How to choose a sleeping bag. Sleeping bags come in many different shapes and sizes just as people do. And choosing the right sleeping bag can mean the difference between having a great trip, camp out, hike, and having a rotten time because you are to hot or way to cold. We want to help you make the right decision so that your next outing will be a great one.
Type First of all you want to pick a sleeping bag that is right type for your body size and the right weight for the tempture that you will use it in. You will also want to choose a bag that packs well for your needs, meaning you wouldn't want the big back yard type for a backpacking trip. Sleeping bags come in two main types, rectangle and mummy type which are tapered at the bottom, one is not better than the other, it all comes down to a matter of prefrence.What ever type you pick make sure that you have enough room in your bag to turn over.You do not want to much extra space in your bag which would be hard for your body to heat sufficiently.
WARMTH AND TEMPATURE RATING. Most bags are rated according to the lowest temperatures in which they provide comfort, but there is no set standard in the industry. The rating is determined by the manufacturer. A bag rated as "three season" means that it will be comfortable for sleeping bag for an average person in temperatures ranging from about 15º through the early summer.
CARE & STORAGE
always open the bag after a night of sleeping in it to air it out. If it's not raining or damp out, spread it across the top of your tent or car for freshening.
Synthetic fill usually air dries quickly on a clothesline or spread out on a flat surface. If it's safe for machine drying (check the tags!) add a tennis ball in with it to fluff it up.
Your sleeping bag will last longer if it's hung up, secured by clamps at the bottom end, when it's not in use. If you don't have adequate hanging space, leave it folded loosely, perhaps under a bed or on a shelf, between camping trips.
