Camping Sleeping Bags Guide

There are so many camping sleeping bags to choose from, however, if outdoor camping is the reason you are looking for a sleeping bag, then you have special needs. First of all, it would be great if you could get the best sleeping bags for camping. This is because a good night’s rest will prepare you for the rigors of outdoor adventure.

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.

When it comes time to go camping, one thing that is important to have is a comfortable and warm sleeping bag.  After a long day of hiking, fishing, swimming and other outdoor activities, the one thing you want is to get a good night’s sleep.  When it comes to camping sleeping bags there are a wide variety of types to choose from.  Knowing what your different options are is the first step towards making the best decision for you and your situation.

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.

Baby sleeping bags have been widely used in Europe for over 25 years and are now becoming more popular in the United States and elsewhere in the world.  In many ways a sleeping bag offers more comfort and security to a baby over crib blankets.  When babies kick and move around they can kick off their blankets.  There is also the danger that a sleeping baby could get tangled up in their blankets and even strangle or suffocate.
Continue Reading »