Doubt Be Gone! A Sleeping Bag Comparison

Those who look to purchase a sleeping bag usually want to get two things out of their purchase: warmth and comfort. Finding the right sleeping bag can be a daunting task. Features on a bag can vary and every feature has its plus and minuses for the environment in which they will be used. Most people have a pretty good idea about what they are buying their sleeping bag for and where it will be used; but in order to get the bag that offers just the right features it is a good idea to do a sleeping bag comparison. This assures that those making the purchase get the best bag for the job- and their money.

When doing a sleeping bag comparison, it is best to first research what features are available on sleeping bags and all their pros and cons. Knowing what the bag will be used for and where will help define which features will be necessary. For example, camping out under the summer stars in the backyard will require a much different sleeping bag than if one will be camping out on the side of a windswept mountain in Nepal. Certain materials, such as nylon, do not do well in cold windy environments, while other materials are better at fending off moisture. Both synthetic and down insulation provides great warmth but some prefer the loft of natural down- even thought it is a material that loses its insulating qualities when wet.

Obviously, when doing a sleeping bag comparison there is much to keep in mind. Temperature ratings on a bag give a general guideline that show the lowest an outside temperature can get to in which the bag will still keep a camper warm. Some offer subzero temperature ratings, meaning the sleeping bag is the warmest that can be found, while others offer much higher temperature ratings. These are bags that are light and are to be used not only in warm environments but in such places as cars or campers.

The shape of a sleeping bag can also be used on a sleeping bag comparison. While many are accustomed to the basic rectangular shape of a sleeping bag, other shapes are also available, such as the mummy, tapered or cylinder shaped sleeping bag. Bags that have more space to move around also have more air inside them that has to be warmed up. Those looking for a sleeping bag to use in colder weather climates will be more interested in bags that are close fitting or snug.

Price is also a part of doing a sleeping bag comparison but should never be the main deciding point. As with all things, price is never a good indicator of the best product. Many times, comparable features can be found across the board, with prices from one end of a spectrum to another. Brands that offer preferred features in conjunction with great craftsmanship and quality materials usually warrant the most attention.

Dissecting Reviews: Sleeping Bag Lingo

The advent of the internet has turned consumers into wise and savvy shoppers who no longer jump at the best deals or make any type of purchase without first doing a little research. When it comes to doing research on certain kinds of products, it always helps to read the product descriptions and reviews.

Sleeping bag companies offer information as do review sites where everyday folks can give a thumbs up or thumbs down on a product. However, when it comes to something like sleeping bags, technical terms can be a hang-up, leaving a would-be buyer scratching their head and even more confused than when they started!

In reading reviews, sleeping bag lingo can seem daunting; cryptic at the very least. Temperature ratings, mummy bags, draft tubes, fill power and other words often make up most of the descriptions- and without understanding what any of those things mean, it can seem like reading a secret code! Since one of the most important things about choosing a sleeping bag is where and what type of climate it will be used in, when a purchaser reads the reviews, sleeping bag features and their uses need to be fully understood in order to keep from investing in the wrong type of bag.

By becoming familiar with the terms, the next time a consumer reads the reviews, sleeping bag lingo will no longer be a point of confusion. It will not only ensure the proper product is being purchased but will give the consumer a chance to sound like a camping or hiking pro to others!

These are a list of terms, commonly found in product description or reviews. Sleeping bag features vary and have pros and cons depending on different climates and weather conditions.

Draft tubes are a feature that helps preserve body heat by insulating the zipper on the sleeping bag.

Fill power is the number of cubic inches one ounce of down fills. A fill power that ranges from 550 to 700-plus cubic inches is considered top quality.

Mummy bag is a snug fitting sleeping bag that is great for keeping warm. Used by the more serious camper or hiker in colder temperatures.

Stuff sack is the nylon bag in which the sleeping bag is carried

Tapered bag is a sleeping bag that is wide at the shoulders and narrows at the feet but is not as snug as the mummy bag and allows better movement.

Temperature rating is what sleeping bags use to show what one can expect the lowest temperature of the weather to get to and still expect the bag to keep a camper warm. This is generally a guide and does not count for other conditions such as wind- which can make a temperature feel lower.

Going with the Best: The North Face Sleeping Bag

The North Face has been in existence since 1966, bringing superb outdoor gear to enthusiasts. As the company evolved throughout the years, they mixed technology with experience in order to provide customers with an even better array of quality products. One of those products is the North Face sleeping bag.

The North Face sleeping bag offers the best of features using ultra-modern technology and top quality materials. Whether a camper prefers synthetic insulation or the loft of natural down, The North Face has a number of products with useful efficient features for every camper or hiker. Many find that once a North Face sleeping bag becomes part of their gear, it becomes an irreplaceable piece of equipment.

The North Face sleeping bag is a bag mostly for colder weather venues with temperature ratings from above 15 degrees Fahrenheit to below zero ratings. Because of that, the bags come mostly- but not always- in a mummy shape bag. This is the shape of bag that retains the most body heat. For the bags that do not use natural down as an insulator, The North Face uses Heatshield Optimal Technology and Polarguard in their construction. This synthetic insulation offers a great warmth-to-weight ratio, the ability to compress well and will remain extremely durable all the while. These insulators are considered by some to be lighter and efficient, thermally speaking. They do not shift as much and leave room for cold spots in the bag.

Once inside the unit, campers will be further protected by waterproof shells, overlapping shingle construction and a lined zipper column. The bags are designed to fit any sized camper and womens and childs fits can be easily found. The womens fit has just the right amount of space for female shoulder and hip proportion as well as length. A handy feature is the ability to zipper to bags together at a time. This useful option creates a larger sleeping space and can also be used at times when extreme weather conditions require extra body heat for campers to stay comfortable.

Comfortable and efficient features on the North Face sleeping bag further increase its value to a hikers and campers. These include:

* Vaulted footboxes that offer a good amount of ergonomic comfort for tired hikers
* Oversized down-filled draft tubes to block out chilly drafts
* Easy one-hand pull cord for making trouble-free hood adjustments
* No snag glow-in-the-dark zipper pulls
* Head-level watch pockets
* Safe kid features, like easy-grab zippers and no elastic or cords in the head or neck area

Choosing Quality Equipment: The Mountain Hardwear Sleeping Bag

Mountain Hardwear was started over a decade ago by a group of outdoor enthusiasts who used their own experiences to help develop outdoor gear that serious everyday hikers and campers would want to find in their own collection. The Mountain Hardwear sleeping bag is one of those items. Developed with the serious hiker and camper in mind, each bag was designed to handle below zero to just above zero temperatures.

Knowing that each temperature range wields a certain level of demand on a campers body, the insulation and bag shape are part of the design that keeps the inside of the unit dry and toasty yet compact for when its time to get up and go.

A Mountain Hardwear sleeping bag comes with both synthetic and natural down insulation. Down is typically a mixture of goose feathers and is not only known for being light but for its amazing ability to trap warm air. Synthetic insulations in Mountain Hardwear bags like Polarguard Delta, Thermolite Extra and Thermic CF offer hollow filaments that also capture warm air and compresses nicely into a stuff sack.

The materials are incredibly light; a bonus for the camper and hiker on the go. Each material provides a great level of comfort and protection as does the waterproof materials that are use to construct the shell of the Mountain Hardwear sleeping bag. Airy, breathable materials allow for a consistent level of bodyheat throughout the night.

The sarcophagus shape of a Mountain Hardwear sleeping bag is the best for cold weather as it retains body heat more efficiently than other shapes. It also uses less material than a rectangular bag and therefore takes up less room- even with the extra insulation in foot areas and across the chest. Those who choose a Mountain Hardwear sleeping bag will also find these extra features make the unit more comfortable and efficient:

* Insulated draft collar that will seal in bodyheat from the neck down
* Draw cords that can be adjusted with one hand on the hood and collar
* Insulated draft tube that runs the length of the bag to block cold breezes
* Face gaskets for sealing in warm air around the face
* Snag-proof zippers
* Womens cut that provides for female proportions in the hip and shoulder area
* Can be professionally cleaned but is machine washable (special instructions and suggestions apply)

Adding a Mountain Hardwear sleeping bag certainly makes a statement about becoming a serious camper or hiker and many find that it becomes an irreplaceable part of their camping collection.

Shoot for it! The Moonstone Sleeping Bag

From the early 70s, Moonstone has been known as an industry leader in the sleeping bag industry thanks to its innovative technology used to create both down-filled and synthetically insulated sleeping bags. The Moonstone sleeping bag is well-known for not only being warm and highly compressible for light packing but for the versatility that allows it to be used in wet and dry environments. It is quite obvious attention goes into every detail of every bag and it is for this reason that many campers and hikers gravitate toward having a Moonstone sleeping bag as part of their camping gear.

Moonstone was a company that found inspiration in the needs of a mountain rescue team in Northern California. The teams challenges brought on by a wet coastal climate spawned the very thing that has made Moonstone the industry leader it is today. Previously, campers and hikers only had a choice between either synthetic insulation or down. However, a Moonstone sleeping bag constructed of half synthetic insulation and half goose down really made an impression in the world of outdoor gear.

Goose down is well-known for losing its insulation properties when wet and therefore was not an option for those camping in those environments. With a Moonstone sleeping bag, synthetic insulation, which handled moisture well, was placed on the bottom while natural down filled the top of the sleeping bag. Now campers and hikers in wet climates could have the down filled sleeping bag they had always dreamed of. It was the best of both worlds.

A Moonstone sleeping bag sleeping bag uses state-of-the-art water and wind resistant fabrics in the construction of its shell. Inside the bag, the ultra-light fabrics provide comfort and warmth. A Moonstone sleeping bag also comes with a number of handy features such as glow-in-the-dark zippers (great for middle of the night trips to the bathroom), full length draft tubes, hoods, draft collars and much more.

Those who have experience with a Moonstone sleeping bag are more than pleased with the amount of quality and features they get with the bag and consider it money well spent and purchase very worth making.

Moonstone is very well-known for not being afraid to use many pioneering techniques and going down avenues that other outdoor gear companies could or wouldnt go. The company created sleeping bags with removable hoods and built-in sleeping pads that afforded campers and hikers to make their own adjustments and be comfortable. Creating products with the serious outdoor enthusiast in mind is how Moonstone has managed to put itself at the forefront of the outdoor industry.

Camping in a Military Sleeping Bag

A military sleeping bag is a great choice for the camper or hiker who prefers gear that has both extra-protection and a functional, efficient design, something the military is quite well-known for and has rigorously perfected. Many companies have their own version of a military sleeping bag that includes all the components of a real military-issued unit. Some offer lighter designs that are still efficient. However, the heavy duty designs are generally comprised of four units that campers can make use of individually or combine together to make a sturdy all-weather unit built for survival purposes. These types of sleeping bags are quite popular with professional campers or hikers and also with those who do research in extreme conditions. A military sleeping bag guarantees the utmost in protection when it comes to sleeping bags.

A military sleeping bag that has the Military Specification Modular Sleep System (MSS) comes with the following features:

* A temperature rating of 50F to -30F
* A Patrol bag made of water resistant nylon that offers a temperature rating of 50F to 30F
* An Intermediate bag for colder weather made of water-proof nylon that offers a temperature rating of 30F to -10F.
* The ability to combine both the Patrol and Intermediate bags for greater protection and warmth for a temperature rating of -30F
* Stuff sack with compression straps to reduce the size of the pack
* Gore-Tex Bivy sack to help protect from intense weather changes or climates
* Polyester filament insulation
* Insulated draft tube
* Snap closure system for integrating units

A military sleeping bag that has the Variable Component Sleep System (VCSS) comes with the following features:

* A temperature rating of 30F to -30F
* A Delta bag, made of water resistant nylon that offers a temperature rating of 30F
* A Gamma bag for colder weather made of water-proof nylon that offers a temperature rating of 30F to -10F
* The ability to combine both the Delta and Gamma bags with the waterproof bivy sack for greater protection and warmth
* A bug protector made of mesh for enhanced protection and comfort to ensure a good nights rest
* Polyguard insulation for the best in warmth and comfort
* Construction that does away with cold spots
* A secondary closure system that allows a speedy way in and out during brisk weather that can be worked even when wearing big bulky gloves
* Large rectangular footbox that allows the camper to leave their boots on
* Insulated draft tube
* A compression stuff sack to keep the pack conveniently small