There are a number of factors you need to consider when reviewing a sleeping bag, the most important one by far is whether the bag's temperature rating is sufficient for your needs. Here's what to look for.
Temperature and Season Rating
On your sleeping bag stuff sack you will usually find data that will tell you your sleeping bag rating. Most sleeping bags have 'Temperature' and 'Season' ratings . The season rating is two season, three season or four season and gives you some indication of which season the bag should be used. The bag should also have a temperature rating, depending on how old it is. The temperature rating is either in the form of a comfort range or three temperatures corresponding to the Comfort/Limit/Extreme temperature. 'Limit' is the temperature that you will begin to get seriously cold. The 'Extreme' temperature is the point where the temperature gets dangerous. For camping in the summer the 'Comfort' rating is the figure you should be interested in.
Night temperatures
Once you know the comfort figure of the sleeping bag, you then need to work out the night time temperatures of the area you will be camping in. In the UK in January the average night time temperature is 1.3 degrees C. In July it's 11.7 degrees C. In Oregon, USA the average January temperature is -5.2 degrees C and in July it's 7.9 degrees C. Buy your sleeping bag in accordance with what time of year you're travelling and what temperatures your camping destination gets down to. If you're camping in January or at altitude it might be a good idea to look at the extreme rating of the sleeping bag and compare that to the extreme low temperatures in the region. The record low for Oregon in January is -32 degrees C.
How cold are you?
Do you sleep in your bed socks in July? If you do I'm willing to bet you're a cold sleeper. If you're a cold sleeper I would certainly adjust all the figures down. Go for the three season sleeping bag in summer and the four season one in September. Women, in general, need a sleeping bag that's 5 degrees lower than men as do older people. Manufacturers assume you're going to be wearing baselayers or reasonable pyjamas while sleeping, if you prefer to go naked, again, adjust the figures.
Materials
Down filled sleeping bags are the best quality sleeping bags you can buy. They're lightweight, they pack down really small and they have the best weight to warmth ratio of any bag. The problem is they're very expensive and, if you're a family summer camper, they're way over the top. Family campers should stick with the synthetic bags. They may be a little bulkier and a bit heavier but they still provide all the warmth that you need and, here's the exciting bit, they're a lot cheaper.
Sleeping mats and other things
What you are sleeping on will affect your warmth and your sleep. A lot of heat is lost into the ground so make sure your mat is insulated. Also make sure the sleeping bag fits, so have a look at the dimension before you buy. Mummy shaped sleeping bags fit more snuggly and will therefore keep you warmer. Square or Envelope sleeping bags aren't quite as warm but they give you more room to kick your legs about.
Temperature and Season Rating
On your sleeping bag stuff sack you will usually find data that will tell you your sleeping bag rating. Most sleeping bags have 'Temperature' and 'Season' ratings . The season rating is two season, three season or four season and gives you some indication of which season the bag should be used. The bag should also have a temperature rating, depending on how old it is. The temperature rating is either in the form of a comfort range or three temperatures corresponding to the Comfort/Limit/Extreme temperature. 'Limit' is the temperature that you will begin to get seriously cold. The 'Extreme' temperature is the point where the temperature gets dangerous. For camping in the summer the 'Comfort' rating is the figure you should be interested in.
Night temperatures
Once you know the comfort figure of the sleeping bag, you then need to work out the night time temperatures of the area you will be camping in. In the UK in January the average night time temperature is 1.3 degrees C. In July it's 11.7 degrees C. In Oregon, USA the average January temperature is -5.2 degrees C and in July it's 7.9 degrees C. Buy your sleeping bag in accordance with what time of year you're travelling and what temperatures your camping destination gets down to. If you're camping in January or at altitude it might be a good idea to look at the extreme rating of the sleeping bag and compare that to the extreme low temperatures in the region. The record low for Oregon in January is -32 degrees C.
How cold are you?
Do you sleep in your bed socks in July? If you do I'm willing to bet you're a cold sleeper. If you're a cold sleeper I would certainly adjust all the figures down. Go for the three season sleeping bag in summer and the four season one in September. Women, in general, need a sleeping bag that's 5 degrees lower than men as do older people. Manufacturers assume you're going to be wearing baselayers or reasonable pyjamas while sleeping, if you prefer to go naked, again, adjust the figures.
Materials
Down filled sleeping bags are the best quality sleeping bags you can buy. They're lightweight, they pack down really small and they have the best weight to warmth ratio of any bag. The problem is they're very expensive and, if you're a family summer camper, they're way over the top. Family campers should stick with the synthetic bags. They may be a little bulkier and a bit heavier but they still provide all the warmth that you need and, here's the exciting bit, they're a lot cheaper.
Sleeping mats and other things
What you are sleeping on will affect your warmth and your sleep. A lot of heat is lost into the ground so make sure your mat is insulated. Also make sure the sleeping bag fits, so have a look at the dimension before you buy. Mummy shaped sleeping bags fit more snuggly and will therefore keep you warmer. Square or Envelope sleeping bags aren't quite as warm but they give you more room to kick your legs about.
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If you need more assistance, take a look at these sites for reviews of sleeping bags and check this site to see some assistanceful camping gear advice .
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