When out camping, it is important to bring the right sleeping bag for the adventure. Having the right bag can make a big difference between being warm and having a good night’s sleep, or freezing all night and being miserable the next day. It is essential to understand the different types of sleeping bags to maximize enjoyment on your camping trip. Sleeping bag technology has come a long way, and there are a plethora of options to choose from in a wide range of budgets. Even the warmest sleeping bags (which can be the most expensive) don’t always break the bank and can last many years.
You may have to do your own experimenting, however; in my experience, a 0-degree sleeping bag is the way to go for 90% of the camping on the West Coast. Basically, anywhere that it is not super humid, a 0-degree bag will be good no matter the season. You can either choose to add extra sleeping layers or keep the bag unzipped to manage your own temperature. In the summer, I often use this sleeping bag more like a blanket because it is so warm.
However, when you start to get to the South and Midwest, where humidity is brutal in the summers, a 0-degree bag is very overkill. Generally, I would recommend a loose 20-degree sleeping bag. This allows for more room in the bag and for airflow throughout. Trust me, you do not want to find yourself in the middle of Arkansas at the peak of summer in a 0-degree sleeping bag; it is basically like a portable sauna.
What kind of sleeping bag do you prefer?
Leave a Reply