Synthetic sleeping bags, however, do have one performance advantage, a greater ability to insulate when wet. If down feathers get wet, they clump together and lose nearly all of their loft and insulative power. Synthetic ozark trail chair fibers, in contrast, do not clump, so they can continue to provide considerable insulation when wet. Once you know the broad type of sleeping bag you’re interested in, there are several other factors to consider.
Just be aware that lighter and more compressible bags and usually more expensive. We recommend most shoppers select a sleeping bag with a temperature rating of around 30° F because these models are suitable for a range of conditions. However, feel free to tailor your selection for your unique situation. Folks that live in colder climates, for example, will probably want a warmer model. On the other hand, people planning a summer camping trip in the south might be happier in a bag that has a higher temperature rating.
The length of a sleeping bag is unquestionably important, but the horizontal measurements should also be considered. Women’s sleeping bags incorporate design features to meet women’s unique anatomy. Often, women’s bags are designed with wider hip dimensions and narrower shoulder dimensions. Women typically sleep colder than ozark trail chair men, so sleeping bags marketed toward women usually have more conservative temperature ratings. This can also translate into a bargain when women’s bags incorporate extra insulation but are sold at the same price. See the Best Sleeping Bags for Women review to read more about our top sleeping bags in this category.
Please note, a stock image is included to provide you with a visual snapshot of this item that we could not capture otherwise. I think the expensive bags are just marketing and overengineering, unless you are going to the arctic. You can buy an expensive bag if you think it will make you more hardcore, but I will gladly tell everyone how hardcore you are if you pay me to do so. We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.
We just wouldn’t stretch using this bag too far into the shoulder season. It’s rated to 23 degrees Fahrenheit, but we would not be comfortable bringing it along if the temperatures were below freezing. It’s just a tube with few bells and whistles, but that means it’s also pretty light to carry. Weight and packed size generally correspond closely to one another, so you don’t need to spend too much time trying to consider them separately. However, it’s important to recognize that warmer bags are generally bulkier and heavier than colder bags. Therefore, try only to analyze weight and packed size between bags with similar warmth.
Its goose down isn’t as lofty, and the nylon lining isn’t as supple. There is also a roughly 30% weight disadvantage ozark trail sleeping bag compared to the lightest high-end models. However, we think most backpackers will hardly notice these drawbacks.
You can find a more thorough discussion of our favorite down models in our best backpacking sleeping bag review. The biggest differentiating factor for sleeping bag selection is the location you plan to camp and, more specifically, how far you will be from motorized transportation. If your camping plans will keep you close to your car, we recommend shopping for a ‘car camping’ sleeping bag. This type of bag usually prioritizes comfort and cost savings. For human-powered adventures further afield, weight and packed size become paramount. Models that exhibit these characteristics we label as ‘backpacking’ sleeping bags.
These include insulation type, temperature, weight, packed size, and comfort. We’ll break down these factors below to ensure you can be confident in your selection. In this review, we highlight our favorite sleeping bags from a range of sleeping bag categories. We sent bags on trips to Nepal, Bolivia, Argentina, and Tajikistan, as well as plenty of less exotic locales closer to home. All in all, our team of reviewers spent more than a thousand nights testing different sleeping bags so you can be sure the knowledge shared here is thorough, informed, and unbiased.
This system provides a lot of options for all kinds of sleepers and environments. The Polara also stows away into a much smaller size than many other bags we’ve tested. We love the thoughtful features, such as useful pockets, snaps, loops, and zippers, AND the excellent price point. Nice Ozark Trail Warmfoot 75” by 33” Polyester fiber batting insulation. The zipper broke on my warm weather bag on the second night out. Too bad too because overall I’ve had good luck with Ozark Trail stuff.
Keep these realities in mind when searching for the right sleeping bag. We think the most useful temperature rating for a sleeping bag is around 30° F. At this rating, a sleeping bag should be warm enough for most spring and fall conditions while also not being too stifling in the summer months. Your own preferences and uses may push you towards another rating. For winter camping, 0° F seems to be a better starting point.