Sleeping Bag Guide
Back to home pageWelcome to Sleeping Bag Shop's sleeping Bag Guide. There are many factors that should be considered when buying a new sleeping bag; use the navigation links below to find information and advice to ensure you buy a sleeping bag that best suits the occassion.
- Sleeping Bag Season Ratings
- EN 13537 Ratings
- Sleeping Bag Fillings
- Sleeping Bag Shapes
- Physiological & Environmental Factors
- Additional Sleeping Bag features
- Sleeping Bag Maintenance
- Sleeping Accessories
Unsure of what type of sleeping bag suits the occasion? See our Sleeping Bag advice pages below.
Want to learn more about sleeping bags and their beginnings? Read about The history of the Sleeping Bag.
Sleeping Bag Season Ratings
Seasonal ratings are used to describe the time of year and their corresponding temperatures, for which the sleeping bag is most suitable for comfort in terms of warmth:
Season 1 is suited to the warmer summer months where night time temperatures average 10-15⁰C.
View our 1 Season Sleeping Bags.
Season 2 is suited to the months from late spring to early autumn where average night time temperatures are not much higher than 5-10⁰C.
View our 2 Season Sleeping Bags.
Season 3 is suited to spring, summer and autumn where the average night time temperatures do not fall much below freezing point.
View our 3 Season Sleeping Bags.
Season 4 is suited to the harsher winter months where temperatures average freezing to -5⁰C.
View our 4 Season Sleeping Bags.
Season 5 is suited to extreme temperatures encountered on expeditions where night time temperatures may average -15⁰C.
View our 5 Season Sleeping Bags.
These ratings are only intended to be a guide and temperatures can vary greatly for the seasons from the guide above according to the area, altitude, environment and each individual year. The seasonal rating is also intended to advise on the best sleeping bag for comfort and not for extreme capabilities where the rating would be a lower temperature. For a more exacting temperature recommendation, please refer to the individual product. The notion of what is warm may vary from person to person and this is also worth considering when choosing a sleeping bag.
Return to the topEN 13537 Ratings
The EN 13537 aims to provide standard temperature ratings for all sleeping bags sold and manufactured in the UK. The criterion was published in 2002 and brought into effect in 2005 and has now been adopted by most European countries including the UK, although it is not compulsory that all manufacturers conform to the EN13537 testing but it is strongly advised.
The testing is performed using a thermal manikin inside the sleeping bag which is subjected to different outside temperatures. The manikin’s thermal receptors will then feed the results back to be processed in order for temperature ratings to be given.
The ratings are given on the basis of an average 25 year old man weighing 80kg and an average 25 year old woman weighing 50kg. There are four possible temperature ratings which a sleeping bag may display:
1. Upper Limit – the maximum temperature at which the average man or woman would be able to sleep comfortably without excessive perspiration due to overheating. This would include having the hood and zipper open with arms out of the bag in order to aid in a comfortable night’s sleep.
2. Comfort – the temperature at which the average man or woman would be able to sleep comfortably.
3. Lower Limit – the lowest temperature at which the average man or woman would be able to sleep comfortably.
4. Extreme – a rating based on the lowest temperature the average man or woman could be exposed to for survival, although at this temperature strong health risks could be posed.
It is advisable to use the comfort and lower limit as a guideline when purchasing a sleeping bag. It is also worth noting that the ratings work on the presumption that in the summer minimal clothing would be worn and in the winter layers of clothing including hat and socks would be worn. Subjective factors such as the individual user’s body composition, their susceptibility to the cold and their age should also be taken into consideration as well as objective factors such as the wind chill factor, humidity and whether extra items such as sleeping mats are used. The ratings are only intended as a guide and therefore it is up to the individual’s discretion to choose a sleeping bag which is the most suitable for them.
Return to the topSleeping Bag Fillings
The fill in sleeping bags keeps the body warm by trapping air in between the filling. This air then prevents heat generated by the body from escaping out the sleeping bag, enabling the body to retain a stable body temperature without difficulty.
There are two main types of fill:Synthetic Filling
Synthetic filled sleeping bags tend to be cheaper and keep their insulation better than down fillings when wet; however they are also generally bulkier and heavier than a down sleeping bag. In the synthetic filled bag’s favour, they are much easier to clean and store than the down type. When minimising the bulk and weight of the sleeping bag is not an issue for example on short trails, a synthetic bag may be more advantageous in terms of cost. Festival goers would also benefit from the synthetic filled sleeping bag given the high chances of rain (and dirt!) in the UK.
View our Synthetic Fill Sleeping Bags.
Down Filling
Down fillings provide the best warmth for their weight enabling the sleeping bag to be compacted down to a smaller size than the synthetic filled bags, however when exposed to wet conditions these types of sleeping bags can lose their insulting properties. Accordingly, greater care must be taken when washing down filled sleeping bags compared with synthetic filled sleeping bags in order to prevent damage occurring to the bag. The increased cost of the down filled sleeping bags is also a factor to be taken into consideration. Down filled sleeping bags are most suitable to those embarking on trekking or mountaineering in the colder winter months, where the temperatures tend to be a lot colder and maximum insulation is therefore essential.
View our Down Fill Sleeping Bags.
Sleeping Bag Shapes
There are 2 main shapes of sleeping bag, the caravan (or envelope) shaped bag and the mummy shaped sleeping bag. A new shape of sleeping bag that has recieved great feedback is the Pod shaped sleeping bag.
Caravan / Envelope Sleeping Bag
The caravan style sleeping bag is a roomy rectangular shape with a zip along the edge of the bag allowing it to be opened up and used as a duvet. This type of sleeping bag tends to offer more comfort in terms of movement but the extra material around the feet makes the sleeping bag more bulky and less heat efficient due to the increased air space around the feet needed to be heated up. The caravan sleeping bag is ideal for use inside a caravan, for light camping trips or for indoor use.
Mummy Sleeping Bag
The mummy features tapering of the bag around the feet to the shape of the body, which not only decreases the weight and bulk of the sleeping bag but also increases heat efficiency due to the decrease in the air space needed to be heated up by the body, allowing more heat to be retained. This shape of sleeping bag is recommended for conditions any more extreme than light camping trips.
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Physiological & Environmental Factors
Elements to Consider when Choosing a Sleeping Bag include:Susceptibility to the cold
- Older people and females are more susceptible to the cold than younger people and males.
- Inexperienced campers may be less tolerant of the cold than regular trekkers.
- Those of a larger build may be less susceptible to the cold than those of a smaller build firstly due to their smaller surface area to mass ratio, and secondly because a layer of fat will provide added insulation to the body.
- Good nutrition and hydration will also result in less susceptibility to the cold, as the body will be better able to respond to changes in the environment in order to keep a stable body temperature.
- The general health of person, such as circulatory problems may affect the user of the sleeping bag’s susceptibility to the cold.
- The clothes the user will be wearing will have an influence over their tolerance to the cold.
- Higher altitudes decrease the air temperature by approximately 1⁰C for every 150 m in the UK.
- When sleeping in the open air where there is likely to be a long fetch as opposed to in a more covered area such as a tent or hut, there will be a greater wind chill factor which may affect the temperature and therefore season of sleeping bag needed.
Additional Sleeping Bag Features
Design features of a sleeping bag are just as important as fill and season rating when choosing the correct sleeping bag:
- Since approximately 30% of heat loss is from the head, a sleeping bag with a full hood will provide better insulation, essential for particularly cold condition. Those without a hood would be suitable for the warmer summer months or indoor sleeping.
- A shoulder baffle will allow for the bag to be closed around the shoulders and neck without covering the face and head and therefore trapping in more heat.
Sleeping bag maintenance
Properly looking after your sleeping bag will help to increase its life and maintain its insulating properties for the time in which you use it. The more a sleeping bag is washed, the more likely it is to lose some of the insulating properties and shorten its life. That is why it is a very good idea to use a sleeping bag liner with the sleeping bag as the liner will need to be washed regularly and the actual sleeping bag only occasionally.
The way the sleeping bag is stored will also have an impact on its lifespan. For long term storage, the sleeping bag should be loosely stored in a bag larger than the storage bag supplied with it. This will ensure that the fill in the sleeping bag is kept full of air and loft which is what makes the sleeping bag a good insulator. From time to time it is additionally advised to bring the sleeping bag out of its storage bag and lay it flat in order to allow the sleeping bag to air and regain its volume.
In between washing a sleeping bag, any marks or stains can be removed with a damp cloth or sponge on occurrence. When the time comes to actually wash the sleeping bag, there are two different recommended methods; one for a synthetic filled sleeping bag and one for a down filled sleeping bag. It is possible to wash a synthetic filled sleeping bag in a washing machine, but a domestic washing machine will probably not have a large enough capacity to wash the sleeping bag without damaging the bag or the machine. A washing machine with a capacity of at least 10kg will usually be large enough but it must also be front loading in order to avoid damaging the sleeping bag. A very mild soap and not a detergent should be used in the washing machine on a low temperature of not more than 30⁰C on a gently cycle like a handwash setting. Another tip is to make sure the bag is zipped up before placing in the washing machine so that the material does not catch in the zip. After the washing cycle is completed, an extra rinse cycle will ensure that all the soap is washed from the sleeping bag, as any soap residue left could cause the filling to clump and therefore lose its loft.
Down filled sleeping bags are best washed by hand in a bath in water that is just lukewarm, but it is advised to use a specialist down wash rather than a soap due to the down filling being more sensitive than the synthetic filling. The sleeping bag should just be gently manipulated in the water and the directions on the down cleaner should of course be followed. Having washed the sleeping bag in the specialist cleaner, the bath should be emptied and refilled with water to ensure the bag is thoroughly rinsed of the cleaner. To remove excess water, the sleeping bag should be gently pressed down in the bath but not squeezed or wringed of water as this is damaging to the down filling. In the case of both the synthetic and down filled sleeping bags, when removing the sleeping bag from either the washing machine or the bath, it is better pick the sleeping bag up from the middle or in a ball as it will be heavy due to high water saturation and there is a risk that the seams may rip from the weight.
Both synthetic and down sleeping bags may be dried in the tumble drier, however the temperature setting must be very low and for down sleeping bags it is advisable to dry in short bursts instead of continuously. A good tip is to put a tennis ball in with the sleeping bag in the drier in order to avoid clumps forming as the bag dries. If a drier is not available, or if it is preferable to finish drying the sleeping bag naturally, the bag should be laid flat (not hung on a washing line) and in the case of the down sleeping bag, fluffed up every few hours to ensure it retains its loft as it dries.
We do not advise that a sleeping bag is dry cleaned because the harsh chemicals can damage the bag and can also be very harmful to the user due to their toxicity.
Please note that this is only a general guide to looking after sleeping bags and manufacturers’ instructions should be referred to before cleaning the bag and for storage tips. If in doubt, please contact the manufacturer directly.
Return to the topAccessories to maximise the comfort of your sleeping bag
The perfect nights sleep does not end at the sleeping bag, accessories such as sleeping mats and pillows can vastly increase comfort levels. Compression and stuff sacks are ideal when it's time to move on and you need to pack away your sleeping equipment efficiently.
Sleeping Mats
Sleeping mats ensure comfort by providing a softer sleeping surface and preventing heat loss through the ground which is important as sleeping surfaces are always colder than body temperature. Due to the sleeping bag being compressed underneath the body, the sleeping bag will be less thermal efficient and therefore the sleeping mat can tackle this problem providing added insulation. Foam sleeping mats are ideal for festivals as they provide the right amount of comfort without being too expensive. When camping, mountaineering or trekking, inflatable camping mats would be more suitable.
Sleeping Bag Liners
Sleeping bag liners keep the sleeping bag clean as the liners can be taken out and washed easily. The extra layer of material also provides for extra insulation and can increase the comfort rating of a sleeping bag by 1-2 degrees.
Compression Sacks & Stuff Sacks
Compression sacks are useful for making the most of the room available in your rucksack and can reduce the size of the sleeping bag along with pillows and clothing to provide valuable space when camping, mountaineering or trekking. Stuff sacks are also suited to storage of sleeping bags.
Camping Pillows
Camping Pillows will add extra comfort to your sleeping bag and are also ideal for travelling, especially on plane and train journeys.
For information on Rucksacks, visit Rucksacks Planet Return to the top
