Selecting a Sleeping Bag – Choosing the right Temperature Rating
So you've finally decided it is time to replace that old sleeping bag that you've had since you were a teenager, a Boy Scout, or perhaps one of those sleeping bags made by the big box manufacturer that made your portable stove, your tent, your flashlight and your cooler. At first, the number of variables to consider: temperature rating, shape, type of filler material, and finally weight, appear to make the job of selecting the right sleeping bag appear complicated. This article will aid in determining what is important to you when selecting the best sleeping bag temperature rating for your camping situation.
Temperature rating is probably the first and the most important factor to consider when deciding on a sleeping bag. Most sleeping bags will indicate a temperature rating, such as -15 degrees or +35 degrees. These temperatures ratings are intended to provide an indication of the outside temperature that you can expect the bag to keep you warm and comfortable. How it does that is affected by the following:
Tent: Using a tent adds a layer of insulating air between your sleeping bag and the outside air, providing an additional 5 degrees of comfort compared with sleeping out exposed directly to the night air.
Pad: Using an Air Mattress or Pad, or maybe even a cot to get off the cold ground will also contribute another 5 degrees F of comfort. Without a pad or air mattress, your body is compressing the filler material in the sleeping bag where you are lying on it, reducing the filler loft and insulating air space between you and the cold ground.
Clothing: What you wear inside your sleeping bag can have a significant effect on your ability to be comfortable while you sleep. The key is to wear several light layers of clothing that will allow you to add or take off a layer as the night time temperatures fluctuate. Wear clean socks to bed to keep your feet dry and warm. Wearing a cap on your head is also a good idea.
Gender: In general, the core body temperature of a female is likely to benefit from a sleeping bag rated 10 degrees F lower than the average male.
Metabolism: How fast your body burns the calories you consumed at mealtime is one of those individual factors that will be difficult to determine its impact. I usually ask a person how they sleep at home. Do you throw off the covers in the middle of the night because you have become warm, or do you find yourself looking for that extra blanket because you are cold. These are indications of your metabolism.
Hydration: Staying hydrated is another important factor in how your body maintains its core temperature. It is important to drink plenty of water.
My suggestion is that you select a temperature rating for the coldest temperature you are likely to expect, and then subtract another 10 degrees. In other words, if you like to camp in the snow and the temperatures typically dip to +15 degrees F, you might want to consider a bag rated closer to +5 degrees F. If your camping experience is mostly during the warmer months of the year or you live in an area where the nightly temperatures rarely dip below 45 degrees F, then a +35 degree F bag may be a good choice for you.
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So you have finally decided it is time to replace that old sleeping bag that you've had since your were a teenager, a Boy Scout, or perhaps you have one of those sleeping bags made by the big box manufacturer that made your tent, your portable stove, your lantern and your cooler. In this article I describe the important factors to consider when deciding on the filler material for your sleeping bag.
So you've finally decided it is time to replace that old sleeping bag that you've had since your were a teenager, a Boy Scout, or perhaps you have one of those sleeping bags made by the big box manufacturer that made your tent, your portable stove, your lantern and your cooler. In this article I will describe some of the important features to consider when deciding whether a Camping Bag or a Mummy Bag is the right shape for your personal camping situation.
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