Sleeping bags
Sleeping bags come in various types and sizes. Naturally, since sleeping in a mountain lodge calls for a different sleeping bag than camping does! But how do you choose the right sleeping bag?
How do I choose a sleeping bag?
It's wise to think carefully beforehand about exactly what you'll be using the sleeping bag for. Is it for a sleepover where you're looking for a cosy blanket in a warm house, are you hiking for a few days sleeping in a tent on top of a mountain, or are you spending a week at a campsite in your own country? You choose a sleeping bag based on several factors, and one of those factors is the temperatures you'll encounter. The sleeping bag descriptions state exactly what temperature the sleeping bag is suited to!
Envelope vs. mummy
The standard sleeping bag, also called the blanket or envelope model, is just as wide at shoulder height as at the feet. The advantage of this model is that you have quite a lot of room inside the sleeping bag, giving you space to move and avoiding a cramped feeling. A sleeping bag that's wider at shoulder height than at the feet is also called a mummy sleeping bag. Because this sleeping bag follows the lines of the body closely everywhere, less heat is lost. In addition, the mummy sleeping bag has a hood, so little heat is lost through the opening either. A mummy sleeping bag is generally a bit lighter than a blanket-style bag. Camping outdoors in a cold spell? Then choose a mummy sleeping bag!
Material
Warmth in a sleeping bag is generated by your own body, so it's important that the sleeping bag is filled with a material that can hold onto that warmth. This material is often a synthetic fabric, but sometimes down is used instead. Synthetic sleeping bags are generally cheaper and last a little less long than down sleeping bags. Synthetic sleeping bags still insulate well in damp conditions and are easy to wash. Down sleeping bags are a bit pricier but insulate very well in any situation. They're also lighter than synthetic versions.
It's not just the filling material that matters, but the material of the shell, the casing the filling sits in, can also be decisive for your choice. The shell is the part that comes into direct contact with the body, so it's important that it feels nice. Here you have a choice between cotton, synthetic and polyester. Cotton feels very pleasant but quickly becomes heavy when wet and dries slowly. Synthetic material is light and dries quickly. This material, however, feels less pleasant and doesn't breathe. Polyester sits somewhere between cotton and synthetic material: it breathes reasonably well, is light, and dries quickly.
Tips
Going backpacking and will you often need to carry the sleeping bag? Then choose a lightweight sleeping bag!
Pay close attention to the length of the sleeping bag! It would obviously be a shame if the sleeping bag were too short and you got cold anyway.