Buying your Sleeping Bag for your Next Camping Trip
Written on July 13, 2009 – 8:31 am | by admin
Buying sleeping bags 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, 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. You might also want to consider a “bivvy bag”, as this can be useful in emergencies, or if temperatures drop lower than expected.
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.
Tags: activities, backpacking, camping, equipment, gear, hikes, hiking, outdoor, outdoors, tent, tents
18 Responses to “Buying your Sleeping Bag for your Next Camping Trip”
By Andy on Oct 25, 2009 | Reply
Clothing:
- Short Sleeve Shirts (3 per person)
-Long Sleeve Shirts (1 per person)
-Long Pants (2 per person)
-Short Pants (2 per person)
-Underwear (5 per person)
-Bra (2 per female)
-Socks (5 pairs per person)
-Tennis Shoes (2 pairs per person)
-Sandals (2 pairs per person- one for the showers)
-Night clothes (2 pairs per person)
-Jackets (1 per person)
-Hat (1 per person)
-Swim Suit (1 per person)
-Kid's clothing (pack multiples)
Supplies:
Can opener
Food (beans,soup,bread,ect)
Utensils
Tongs
Plastic Wrap
Foil
Plates/Bowls/Cups
BBQ
Wood
Swiss Army Knife
Small hatchet
Mace (optional)
Water
Water purifier
Marshmallow/Smores Supplies
Pens/Paper/Pencil
Vitamins
Medication
Deodorant
Shampoo
Conditioner
Comb
Brush
Mirror
Scissors
Zip Lock Bags
Shopping bags for dirty clothes
Backpack
Floatable Bag
Rafts
Pots/Pans
Rope
Bungee Cords
Bottles (for the kids?)
Bug Repellent
Comfort Toys for the kids
Playpins (for young kids)
Diapers (for young kids)
Tent
Tarps
Broom
Doormat
Bed Sheets
Sleeping Bags
Pillows
Extra Blankets
Flash lights
Compass
Batteries
Camera
iPod
Cell Phone
Walkie Talkies
Paper Towels
Towels
Washcloths
Wet Wipes
Matches
Fire Starters
Eye Wash
Tweezers
Glow sticks
Hiking Guide
Lysol
Hand Sanitizer
Soap
These are your basics – you can add what you wish! Have a fantastic first trip!
By fashion_munky on Oct 25, 2009 | Reply
Unless you have to make reservations or something, I would just wait until you get there and play it by ear. Its camping! You'll have fun no matter what. If you have to make reservations, do it anyway, you can always cancel. 11 people is hard to plan for- thats why I'd wait . . .
By entdeckeKanada on Oct 25, 2009 | Reply
or maybee fly to canada and rent a campervan?
By erlejomo on Oct 25, 2009 | Reply
sounds like some old guy
By MsIcey1 on Oct 25, 2009 | Reply
How much?
By levendis99 on Oct 25, 2009 | Reply
I had lower back surgery a few years ago and I know what it feels like to wake up with the sore back.
How thick is your ThermaRest?
I use a RidgeRest on bottom, then a 25 inch wide, 2 inch thick ThermaRest, then a 25 inch wide and a 2.5 inch thick ThermaRest on top of that. I sleep very good and the mattresses stay in place.
You realize that you need to sleep "in" the ThermaRest, not "on". Lay down on your fully inflated setup and let air out until it is comfortable.
My 2.5 inch mattress is lighter than the 2 inch. The 2 inch is the Camp Rest which is supposed to be the warmest mattress they make.
When backpacking I carry the 2.5 inch mattress and the RidgeRest.
I have carried two RidgeRest pads and one 1.5 inch ThermaRest and been comfortable.
You will not find a better mattress than the ThermaRest, we have tried REI, Cabelos, and the rest.
Lately, we have converted to hammocks for backpacking in the warmer months. We can carry the hammock with a bug net and a fly and be lighter than carrying a tent and various pads. I can sleep on my back or my side on the hammock. If you want to go lightweight you might want to consider the hammock.
By anatoly_62 on Oct 25, 2009 | Reply
Where I live I'm fortunate enough to be surrounded by the Allegheny National Forest. We don't need fire permits, or hiking permits. We can go stay in the same spot for up to 14 days before we have to move a certain distance away. My Allegheny National Forest is mine to use when i want because I'm a taxpaying American citizen. If you don't live in the land of the free, ya may want to check out local laws and regulations. Tidioute-West Hickory!! Allegheny River, ANF!!
By julianachants on Oct 26, 2009 | Reply
I suggest you search for Girl Scout recipes. There are several web sites that provide an abundance of recipes for outdoor use.
I like gorp. It used to be made of Post Sugar Crisp, M&Ms, and peanuts. It's an energy snack. One has to be careful today with the various allergies children have.
Dried fruit "chips" (slices) are fun to make and easy to carry and eat. Banana, apricot, apple, peach, all make good chips. Banana and apple are the least messy.
By angel_rae_23 on Oct 26, 2009 | Reply
My wife and I used to do this…a LOT!
We cooked breakfast every morning. Lunches were on your own. Dinners were we cooked the meat and the other campers provided the side dishes.
Everyone paid $15 toward the meals we provided. That didn't cover the actual cost, but it came pretty close because I used a lot of things from home that I already had. Salt and pepper shakers, cooking oil, margarine, etc.
Pancakes are cheap. Scrambled eggs with bits of ham and cheese is easy. Potatoes are cheap. I had an electric table top griddle that I used for breakfast. We camped where they had hook-ups.
Everyone is responsible to provide their own sleeping equipment and ice chests, etc.
You either want to get what is called a "group site", or several camping "spaces" together. Ask the park ranger how many vehicles are allowed per space. The more people you can get in a space, the cheaper the space.
Find out if there is someone in the squadron that has access to free firewood.
Distribute lists of what each person is responsible for. They need to bring 2 lunches for themselves and provide a side dish for 2 dinners for the group. Their $15, will provide 3 breakfasts and 2 dinners. They need to bring their own plates. utensils, and drinks.
Have set meal times for breakfast and dinner. Since they are on their own for lunch, you will have all day to enjoy yourself.
You can plan some games, or get someone else who would like to do that. Water-filled balloon toss. Hairy man contest. Whatever you think would work with the group you have.
Sitting around the fire in the evening is a great time to share "The Most Embarrassing Moment" story, or who can tell the biggest lie.
You can do any variations on this you want. Depending on budget, where the money comes from, what if anything you are able to get donated. You may find a store that is willing to donate if "Squadron" indicates your husband and other campers are in the military.
You can find junk in your garage, such as an old fuel pump or something and write "Hairy Man Trophy" on it with a magic marker. Much more fun than the real thing.
You are limited by your imagination much more than you are by lack of helpful participants. You will be finding people willing to help out when you actually get there.
By 18snufkin1988 on Oct 26, 2009 | Reply
erects in just 10 minutes.
By starlionblue on Oct 26, 2009 | Reply
True but check out the Australian designs. They’re very similar and don’t require a separate tool to lower the stabilizing arms. A lot of them can be set up with your bare hands. In other words, no tools needed.
By BrittenLi on Oct 26, 2009 | Reply
Very clever design!
By 1st-astro-mex on Oct 27, 2009 | Reply
my kids always loved playing frisbie golf and aiming at trees that weren't going to have over or underthrown discs landing in the other campers sites. we would go off into forrest and use triangulating to go off and explore while tossing discs ahead for scores. Another couple of good camping games is poker with dice and dominoes. But sitting back with a book one always finds time for when in a hammock or stretched out on a nice grassy area in shade…
By gdstomaz on Oct 27, 2009 | Reply
HOW MUCH?
By cletoz on Oct 27, 2009 | Reply
Here you go:
http://www.landarv.com/
By sparkacer1aj57 on Oct 27, 2009 | Reply
get an airstream
By jackrrabitt on Oct 28, 2009 | Reply
Northeast of the twin cities is the Chequamegon National Forest
http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/cnnf/
which allows dispersed camping outside of campgrounds. Once you're on federal land you can pretty much camp where you please. Just follow a Forest Service road and you'll probably find a nice campsite right on a lake.
By staplesInk on Oct 28, 2009 | Reply
she said “erect” hehe