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Sleeping Bags
An important item for a camper is the sleeping
bag. Nothing ruins a trip more
than to wake
up after a miserable night’s
sleep with aches
and pains. When buying a sleeping
bag that
gives you a good, restful night
of sleep,
consider these features:
- Shape - Sleeping bag shapes are mummy, barrel,
or rectangular. Mummy shapes are tightly
contoured bags with a hood that has a drawstring
to pull the hood close to your face. Although
they are the warmest bags, they restrict
movement and can feel cramped, so some people
are uncomfortable sleeping in them. Barrel
bags are basically rectangular except they
taper to a smaller width as they go from
the shoulders to the feet. Rectangular bags,
which come in single and double widths, are
the most comfortable to sleep in for most
people. If you are tall or like a lot of
foot room, look for a bag that comes in extra
long lengths.
- Warmth - Decide how hot or cold it will be when
you camp and what your personal sleeping
style is. Sleeping bags are rated according
to the range of temperatures they are best
used in. If you like covers even in warm
weather, get a bag rated for cooler temperatures
than you will experience, and if you are
warm at night, get a bag rated for warmer
temperatures. If you decide your bag is not
warm enough, you can purchase a bag liner
for extra warmth instead of getting another
bag.
- Material - Sleeping bags with down fillers are warmer
except if they get wet, in which case they
lose their insulation ability. Synthetic
fillers are less warm, but retain some warmth
when wet, and they also dry quicker than
down. Bags that are waterproof or come with
a waterproof shell avoid problems from rain
and dampness. The greater the weight (amount)
of insulation in the bag, the better it protects
against the cold. And a cotton flannel lining
feels warmer than a slick synthetic one.
For greater comfort, a pad under
the bag
gives greater protection from
the damp, cold,
and hard ground. Some bags now
come with
storage pockets on them which
are helpful
to keep items, like a flashlight,
close to
you. |
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