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Now that borders are open and restrictions eased, 2022 is the perfect time to plan a camping holiday – the option of going out under the stars in a field in France, or in the Italian Dolomites, has freshly returned to us, without forget great opportunities here in the UK.
Then you will need a good sleeping bag: an absolutely integral part of the camping experience.
There are however a few things to keep in mind when considering upgrading your sleeping bag, and in this article we will seek to address a few of these considerations and offer some recommendations of examples we have. tested.
The best sleeping bags for camping at a glance
What kind of sleeping bag do I need?
All sleeping bags have a temperature rating and they are usually standardized so you know what you are looking at. They will have a comfort, an extreme and a “borderline” figure, which means there are three temperature figures to look at, but of course these figures largely depend on personal preferences and limits as well as what the sleeping bag can cope.
Generally it’s worth looking for a -10C to -20C limit for expedition bags, around a -5 to -10C limit for mountain adventures in the UK and Europe and 0C to 5C for spring and summer family camping.
What is it made of?
There are also different sleeping bag materials and styles to consider – down being the most efficient warmth to weight ratio, but very easy to pack small for hikes and longer expeditions. Three-season sleeping bags are a term for lighter sleeping bags where the need for total warmth is less.
What is the shape and style of your sleeping bag?
The third thing to consider is the style and shape of your sleeping bag, with “mummy” sleeping bags tapering to the head and legs allowing for the natural shape of the body. Rectangular sleeping bags are also available, as are sleeping bags that expand to the sides when needed to increase space.
Here are some suggestions for some of the best sleeping bags on the market for a range of different uses.
Gear up for your hiking and backpacking adventures
Rab Alpine 600 Down Sleeping Bag
Key Features: Fabric, Pertex® Quantum Pro with down insulation; Temperature limit, -10C (Comfort 2C); Weight, 1.1kg; Performances, 3 seasons
A relatively expensive option, this is one of the best bags we’ve tested and is worth including as it’s one of the best all-around, all-around sleeping bags.
Technically a three-season, but capable and well-designed enough to be a winter pack as well, it’s light, efficient, warm, comfortable and versatile, and we recommend this bag to everyone from wilderness campers to mountain expedition leaders. and trekking guides.
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Vango Nitestar 300 Quad sleeping bag
Main features: 100% polyester fabric; Temperature limit, -2C; Weight, 2kg; Performance, 2/3 seasons
A simple, robust and practical three-season sleeping bag recommended by the Duke of Edinburgh’s and Scouts Associations.
We particularly liked the square-bottom approach, which means there’s a lot more room for your whole body to be comfortable. It comes with a stuff sack with 4 compression straps, so it can be packed neatly for hillside expeditions.
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Jack Wolfskin Smoozip-5
Main features: 100% polyester fabric; Temperature limit, -22C (Comfort 1C); Weight, 1.7kg; Performances, 3 seasons
We all need to be aware of where our outdoor gear comes from, and this option from Jack Wolfskin is made from Bluesign-approved recycled materials, so also free of harmful chemicals.
We recommend it for slightly warmer adventures, with a comfort rating of 1C, but we also liked the distinctive S-shaped zipper. A good recycled three-season bag for the price – but not one for extreme cold
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Trespass CatNap Double Sleeping Bag
Main features: 100% polyester fabric; Temperature limit, -10C (Comfort +1C); Weight, 2.5kg; Performances, 3 seasons
This double bag offering from Trespass has a rectangular design and a two-way zipper, as well as a practical, easy-to-clean and water-repellent design.
Although for the price, as you’d expect, this sleeping bag won’t protect you from extreme temperatures, but it’s nice to include a double sleeping bag option for those who refer to heat in numbers. A good versatile three season double sleeping bag.
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Snugpak Softie Expansion 4 Sleeping Bag
Main features: 100% polyester fabric; Temperature limit, -15C; Weight, 1.8kg; Performance, all seasons
The Expansion 4 has a neat feature that allows the side baffle to expand, allowing more room overall, making the bag wide for more comfort.
This both helps the bag cool down on warmer nights or allows you to be more comfortable and add extra layers if you get cold. It also rates well down to -10 on the comfort scale, which we found impressive for a bag of this price.
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Nemo Disco 15
Key Features: Fabric, 30D Ripstop Nylon; Temperature limit, -10 C; Weight, 1.2kg; Performance, all seasons
Now we’re heading into more premium territory, with the Nemo Disco Down Sleeping Bag, which offers fantastic warmth and comfort in a lightweight package.
Along with the added weight and size benefit of a down bag, we liked the Disco 15’s “classic spoon” shape, which allows for more versatility and a wider range of sleeping positions, adding room for your knees and elbows.
The built-in pillow pocket is also a nice touch.
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Sierra Designs Cloud 800 20 Degree Down Sleeping Bag
Key Features: Fabric, 15D Ripstop Nylon; Temperature limit, -10C (Comfort -3C); Weight, 800g; Performances, 3 seasons
We’re a fan of Sierra Designs – they’re backcountry expedition style gear that has a ‘pack and go’ appeal and it’s lightweight, colorful and extremely capable in terms of technical performance.
We really liked the spacious feel the Cloud 800 sleeping bag offers, with an oversized duvet and extra padding to really feel like bed quality in nature.
It is also well ventilated. If you have the cash to spend and want to go out this spring, this has won numerous awards and we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it.
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Alpkit ArcticDream 1200
Key Features: 20D Ripstop Nylon with 90/10 down insulation; Temperature limit, -22C; Weight, 1.7kg; Performance, all seasons
For the price, obviously serious expedition fans just have to apply, but this is a product that means business and is primarily designed for polar and high-altitude use.
It has a -22C limit and was designed for the Himalayas, for example, where staying insulated, warm and dry is an absolute survival imperative.
In fact, we think for its ability as a classic expedition bag, the £359 price tag isn’t too outrageous compared to what you can pay for similar offerings from other brands.
Buy now
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Source: www.bedfordtoday.co.uk
This notice was published: 2022-06-17 13:01:12