Review by: Craig Delger, March 2014
A good sleeping bag, or lack thereof, can make or break a camping trip. There are plenty of models out there to choose from, in a variety of lengths, shapes and fills. GearBuyer offers a large selection of camping sleeping bags, backpacking sleeping bags, down sleeping bags, synthetic sleeping bags, and even kid's sleeping bags. GearBuyer has the most popular Coleman Sleeping Bags, Kelty Sleeping Bags, Marmot Sleeping Bags, Slumberjack Sleeping Bags, Big Agnes Sleeping Bags, and more.
Choosing the right sleeping bag depends on your sleeping habits, the temperature and climate where you intend to camp, and whether you'll be carrying the bag in a backpack, boat or car. This sleeping bag buyers guide offers guidelines to help you select the sleeping bag to meet your needs.
How do you plan to use your sleeping bag?
Sleeping bags are designed for specific temperature ranges to meet the demands of different climates or seasons. A bag's temperature rating or comfort rating can be defined as the absolutely coldest temperature at which the bag is designed to keep you warm. There is no industry standard for determining a bag's comfort rating, though, and no two people are exactly alike (for example, women are generally colder than men in the same air temperatures). Therefore these temperature ratings are meant only as general guidelines.
Sleeping bag temperature ratings tend to be most accurate under a set of specific conditions: if you are fully sheltered from the wind (inside a tent or other structure) and have some sort of sleeping pad underneath you, these minimum temperature ratings apply best.
To be on the safe side, we recommend adding 10 degrees to the temperature rating on a sleeping bag for a more realistic picture of its ability to keep you warm. For example, a bag rated for 30°F should only be used in temperatures that never drop below 40°F. On the other hand, don't think you'll be comfortable in a 10° bag when it's a 70° night. People in warmer climates should buy bags with higher temperature ratings.
The table below offers some rough guidelines for selecting a sleeping bag with the right comfort rating.
Sleeping Bag Use | Temperature Comfort Ratings |
Summer/ Indoor | +40°F or higher |
3-Season Bag (Spring through Fall)/ Summer High Altitude |
+15°F to +40°F |
Winter Camping | -10°F to +15°F |
Polar/ Extreme Alpine | -10°F or lower |
Your metabolism, blood circulation intensity and gender are all essentially uncontrollable factors that affect your body warmth. However, you do have control over a few things besides sleeping bag selection in your effort to stay warm when sleeping outside. By placing a sleeping pad or some other insulator between you and the ground, you can greatly increase a sleeping bag's ability to warm you. Also, being inside a tent or some other shelter to prevent wind chill can make you feel a full 10° warmer (and that's assuming there's only a light breeze!). Wearing a base layer and a hat can also bump up your warmth in a sleeping bag, as long as they're not damp.
Down Insulation | Synthetic Insulation |
Advantages
|
Advantages
|
Disadvantages
|
Disadvantages
|
Get One If:
|
Get One If:
|
This sleeping bag buying guide is a general overview of types of sleeping bags, features of sleeping bags, sleeping bag care, and tips on how to be more comfortable in your sleeping bag. There are several key features to consider when purchasing a sleeping bag. The most critical features to consider are the style, the shell, the lining, the fill, and the temperature rating.
Sleeping bags basically come in two main styles, rectangular and mummy. Rectangular bags usually cost less and offer more room, but are heavier and don't offer as much warmth. Mummy bags cost more, hug your body, are lighter and offer more warmth. Some rectangular bags taper as they go to the feet or are rounded at the base. Not a true mummy bag these offer a compromise between the two styles.
A rectangular bag resembles a rectangle when rolled out. The edges are 90 degrees (square). Rectangular sleeping bags tend to be heavier than mummy bags, and due to the extra volume inside the bag they are not as thermally efficient. The rectangular shape is not as effective and preventing warm air from escaping the sleeping bag. Rectangular sleeping bags typically are less expensive than mummy bags, and because they are considered roomy, are more comfortable for larger people.
Hybrid bags combine the shape of mummy bags with rectangular bags. They are also called tapers and semi-rectangular sleeping bags. They resemble a rectangular bag but taper down slightly as they go toward the feet and will typically have a rounded foot area. The removed space means lighter weight and less volume to keep warm at night. Hybrid sleeping bags offer a good balance of price, weight and warmth.
Overbags are used with a sleeping bag to extend the temperature range of the sleeping bag when additional warmth is needed. Overbags can also be used in warm conditions as a light sleeping bag. Overbags may also be used to supplement the waterproof abilities of a sleeping bag.
Bivy sacks are different. Typically waterproof and made of a breathable material, a bivy sack is used when sleeping under the stars, in extreme wet conditions, or winter camping. Both overbags and bivy sacks (you may hear these terms interchanged) increase the range of use of your bag, but cut down on how well the materials breathe.