Buying a Sleeping Bag

Buying a slepping bag can be a difficult task, with prices ranging from a few pounds to a few hundred. Ultimately you have to ask what you want to use it for. The sleepig bag is an important part of the kit. If you are hiking then you ideally want something that will pack tightly and is quite lightweight, such as a compact sleeping bag, although you have to be careful as these sometimes don't provide the best insulation. Temperatures drop at night more than ost people expect, even in the middle of sumer so you should make sure you're prepared. A sleeping bag traps the warm air around your body which provides the best insulation possible. The best sleeping bag is one which allows moisture to escape while keeping warm air trapped.If you are in a couple, you might prefer a double sleeping bag (there is no better central heating than the body heat of someone else.

Slepping bags are given temperature rating based upon their intended use. One season sleeping bags are designed for use in the sumer months only and aren't suitable for camping in the winer (they just won't keep you warm). Two season sleeping bags are suitable for the extended summer months (from early spring to late autumn, but aren't suitable for sub zero temperatures. Three season sleeping bags will provide warmth in temperatures which are slightly sub zero and four season bags are designed to be used all year round and will be the most expensive type of sleeping bag.

Temperature ratiings should be taken as a general rule, remember, temperatures can drop below zero in spring, particularly at higher altitudes so you should follow specfic directions of the manufacturer. The amount of heating that different people will need can vary widly, with some people requiring more warmth than others.

What you sleep on is also very important, a good ground mat provides great insulation and is very important when camping.

If you are just planning on camping in the summer, you probably don't need to spend too much, you might look at the Campus Night Star 300 Sleeping Bag. Or for a few extra £ you can get the Vango Wilderness Midi Sleeping Bag. if you are looking at trecking, climbing, mountaineering etc then you really want to look at the top end, as the cheaper models simply won't keep you warm enough. at the very top and at just inder £500 is the Expedition 1100 Sleeping Bag - there are slightly cheaper ones in the Expedition Range but this is the best of the best. Also amongst the best you can buy are the Rab Summit Sleeping Bag and the Mountain Equipment Everest 1250 Sleeping Bag. You might also want to consider a "bivvy bag", as this can be useful in emergencies, or if temperatures drop lower than expected. A groundmat is esential and you can get a cheap groundmat for less than a tenner or for a little extra, you can go for a self inflating matress from around £35 such as the Therma Rest Trail Comfort.

The fill in sleeping bags can be made of a wide range of things, most commonly goose, duck or down. Down is the warmest and often most expensive but not very good if it gets wet.

You may aso want to look out for a bag with a 2 way zip so you can stick your feet out the bottom. Double sleeping bags are also available and singles that join together to form a double. Insulated zips are also important if it gets very cold. A good ground mat is also an essential. They are only cheap and provide excellent insulation.