Which sleeping bag is right for you?

Insulation – down or synthetic

The question of which insulation you should have in your sleeping bag depends on what you value. Down retains heat better and takes up less space. Synthetic withstands moisture, unlike down, and is more affordable. To make it even more difficult, materials have evolved in recent years, so down and synthetic have increasingly converged.

DOWN SLEEPING BAGS RETAIN HEAT BEST

Down insulation retains heat best of all, but only as long as it is dry. A down sleeping bag can be compressed to make the sleeping bag small, which saves space in your packing. Furthermore, it does not lose its insulating capacity with repeated compression in the same way as a synthetic sleeping bag. A down sleeping bag usually has a longer lifespan but is also more expensive.

Fill Power indicates the quality of the down. The higher the number, the better the insulation. The same sleeping bag with higher fill power will weigh less because less down is needed to achieve the same insulation.

If you choose a down sleeping bag and there is a risk of moisture, one tip is to store the packed sleeping bag in a waterproof stuff sack in your backpack.

SYNTHETIC SLEEPING BAGS ARE WARM EVEN WHEN WET

Synthetic sleeping bags come in a variety of quality levels. What they all have in common is that they retain warmth even when wet. They also dry faster than a down sleeping bag.

Synthetic sleeping bags are cheaper but take up a little more space, and the insulation level decreases faster over time than for a down sleeping bag.

On the other hand, a cheap down sleeping bag can be worse than a synthetic sleeping bag of slightly higher quality.

Length

If your sleeping bag is a little too long or wide, it's harder to stay warm. The same applies if the sleeping bag is too small, as the filling will be compressed and the insulation won't work as it should. Sleeping bags usually come in two lengths. The standard length is suitable for people up to approximately 183-185 cm tall. Longer sleeping bags typically fit people up to 195-200 cm tall. This means that shorter people may have difficulty warming up the entire length of their sleeping bag. You can solve this by placing something at the bottom of the sleeping bag (e.g., clothes) or by tying something to shorten the bag.

Width

The most common shapes for a sleeping bag are mummy-shaped and rectangular. The mummy-shaped one retains heat better because it follows the body's shape. The rectangular one gives you more room to move and can be used as a duvet if you open it up. Women's model sleeping bags have more room at the hips but less room across the shoulders. They also tend to be extra insulated in the upper body and at the foot end. This is because women generally need warmer sleeping bags than men.

Sleeping bags for children

For small children, special children's sleeping bags may be needed. For school-aged children, a tip is to tie a belt or rope around the sleeping bag to shorten it. This way, you don't have to buy a new sleeping bag when the child grows.

Liners and sheets, and perhaps a pillow

A sleeping bag's thermal performance decreases over time due to dirt from the body. You should wash a sleeping bag as few times as possible for it to last a long time, and a sleeping bag liner inside the sleeping bag can keep it fresh for a long time. There are also fleece liners that you use inside the sleeping bag to increase the warmth by a few extra degrees. The pillow is important for sleeping comfort. Choose a pillow that does not attract moisture (like the one you have at home in the bedroom) but rather a pillow designed to withstand outdoor life.

Storing your sleeping bag

Before packing away your sleeping bag, make sure it is dry. Preferably, hang it up or turn it inside out for a while after you have slept in it. Do not roll the sleeping bag. This wears down the insulation in the same spot every time and can also unevenly compress the insulation. Start with the foot end and then stuff the rest of the sleeping bag into its stuff sack. When you get home, the sleeping bag should be stored in a breathable bag or hung up. A sleeping bag stored compressed will more quickly lose its insulating properties because the filling becomes compacted. Practical mesh bags for breathable storage are often included.

Sleeping pad just as important

Choosing the right sleeping pad is just as important as the sleeping bag. If you often get cold on the underside of your body, a warmer sleeping bag won't help. The sleeping bag provides the best warmth where the insulation is lofty, and therefore, other insulation is needed where your body rests against the ground.