Read: Sleeping bag buying guide / Choosing a sleeping mat
Mummy sleeping bags fit closely to your body, trapping heat efficiently for maximum thermal performance in cold weather. Rectangular bags provide room to move and unzip fully to use as duvets on warmer nights or in campervans. Temperature ratings guide your choice, comfort ratings show the lowest temperature most users sleep comfortably, while limit ratings indicate survival thresholds for experienced campers.
Winter sleeping bags with comfort ratings below -5°C handle harsh conditions through extra insulation, draft collars that seal around your neck, and insulated hoods with drawcords that cinch tight. Three-season bags rated 0°C to -5°C cover spring through autumn camping, and summer bags above 5°C suit mild nights with minimal weight.
Hydrophobic down treatments resist moisture better than untreated fill, bridging the performance gap with synthetics. Anti-snag zippers run smoothly for years, and stuff sacks compress bags to minimal volume for efficient packing. Left and right zips on compatible bags join together for couples. Shop our down and synthetic sleeping bags to find the right temperature rating for your next outdoor adventure.
Down sleeping bags are the warmest due to their superior insulation and warmth-to-weight ratio.
For winter camping, a sleeping bag with a comfort rating below -5°C is ideal. Tog ratings are less commonly used for outdoor sleeping bags, but high-performance winter bags typically equate to 13+ tog for maximum insulation.
Yes, sleeping bags retain body heat by insulating you from cold air and ground temperatures. Their effectiveness depends on factors like temperature rating, insulation type (down or synthetic), and proper use with a sleeping pad.
Consider these factors:
No, washing after every use is unnecessary unless the bag is heavily soiled. Spot cleaning or airing out after trips is sufficient to maintain hygiene. Full washes should be done sparingly to preserve insulation quality.
Down Sleeping Bags: Superior warmth-to-weight ratio, compressibility, and longevity; ideal for dry conditions.
Synthetic Sleeping Bags: Better water resistance, more affordable, and easier to maintain; suitable for wet environments or tight budgets.
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