It is recommended to choose a sleeping bag based on personal needs and preferences. To get a feeling of complete comfort, the most reliable product with effective thermal insulation is required.
The best heat insulator can be a fixed layer of air surrounding the body, which acts as a reliable barrier between cold and humans.
Types
According to the structure, modern sleeping bags can be divided into the following types:
- Sleeping blankets - look like a regular blanket, but with a long side zipper, thanks to which a person can fit between the individual planes of the material.
- Bags - have the same design as the sleeping bags, with the only difference in the form of a hood to protect the head.
- Cocoons - differ in a trapezoid form. The material narrows closer to the legs and expands at the head of the head. These sleeping bags have a zipper and a hood. The special structure makes the products more compact and therefore convenient for transportation.
Quality
There are a number of signs according to which you can distinguish a quality travel sleeping bag from an unreliable product. A good sleeping bag never has quilted through seams that become loopholes for cold air. High-quality products have reinforced zippers, which prevent damage to the material as a result of accidental capture of fabric.
Among the other defining qualities of good travel sleeping bags are:
- the presence of a cord for fixing the hood;
- high-quality fittings;
- the presence of special loops for drying;
Seasonal Features
There are specific seasonal indicators that distinguish individual sleeping bags. How to choose a truly effective hiking product based on this criterion?
According to seasonal use, camping sleeping bags are divided into winter, summer and off-season. Summer products include sleeping bags in the form of a single-layer or two-layer light blanket. The comfort temperature here is about 5 ° C and above.
The tourist off-season sleeping bag can be used at rather extreme temperatures from -2 to -15 ° C. Most products in this category are presented in the form of a cocoon. As for the number of layers, there are at least 2 to 3 layers, depending on the needs of the tourist. It is convenient to use such sleeping bags both in the summer, so in the spring and in the fall.
A tourist winter sleeping bag is the most voluminous, heavy, but at the same time the warmest option. You can feel yourself under reliable protection in such a sleeping bag at low temperatures up to -45 .
Prices
If we talk about the general price trend, then the lighter the sleeping bag, the more expensive it is. In addition, the cost largely depends on the comfort temperature declared by the manufacturer.
How to choose not too expensive, but at the same time quite high-quality tourist sleeping bags? Prices for winter or autumn sleeping bags will always be an order of magnitude higher than summer products. In this case, it all depends on the amount of insulation used.
The cost of the most inexpensive synthetic products made in China starts at 1000 p. The prices for the most technologically advanced, lightweight bags will reach 12-15 thousand rubles. and higher. So, the warmest winter models of sleeping bags cost more than 25,000 rubles. However, the purchase of an expensive product can be regarded as a “long-term investment”.
Parameters
Choosing a tourist sleeping bag is recommended not only on the basis of the above features, but also taking into account the anatomical features. It is quite difficult to call an effective product that reaches the owner only to the chest. However, drowning in a sleeping bag is not too convenient.
The following standard sizes of sleeping bags are distinguished:
1. M - 195x145 cm. Ideal for travelers who wear clothes up to size 48.
2. L - 220x180 cm. Recommended for clothing owners up to size 56.
3. XL - this option will be convenient for people who have a height of over 185 cm.
Fillers
If we talk about fillers, which are the main heat-saving element of a sleeping bag, then among the most common materials it is worth noting cotton, synthetics, as well as natural fluff.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of cotton tourist sleeping bags? Prices for such products can be called the most acceptable for the bulk of outdoor enthusiasts. However, such bags are suitable only for use in short trips over short distances.
Other disadvantages of sleeping bags filled with cotton can be considered quite impressive weight, the ability to absorb moisture, rapid wear.
However, cotton-filled sleeping bags are the perfect choice for people who are allergic to down and certain synthetic ingredients.
The most familiar to domestic consumers are tourist sleeping bags with a filler in the form of synthetic winterizer. The material is not only cheap, but also able to withstand low temperatures ranging from -5 to -10 ° C.
Synthetic sleeping bags are compact, dry quickly, and are lightweight. However, the synthetic winterizer has the ability to lose volume. Consequently, over time, such bags become thinner and colder.
A down sleeping bag is the warmest and most expensive option. Even the highest quality synthetics do not exceed the properties of natural fluff. Such a filler is elastic and, after squeezing, is easily restored to its former volume. Moreover, fluff of waterfowl is one of the best heat insulators, since the natural lubrication of the pen prevents the absorption of moisture.
Alas, fluff has some drawbacks. For example, using a sleeping bag with down filling is not very convenient in areas with high humidity. Even despite natural lubrication, when wet, the material completely loses its ability to insulate. In addition, the fluff is too poor to dry. Therefore, preference should be given to down sleeping bags with additional external protection.