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Lightweight Sleeping Bags
The right and most suitable lightweight sleeping bag will be one that meets all your needs and the one that gets all the ticks in your checklist of criteria. With the many models and variations of sleeping bags available in the market, it is important to focus and know exactly what you are looking for. This will not only reduce the amount of time you spend browsing through the myriad of models and brands but will also increase your productivity to find the best deals online as quickly as possible.
The material it is insulated with, determines the weight of your sleeping bag. The two most popular and commonly used materials for lightweight insulation is down or synthetic fill. Both are very good choices; however down fill is the lighter of the two. The next thing to take note of would be, the weather and climate of the particular place you’ll be spending the night at. If you are going to spend the night at moist and/or damp areas, it is advisable to opt for a sleeping bag insulated with synthetic fill instead. This is because synthetic fill is not prone to absorbing water easily, has a fast drying rate and also preserves some warmth when wet. Whereas sleeping bags insulated with down fill, is not water-resistant and takes too long to dry when exposed in such environments. Thus, rendering the sleeping bag to be of little use and help in such situations.
For additional warmth if necessary, you can consider the option of getting a sleeping bag liner. A bag liner could add from 5 degrees to 15 degrees Fahrenheit of warmth to the sleeping bag, relying on the material used. Examples include, cotton, silk, fleece and mircofleece. The second option is to wear thick and warm clothing inside the bag, which will also help to retain body heat. For more chilly nights, a fleece jacket and thermal underwear is recommended to be worn for maximized thermal insulation.
Another feature to look out for in lightweight sleeping bags is the shape of the bag. There are two main types of shapes, the rectangle sleeping bag as well as the mummy sleeping bag. Rectangle sleeping bags are more affordable and most suitable in warmer months due to the typical thin polyester material used. It provides the user with more than enough room within the sleeping bag for flexibility and movement as it is constructed as a basic rectangle shape. The mummy sleeping bag is shaped to fit the silhouette of a human being. It is wide at the top and shoulders area, tapered into the waist and fitted for the limbs and feet. Unlike the rectangle sleeping bag, it is a snug fit and can be restrictive with little room for movement. However, the shape maximizes thermal efficiency and is more capable of retaining body heat. Additionally, it is less bulky, more compact, thus re-emphasizing the specific want of having a lightweight sleeping bag.