The sheer variety of sleeping bags on the market makes the choice for the first-time buyer quite difficult.
If you don't know what to look for, you could easily buy something that is totally unsuitable for your purposes.
Probably the first thing you should decide on is how much you want to spend.
The bottom end of the market starts at about a hundred dollars.
For that you get a decent bag that is quite suitable for everyday purposes.
The upper end? There is virtually no such thing.
If you are looking for the ideal bag to use on your treks through the Himalayas, expect to pay a hefty sum for it.
So what should you look for when selecting a sleeping bag? The answer to this question depends on why you want to buy one in the first place.
What do you plan to use it for? Weekend camping trips in perfect weather with the family or treks in the Canadian wilderness? The fill of the sleeping bag is a very important factor to consider.
If you will be hiking a lot and the weather will not be extreme, choose a lightweight material.
It will be easier to carry and still provide sufficient protection during the odd cold night.
If, on the other hand, you are planning an extended trek in the wild and you expect the weather to to get very cold at times, buy the best quality fill you can afford.
This doesn't have to weigh more than your mother in law and be a pain to carry ' modern lightweight materials provide excellent protection against the cold.
This type of bag normally has a temperature rating, so you will be able to see at a glance whether it's the right bag for your purposes.
The shell of the bag should also be carefully scrutinized.
As with the other features, you must let the reason you buy the sleeping bag guide you.
If the terrain where you plan to use it is rocky with lots of scrubs and thorns, you obviously need a material that will be able to withstand these conditions without tearing.
The lining is often overlooked when people buy sleeping bags and is therefore often the cause of buyer's remorse.
You should be looking for material that is strong yet soft and warm.
It shouldn't tear easily ' once that happens you can basically throw the bag away.
It should also allow for air to circulate.
Plastic would therefore be the worst type of material to use as a lining.
Modern sleeping bags come in an assortment of colors and styles.
It does therefore not matter whether you're a trendy yuppie looking for a bag that says 'I have arrived' or a no-nonsense trekker who prefers function over style - you are sure to find the right bag for you.
If you don't know what to look for, you could easily buy something that is totally unsuitable for your purposes.
Probably the first thing you should decide on is how much you want to spend.
The bottom end of the market starts at about a hundred dollars.
For that you get a decent bag that is quite suitable for everyday purposes.
The upper end? There is virtually no such thing.
If you are looking for the ideal bag to use on your treks through the Himalayas, expect to pay a hefty sum for it.
So what should you look for when selecting a sleeping bag? The answer to this question depends on why you want to buy one in the first place.
What do you plan to use it for? Weekend camping trips in perfect weather with the family or treks in the Canadian wilderness? The fill of the sleeping bag is a very important factor to consider.
If you will be hiking a lot and the weather will not be extreme, choose a lightweight material.
It will be easier to carry and still provide sufficient protection during the odd cold night.
If, on the other hand, you are planning an extended trek in the wild and you expect the weather to to get very cold at times, buy the best quality fill you can afford.
This doesn't have to weigh more than your mother in law and be a pain to carry ' modern lightweight materials provide excellent protection against the cold.
This type of bag normally has a temperature rating, so you will be able to see at a glance whether it's the right bag for your purposes.
The shell of the bag should also be carefully scrutinized.
As with the other features, you must let the reason you buy the sleeping bag guide you.
If the terrain where you plan to use it is rocky with lots of scrubs and thorns, you obviously need a material that will be able to withstand these conditions without tearing.
The lining is often overlooked when people buy sleeping bags and is therefore often the cause of buyer's remorse.
You should be looking for material that is strong yet soft and warm.
It shouldn't tear easily ' once that happens you can basically throw the bag away.
It should also allow for air to circulate.
Plastic would therefore be the worst type of material to use as a lining.
Modern sleeping bags come in an assortment of colors and styles.
It does therefore not matter whether you're a trendy yuppie looking for a bag that says 'I have arrived' or a no-nonsense trekker who prefers function over style - you are sure to find the right bag for you.