We know how confusing all the jargon can be around sleeping bags, so we've put together this guide to help you work out what type you need. There are various styles and sizes available, ideal for all manner of outdoor expeditions.
What type of camper are you?
There’s plenty of different types of campers, and naturally there are sleeping bags tailored to fit into each camper’s needs.
Before committing to a purchase, it is a good idea to decide waht type of camping trip you'll be using it for now, and in the future. This will give you a better idea of which type to select to suit your needs:
- Understand the purpose of your trip. Is it to go up a mountain or for a simple festival weekend.
- Decide on the shape.
- Check the Temperature Ratings conform to your needs.
Guide to the different Shapes
We have cut our collection into four simple styles, to help you choose a little easier, which is correct for you.
MummyÂ
The mummy sleeping bag is the most traditional style. Aptly named, as it is contoured and tapered around the shape of your body, which will help trap your body heat to keep you warm.Â
Advantages:
- Often Warmer than square or rectangular options.
- Lighter in weight as they use less material.
- Smaller pack size.
- Usually feature a hood to provide warmth to the shoulders and head.
Disadvantages:
- Can feel claustrophobic as they constrict space.
- Cannot convert into a duvet
Square
Square sleeping bags have become highly popular, born from those who are not particularly fond of the mummy shaped options. Often, campers find those are, with the square bag being more ideal for people who prefer more space whilst they sleep. Rectangular bags are not tapered, and often do not feature a full hood.
Advantages:
- Offer more space
- Ideal for summer or adventure camping.
- Zip runs all the way to bottom of bag, which means it can convert into duvet.
Disadvantages:
- Often feel cooler as the air has more entry points compared to a mummy shaped option.
- Larger pack size due to additional fabric and lining.
Double
A double sleeping bag offers space to sleep two people, or two people and a small child. Perfect for couples who prefer to sleep in the same bed, and not independently.
Advantages
- Allow partners to share a sleeping bag, with their own space.
- Usually have independent zips either side of the bag.
- Can usually be separated into two indiviudal bags.
- Can be more cost effective than buying two.
Disadvantages
- Can be colder than a single option.
- Large pack size
Extra large
Extra large sleeping bags are longer and wider than the regular sized options. They are ideal for those who are taller, or wider than a regular sized person, as they often won't fit into a regular sleeping bag. Also, they are really great if you prefer more sleeping space.
Advantages:
- Longer and wider for larger people.
- Offer more sleeping space.
Disadvantages:
- Larger pack size.
- Heavier weight due to extra fabric.
Temperature Ratings / Seasonal Rating
Temperature or seasonal ratings, are the most important factor in your decision. You don't want to be caught out cold (literally)! On the flip side, you don't want to choose one that is too warm for your intended use. See the ratings, which are usually on the bag itself. Do not mistake the ratings, and ensure you pick a bag based on the the comfort rating.
Comfort rating
The comfort rating is the one you should pay attention too. This is the most realistic temperature that it is designed to be used in. This, as the name suggests, is the temperature you will feel the most comfortable in.
Limit
The limit rating is the maximum you should push using it to. Surpassing the limit will just end up with a poor night's sleep.
Extreme
The extreme temperature, should never be used in theory. The extreme is the absolute lowest temperature you will survive the night. The sleeping bag will save your life, but you should never aim to use one in these types of extreme temperatures. It is a last-resort scenario.
Tog
Some people still measure warmth in tog. The higher the tog, the warmer it is.
Seasonal Rating
Seasonal rating is another important factor. Here is a summary of what each of these ratings means:
- 1 Season - Ideal for Summer Nights
- 2 Season- Ideal for Warm Spring and Regular Summer Nights
- 3 Season - Ideal for Spring, Summer and Autumn, not for minus temperatures.
- 4-5 Season - ideal for frost and snowy weather.
Types of Sleeping Bag
There are many different types available, see some of the specific types we sell below, and learn what type of trip each can be used for:
Lightweight
A lightweight sleeping bag is designed to be light in weight, weighing as little as 300 grams, and compact in pack size.
Thy are perfect for cyclists, backpackers, or anyone else travelling with their sleeping bag on their back or in their rucksack. They are typically narrower and smaller, to cut the pack size, so if you are tall, be sure to check that it will be long enough for you.
Ideal for: Cyclists, Backpackers, Duke of Edinburgh Scheme Goers, Scouts
Great Examples of Lightweight bags
Adventure
This is your low season, every day model, used at home for sleep overs, or for festival use or adventure camping in the Summer time. It is the one you have in the cupboard, that you wouldn’t take up Mount Everest, but is perfectly reliable for a summer camping experience.
Ideal For: Home-use, Summer Camping, Festivals
Great Examples of Adventure models:
Family
Family campers who are using their car for transport, prefer softer-feeling sleeping bags which more natural fabrics like cotton, which have a larger, heavier pack size.
Within this range, we also have children's sleeping bags. However, you'll find that they don't have temperature ratings.
Why don’t kids sleeping bags have a temperature rating?
Sleeping bags are tested in the EU, in accordance to temperature ratings. This is to help consumers decipher whether the sleeping bag will be warm enough. However, its not ethical to test children in this manner, as often it involves using the sleeping bag in cold conditions. This is why often you will not see temperature ratings on children's sleeping bags.
Ideal For: Home-use, Summer Camping, Family camping
Great Examples of Family options:
Technical
There are also sleeping bags for more adventurous situations, such as mountain ascents, where a more technical product is required. Usually these will have a small pack size, but will use top end fabrics and insulation, such as goose down. This will make the bag warmer, but will have a more compact pack size. Furthermore, they often feature mesh panels over the face, for those in warmer climates, where there are biting insects and mosquitos.
Ideal For: Mountain Climbing, Lightweight Backpackers, Travellers
Contact us if you need any help choosing the right one for you, there are many options and they can be confusing. We're here to help!
Further Information
If you haven't found enough information, please see further details below, such as types of internal filling, technical jargon and more.
Insulation / Filling Type
Synthetic
Synthethic insulation is typically polyester material, in different weights. Synthetic insulation is a good choice if you might encounter wet conditions, as it is quick drying. However it is bulkier, so this type of insulation will lead to a larger pack size.
Down
Down feathers are lightweight, effective and brilliant if you are a lightweight camper. This helps those who need a small pack size option. The drawback of down is that if it gets wet, it will lose its insulating properties. Furthermore, it is much more expensive than regular synthetic insulation.
Technical Jargon
Mind boggled by the confusing jargon often used by manufacturers? Here's a guide to some of the jargon:
- Zip Side - refers to the side the zipper is located on. You would choose this, based on being inside the sleeping bag on your back.
- Auto-locking zips - these are zips, which will not open if you turn over in your sleep. A cheaper zip will just open when your turn in your sleep.
- Box Construction - To help stop cold air penetrating the bag, the sleeping bag is split into boxes by seams, with insulation filling each box. The boxes lies between the inner lining and the outer shell.
- Double Off-set Construction -Â this means the sleeping bag has two layers - which are off-set so the seams do not match. This stops cold air getting into the bag, and makes a huge difference to the warmth of the sleeping bag.
- Season Rating - the amount of seasons throughout the year the sleeping bag can be used in.
Great Brands
We only stock products from brands we trust. Check out our different brands:
FAQ’s
Is it bad to buy goose down?
Over the years, there has been a lot of negative press regarding the use of goose down, due to poor standards and force feeding of geese in factory conditions. However, in more recent years, there is ethically sourced down, which has entered the market. Be sure to check if the manufacturer (if down) advertises that it is ethically sourced.