subject: You Don't Have to Know The Latest Industry Jargon to Find a Great Sleeping Bag! [print this page] You Don't Have to Know The Latest Industry Jargon to Find a Great Sleeping Bag!
Many buyers who are in the market for a new sleeping bag assume that they have to be a professional hiker to decipher the terminology and select a really worthwhile sleeping bag to fit their purposes. Fortunately, there's no truth to that belief! Even if you're an average person who just wants a great night's sleep in the woods, you can use the tips below to help you on your hunt for the perfect sleeping bag.
The number one thing: make sure you get a goose-down filled bag. This is important because goose-down provides powerful insulation and warmth without adding much weight. Pro campers know to avoid bags that do not have this feature because imitation filling is heavier than goose-down and does not possess the same lofting potential. This means that over time, unrolling and re-rolling the bag will leave it squashed and unable to loft up enough to be of use.
Next, the only sleeping bags that are worth your money and efforts are those that offer some kind of prevention against dampness. While you may be able to find some on the market that don't include built-in moisture protection, these would leave you damp and chilly during sudden drizzles or when waking up covered with morning dew. Avoid these - they are not worth it! Go with something like the Marmot Sawtooth 15 which offers outstanding water repelling qualities.
Lastly, folks who hike with sleeping bags on a regular basis know that when searching for a new one, you must hunt for one that is sold in regular and long sizes. This is an absolute necessary feature since not all campers are the same size. Stick with the pros on this one - they know that this feature makes the difference between a miserable night spent tossing and turning and trying to get comfortable and an enjoyable trip where you wake up refreshed and ready to go each morning from a great night's sleep.
