Lightweight Sleeping Bags
Expert advice on how to choose the best Lightweight Sleeping Bag for your needs. Recommended quality Lightweight Sleeping Bags from the World's leading brands.
Choosing a Lightweight Sleeping Bag.
Sleeping bags come in many shapes sizes colours fillings fabrics weights and prices. Choosing the right lightweight sleeping bag can be the difference between a good nights sleep, waking up refreshed and not sleeping at all. Your sleeping bag can be one of the most bulkiest and heaviest items you will carry.
Therefore, by choosing a lightweight sleeping bag you are able to:
Reduce the stress on your body by carrying less weight and therefore saving valuable energy
Save space in your pack for other essential items, or carry a smaller pack
Travel further and faster due to carrying less weight
Here are some useful tips to help you choose the best lightweight sleeping bag for you, based on:
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Weight
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Fillings
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Shell Fabrics
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Seasonal Ratings
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Design Features
Weight
As a rule a Down filled lightweight sleeping bag will be lighter than the synthetic equivalent. Generally the more expensive or advanced a filling the more compact and lightweight the bag will be.
Fillings -
Down Sleeping Bags or
Synthetic Sleeping Bags?
Shell FabricsThe fabrics used in lightweight sleeping bags are not designed to be waterproof but primarily to be very breathable to prevent the user from becoming too uncomfortable inside. Shell fabrics tend to become more durable and better quality as the price of the bag increases.
Seasonal Ratings
Temperature ratings on a lightweight sleeping bag can be misleading as different manufacturers use different criteria to award their own ratings and every individual feels the cold differently. Giving lightweight sleeping bags a broader seasonal rating gives a better overall idea of the bags intended use based on typical UK conditions.
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One Season bags – Basic Summer lightweight sleeping bag designed for use in warm weather or indoor use.
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Two Season bags – General purpose lightweight sleeping bag for use from late Spring through into the early Autumn.
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Three Season bags – Spring / Summer / Autumn bags for use down to freezing point and just below.
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Four Season bags – Winter sleeping bags for use at low temperatures and in harsh conditions.
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Four Season plus / Five Season bags – Specialist bags for expedition use.
Design Features
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Shape – most modern lightweight sleeping bags are mummy shaped with cowl hood and a taper towards the foot; these features allow the maximum amount of warmth to be trapped inside the bag.
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Shoulder baffle – allows the bag to be closed around the neck and shoulders with a draw cord (trapping more warm air) without restricting the face and head.
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Zips – allow ventilation and ease of access. If you are right handed you are best to buy a bag with a zip on the left and vice versa as it is easier to do it up and down across your body. Some have half-zips or no zip at all, simply to save weight.
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Compression Bags – enable you to squash your lightweight sleeping bag smaller than it would normally go.