The day is done. The tent is
pitched, the lantern's lit and the supper's cooked. Soon, you'll
settle down to sleep, dreaming of the adventures to come tomorrow.
Do you have a sleeping bag that's up to the task? Your sleeping
bag is an essential piece of outdoor equipment. Be sure to choose
it wisely.
The first feature to take into
account is the bag's insulation power. What's the coldest night
time temperature you'll need to withstand? Unless you plan to go
camping in Winter most people can get by with a 3-season sleeping
bag that's good to temperatures around freezing. Next, what sort
of insulation material do you need? Down is durable, light and has
a high warmth-to-weight ratio. However, it has no insulating
properties when wet. Synthetic fibers are heavier and less durable
but retain some ability to insulate when wet.
The shape of the sleeping bag is
a major consideration. The popular mummy shape has less space to
heat but doesn't really allow for variations in sleeping position.
You can sprawl comfortably in rectangular bag, but you'll lose a
lot more heat. A semi-rectangular model is a good compromise.
Narrow at the feet and wider at the top, it allows movement and
has good heat retention. Other features to look for are a hood,
collar, pillow pocket, draft tube and pad loops.
Unless you use a pad under your
sleeping bag, the ground will absorb a great deal of body heat.
Consider open- or closed-cell foam. Open-cell pads are less
expensive but tend to absorb moisture due to their construction.
Closed cell pads are waterproof but less comfortable. There is
also an open-cell version with a waterproof nylon wrapper.
If you choose your sleeping bag
thoughtfully, you'll be sure to get a great night's rest and awake
ready for a challenging day of exploration.
For more information on related products
and services, please choose from the following menu of items:
About The Author:
Rita Liotta
is a successful author and publisher at
www.1st-at-camping-gear.com. Recommending
camping equipment, tents, backpacks, GPS, binoculars, sleeping
bags, hiking boots, camping stoves, containers, water purifiers,
compasses, topographical maps, pocket knives & hammocks
21-04-04
