Down Insulation

A down sleeping bag is right for you if you are looking for a light weight sleeping bag that will last a long time. They can compress better than synthetic sleeping bags, however they do not insulate well when wet and can take a long time to dry. On average they are also more expensive.

Down sleeping bags will come with a fill rating, this is the amount of space (in cubic centimeters) one gram of feathers will take up. The higher the fill rating, the lighter the sleeping bag will be and will compress better than a sleeping bag with a lower fill rating.

Synthetic Insulation

A synthetic sleeping bag is the right choice if you are looking for a cheaper option. They also insulate far better then down sleeping bags when wet. However they will not last as long as a down sleeping bag and are heavier and more bulky.

Temperature

When choosing a sleeping bag it is important to consider the temperature of the environment that it is likey to be used in. In general choose a sleeping bag that is 10 degrees lower than the minimum temperature that you expect to encounter. It also should be noted that temperature ratings assume that the sleeping bag will be used with a sleeping pad for further insulation. 3 Season sleeping bags are designed for Spring, Summer and Fall use, while 4 Season sleeping bags are designed for cold weather Winter use.

Summer: 35 to 50 degrees F
Spring/Fall: 15 to 30 degrees F
Winter: -30 to 0 degrees F
Artic: -60 to -10 degrees F

Size

Sleeping bags are measured from the toe to the neck without including the hood. To ensure that the sleeping bag is comfortable it is best to add a few inches to your height. However, if the sleeping bag is too long then the extra space will need to be heated by your body, as well as adding extra bulk and weight. At Tents4CampingUSA we have special sleeping bags designed for babies and children.

Shape

Mummy sleeping bags are the most common sleeping bag shape at Tents4CampingUSA, they are also the most efficient in terms of using the least amount of material and hence reducing the weight and bulk as well as keeping the amount of dead air space that your body has to heat to a minimum. The down side of a mummy sleeping bag is that they can be restrict movement for some.

Rectangular sleeping bags are not as efficient as mummy sleeping bags as they have more material and more space inside that must be heated to remain warm. However they are favoured by those who find mummy sleeping bags too restrictive and the extra space worth the added bulk and weight.