Choosing the Right Sleeping Bag

Choosing the right sleeping bag makes the difference between comfortably sleep or spend endless night.

After a day of camp, the body needs a good night's sleep. There is a myth that in camp not rest or sleep uncomfortable and ill. If we take certain precautions and equip ourselves properly we will ensure that this does not happen.

Many times I have heard comments from campers about how uncomfortable it is to sleep in camp. On more than one occasion, invaded by doubt, I asked to see inside their stores which equipment used. Huge surprise I got to see the team they used to sleep was not fit even to sleep a short nap, other times I have seen people trying to spend the night in his tent on the floor with only a thin blanket for home use, no sleeping bag without insulation or mats.

To prevent this from happening we should know what the team sleep in camp, and if possible supply us with the necessary elements to the type of activity that we develop.

Sleeping bag

The sleeping bag is where we rest, where we will recover after an active day outdoors. Knowing how to choose the right sleeping bag will make the difference between comfortably sleep or spend endless night.

There are basically two types of bags: The synthetic filler and the pen or duvet.

The synthetic filler tend to be cheaper but heavy and bulky. It has the advantage that continue to harbor even when wet reach as they are more resistant to moisture, maintain their volume when wet and dry faster than those of feathers. On the other hand are heavier and therefore not compressed when saved in the backpack. Another drawback of the synthetic fibers against the feather is that with time and use more quickly deteriorate lose their capacity volume and coat

There are different types of synthetic fibers such as Holofill, Polaguard, Quallofil, Liteloft, Primuloft or Thinsulate, with different results as far as shelter is concerned.

The duvet feather or are usually more expensive, but they offer much more protection than synthetics and are less bulky when compressing to transport. These require more careful about moisture, and that wet leaves to cherish and take longer to dry this makes the pen a dubious choice for expeditions in which they wish to spend much time in conditions of high humidity and rain .

Sleeping bags are classified according to the temperature range in which they can be used. This classification is only a guide as to determine which will be most suitable for the use that will be given. The bag does not harbor itself, which is self generated heat and the bag is in charge of holding it.

As a council we can say that for a bag of hot zones 0 ° C to +20 ° C is fine, Forest and coldest places -5 ° C to +5 ° C to mid-mountain from -15 ° C to -8 ° C to -25 ° C mountain at -15 ° C and -40 ° expedition at -20 ° C

For forms, the most common are the rectangular camping depending on model type bed can join, the more professional and have anatomically sheltered (type sarcophagus or mummy) and are used for medium and high altitude.

The outer fabrics used are generally very light nylon taffeta, some with a woven ripstop (Ripstop). Also used fabrics with treatments like waterproof breathable Gore-tex bag to protect from moisture and raise its temperature range.

When buying a sleeping bag we know very well in that type of situation we will use. Fundamentally that climate.

Insulating mat or

You should always use a mat or insulation under the sleeping bag to insulate the cold and damp of the floor of the tent as well as uneven ground cushioning and ultimate comfort.

The closed cell insulation are the most recommended, these are rolled easily for storage and are very light to transport.

Alternatively comfortable for a inflatable camping mats exist but have the disadvantage of being very heavy to transport in a backpack as they are rubber or plastic. Of course, if we went by car this disadvantage disappears.