To make your camping trip go smoothly, you need to get the right camping gear. No, this does not mean packing your house into a couple of bags, because on a camping trip, you’re not going to be able to enjoy the conveniences of a home. What you will enjoy is an outdoor trip that won’t break your back while opening your eyes to the wonders of nature’s beauty.

Since we spend a lot of time resting and sleeping, a camping sleeping bag worthy of a good night’s sleep should be at the top of your list. How to choose a quality camping sleeping bag will depend on your sleeping habits, as well as the details of your camping trip.

For instance, are you planning to drive to the camping grounds, or hike your way to a camping site? Can you sleep on a hard surface, or do you need a cushiony bed? What time of the year is your camping trip, and does your camping area get any snow? Going on backpacking italian lakes holidays? Are you sleeping outdoors or in a tent? These are just some of the details you need to straighten out before going shopping for sleeping bags for camping.

When you have your trip all planned out, then shopping for the ideal camping sleeping bag is going to be a breeze – and a matter of price, of course. However, regardless of your budget, here are some of the features of a camping sleeping bag that you need to focus on.

• A quality, heavy-duty zipper which can be opened both ways, from inside or out
• Position of the zipper because if you are left-handed it would be hard for you to maneuver yourself just of open up your bag
• A hood for your head – if you plan to sleep outdoors
• Sturdy stitching
• Loft and fill – these two factors will determine how warm you will be inside the camping sleeping bag. The rule of thumb is more loft and filling will mean better insulation
• Size that will accommodate your height and width. Take a look a double sleeping bags if you are a larger person.
• Cotton or synthetic material – cotton is softer but will take longer to dry if it gets wets. You can also consider down sleeping bags.

These are just some of the details you need to pay strict attention to. Other features can be considered extras, and will raise the price of the camping sleeping bag. Thus, if money is no object, then go for broke and get the best (but light) camping sleeping bag. Remember though that the brand does not necessarily equal the best there is, so window shop first before making your decision, and you won’t have any regrets.

Finding the best sleeping bags for camping is not going to be easy unless you know where you are going camping, the conditions of the camping area, and how you plan to get there. Why?

The place you will be camping can be beside a lake on a warm summer weekend, or on top a plateau in the middle of autumn. Temperature and weather play a major role in determining whether you have the best sleeping bags for camping. You could have the most expensive one but if it cannot protect you from harsh or wet weather conditions, then it’s not going to worth much during your trip, is it?

It should also be light enough to carry around, but not too light that it cannot keep you warm at night.

The features you need to consider to find this dream sleeping bag are: comfort, weight, material, quality, insulation, and price.

Comfort

If you want to sleep well at night, regardless of the conditions of your sleeping area, you need to consider comfort as a basic priority. This would mean that it should be soft enough for you not to feel the pebbles on the ground. It should also be able to retain body heat so that you don’t wake up in the middle of the night freezing.

Weight

The reason the weight of your sleeping bag can determine its ratings is because you will have to carry it around going to and from the camping site. It gets even more complicated if you are planning to move from site to site. If you get a cotton sleeping bag, and it gets wet, then you have added weight to slow you down. Furthermore, it should a compact sleeping bag that is easy to compress and store.

Material

Look for camping sleeping bags that use ripstop nylon, as well as nylon taffeta as lining. These materials provide more comfort and convenience than other materials.

Quality

When checking for quality, don’t just look at the features like ratings. You should also look at the seams and zippers.

Insulation

Sleeping bags for camping today have a temperature rating. The basic camping bag is a 20 degree sleeping bag. This means that you’re be fine provided the weather stays within the 20 degrees range. A sleeping bag is also rated according to season. You can buy a three season sleeping bag, and this would mean that it can keep you warmth through 3 seasons, with the exception of extremely hot or cold weather.

Price

Most often, if you want the best, you will need to pay the price. Fortunately, the whole world is a little troubled economically, and this means that prices are dropping, and huge sales are being advertised. If you can, take advantage of these offers especially since the economy is starting to recover slowly.

Finally, the best sleeping bags for camping is one you don’t regret buying. It’s one you will be able to use over the years. It will actually grow on you and be your best camping gear and make you want to experience the Great Outdoors over and over again.

One of the main distinctions between camping sleeping bags is there are two different types of fill.  There are down sleeping bags and bags that have synthetic fill (usually polyester).  There are advantages and disadvantages to both types.  Down is usually lighter weight, more comfortable, and keep you warmer.  Synthetic fill dries much faster in wet conditions and is less expensive.

Another nice option is double sleeping bags.  These are twice the width of a normal sleeping bag and are designed to sleep two.  These can be nice to have if you are camping with your spouse or partner.  You can also zip two single sleeping bags together if they have compatible zippers.

They also design sleeping bags for children and there are even baby sleeping bags.  The ones for babies are designed to fit over your baby’s clothing with opening for his or her arms and head.  They provide warmth and safety for a sleeping baby.  These are usually not associated with camping but more for use at home in a crib.

If you are going to be camping in extremely cold conditions you need to make sure you have the right camping gear. You may even want to consider an army sleeping bag.  These are manufactured to military specifications and are very durable.  They can be used in very cold sub zero temperatures.

Another important factor to consider is the temperature rating that has been assigned to the camping sleeping bag.  They will give a rating based on the lowest temperature that will keep an average sleeping person warm.  For summer camping you may only need a rating of 35, but for cold weather camping you may want one somewhere between -10 to +10F.

You will also need to decide on the shape that you want your camping sleeping bag to be in.  There are mummy shaped sleeping bags that will keep you very warm.  If you prefer more space a rectangular or semi-rectangular bag may be more comfortable for you.

Even if you prefer to camping in a motorhome, a folding camper or a gazebo tent, having a good sleeping bag is great for when you have too many people to fit in the camper or if the weather is really nice and you want to sleep outside.

Other Camping Gear

In addition to a sleeping bag, you may want to consider some other outdoors camping gear. For a more comfortable camping experience you may consider bringing along camping chairs and a camping lantern. Just because you’re outdoors doesn’t mean that you have to be uncomfortable.

Another advantage to double sleeping bags is that they can be less expensive than having to buy two separate bags for you and your spouse or partner.  It’s also one less bag to care for, store and transport.

One disadvantage to a double sleeping bag is that you may need a bigger tent to accommodate the bigger bag. However, if its just you and your partner, a 4 man tent would be just fine. But they fit the best in large family tents. You also will have to factor in whether you and your sleeping partner have compatible temperature level needs in terms of how warm a bag you want to go  with.

Double sleeping bags come in a wide variety of materials, styles, shapes and colors and are offered by many sleeping bag manufacturers.  You will need to choose between down and synthetic when it comes to the fill of the sleeping bag.  Down is warmer and often more comfortable and light weight but is more expensive and harder to dry.  Most double sleeping bags will be rectangular in shape but you may also be able to choose a semi rectangular or even mummy style bag.  You will need to check with your spouse or partner to make sure that the sleeping bag that you choose will be comfortable for both of you.

There is nothing better than enjoying nature with the one you love.  Double sleeping bags make it possible to enjoy the comfort of sleeping with your loved one and still getting away to enjoy the fresh air and scenery.  They also are an efficient and economical choice for today’s campers and backpackers.

Another great advantage is, if properly cared for, down sleeping bags are very durable and will last about twice the amount of time as a synthetic one.  This is important to keep in mind when making a final decision on which sleeping bag to buy.

One disadvantage to a down sleeping bag is that is requires more maintenance and care.  It will either need to be hand washed or put into a front load washer at a laundromat.  Either way they must be handled with care as to not ruin the down.

Another disadvantage to down is if it gets wet it take a lot longer to dry.  So if you are going to be in wet conditions a synthetic fiber fill sleeping bag may be a better choice.  Or you can add a water resistant shell to your down fill sleeping bag.

One final disadvantage to down sleeping bags is that they are more expensive than synthetic ones.  So if you are on a tight budget, you may want to consider a synthetic one.  However, keep in mind that a down sleeping bag, if properly cared for, will last longer and provides a lot of warmth and comfort, as well as being very light weight.  So when it comes to choosing a sleeping bag, go for overall quality if you can afford it.

Down sleep bags use real down feathers for their fill.  There are three main types: hi-loft down, duck down and goose down.  Hi-loft down is made out of finer goose down and provides the most warmth.  For expeditions in cold weather high-loft is recommended.  Goose down is a higher quality than duck down and is therefore a bit more expensive, but for regular camping they are both good choices.