Type
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Cocoon bag. Cocoon bags have an uneven width: they are wider at the shoulders, and narrow towards the legs. This form is considered optimal for keeping warm due to the small (compared to a blanket bag) area of \u200b\u200bthe outer surface of the sleeping bag, as well as the fact that it is quite dense to lie in a cocoon. As a consequence, most camping and expedition sleeping bags are of this type (see "Intended Use"). The disadvantage of cocoons is somewhat less comfort than blanket bags.
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Blanket bag. Bags of this type are rectangular in shape, with a uniform width along the entire length. They are somewhat less suitable for low temperatures than cocoons, however, they are more convenient and versatile: there is more free space in the bag itself, and the design usually allows you to unzip it completely and use it as a blanket or bedding.
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Bag-overalls. Sleeping bag, made, in accordance with the name, in the form of overalls and having sleeves and legs. In such a product, you can not only sleep, but also move around the camp; some manufacturers directly position the overalls as a solution for tech "who hate to get out of a warm sleeping bag in the morning." Such “clothing”, as a rule, is not an obstacle either during passive recreation like gatherings around a fire, or even during active activities like chopping firewood. The design usually provides
...cutouts for the hands, as well as removable "boots" that can be removed before putting on more serious shoes or used as "slippers" for walking a few meters. In terms of direction (see above), overalls are usually camping bags - more traditional designs are better suited for trekking and even more expeditionary use.
— Bivouac. A bivouac bag is a windproof and waterproof cover for a sleeping bag. Initially, the bivouac was created for mountain climbing and winter hiking. Bivi come with an arch at the head and without it. Bivouac bags are made of breathable membrane fabric. They allow you to use sleeping bags with rugs or mats of different seasonality. The bivouac takes up minimal space in a backpack, is light in weight, does not require selection of an installation site, and dries quickly after rain. This attribute of tourist ammunition will come in handy for tech who do not want to take a tent on a hike or sleep under an awning.Suitable for
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Universal. Sleeping bags designed for adult tourists of both sexes are the most convenient when choosing and, as a result, a common variety. However, note that the rules for choosing a sleeping bag for temperature for men and women are somewhat different; see "comfort limit" for details.
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For women. Specialized sleeping bags designed for women. In general, with a similar body type and fitness level, women are more likely to get cold than men, and hypothermia can have more serious consequences for them. Thus, many manufacturers produce this type of bag. The differences between such products and universal sleeping bags can be different, depending on the specialization (see "By Direction"). So, expedition and tracking models, usually made in the form of cocoons (see "Type"), have a special shape and additional insulation based on the structure of the female body; and the temperature regimes in them can be indicated specifically for women, and when choosing, you do not need to take into account the amendments characteristic of universal sleeping bags (for more details, see "t comfort limit"). Camping models for this purpose, in turn, may differ from universal ones only in appearance.
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For children. Sleeping bags designed for children differ from "adult" models primarily in smaller sizes. In addition, they can have a characteristic bright design, as well a
...s length adjustment to adjust to the figure as the child grows. It is worth noting that in relatively warm weather — if the ambient temperature is much higher than the comfort temperature of the sleeping bag — a universal "adult" bag is quite suitable for a child. So from a practical point of view, it makes sense to specifically use a children's sleeping bag mainly at relatively low temperatures (about +12 °C or less). However, nothing prevents you from buying a model of this type for more favorable conditions.Weight
Since a sleeping bag is a travel outfit, its weight can be one of the key characteristics. Two points should be taken into account here: firstly, more insulation usually requires more material and increases weight, and secondly, warm models with low weight are much more expensive than heavier options with the same temperature characteristics.
Also, when choosing a sleeping bag, you should decide what exactly you are buying it for. If we are talking about picnics, festivals and other simple trips to nature without long walks, or if you plan to carry equipment by car, you can not pay much attention to weight, focus on other characteristics. If you plan to go on long hiking or cycling trips, you should choose a model with a minimum weight.
As for specific numbers, most modern sleeping bags are in the range of
1.1 – 1.5 kg or
1.6 – 2 kg, although there are quite a few ultra-light models —
1 kg or less. An indicator of
2.1 – 2.5 kg is already considered quite significant, and a weight of
2.6 – 3 kg or
more is found mainly in two types of sleeping bags: separate expeditionary models with a high degree of insulation, as well as double products.
comfort t° (for men)
The comfort limit temperature of this sleeping bag.
Some manufacturers use their own criteria for specifying this temperature, but EN13537 is considered the generally accepted standard. According to him, t of the comfort limit is the lowest ambient temperature at which a man in thermal underwear can comfortably sleep in a sleeping bag all night (at least 8 hours) in a heat-saving position (curling up) without waking up from the cold. Such criteria are used taking into account the fact that men are less likely to get cold during sleep than women, and the acceptable temperature for them is slightly lower. Of course, in each individual case, comfort will also depend on the characteristics of the body and the preparation of the tourist. However, in general, the general rule is: if the sleeping bag is used by a man, then the minimum temperature at the place of lodging should ideally be between comfort t and comfort limit t; for a woman, a few degrees must be added to the comfort limit t, and it is best to focus on comfort t (see above).
This indicator is quite closely related to seasonality. So, for winter use, t of the comfort limit should be
less than -4 ... 0 °C ; in the warmest models, it can be very low,
-15 °C and below. In purely summer and even spring/autumn models, there are values of
+10 °C and even higher, however, if you are afraid of sudden col
...d snaps at night, it is advisable to choose sleeping bags with indicators of at least +6..10 °С, and preferably +1...5 °C(especially for the off-season).Equipment
In addition to the standard design elements of a sleeping bag in the form of
a hood(can also be
removable),
a headrest,
an inner pocket,
bite protection,
a thermal zipper roller,
a drying loop and
the possibility of fastening, there may also be
a removable lining,
a light-accumulating loop,
a compartment under the pillow,
a thermal collar,
leg closure,
mosquito net,
compression bag.
- Hood. A classic hood that covers the head of a person in a sleeping bag. Such a detail provides additional thermal insulation: firstly, due to the fact that it covers the neck, the back of the head and most of the head from the cold, and secondly, by reducing the space through which heat can escape from the sleeping bag.
- Detachable hood. A kind of hood (see above) with the ability to remove it at the request of the user. This makes the sleeping bag more versatile: in warm weather, you can remove the hood so that it does not interfere, and when it gets cold, you can fasten it back
..., providing maximum protection from the cold.
- Headrest. Lining without the possibility of tightening around the head, used for more comfortable placement in a sleeping place and reducing heat loss through the head on cool nights. It is used in sleeping bags like blankets. Sleeping bag headrests are often rectangular and have an integrated pillow.
- Removable lining. Lining - inner insulation layer - having a removable design. This feature expands the possibilities for using a sleeping bag: in warm weather, you can unfasten the insulation so that it is not so hot in the bag, besides, the removed lining can also be used separately, as a bedspread.
- Mosquito net. Protective mesh covering the face of a person lying in a sleeping bag. Such a mesh traps mosquitoes and other annoying insects, at the same time, air passes through it freely.
- Clasp in the legs. Separate fastener located in the leg area. In warm weather, such a fastener can be unfastened without opening the whole bag - thus, the legs will not sweat in the sleeping bag, and the rest of the body will remain covered. The role of the fastener can be performed by both a zipper and a tie. Moreover, the zipper is often made with two runners, thereby allowing you to create a ventilation hole for the legs in any part of the lower segment of the sleeping bag.
— Possibility of fastening. The ability to connect a sleeping bag with another bag (s), forming a sleeping place for several people (usually for two, but in some models more is possible). Such a function will be useful in case of a cold snap: it can be difficult to warm up alone in a sleeping bag, but several people in one bag additionally warm each other. When choosing, it should be borne in mind that sleeping bags from different manufacturers (and even different models from the same manufacturer) may vary in design and size of zippers. So if you are going to use this feature, you should pay special attention to compatibility.
- Light-accumulating loop. A loop on a zipper pawl with an insert made of light-accumulating material. This material "charges" during daylight hours, and in the dark - glows itself. Thus, the fastener can be found even in complete darkness; this provides not only comfort, but also additional protection in case you need to urgently get out of the sleeping bag.
- Inner pocket. Pocket located on the inside of the sleeping bag. It is convenient to store documents and other small but valuable things in such a compartment: it is not easy to steal them from an inner pocket, and the probability of losing the contents during sleep is reduced to almost zero.
- Pillow compartment. A special compartment in which you can place a pillow or its substitute (for example, a change of clothes bag) without fear of damaging or stretching the sleeping bag itself.
- Lightning bite protection. A device that reduces the likelihood of biting the fabric of the sleeping bag between the dog and the teeth of the zipper. Usually it looks like a tape made of dense material, additionally covering the zipper from the inside. Note that bite protection is not only about convenience - in extreme situations (like a fire or an avalanche), the ability to quickly unzip a sleeping bag can be a matter of life and death. Therefore, this function is very common in modern sleeping bags, and for expeditionary models (see "In the direction") it is actually mandatory.
- Thermal collar. An additional collar that tightly covers the neck of a person in a sleeping bag. This provides additional sealing and maximally blocks the access of outside air to the body and legs. In addition, the collar helps the head and neck warm up faster.
- Thermal zipper roller. A system of zipper insulation, usually in the form of a heat-insulating roller or strip along the entire fastener. The zipper is one of the weakest points of the sleeping bag in terms of thermal insulation, and therefore, when choosing a sleeping bag for low temperatures (especially an expeditionary one, see "Intended use"), you should pay attention to the presence of a thermal roller that prevents heat loss.
- Loops for drying. Special loops that allow you to hang the sleeping bag to dry - on a rope or even on tree branches. Note that experienced tourists recommend “ventilating” the sleeping bag every morning, as moisture inevitably accumulates in it during the night; well, in any case, in a suspended state, a wet sleeping bag dries out much faster than lying on the ground.
- Compression bag. Bag-case for storing and carrying a sleeping bag, equipped with compression straps. Such ties allow you to strongly compress the cover with the sleeping bag packed into it, “squeeze out” the air from the inside as much as possible and thus reduce the size of the package - this greatly simplifies transportation. However, we note that it is impossible to keep the sleeping bag compressed all the time; for long-term storage, the ties must be loosened.Zipper
A type of zipper used in a sleeping bag as the main fastener. It is worth noting that there are
sleeping bags without fasteners.
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Side. The most common type of zipper is on the side of the bag, on the right or left. Some products are even available in two versions — right-handed and left-handed. The side zipper is popular due to its low cost, convenience and functionality — in particular, it allows for fastening (see "Equipment"); in fact, for this just two versatile sleeping bags are needed.
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Frontal. Zipper located in front — in front of the chest of a person lying in a sleeping bag. Some consider this option more convenient and familiar than the side fastener: you don’t need to toss and turn when unfastening / fastening the bag, and you can get out of it in a matter of seconds. In addition, the zipper is located similarly to a fastener on clothes, so that even when you are awake, there are no problems finding and unfastening it; and in a partially open bag, you can sit down without opening your shoulders and without releasing heat. On the other hand, products with a front zipper are more difficult to manufacture and more expensive than those with a side zipper, and, usually, they do not zip up.
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Bilateral. Two zippers located on the sides of the sleeping bag, on the right and left. This design simplif
...ies the opening and closing of the sleeping bag as a whole, and also allows you to easily open it for ventilation. In addition, in some cases, a two-way zipper also provides additional possibilities for fastening. The main disadvantage of this option is a slightly higher cost than that of single-sided fasteners. However, the low prevalence of the bilateral design is primarily due to the fact that it appeared relatively recently and is only gaining popularity.
— Missing (no zipper). The exception in the design of zippers or ties in a sleeping bag improves its thermal insulation properties and makes it warmer, since such sleeping bags are often equipped with an additional blanket — an insert. The absence of fasteners favorably affects the overall weight and dimensions when folded. At the same time, the reverse side is a specific access inside.Bag dimensions
Dimensions of the sleeping bag when unfolded. Although the designation of sizes includes the traditional three numbers, in the case of sleeping bags there is a peculiarity: these numbers do not indicate length, width and height (depth, thickness), but length, width at the shoulders and width at the legs. For example, the designation 220x80x50 means 220 cm in length, 80 cm in width at the shoulders and 50 cm in width at the legs (for more information about sleeping bags with different widths, see “Type”).
It is believed that the optimal sleeping bag sizes are:
- Length - 15-20 cm more than a person’s height (for sleeping bags with a hood) or his height to the shoulders (for sleeping bags without a hood).
— The width at the shoulders is such that the sleeping bag fits tightly and at the same time does not interfere with movement.
— The width in the legs (for cocoons, see “Type”) is such that you can slightly bend your legs without tension on the fabric of the sleeping bag (otherwise heat loss is possible, and it will wear out more).
Note that these requirements apply primarily to sleeping bags intended for use in cold weather. If you are purchasing a sleeping bag for summer trips, the width requirements are not so critical - the main thing is that it does not feel cramped and the length matches.
Of course, when folded, the sleeping bag takes up significantly less space - see “Dimensions (folded)”.
Recommended height, up to
The height of the person for whom the sleeping bag is designed. For more information on choosing the correct size of a sleeping bag, see the paragraph "Length".
Dimensions (folded)
The dimensions of the sleeping bag when folded, when packed in a complete cover; if this cover is made in the form of a
compression bag(see "Equipment"), then the dimensions are indicated with the compression straps tightened to the maximum.
Other things being equal, the smaller the size of the sleeping bag, the more convenient it is in storage and transportation. At the same time, more compact models are usually more expensive.
