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Tall sleeping bag recommendations?

How to choose a sleeping bag?

  • I'm not really looking for recommendations as to a brand and type as it may not be sold here or may be too expensive, but I would like to know some general info - what features I should look for and what is not as important. I'm also not entirely sure what to make out of the listed temperatures. We often go camping with friends and I return with a cold more often than not. The coldest night I slept out had the lowest forecast temperature at 5°C (41°F) but we slept meters from a river. The warmest night was about 25°C (77°F) but I guess I can just unzip it or use the bag as a blanket in such temperatures. I was looking at women's sleeping bags as I'm just 165 (5'5) with very wide hips and some - so to say - feminine problems when certain parts of my body get too cold. I often sleep with a shawl or something wrapped around my hips if it's cold. But will it really make such a difference? Also, what's a reasonable size and weight of a packed sleeping bag that you will carry on your back? Is there anything else I should consider?

  • Answer:

    One thing I learned while going through cold weather camping training (0F) with the Boy Scout troop I volunteered with was that sleeping bag temperature ratings are calculated for men. Women do get cold more quickly, so they should buy a bag with a lower temperature rating than they think they'll need. If the lowest you think you'll encounter is 5C, you probably want a bag that's rated to at least 0C if not into the negatives. The shape/style of sleeping bag is personal preference. A mummy bag will keep you warmer, but I sleep on my side with one leg pulled up, so those just don't work for me. At that point, you start making tradeoffs between price and weight. The most lightweight bags within a temperature range tend to have the more sophisticated technology - and will cost you more. Make sure you have a good ground pad. Closed-cell foam is very good. Anything with air in it is not. Change into clean, dry clothing before you go to bed. Especially socks. And with socks, do NOT wear cotton. They don't wick, so they stay damp (even just sweat) and you'll get cold feet. And cold feet = cold person. Wool socks are good. Wearing a polypropylene liner underneath them is even better. You may also want to wear a knit cap to bed (cold head also equals cold person!) If you're going to encounter both high and low temps on the same trip, you may want to consider taking along an old twin-sized top sheet; in the warm weather, you can lay on top of your sleeping bag with just the top sheet for cover.

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I am almost always cold when camping and take my -7C sleeping bag even in the late spring (>+10C). I just open the sleeping bag up if I am a bit hot. In general, mummy bags tend to be better for staying warm. Here are the specs for the one I have (and love). Ladies bag. Regular Fits up to 6ft. (183cm) 1.50kg Outer shell is durable nylon-polyester. Lining is 40-denier nylon. Fill-power duck down insulation. Draft tube eliminates drafts along the zipper. I am typically back country camping and this one is a bit bulky (even in a compression sack), but I always regret not bringing it as soon as I am a bit cold. As far as features, weight and volume are really important if you are back packing, but not if you are car camping. As well, how waterproof/windproof you need the bag to be will depend on what you are doing and thus dictate what materials are best for shell and filling. You might want to go into a camping store and talk to a salesperson about what type of camping you are doing and solicit recommendations. You also might want to also consider a Thermarest mattress which will lift you off the ground and thus insulate from the cold.

Andrea S

Sounds like a 3-season modified mummy bag is what you need. Efficient design that packs small - more room in the middle than a mummy bag but you still get the hood and tapered toebox. Get the one with the temp rating for coldest you expect to encounter Down is lighter and more compressible than synthetic but don't get it wet. The higher the fill power the longer it will last - more costly up front but cheaper in the long run. Full length zip to stick your feet out when it gets warm. Double zipper in case one blows out on you. And as the previous poster said, the sleeping pad is just as important. I prefer a self inflating mattress - will keep you more comfortable and warmer but it can be pricey, heavy and you need to be more careful over foam pads (closed or open).

Herfnerd

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