|
What Backpacking Sleeping Bag Is Right For You?
Just like the fate of old time explorers; backpackers are constantly exposed to all sorts of climate conditions as well as experiencing many different types of terrain in the explorations. Backpackers must be self-sufficient and prepared for the worst of conditions at all times.
Being prepared starts before your journey begins; one of the first things that should be done in order to be prepared for your backpacking adventure is to select your backpacking gear. Of particular importance is your backpacking sleeping bag. Not getting a good night’s rest can lead to mistakes that can mean the difference between enjoying that view of the sunset from a mountain ridge and seeing that same sunset from a Search and Rescue helicopter.
1. The Backpacking Sleeping Bag – What Makes Them So Special
Before choosing a backpacking sleeping bag, you should know what the main differences are between a backpacking sleeping bag made specifically for backpacking and other types of sleeping bags that are on the market. The distinctive needs that backpackers have lead to special considerations that the backpacker must consider.
First of all, backpacking sleeping bags must be light and easy to carry. Most backpackers will already be carrying a considerable amount of items, such as extra clothing for rain or snow, food, cooking gear and fire starting material, flashlights, water bottles, first aid supplies and other survival gear, and any special equipment for traversing the terrain the backpacker will be traveling through.
These may include things such as ropes, pitons, etc. They weight of all these items combined can be very heavy and is good reason why a backpacking sleeping bag needs to be lightweight.
Backpackers are limited in space and therefore a backpacking sleeping bag should be compact as possible so that it is easily storable and allow for greater movement.
A big, bulky sleeping bag tied to your back can be a major hindrance when moving through difficult or heavily forested terrain. This can slow a backpacker down as well as lead to more work than necessary which could lead the backpacker to be fatigued much quicker.
Backpackers can be caught in all types of weather while out on the trail, because of this a backpacking sleeping bag need to be able to protect the backpacker in good weather as well as bad.
2. Surviving Mother Nature
Before choosing what type of sleeping bag to take with you on your backpacking adventure you need to consider where you will be going and the weather conditions you may face. It wouldn't be appropriate to take the same backpacking sleeping bag with you to a desert climate that you would take to the Rocky Mountains, the conditions you would face are very different and so are the needs of your backpacking sleeping bag.
You must consider the area you are going to be backpacking in, is it hot? Cold? Humid? Dry? Is it the rainy (or snowy) season there? What kind of temperature variations are there between day and night? Once you have a good understanding of the types of conditions you will experience you can then better choose the backpacking sleeping bag that will be right for you.
A polyfill or synthetic type insulated sleeping bag will be a better choice for you when it is wet compared to a down filled sleeping bag. On the other hand, a down-filled bag will keep you warmer in frozen, windy environments such as those you may experience in the mountains.
A simple nylon shell may work well in a warm, humid climate, but cold winds will cut right through it. Microfiber linings tend to work very well when wet and provide good wind protection however they can be a tad heavy and expensive. You should also remember that the amount material the backpacking sleeping bag is made up of directly influences both the weight and the bulk of the sleeping bag.
3. Not All Backpacking Sleeping Bags Are Equal
Not every backpacking sleeping bag is right for every backpacking situation, Using a light shell sleeping bag in a cold mountain climate may lead to you spending some very cold nights on your backpacking trip. Additionally, using a down-filled backpacking sleeping bag on a warm beach would cause you to spend some very warm nights under the stars. Even within groups of bags appropriate to a given climate, what works well for one person may not work for someone else.
Metabolic and circulatory differences between people lead to differing needs in their sleeping bag. Look at the sleeping bag's temperature ratings, they will give you an idea of the temperatures that a bag will keep you comfortable in. You should also consider purchasing backpacking sleeping bag accessories such as hoods for minimizing heat loss through your head and draft tubes to get rid of excess heat in the backpacking sleeping bag.
After choosing a backpacking sleeping back that will work for you, also consider purchasing a liner for your sleeping bag. Using a liner will cut down on having to wash the entire sleeping bag after each use. This will help to extend the lifetime of your backpacking sleeping bag.
Washing your sleeping bag tends to make the insulating fill "clump", greatly reducing comfort as well as the effectiveness of the sleeping bag. Choosing a good, quality backpacking sleeping bag and properly caring for it will allow years of backpacking enjoyment.
Previous Article Next Article
|
What Are Backpacking Sleeping Bags
