How to choose a sleeping bag for a hike - advice of a professional

Staying in nature with an overnight stay requires the main element for a comfortable sleep - a reliable sleeping bag. A quality product will protect you from temperature changes, wind blowing and damp penetration. How to choose the right sleeping bag so that you do not remember the night with horror in the morning, but feel rested and healthy? Let's go into more detail.

Best sleeping bag manufacturers - Which company to choose

The tourist equipment market is constantlyReplenished with new developments in the field of production of universal and specialized sleeping bags. Huge variety makes choice difficult. Therefore, it is better to pay attention to the most popular companies whose products are highly appreciated by travelers.

These are:

• Marmot
• Deuter
• Trimm

• See also: Rating of the best sleeping bags

Structure and technological aspects of sleeping bags

Sleeping bags are quilted bags for sleeping in field conditions. Fasten with a long zipper at the front or side.

Regardless of the shape, their design always involves three main layers:

1. outer;

2. average;

3. internal.

The materials used for the top coat must withstand heavy operating conditions. Most often these are wear-resistant fabrics, with good breathing abilities and resisting moisture. The latter is especially important for down products.

These characteristics are nylon, polyester. The first is more flexible, and the second is denser to the touch. Difficultly flushed coatings with rip-stop( Pertex, Ultrex) prevent the rupture of the external surface.

The filler layer is necessary to keep the heat inside. Usually synthetic fibers are used for these purposes, down. The artificial insulator has got the greatest distribution owing to ability quickly to dry up at the raised humidity. Natural fluff worked well in high-mountain dry conditions.

For the inner liner, hypoallergenic fabrics that easily pass air are selected. This affects the normal heat exchange of the human body, which means a healthy sleep. To protect against zakusyvaniya fabric zip fastening provides a strong sewing tape.

The corporate sleeping bag is usually equipped with an additional collar with a layer of insulation. Elastic tightening allows you to pull it off if necessary, so that the heat does not come out. It has a secret pocket for storing the phone or documents. It is fastened with a strong velcro.

The most common heaters are:

• thermolight;
• holofiber;
• primaloft;
• down.

Thermolight koala - synthetic, consisting of seven-channel porous fibers. Due to the ability to take in air, they create a kind of multi-layered pillow with good ventilation. This is one of the most common fillers in the Czech tourism industry.

Hollofayber - springy structure is a hypoallergenic material with excellent ability to recover after folding. Thermal treatment with silicone increases its ability to withstand wetting. He loses in ease the previous type of insulation, but has a lower price.

Primaloft is approximated to natural fluff by thermal insulation abilities. In this case, it does not lose its properties under damp conditions. The uniqueness of its design is ensured by the combination of ultra-thin hollow fibers with the same, but having a larger diameter. Often used in extreme conditions and expensive.

Pooh( goose) - one of the most expensive fillers. It has the best performance in terms of compression and heat accumulation. Sleeping bags on its basis weigh up to 400 g, almost do not take up places in the backpack and warm up in severe frosts. But, despite the hydrophobic treatment, it absorbs moisture too much and is heavily dried during travel.

Types of sleeping bags

Form

The following forms of sleeping bags stand out:

1. cocoon( with hood);

2. blanket( with or without hood).

Cocoons

Cocoons got their name because of the configuration that repeats the silhouette of the human body. They are narrowed downwards( usually 50-55 cm) and expand in the upper part( up to 100 cm).

Pros:

• minimizes warm-up time;
• elimination of heat loss;
• saving in weight( from 400 g to 2 kg) due to the small amount of material and filler;
• decrease in dimensions when folded;

Cons:

• close placement limits movement in a dream;
• is not suitable for large people with high weight;
• usually zippers unbuttoned to the feet.

Blankets

Blankets have an equal width at the head and feet( 80-100 cm).In such a bag, fit any person and be able to completely relax in the hours of rest. Models with opposite lightning are fastened together. From two sleeping bags one turns out wide. So sleep warmer in extreme conditions.

Pros:

• optimum comfort with sufficient overall dimensions;
• greater internal space;
• possibility to roll over if desired on the side;
• long zipper opens completely the bag, turning into a full blanket.

Cons:

• is always heavier in the same temperature range( sometimes up to 3 kg);
• cumbersome volume when folded;
• main destination - summer and off-season.

Most often in the sleeping bag there is a hood for covering your head from cold and wind. Its absence in some blankets indicates exclusively the summer use of such models.

Seasonal varieties

Branded sleeping bags are always marked with the parameters of comfort, extreme and the highest temperature. These figures help to find out under what conditions the rest in one or another model is the most acceptable.

Separate products:

• summer( from + 12 ° to 0 °);
• off-season( from 0 ° to -6 °);
• winter( from -6 ° to -15 °);
• extreme( from -15 ° to -40 °).

Extreme marks indicate the possibility of being in the sleeping bag at these rates( in clothes) no more than 6 hours.

Exceeding the limit threatens hypothermia and colds afterwards. The markers of the highest temperature are relative in nature and have no significant significance.

Sleeping bag selection parameters

Studying the models in the store before buying, you need to rely on your choice for the main features:

• bag cut;
• type of filler;
• comfort temperature;
• weight and dimensions.

In addition to the main points, it is worth considering the subtleties that distinguish branded products from questionable ones. A quality sleeping bag must have inside a strip with the marks of indicators. The confirmation of the figures is the certification of products, which should be requested for inspection.

In places of seams, a layer of insulation must be palpated. Otherwise, these zones will easily blow the wind, cold will cool. Open the sleeping bag for an hour flakes, picking up air. The exception is the model designed for warm seasons, with minimal filling.

Durable cords-ties, fittings, strong zippers - good quality indicators. Most famous manufacturers use Japanese elements of YKK.The presence of a protective tape along the entire length of the fastener, the loops for drying at the bottom - all this also serves as proof of compliance with standards and a decent level of production.

Complete with a good compression case. Stretch lines on it will help to squeeze the bag almost twice if necessary. However, it is not recommended to store the product in this form, so that the filler does not adhere.

If the inspection shows a defect( crooked seams, a knocking out heater, hanging threads, arrows on the fabric), then on this option it is not necessary to stop the selection. Endless repairs will turn the journey into agonizing torture.

Which sleeping bag to choose

1. Universal sleeping bags, which are equally good in different natural conditions, does not exist. It should be remembered that a sleeping bag of unknown production may not be warm enough, despite the assurances in the opposite. By giving preference to reliable brands, the tourist( especially the inexperienced) will protect himself from many troubles.

2. Going to conquer snow tops, it is necessary to take into account every gram on the shoulders. It is more reasonable to purchase an expensive feather attribute for sleep, to return home without a cold.

3. For hiking and parking in campsites, models with synthetic insulation are suitable. Their version is selected, based on the weather conditions of a certain season. In a spacious blanket it is pleasant to relax, especially if in the morning urgent charges and transfers to a new parking lot are not supposed. People with an allergy to synthetics should choose sleeping bags with inner linings made from natural fabrics.

4. Overnight at the water after the noble fishing seem cozy in a wide warm blanket with a hood. The big weight does not present a problem if movements are carried out by the car. A long hike will not seem tiring if you can wrap yourself up after a long journey into the sleeping cocoon bag, tight-fitting body protecting it from the cold air.

5. In long-term expeditions it is more convenient to use cocoons for sleeping. Their optimal weight and moderate dimensions will save your inner space in your backpack. The synthetic insulator is not saturated with excess moisture and will dry quickly during the stay in the camp.

6. A child's product designed for its growth, having additional layers of insulation in the legs or back, is suitable for the child. Adapted specially for the adolescent hand, the accessories facilitate operation, and pleasant bonuses in the form of highlights, small flashlights will add a bit of adventure on the journey with adults.

7. A dream on a hot summer night will be home-like in a very lightweight blanket with a flannelette lining without a hood. If it becomes quite stuffy, you can unbutton it, throw it over your body, protect yourself from bloodsucking insects.

How much is a sleeping bag

1. Expedition winter bags with synthetic inside manufacturers Marmot, Trimm, Deuter will cost from 5000 rubles.up to 70,000 rubles, depending on the class of filler;

2. The warmest feathers start from 18000 and pass for 80-90000 rubles;

3. The price of blankets varies between 5000 - 9000 rub. Summer options are cheaper: 4000 - 6000 rub.;

4. Baby sleeping bags-cocoons: 3800 - 5000 rubles. And women - from 4500 to 15000 rubles.

Branded sleeping bags are not cheap. The choice in favor of a quality model is a competent investment in one's own health, comfort, and security. In addition, such a product will last for years, saving its owner from dampness, cold and insomnia.