Guy Gear
Sleeping bag buying guide
You can’t sleep. It’s freezing, so you try to crawl inside your sleeping bag as deep as you can — leaving only a little opening for your mouth to breathe. Or maybe it’s kind of warm out. You’re too toasty inside the bag but too cold without it.
The trick to foolproof camp z-z-z’s is picking the right sleeping bag for the weather conditions. So we asked Terry Schocke for some help. This man knows his sleeping bags. As director of programs at the BSA’s Northern Tier National High Adventure Bases in northern Minnesota, Schocke helps Scouts prepare for sticky summers, bitter to-the-bone winters and everything in between.
Here’s what he says to consider when buying your next bag:
THE LOWDOWN
PRICE
There’s a wide range. Quality backpacking bags can be found for $75 to $150. Double that price if you’re looking for a down-filled bag. In the $30 to $60 range you’ll find bags that are heavier and won’t pack down quite as well.
“A good rule of thumb is, the more you spend, the more compressible and lightweight the sleeping bag will be,” Schocke says.
DOWN VS. SYNTHETIC
The stuff inside a sleeping bag that keeps you warm is called insulation. There are two main types: down (as in goose down) and synthetic, which is man-made insulation with brand names like Quallofil, PrimaLoft and Fiberfill.
“Compared with synthetic bags, down is more compressible, durable and lighter for the same warmth,” Schocke says. “But it doesn’t handle moisture well and is tougher to care for.”
Schocke recommends that Scouts stick with synthetic bags because they work well, are simple to care for (machine washable) and are much less expensive.
TEMP RATINGS
Most bags have a temperature rating on the tag. It’ll say something like: +30° or -20°. This tells you, roughly, the minimum temperature that will be comfortable while in that bag.
“It’s important to know there’s no industry standard about how they determine temperature ratings,” Schocke says. “Those are just generic guidelines.”
Also, keep in mind how you sleep — temperature-wise, that is. Are you a hot sleeper? Or do you always seem to be colder than your friends? If you’re a cold sleeper, for example, go with a bag that’s rated for colder temperatures.
SHAPE
Sleeping bags come in two main shapes: rectangle and mummy. Rectangular bags are roomier, giving you more room to roll around and are best for summer camping. They also weigh more and don’t pack down as well. Mummy bags are best for colder conditions. They hug your body, and most come with a hood you can cinch down over your head.
“The tighter it fits, the warmer it’s going to be,” Schocke says. “It’s best to get the smallest bag you can feel comfortable in.”
That way your body doesn’t waste energy trying to heat up a lot of extra space. However, you don’t want it so tight that it restricts circulation or compressibility. And in winter you may want a little extra space in the foot area to keep boots warm, dry out gloves or to keep a water bottle from freezing.
WEIGHT & COMPRESSIBILITY
If you’re backpacking, it’s important to find a bag that’s lightweight and compressible. The most compressible bags can be stuffed until slightly larger than a volleyball. Sleeping bags can be made to take up less space in your pack by using a compression stuff sack.
Jun. 4, 2008 at 2:46 pm
i got a agood bag to sleep
Jun. 6, 2008 at 1:53 pm
i have an rei synthetic bag that is great but the zipper always gets caught in the frabric but overall it is a great bag
Jun. 9, 2008 at 10:22 am
cool
Jun. 12, 2008 at 3:12 pm
I have an Big Agnes encampment bag and it is the perfect bag for year round camping- it’s beast!!!!!!
Jun. 16, 2008 at 4:22 pm
I have a peak 1 -0 degree bag and I just cant ask for any thing better, it is a great all year round bag.
Jun. 18, 2008 at 11:03 am
I don’t have a sleeping bag, so I have to borrow my dad sleeping bag every time I go camping with my friend.
Jun. 20, 2008 at 12:49 pm
I have been using my dads sleeping bag when I go camping but I need to get my own.this information will help me pick out the right sleeping bag for me.Thanks
Jul. 5, 2008 at 9:43 pm
I’ve already tested out a bag for my upcoming trip to lost valley, CA. If you want a SMALL sleeping bag, you can get a “bag” that can compress a little more smaller than a basketball. I suggest going to big 5 or rei. Happy camping!!!
Jul. 15, 2008 at 1:25 pm
I have my own but need a new one.
Jul. 18, 2008 at 8:44 pm
Down or Synthetic down is the warmest comfiest sleeping bag you’ll ever find but if it gets wet it loses all it’s warmth. on the other hand synthetic its not as warm but if it gets wet it will not lose it’s warmth
Aug. 4, 2008 at 5:09 pm
im thinking of getting a compresion sac
Aug. 22, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Well i have 1 sleeping bag already but its for camping in the summer. I’m looking to buy a new one though!
Aug. 24, 2008 at 12:50 pm
i want a sinthetic mummy bag
Sep. 2, 2008 at 11:47 am
Add a fleece bag liner to your equipment list. It will make any ( almost any ) bag warm and cozy, just like dressing in layers. And best of all, it can easily be washed at home after every trip.
Sep. 3, 2008 at 12:53 pm
what about air mattreses or cots? recommendations? I have a self inflating one but it is so small and slips during the night. Especially important during long term camping of over a week.
Sep. 6, 2008 at 10:13 pm
I really don’t know what sleeping bag in between weather
Sep. 10, 2008 at 10:55 am
It is my belief that every person (not just Scouts) should have a sleeping bag that goes down to 0 degrees. If it is too warm, you can just unzip it a little. Sooner or later, you will need that lowest temperature rating, and your life may depend on it. The lower the rating, the more days of the year that you can go camping later. I consider a 40 degree bag is just about useless. It gives you a false sense of security, but still costs money. Also you can add quite a bit of warmth by wearing an oversized hooded sweatshirt or a ski-cap at night. You need to keep your head and neck warm to be able to go to sleep. Mummy bags will definitely keep you warmer, you just have to get used to the restricted area around your feet and the bag closing in around your face. Get a bag that is a little extra long and it feels a lot better. I couldn’t care less about a light-weight sleeping bag or a highly compressible sleeping bag. About 99% of the camping is done within 50′ of a car. Warmth is the most important thing.
Oct. 21, 2008 at 9:04 am
i have a sleeping bag and it’s rated at 0 deggres and it’s extreymly cofertable at summer camp in souther Indiana so isent the rating the maximum tempacer that you can be in befor it gets uncofterbal?
Oct. 30, 2008 at 12:26 pm
I have a synthetic bag that goes down to 30 degrees, but it’s HUGE! I want to get a new one, but come on, 75$ is a lot for a sleeping bag, and advice for buying, a small, less expensive sleeping bag?
Nov. 7, 2008 at 2:26 pm
I got a -15 degree sleeping bag that cost 128.00 it was on sale for 69.00 the cahier rang it up 45.00 and i had two gift cards (20.00,25.00) so i ended up paying 8.00 (that was the tax)
Nov. 7, 2008 at 2:33 pm
quest makes good sleeping bags
Nov. 10, 2008 at 8:27 pm
I like Coleman sleeping bags.
Nov. 30, 2008 at 7:43 am
I’ve got a NorthFace sleeping bag - minus 20 degrees and it keeps me warm. Weighs about 1.5 lbs and condenses to the size of a soccer ball with a compression bag.
Dec. 2, 2008 at 4:45 pm
i have a negative 15 degree from Dick’s. got it for 50$ then used a ten dollar coupon!
paid as much as a 40 degree costs!!!!!!!!!
Dec. 4, 2008 at 6:53 pm
I am going to Philmont this summer and I realized while going through my gear that my sleeping bag is heavy and compresses to the size of yoga ball (around a yard on the side). I need a good stuff sack that is light weight, that compresses really small, and will keep me warm on Mt. Baldy. Which brand should I get and what model?
Dec. 9, 2008 at 8:24 pm
I have one but the zip broke off and it is a good one.
Dec. 22, 2008 at 12:42 pm
my neighbor gave me a really warm and small blanket for camping that gos under 0 degrees.he made my day!
Dec. 30, 2008 at 9:52 am
I agree with Ultimate Scoutmaster, you need to go more to the cold side vs getting a warmer bag. Always remember head gear, the times I have been most uncomfortable, I have forgotten my beanie when sleeping in colder weather.