow pocket?
A pillow pocket refers to a pocket inside the sleeping bag that you can use as a pillow if required. Even though you might have to fill it with some clothes, it gives you something to rest your head on and enhances the sleeping experience.
The comfort and strength of the bag will also depend a lot on the material manufacturers have used while making it. Goose-down, water-resistant, and synthetic are the three primary materials used in camping sleeping bags, and each of these has its advantages. While the goose-down gives more warmth than synthetic, it is slightly more expensive. Synthetic will also cost you less than the others and is resistant to dampness, and it is also hypoallergenic and highly durable. If you hate even the slightest trace of dampness, you must opt for water-resistant downs.
The information mentioned above will give you some idea about buying camping sleeping bags and how you can select those that provide the utmost warmth, comfort and insulation. Having a good bag will help you relax and rest during your camping trip.
You might want to buy a bag with a zipper because it will enable you to control the internal temperature effectively by preventing the entry of cold inside. The zipper has the exact mechanism on a jacket, where you pull it upwards to the desired length. Some bags also come with glow-in-the-dark zipper pulls and are helpful in areas with relatively low light.
