Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest
Camping, hiking, and backpacking have become extremely popular over the past several decades. With this new and growing interest, there have been major developments in the gear available to outdoor enthusiasts. Perhaps the most important piece of gear youll need is a sleeping bag. Sleeping bags come in many different shapes and sizes. Following are some tips for choosing the right one for the conditions in which you'll be hiking.
The first consideration is how much you'll need in the way of warmth. The comfort ratings on sleeping bags aren't a guarantee so an easy method of choosing a sleeping bag is to always pick the next lowest rated one available. If you hike in the summer, with temperatures of 60 degrees and above, a 40-degree bag is sufficient and 40-degree sleeping bags are the lightest available. If you are hiking in the spring and fall, and temperatures at night will regularly be in the 40s, you will need the extra warmth of a 20-degree sleeping bag. For winter trips, a 0-degree bag is a must, and if extreme cold conditions are expected you will want the extra protection of a -20-degree bag.
The next thing to consider when buying a sleeping bag is the design. Sleeping bags typically come in two types: rectangular and mummy. The most common design is the standard rectangular style. This is often seen in warmer temperature rated bags. The rectangular shape offers plenty of room and is found comfortable by most everyone. The second design is the mummy style. The mummy bag is more popular in cold weather because its fitted design ensures minimal amounts of air being trapped in the bag. The mummy style includes a top section that comes up and over your head for extra warmth. Some people don't like the restrictiveness of the mummy bags but they do offer superior warmth in cold temperatures.
The third and final step when choosing a sleeping bag is to choose the insulation material: synthetic or down. Each has its pros and cons. Synthetic materials provide warmth even if the sleeping bag gets wet and they are often cheaper than their down counterparts. However, synthetic insulation does not compress nearly as well as down. This might not be an issue for camping or day hikes, but when backpacking, space is usually limited and compression counts. The other drawback to synthetic sleeping bags is their durability. After compressing many times, the insulation often "shifts" which means it tears slightly, leaving gaps in the insulation. Down sleeping bags are much lighter and more compressible than synthetic bags. They are very durable and the insulation will never wear out. Of course, if the down gets wet, it will loose all its insulation ability. This is countered by the fact that most down sleeping bags offer a water-resistant shell. A down sleeping bag will cost a little more than a synthetic sleeping bag, but in the end, its a better choice.
A camping or backpacking trip is a fun time for family and friends to enjoy the great outdoors, and is something to be looked back upon with warm memories. Make your outdoor excursion a good memory by ensuring warmth and comfort at night with the right sleeping bag.
Print article ||
Send to friend ||
Publish this Article ||
Author feedback ||
Add new Comment ||
Article Comments
