A sleeping bag is an indispensable thing for lovers of tourism and outdoor activities. You can buy it in a specialized store or order it on the Internet. An important condition when choosing is the climatic conditions in which the future owner of the sleeping bag will find himself.
Cocoon. Resembling the shell that insects create for themselves, it tapers downwards. This cut allows the bag to fit the body more tightly, which is a plus for spending the night outdoors in cool weather. In addition to the hood, it can have an additional insulated collar for the shoulders. Due to the cut, it saves space in the backpack, but limits the mobility of a person during sleep.
Blanket. It has a rectangular shape, can be supplemented with a hood. Due to the large volume, it is suitable for simple tourist outings, if there are no restrictions on the number of things.
Combined. Rectangular sleeping bag with an anatomical hood that can be tightened to fit the head and fixed.
Leg. The bottom of the cocoon is used for sleeping in combination with a warm jacket. Such equipment is popular with climbers because of its light weight.
By material
Cotton or blended fabrics. Their advantage is naturalness, softness, hypoallergenicity. The disadvantage is a low degree of wear resistance and water resistance. They look like bed sheets.
Synthetic. More expensive in price, but much more practical: lighter in weight, wash well and dry quickly, less prone to damage and getting wet.
By type of filler material
Down is the best insulation. Filling the air between the walls, it contributes to the preservation of the heat of the human body. The main disadvantage: wet fluff dries for a long time, if it is bad to dry the equipment and fold it, the filler will begin to rot. Therefore, the best use of such a sleeping bag is expeditions to the Arctic or climbing to snow-capped mountain peaks. With proper care, things can last a long time.
Synthetic fillers (hollow fiber, thermofiber, hollofil, thermolit, synthetic winterizer and others). They dry quickly, are moisture resistant, easily restore their shape after compression. In terms of their ability to retain heat, they are close to natural analogues from fluff.
Combination of down and synthetic material.
To size
Children's (71x145 cm). Usually sewn from fabrics with bright colors.
Teenager (73x167 cm). Can also be used by adults of short stature.
Standard (84x190 cm). Designed for people of average height.
Large sizes (84x198 cm or 96x205 cm). Suitable for tall or overweight people.
Double. Obtained by connecting two bags with a zipper.
By appointment
Camping. Inexpensive sleeping bags made like a blanket. Suitable for sleeping in natural conditions in the warm season. They are warm and comfortable, but have a large volume: they are supposed to be brought to the place of spending the night in the trunk of a car.
Trekking (tourist). You can spend the night in them outdoors or in a tent in spring, summer and autumn. Compared to camping varieties, they have less weight: they should fit compactly in a tourist backpack and not become an additional burden during hiking trips.
Expeditionary (extreme). Very warm, durable and light at the same time. They are designed for climbers, they must protect them from snow, cold wind, low temperatures.
By temperature
Quality sleeping bags from the best manufacturers always have a technical data sheet containing information about what temperature will be the maximum for this particular model.
Comfort temperature (range from -20 С° to +30 С°).The highest air temperature at which a tourist can spend 8-10 hours in a sleeping bag, without suffering from either heat or cold, without putting on extra clothes.
Comfort limit (varies for different models from -49 С° to +25 С°). This value indicates that a person will be comfortable during an 8-hour sleep in thermal underwear.
The temperature of extreme or survival (the difference is from -60 C° to +15 C°). The indicator of the lowest temperature at which the sleeping bag will protect the tourist from hypothermia and provide sleep for 6 hours in the presence of warm clothes.
By season
Off-season. Suitable for spending the night in the open air at any time of the year, except for winter. The tourist will be warm and comfortable in such a bag at temperatures up to -5 C °, but even at -12-17 C ° he will not freeze. They have two layers of insulation.
Single season. Summer models are light and compact, used at positive temperatures. Winter ones have a larger volume, protect during cold snaps from -17 C ° to -45 C °.
For extreme temperatures (from -20 С° and below).
How to choose a sleeping bag
Decide on a travel plan: whether it will be an overnight stay with children in the nearby forest, fishing, a multi-day hike or conquering the mountains. For example, for light hikes or tourist outings in the summer, a non-branded quilt bag with synthetic filling and a temperature range from 0 ° C to +20 ° C is suitable. Another option is an inflatable sleeping bag.
An important selection criterion is the season and climatic conditions in which the future trip will take place. Pay attention to the difference between the comfort temperature and its limit. Those who quickly freeze, have a lean physique, and girls should also focus on the comfort temperature value.Only experienced tourists and climbers can purchase equipment based on the temperature of the extreme. If only one temperature setting is indicated in the description of the sleeping bag or on its label, then it is considered as the lower limit of the comfort temperature.
Many brands offer two types of sizes: Regular (for heights up to 180 cm) and Long (for heights up to 198 cm). It is advisable to buy a bag with some margin: for example, it is better for tall people to focus on the Long size. If the model is purchased for a summer trip, then you should add 15-20 cm to the stock, for other seasons - 30 cm. size, whether it will be comfortable to lie in it, change the position of the body. Climb into the bag, zip up, put on the hood and secure it. The fabric around the legs and head should not be stretched, and the arms should have a little space for movement.
Carefully inspect the model you like, paying attention to the following details:
Uniform, without lumps, distribution of the filler. It is good if the sleeping bag is quilted, which does not allow the insulating material to go astray.
The presence of an anatomically shaped hood with a tie will not let your head freeze.
Pillow pocket: for many, it is an indispensable attribute of a good sleep.
The zipper is large, well unfastened and fastened. It has a protective tape that prevents tissue from biting, and a special valve that prevents cold air from entering the sleeping bag through the zipper.
Zippered interior pocket to store money and documents.
Loops for convenient drying and hanging the bag.
Fastener next to the hood, insuring against spontaneous unfastening of the zipper.
No stitched through seams.
For children under 3 years old, it is better to purchase a model with natural filler. After 5-8 years, a cocoon sleeping bag will be convenient for the child, before this age - an envelope or a blanket. A travel mat will be a useful purchase.
An equally important question is how much the future travel assistant costs, how much to spend on its purchase. Nowadays, there is an opportunity to pick up this thing for every taste and budget. However, if you have a difficult hike ahead, a trip to harsh natural conditions, you do not need to save on equipment. It is worth buying a sleeping bag of a popular model of a well-known, well-established brand.
Which brand of sleeping bag to buy
Today, specialized stores offer a large selection of foreign and Russian-made tourist equipment. You can buy both little-known, budget, and brands that are distinguished by the use of the best modern materials, a high level of production and popularity among buyers.
Trump. Comfortable and functional sleeping bags of high quality. Narrow specialization: the manufacturer produces models for each specific case, whether it is a trip to the sea or a complex hike.
Husky. The company offers models for various purposes: Comfort - will allow the traveler to relax with special convenience; Extreme - designed for harsh weather conditions and low temperatures.
Alexika. The main principle of the company's work is testing new models in natural conditions. The consumer is offered camping (Siberia Wide, Tundra Plus, etc.) and tourist (Mountain, Iceland, Alpha, etc.) sleeping bags.
Nova Tour.For more than 20 years, this domestic manufacturing company has been creating high-quality equipment for outdoor activities, tourism, fishing and hunting.
Rating of quality sleeping bags - 2022
Three season models
Alexika Tundra Plus
Made like a blanket. The outer layer is made of polyester, which does not absorb water and dirt. Soft and pleasant to the body flannel is used for the inner layer, the headrest is sheathed with cotton fabric. The hood is pulled up. The zipper is equipped with special flannel rollers. They keep cold air out and protect against accidental zipper scratches when the bag is unzipped. Extreme temperature is -20 С°. The APF-Isoterm insulation will reliably protect the tourist from the cold.
Alexika Tundra Plus
Review of sleeping bag Alexika Tundra Plus & Alexika Tundra Plus XL:
Advantages:
Possibility to use in spring, summer and autumn;
Drawstring hood, headrest;
Convenient pockets;
Compression bag included.
Flaws:
Weight - 2.8 kg;
Not cheap.
Average price: 8,900 rubles.
Bi-season models
Trek Planet "Fisherman"
A camouflage-colored cocoon will protect a fisherman or a hunter from the night coolness in the off-season. – 15 С° — extreme temperature. The inner and outer layers are made of polyester, the insulation is Hollow Fiber. Additional comfort is provided by a hood and collar.
sleeping bag Trek Planet "Fisherman"
Advantages:
Two-way zipper with thermal protection;
Can be connected with another sleeping bag;
Existence of an internal pocket;
Light weight (1.65 kg);
Acceptable price.
Flaws:
The cover is not very good quality;
Non-natural material inside.
Average price: 2,900 rubles.
Reka S-023
A double sleeping bag-blanket is ideal for a joint holiday in spring or autumn (up to -10 C °).Coziness and comfort are created by two pillows included in the kit, soft cotton inner layer, synthetic insulation.
Reka S-023
Advantages:
Possibility to attach another sleeping bag;
Lightning with thermal protection.
Flaws:
Small length.
Average price: 4,200 rubles.
Models for winter
Track Planet Norge
The cocoon bag will become an indispensable thing during winter hikes and fishing trips. With the help of Hollow Fiber insulation, it will warm its owner on a cold night (limit - 26 C °). The outer layer is made of polyester, which will not allow water to get inside.
Track Planet Norge
Advantages:
Special hood with fleece pillowcase;
Two zippers with thermal valve;
Hood in the shape of the head;
Pockets inside;
Compact when folded;
Compression bag included.
Flaws:
It is important to choose equipment exactly for your height, otherwise its ability to retain heat will decrease.
Average price: 4,190 rubles.
KingCamp Track 450L
Can be applied throughout the year. In winter, it will protect at a minimum air temperature of -20 C °. Dense and warm, it is sewn from polyester (top) and polycotton (bottom layer), has a two-layer WarmLoft filler.
KingCamp Track 450L
Advantages:
Two-way zipper;
Can be combined with another sleeping bag;
Hood and collar;
Nylon storage pouch.
Flaws:
Putting the bag in the case does not always work the first time.
Average price: 3,500 rubles.
Alexika Canada
It will warm tourists in the winter cold and the cold of the off-season, designed for temperatures up to -22 C °. Filler APF-Isoterm 3D keeps warm. The top cover is made of waterproof fabric, the bottom is made of cozy flannel. Spacious model, suitable for tall people.
Alexika Canada sleeping bag
Advantages:
Anatomically shaped hood with special bolsters;
Protected from the effects of wind and water;
Equipped with loops for drying;
The set comes with a storage bag.
Flaws:
Weighs 4.5 kg;
High price.
Average price: 9,000 rubles.
Overview of another model of the Canada series:
Models for extreme temperatures
Nova Tour "Yamal XL V2"
The extreme temperature of this model in the form of a cocoon is -30 C °, so it is intended for traveling to the northern regions, winter hiking. Hollow fiber filling (2 layers), drawstring hood, neck collar and insulated zipper are responsible for retaining heat. Equipment designed for tall people.
Nova Tour "Yamal XL V2"
Advantages:
The ability to combine two bags with a two-way zipper;
Compression bag included.
Flaws:
Weight 2.3 kg;
Not cheap.
Average price: 8,400 rubles.
About this model and how to choose a sleeping bag - in the video:
Red Fox Arctic-40
The anatomical shape of the model retains the heat of the human body as much as possible. The structure of the lower part provides a natural position for the feet, which also has a fleece pocket. The shoulders are padded with a down section. The lightning does not pass cold inside at the expense of a special heater. Extreme temperature is -39 C°.
Red Fox Arctic-40
Advantages:
External and internal pocket;
Ability to connect with another bag;
Protective tape against tissue bite;
Packing bag included.
Flaws:
Sufficiently high weight (3.05 kg);
Average price: 7,000 rubles.
Sleeping bags for summer
Tramp Siberia 3000
A good choice for summer outdoor activities. Relatively light (1.72 kg) and compact, it will not become a heavy burden for a travel backpack.The anatomical shape of the cocoon allows you to spend the night comfortably. Soft cotton is used for the inner layer, practical nylon is used for the outer skin, which repels dirt and water. HollowFiber Siliconized insulation "works" at temperatures up to +5 C °.
Tramp Siberia 3000
Advantages:
Hood;
Protection of a lightning from falling into it of a fabric;
Light weight;
Option to connect with another bag;
Compression bag for packing.
Flaws:
If the temperature drops below +5 C °, it will not be so comfortable in the sleeping bag.
Average price: 3,000 rubles.
Video review of the sleeping bag:
Nova Tour Valdai 3000
Sewn in the form of a blanket. Heat is stored by the synthetic filler Thermofibre-S-Pro. The model does not have a headrest, so when folded it does not take up much space. It is possible to fasten another blanket to the bag.
Nova Tour Valdai 3000
Advantages:
Not heavy (1.5 kg);
Loops for drying;
Double zipper;
Inexpensive;
Complete with storage bag.
Flaws:
There is no headrest.
More about the sleeping bag - in the video:
Average price: 2,400 rubles.
The right choice of a sleeping bag is no less responsible than planning a travel route. Without rest in warmth and peace, the most beautiful natural landscapes will not bring joy. High-quality equipment, optimally suited to the situation, on the contrary, will help to cope with everyday difficulties in any trip.