How to Choose a Sleeping Bag

Buying for Function while Maximizing Comfort

Buying a suitable sleeping bag all boils down to identifying what type of camping you need it for.  A bag used on a family camping trip is going to be drastically different in design, weight and size, to a backcountry sleeping bag. 

Our Top Tip:  your sleeping bag can make or break your camping trip so choose right for you! For family/drive-in camping, select your sleeping bag for comfort; and for backcountry/hike-in camping keep weight and size top of mind.

Your sleeping habits, temperature, and the climate will also play a roll in your final decision and you will have variety of lengths, shapes and fills to choose from.

Consider these key points before committing to purchase:

• Intended Use
• Styles
• Materials: Shell, Lining, and Fill
• Other Features
• Temperature Rating
• Care & Maintenance

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Use

Identity which of the following apply to your needs, and review your options accordingly:

• Climate – are you camping in a dry or wet climate?  Waterproof materials could come in handy!
• Temperature – all bags are temperature rated by the manufacturer.  Pay attention to their ratings and always buy for the coldest temperatures you anticipate facing.
• Where you’ll use it – are you hiking and tenting, or are you sleeping in a cabin or RV?  Read on to find out which style will suit you best!

Styles

Rectangular
These are typically more comfortable for restless sleepers but because of their shape are not at warm.  They also tend to be bulky and heavy.  Rectangular bags are squared off at the bottom and because of this, two rectangular bags with double zippers could easily be zipped together to form a double bag.

Click here to shop and compare all Rectangular Sleeping Bags.

Broadstone Rectangular... $49.99 at Canadian Tire Corp

LL Bean: Goose Down... $203.13 at L.L.Bean, Inc.

See Similar

Hybrid or Semi-Rectangular
These sleeping bags are a cross-over of rectangular and mummy bags.  They offer more room than a mummy bag but because they slightly taper, they tend to be less bulky and lighter in weight than a rectangular bag.   Hybrids work well for people with larger builds.

Click here to shop and compare all Semi-Rectangular Sleeping Bags.

MEC Hybrid Sleeping Bag -20C $158.00 at Mountain Equipment Co-op

See Similar

MEC Hybrid Sleeping Bag -12C $130.00 at Mountain Equipment Co-op

Mummy
The mummy bag is cut wider at the shoulders and tapers down to the feet.  Because it fits so close to the body, it makes the most of the natural heat the body gives off. The design ensures that a draught can’t get into your sleeping bag when you roll over.  A good mummy bag will sport a hood.

Click here to shop and compare all Mummy Sleeping Bags.

MEC Asgaard WS Sleeping Bag... $385.00 at Mountain Equipment Co-op

MEC Explorer Kids Down Bag... $86.00 at Mountain Equipment Co-op

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Overbags & Bivy Sacks
Overbags provide additional warmth, can supplement waterproofing, and can also serve as a very light-weight sleeping bag when used on their own.  Bivy sacks are typically used for sleeping in extreme wet conditions or in winter camping as they are made of a breathable waterproof material.

Click here to shop and compare all Overbags & Bivy Sacks.

MEC Emperor Penguin... $146.00 at Mountain Equipment Co-op	MEC Hybrid Sleeping Bag -12C $130.00 at Mountain Equipment Co-op	MEC Penguin Overbag +15C $69.00 at Mountain Equipment Co-op
Integral Designs Unishelter... $259.00 at Mountain Equipment Co-op	Outdoor Research Advanced... $319.00 at Mountain Equipment Co-op	Adventure Medical Emergency... $14.50 at Mountain Equipment Co-op

Materials

The sleeping bag is made of 3 key components:  the shell, the fill, and the lining.

Shell
The shell is the outside of the bag and can be made from a number of different materials, all offering their own attractive qualities.  Just make sure that if you are going to be in damp conditions that the shell is water resistant.  Less expensive, less specialized sleeping bags will sport taffeta, nylon or polyester shells.

Fill
The fill is the stuffing and is what keeps you warm.  There are two main types of fill:  natural down and synthetic fiber.

• Natural down is light and compressible and is the best insulator available for dry conditions.  It is however more expensive and loses its insulating capacity if it gets wet.  The fill power number indicates how much space an ounce of down will fill:  the higher the number, the loftier and warmer the bag.  The loft is how much the bag puffs up.
• Synthetic fiber is less expensive and is able to maintain its insulating properties when wet.  It also dries quickly.  Higher end fills don’t quite match up to natural down but they perform extremely well.  Synthetic filled bags tend to weigh more and take up more space than down sleeping bags.

Lining
The lining is the inside of the bag and can be made of a variety of different materials such as taffeta, nylon, cotton and fleece.  When weighing your options here, stay away from cotton and fleece if you normally get uncomfortably warm at night.

Other Features

• Size:  Sleeping bags do come in different lengths so if you are especially tall, pay attention to this detail.  Bags designed for women generally have more room in the hips, and tend to be shorter in length.
• Draft Collar and Hoods:  A draft collar is located at the base of the hood and it prevents heat from escaping through the neck and shoulders.  A hood is a highly effective feature as most of the body’s heat escapes through the head.
• Accessory Pockets:  These can come in handy for keeping things like your watch or phone close to you.

Women's Bags See Similar

Hooded Bags MEC Habanero Sleeping Bag -12C $112.00 at Mountain Equipment Co-op

Kids' Bags See Similar

Temperature Rating

Temperature ratings are determined by the manufacturer according to the lowest temperature in which the sleeping bag will keep you comfortable.  Ratings generally depend on fill, construction and loft.  It is advised to determine the coldest temperature you anticipate using the bag in, and then dropping that number by 10 – 20 degrees to find your ideal temperature rating.

Care & Maintenance

• Don’t pack your bag wet
• Always air out after a trip
• Don’t store in a compression sack – store loosely in a breathable sack
• Wash your bag in a large front-loading laundry mat machine. If drying in a tumble dryer, do not use heat and toss in a tennis shoe to plump the loft.