Sleeping
Bags
Having chosen the tent that fits your requirements, the next thing to think about is suitable bedding. Nothing spoils a holiday as much as a night spent shivering in the cold. The right sleeping bag can make or break your adventure!
Air is the best insulator. You need a sleeping bag that can cocoon you in trapped warm air and prevent heat-loss, but at the same time allow moisture to escape into outside. This balance is important.
So, think about the material, design, shape, size and weight of your sleeping bag, as well as its Warmth Rating...
Temperature ratings
Sleeping bags are now supplied with four temperature ratings, which should be considered carefully when planning your holiday.
- Upper Limit The highest temperature at which an average MAN would have a comfortable, sweatless night's sleep.
- Lower Limit The lowest temperature at which an average MAN would have a comfortable night's sleep in the rolled-up body posture.
- Extreme The highest temperature below which a standard WOMAN would start to experience painful cold and risk of frostbite/hypothermia.
- Comfort The lowest temperature at which a standard WOMAN would have a comfortable nights sleep whilst lying on her back.
For those of you used to the old 'season ratings' for sleeping bags, the comfort temperatures for season ratings are as follows...
- 5°C+ = 1 Season Bag (Summer)
- 0 to 5°C = 2 Season Bag (Spring, Summer)
- -5 to 0°C = 3 Season Bag (Spring to Autumn)
- -10 to -5°C = 4 Season Bag (Winter)
- -15 - 10°C = 5 Season Bag (Expedition)
Please note
This is a general guide and note must be taken of the temperature
ratings given to each sleeping bag. Seasonal conditions can vary
greatly, with sudden frosts or heatwaves (as if!), so you need to be prepared for the unexpected. Likewise, people can vary greatly as well, so one man's comfort could be another man's hypothermia! Sleeping bags work by trapping warm air, so if you are giving off a lot of heat when you get in, don't be surprised if that heat stays with you.
Finally, note that these ratings are for valley use, so temperatures will
usually be colder in the hills, in which case a warmer sleeping bag will be needed. Likewise, what you sleep on or in will have a great effect, both in terms of terrain and the type of sleeping mat you use. The above ratings assume the use of a mat and tent.
For extra warmth, as and when you need it, there is the option of sleeping bag liners, which line your sleeping bag with an extra layer of insulation.
See our Basic essentials
guide to Sleeping mats for further advice.
Sleeping Bag Styles
It is also important to consider the style of your sleeping bag and what it will be used for. These are the main types of bag to be aware of...
- Square - These have the typical square bottom and so offer a roomy design. They are the most popular and widely available style of sleeping bag.
- Tapered - Unlike the square, these follow a tapered shape. They are larger around the shoulders and narrow towards the feet. These type of bags are favoured by the more extreme travellers, due to their snugness and generally greater durability. They are also easy to pack.
- Mummy/Cocoon - These are more form-hugging than the square or tapered, designed to literally cocoon you in warmth (like a Mummy!) They are smaller and lighter than other tents, but offer the same Warmth Rating.
- Double - These square-style bags are large enough for two people to fit in. Some doubles will have zipping that allows them to break down into two separate bags. This is a good choice if you want versatility from your sleeping bag.
- Kids - Obviously, these are smaller versions of the above styles, designed especially for children. The majority of Kids bags come in square style.
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