 What features count and what can you live without?
In this feature we looked at the different types of sleeping bags focusing on the temperature and seasonal ratings. Next up we check out the product features and what they mean for you as a buyer. Down or Synthetic? Slant wall or stitched through construction? It pays to wise up before hacking through the feature loaded, swing tag, jungle down at your gear store.
So, you’ve booked the adventure and now you need to buy the gear, but what the hell does all that stuff on the swing tags mean? Not so long ago we’d have just packed a blanket or covered ourselves with leaves and been done with it. Not so now; a warm comfy night out on the trail means getting to grips with two way non snag zips and gaining a degree in the science behind baffles. Read on…..
Fit
Sleeping bags come in different shapes and sizes and it’s worth taking the time to find one that fits you. Standard sized bags are made on the assumption that we’re all 5ft 10in tall and are cramped if you’re above average height. Most manufacturers make larger bags and the difference in comfort and warmth is huge for anyone over 6ft tall. A close fitting bag, but not too tight, is better than a baggy fit.
Next to Skin Comfort
Given the choice and where conditions allow most people would prefer stripping down to a minimum before slipping into a sleeping bag. That said, you’ll find it a far more comfy experience if the inner fabric feels cosy next to skin. Some sleeping bags have the plastic handle and comfort of a crisp packet whereas others are far snugger. It’s a personal preference but we tend to check out the ‘feel’ before we buy. Using a liner is one way of making your bag next to skin friendly.
Weight and Pack Size
These are two factors which are always a concern for any item when you have to pack it and carry it. Some synthetic fill 4 seasons bags are just too heavy and bulky to consider packing for an overseas adventure unless you're on a portered trip and someone/something else is carrying it. On balance the golden gear rule applies with sleeping bags – as the price increases the weight and pack size decrease and you'll welcome any weight saving from the off.
Construction
Understanding the different methods of construction helps explain one of the ways in which some bags are warmer than others of the same weight. The most basic construction techniques are known as ‘stitch through’ and single layer. Basically this is the cheapest way to make a bag and you get cold spots where the outer and inner linings are stitched together and, consequently, there is no thermal fill. The more technical constructions such as ‘shingle’ or ‘slant wall/box wall’ adds to the price but it also helps eliminate cold spots and increase thermal efficiency.
Down V Synthetic
Which is best? The argument goes that down has a better warmth to weight ratio, packs smaller, lofts better and keeps its thermal qualities longer, whilst synthetics are warmer when wet (down is useless when soaked through) and generally less expensive. On a practical note, no sleeping bag is comfortable when wet and most all sleeping bags come treated with a water repellent finish which means that unless you have an accident or you’re trekking in consistently damp, rain sodden weather keeping your bag dry is no big deal.
The Swing Tags
When buying a down sleeping bag check out the swing tags for information on the fill power and down content. Both these figures are measurements of the quality. The down content is indicated as a ratio of down clusters to feathers i.e. 90/10. What this means is that the bag contains 90% down and 10% feathers. The higher the percentage of down the better the quality. Fill power indicates the compression and loft quality of the down and generally speaking the higher the figure the better the down, i.e. a bag rated at 700 fill power is usually of a lesser quality down than a bag rated at 750 fill power. However, a large fill power rating is not the be all and end all measure of quality as the construction, components and premium of the down all play a part in the thermal value of the bag.
Zips
A sleeping bag zip that has a habit of jamming is worth avoiding; they are a serious pain, especially in the middle of freezing cold night out on the hill. Anti-snag zips are easily overlooked in the confines of the local gear shop but believe me, you’ll be wishing you’d taken the time and trouble to find a smooth runner when you’re cold, tired and struggling with a clogged up zipper. Most bags have two-way zip configurations, which allow them to be opened from the top (to aid getting in and out) and from the bottom (for added ventilation). Being able to control the temperature in your bag by using non snag zips makes life more comfortable if the conditions are warmer than expected. Some bags zip together to make a double bag although you’d need to make sure you buy left and right sided sleeping bags.
Hoods
Most ‘outdoor’ branded sleeping bags come with 'mummy' shaped hoods as standard, which is just as well as most body heat is lost through the head. A good fitting, comfortable hood with a draw cord that secures close to the face makes a huge difference in heat retention and keeps your head warm in seriously cold conditions.
Baffles
Baffles, or as they are sometimes called, draft collars, are the lumpy ‘tubes’ covering zips and stitched in at shoulder height on the bag. They serve two purposes; they offset cold spots caused by zips and when drawn tight, stop warm air escaping (and cool air entering) from around the neck and face. Basically, a good zip and shoulder baffle will keep you warmer and more comfortable.
Stuff Sacks
A decent stuff sack is highly recommended as it will compress the sleeping bag to its smallest packable size for storing in a rucksack. Fortunately, most new bags come with a dedicated stuff sack fitted with compression straps. Stuff sacks also protect the bag and help keep it dry in damp conditions, though most are not totally waterproof. If you haven’t got one, buy one.
Liners
There are good reasons for using a sleeping bag liner. They increase the temperature rating of the bag and, more importantly, protect your expensive sleeping bag from the grime of on-trail life and such stuff as insect repellents and sun creams. It’s far easier to wash, dry or replace a liner than a sleeping bag. Liners come in many different materials; microfleece, cotton, polycotton and silk. Silk is the lightest and, we reckon, the most comfortable but it’s also the most expensive. A microfleece liner will boost up the temperature ratings.
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