A guide to choosing the right sleeping bag

No matter how good a camping trip is, getting a good night's sleep is important and can really add to the enjoyment

. At Outdoor World Direct, we have a wide range of sleeping bags from Vango, Outwell and all major manufacturers. However, when selecting a new sleeping bag, there are many considerations which need to be factored in. Here is a quick guide to help make the right decision.

One of the most important factors is to consider the time of year you are travelling, to ensure the sleeping bag is adequate for the overnight temperatures. To this end, sleeping bags are given seasonal ratings, ranging from 1 to 5. Season 1 is ideal for summer temperatures which average 10-15 degrees Celsius, whereas 5 is suited to extremes, where temperatures are likely to average -15 degrees Celsius.

Sleeping bags should also conform to EN 13537 ratings which aim to provide a standard across Europe. Tests on the products ascertain a rating from 1 to 4, based upon the internal temperature when the sleeping bag is occupied.

A rating of 1 gives the upper limit which the temperature can reach to provide a comfortable sleeping environment with the bag being open and some surface exposed externally, 4 defines the lowest possible temperature. All measurements are given with consideration to adequate clothes being worn according to the time of the year.

Naturally, each rating gives greater warmth in accordance with average temperatures which can provide a guide, but will only ever be this. As such, it is good to know the average climate for the area to which you are travelling, bearing in mind such factors as elevation and so forth. Each person responds differently to temperature changes too, so this also needs to be considered.

The way a sleeping bag retains warmth depends on its filling. Sleeping bags are filled with two main types of material: down and synthetic, each of which have their own merits and deficiencies. Accordingly, consideration needs to be given to the individual circumstances of each trip.

For trips taken through the winter and long treks, a down filled bag could present the better option. On a weight to heat ratio, these are better, and can be compacted into smaller areas for transportation. The drawbacks are their cost, which can be high, but more particularly their susceptibility to water. If exposed to wet conditions for extended periods of time, they will lose much of their insulation qualities.

Synthetic fills are cheaper, and are more resilient to wet conditions. As such, they make the ideal solution for people heading out to festivals and on short trips in good weather. They are easier to clean, but they can however be a little problematic to carry around.

There are two main types of sleeping bag shape; square, which offers more movement and thereby comfort, and mummy, which affords greater warmth, ideal for more challenging trips. With many coming in single and double sizes too, we at Outdoor World Direct have sleeping bags and accessories ideal for any condition.

A guide to choosing the right sleeping bag

By: Jo McCann

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