Sleeping Bags

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Sleeping bags for backpacking and bikepacking need to be lightweight and pack down small without sacrificing warmth or comfort. Choose a sleeping bag with a temperature rating suitable for the coldest nighttime temperature you expect. Three-season bags ( -7°C to 2°C) work well for most but you might need a winter bag if mountaineering in extreme cold (some come with hoods for warmth around your head) or a summer bag for minimum night time temperatures above 2°C. Think about the type of insulation you want - down insulation is warmer for its weight and highly compressible but loses insulation when wet and is difficult to dry out. Go for a water resistant shell, especially if choosing a down bag. A sleeping bag with synthetic insulation keeps you warm even when wet and dries faster but is bulkier and heavier. A mummy shaped sleeping bag is best for warmth (especially because it wraps around your head and keeps you fully enclosed), smaller packed size and weight but some people opt for a rectangular bag for the greater freedom of movement inside. A hybrid sleeping bag shape aims to give the best of both worlds with rounded corners. Next, think about the zip. It’s easy to get too warm inside a bag so a zip allows for ventilation - it also makes it easier to get in and out of your bag. You can fully unzip rectangular sleeping and use it like a blanket. Zips can, however, provide a route for heat loss and add to the weight and the price of the sleeping bag.