No one dreams of spending a night twisting and turning to find their position and trying not to be cold. We often underestimate the importance of choosing an appropriate sleeping bag. Even if it’s not necessarily the miracle solution to all your problems, it will help you find sleep and have a good recovery after a long day of effort. Materials used, shape, comfort temperature… All these elements must be taken into account. We explain everything about how to choose your sleeping bag! To complete your equipment, check out the camping and trekking gear available online.

A good weight/insulation ratio

Bags made from natural down remain the lightest, most compressible, and warmest due to better loft. The major drawback of this type of bag is that they are more sensitive to moisture and therefore less effective once exposed to a wet element.

In contrast, sleeping bags made from synthetic fibers are much less compressible, heavier, and provide less warmth. However, this type of bag is perfectly resistant to moisture, easy to maintain, and dries more quickly (in just a few hours).


Comfort temperature, limit, extreme

This is the element you should focus on. Depending on the outside temperature where you plan to spend the night, it is important that your sleeping bag is designed to face it.

The comfort temperature is often the first temperature indicated on the product label. This temperature corresponds to the one that allows you not to be cold while sleeping in a relaxed position (on your back, arms along your body) without feeling thermal imbalance.
The limit temperature corresponds to the point where your sleep is disturbed by the effects of cold without putting your life in danger.
Finally, the extreme temperature is the one you must never reach to avoid the risks of hypothermia. You should never take this indicator as the only reference point.

Of course, everyone feels things in their own way and the notion of "cold" varies from person to person. Don’t hesitate to take into account whether you tend to be cold or not in daily life. For a cold-sensitive person, for example, prefer a sleeping bag with a comfort temperature of 5°C for a perceived temperature of 10°C.

PRODUCT EXPERT ADVICE:


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To sleep comfortably and have a restorative night, it is not necessary to wear multiple layers of clothing. If you have been attentive to your sleeping bag choice, a single layer will suffice. Remember to warm your extremities with gloves, socks… For more warmth, there are sleeping bag liners that help optimize warmth inside the bag. And don’t forget your pillow!

A good weight/volume ratio

You must absolutely choose a sleeping bag whose volume and weight will not be a disruptive factor during your adventure. It may also be useful to consult the cheap hiking gear to optimize your load during longer treks.
There are larger and heavier models than others. In short, if you are going camping with family and have plenty of space, it is not essential to choose the lightest and most compact bag. Conversely, for a multi-day outing at the summit of the most beautiful mountains, you will absolutely need to opt for a compact and ultra-light format. This will prevent the sleeping bag from taking up too much space in your backpack, at the expense of other important elements. For families, a cheap family camping tent often proves to be very practical.

Is shape important?

This criterion should not be overlooked when choosing a sleeping bag.

For a night of camping, opt for a rectangular shape. You will not feel that tightness at the feet, for comfort at all levels.

For a night in a bivouac, the "mummy" type bag will be perfect. With its tapered shape at the feet, where no space is left for unnecessary volumes and cold zones. The shape perfectly hugs the curves of your body to better isolate you from the cold throughout the night. Often, this type of bag has a hood to keep your head warm. If you are planning solo hikes, discover our 1-person tents for demanding hikers perfectly suited.

Rectangular Shape "Mummy" Shape

Whether you are going camping or bivouacking, prioritize comfort. If you feel too cramped in a "mummy" shaped sleeping bag, you can definitely find one with a slightly wider shape at the feet in particular. The main thing is to check that you will be comfortable sleeping in it as if you were at home. However, be careful about insulation because prioritizing comfort at the expense of good insulation is not a very good idea because you will not sleep very well regardless if you are cold.



IMPORTANT TO KNOW

For your children, there are adjustable sleeping bags that adapt for several years to the child's growth and last longer over time. No need to change them every year!
This type of product can be found in the Deuter brand collection.

Bonus tips:

For an optimal experience, it is essential to pay particular attention to all the elements that will help you have a pleasant night. Don’t forget to invest in a cooler for camping to keep your food fresh.

Use an inflatable mattress or an outdoor ground mat with express delivery to insulate yourself from the ground and cold, damp places. If you want to prioritize a recognized brand, opt for a Big Agnes ground mat. This is mainly the guarantee of keeping the sleeping bag dry all night.

Choose a tent large enough to prevent the sleeping bag from coming into direct contact with the tent walls. Internal condensation could wet the walls and thus compromise the durability of the sleeping bag if it dries poorly afterward.

-> How to choose your tent for camping and hiking <-

For a night under the stars, you can use a bivy sack to protect yourself from the moisture of the ground, the air, and thus provide better waterproofing for your sleeping bag. You can also choose your hammock for camping to sleep differently in nature, or prioritize the Ticket To The Moon hammock purchase for elevated comfort.

Also, be sure to check the accessories offered with the sleeping bag for additional comfort. Also consider equipping yourself with a camping table to improve the practicality of your experience.

TO REMEMBER:

  • It is important to ensure that the weight/insulation ratio of the sleeping bag corresponds to the excursion you have chosen.
  • Checking that the sleeping bag will allow you to survive the announced temperatures during your adventure is very important.
  • Ensuring that the volume of the sleeping bag will not hinder you during your ascent is essential to fully enjoy it.
  • Choose a shape suited to the style of adventure you are going to experience.