The Best Camping Tipsinsulation
Sleeping Bags — Insulation
Sleeping Bag Insulation
Down and synthetic are the two choices for sleeping bag insulation.
Down provides the most warmth and is great for staying warm in cold weather camping. It is very durable and lightweight. But it will take longer to dry than synthetic, so if you expect situations where it will get wet then opt for synthetic. Down is also more expensive. With proper care and cleaning it will last a lifetime.
The synthetic sleeping bags are easy to care for. They are resistant to moisture, but if they do get wet will dry quickly, just put it out in the sun for a while. Most can be machine washed. These bags are heavier and bulkier than the down bag. Loft describes the fluffiness of your bag. The more fluffed it is the softer it will be! The fluffiness also affects how warm you will be in the bag. The fluffed up bag creates hundreds of pockets of dead air space within the insulation. As your body heat warms the inside of the bag these air pockets will insulate and slow the heat loss.
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A large range of options are available for any budget, as you have choices weight, durability and price. Many choices of synthetic are available today. Some of the more popular ones are Polarguard®, Primaloft®, Thinsulate®, and Thermolite®. Other names are also on the market, all having the same basic characteristics of synthetic fill.
Do you have a preference? Tell us about the best choice for you in the comments below. Visit our page “The Best Sleeping Bags” for more things to consider when selecting that new bag for your next camping trip!
Find Some Great Sleeping Bags, with either Down or Synthetic Fill
There are many brands of quality sleeping bags available. Below are just a few of the excellent sleeping bags available today. Click on the image or link for each to learn more about each bag pictured. Agnes makes a great sleeping bag, as we haven’t met anyone who didn’t love their Agnes sleeping bag! Eureka, Marmot and Kelty also make a quality product.
Many merchants offer a wide choice. Some of our favorites are Campmor and Gander Mountain. They offer a large assortment of quality sleeping bags. Amazon
Synthetic Fill Sleeping Bags |
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 The full-length zipper enables the Kelty Tumbler to be zipped together with a second bag to make a double wide bag Kelty Tumbler 30/50 Degree Sleeping Bag You’ll flip over the versatility of the Kelty Tumbler 30/50 Degree Sleeping Bag! Featuring varying insulation levels on opposite sides of the bag, this lightweight bag keeps you comfortable on the 50 degree side and warm and cozy on the 30 degree side. It’s ideal for summer backpacking and camping in the mountains where nighttime temperatures can be unpredictable. … [More] Price: $67.99 Buy Now |
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 Rugged, spacious, and comfortable, the Rifle River sleeping bag from Gander Mountain delivers a warm, comfortable night’s sleep to weary adventurers. GM Rifle River Cotton Duck Canvas This bag is rugged and comfortable with a soft flannel lining. This large rectangular bag gives you extra space for a roomier fit. The canvas shell is extremely durable and prepares you for all your outdoor adventures while the synthetic fill keeps you warm! |
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 THe Big Agnes double includes a built in pillow pocket to hold a pillow Big Agnes Big Creek 30 Degree Sleeping Bag This Big Agnes double wide is perfect for two people who enjoy 3-season camping! Each person has a no-draft collar to seal around the neck and keep the cold air out. The SL90 synthetic insulation is lightweight and will keep you warm. This is a great bag for 3-season camping. … [More] Price: $239.95 Buy Now |
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 The Spectro features Synthesis, Eureka’s performance synthetic insulation, inside durable and lightweight fabrics. Eureka Spero 20 Degree Technical Mummy Sleeping Bag The Eureka Spero 20 Degree Mummy Sleeping Bag features a performance shape and shingle-style construction, for maximum warmth in a minimal package, for extended time on the trail.-… [More] Price: $103.92 Buy Now |
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 The North Face Dolomite Youth … perfect for your young adventurer! The North Face Dolomite 20 Degree Youth Sleeping Bag. The North Face Dolomite 20 Degree Youth Sleeping Bag has a youth-specific fit but all the performance of the adult bags. This 20 degree, synthetic, rectangular bag unzips flat for campground versatility…. [More] Price: $69.96 Buy Now
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 The Coleman Adjustable — When it’s hot, just cover up with the lightweight sheet. As it cools, swap it out for the traditional sleeping bag experience. Coleman Adjustable Comfort 30-70 Degree Sleeping Bag From 30-70 degrees the Coleman Adjustable Comfort Sleeping Bag has got you covered. . Multiple layers allow you to sleep comfortably from 30 to 70 degrees and anywhere in between… [More] Price: $49.99 Buy Now
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Down Filled Sleeping Bags |
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 Big Agnes has redesigned the bag to be taller across the top so you can roll over more freely (side sleepers rejoice!). Big Agnes Roxy Ann 15 Degree Sleeping Bag The Roxy Ann 15 Degree Sleeping Bag is for adventurous women who aren’t willing to compromise on comfort or performance. As part of Big Agnes’s System bag line, the newly designed Roxy Ann combines a roomier contour shape with a narrower pad sleeve to provide an overall more comfortable and cozier sleeping experience than ever before…[More] Price: $279.95 Buy Now |
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 The Sierra Designs Women’s Backcountry Bed has an oversized integrated comforter sealing the opening. Sierra Designs Women’s Backcountry Bed 2-Season Bag Sleep in the wild like you do at home with a comforter. The Sierra Designs Women’s Backcountry Bed 2-Season Sleeping Bag is a zipperless sleeping bag that yoy enter via a large top opening… [More] Price: $249.98 Buy Now
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 The Marmot Always Summer is just over two packable pounds, yet it doesn’t skimp on features. Marmot Always Summer 40 Degree Down Sleeping Bag For traveling light in summer, the ultra-light Marmot Always Summer 40 Degree Down Bag provides reliable transport to dreamland…. [More] Price: $189.98
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 With the Kelty Tuck you can easily pull one or both feet out on warmer nights, or keep it zipped tight for toasty toes when the temperature drops. Kelty Tuck 20/EN 22 Sleeping Bag Light and compressible, the Kelty Tuck 20/EN 22 Sleeping Bag includes the Comfort Tuck Zipper System for easy temperature regulation and a better night’s sleep…. [More] Price: $89.95
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Sleeping Bags — Shape
The Best Shape … Rectangular, Barrel, Mummy
The common shapes for sleeping bags are rectangular, semi-rectangular or barrel, and mummy.
The rectangular bags give you the most room to toss and turn. With the extra space they are also the most comfortable, so are great for summer camping when you don’t need to worry about keeping warm. The extra space inside the bag becomes more space for keeping warm with body heat when used in cooler temperatures. They are also great for the kids slumber parties.
The semi-rectangular or barrel falls between the rectangular and the mummy. These bags are tapered at the feet and expand at the shoulders to give you more upper body room. The extra space around the shoulders becomes a compromise in cooler weather as you have that extra airspace to keep warm.
The mummy bags are designed for and are the best for keeping you warm! The narrow taper at the feet expands to the shoulders, and then it narrows around your neck and head, where the hood will keep your head warm. Some may find the hood uncomfortable, but for cold weather the hood is essential as we lose up to 40% of our body heat through the head. Look for a hood that is soft next to your face and not too constricting. Extra padding in the hood will also add to your sleeping comfort.
These three sleeping bag shapes come in many different sizes and styles that allow for different body types, sleeping habits, and the sleeping environment. Kid sleeping bags can also be found with each of these shapes.
Select the Best Sleeping Bag for you! There are many brands of quality sleeping bags available. Below are just a few of the excellent sleeping bags available today. Click on the image or link for each to learn more about each bag pictured. Agnes makes a great sleeping bag, as we haven’t met anyone who didn’t love their Agnes sleeping bag! Eureka, Marmot and Kelty also make a quality product.
Leave a comment, tell us about your favorite sleeping bag!
Learn more about options to consider when picking the best bag for you at The Best Camping Tips’ page on Sleeping Bags.
Rectangular Sleeping Bags |
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| Kelty Tumbler 30/50 Degree Sleeping Bag
You’ll flip over the versatility of the Kelty Tumbler 30/50 Degree Sleeping Bag! Featuring varying synthetic insulation levels on opposite sides of the bag, this lightweight bag keeps you comfortable on the 50 degree side and warm and cozy on the 30 degree side. It’s ideal for summer backpacking and camping in the mountains where nighttime temperatures can be unpredictable. Simply flip the bag over to get more or less warmth where you most want it. The full-length zipper enables it to be zipped together with a second bag to make a double wide bag….. [More] Price: $67.99 Buy Now |
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 GM Rifle River Cotton Duck Canvas Rectangular sleeping bag GM Rifle River Cotton Duck Canvas This bag is rugged and comfortable with a soft flannel lining. This large rectangular bag gives you extra space for a roomier fit. The canvas shell is extremely durable and prepares you for all your outdoor adventures while the synthetic fill keeps you warm! This bag has a full-sized hood, and it has draw cords so you can cinch up the top and hood to retain more heat. |
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 North Face Dolomite 2S Sleeping Bag The North Face Dolomite is a very lightweight sleeping bag with synthetic fill that will keep you warm as it has a great warmth-to-weight ratio. It includes an internal zippered pocket to keep small things close by. The bag also comes with a roll-top stuff sack. |
Barrel and Mummy Sleeping Bags |
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Big Agnes Big Creek 30 Degree Sleeping Bag This Big Agnes double wide is perfect for two people who enjoy 3-season camping! Each person has a no-draft collar to seal around the neck and keep the cold air out. The SL90 synthetic insulation is lightweight and will keep you warm. This is a great bag for 3-season camping. … [More] Price: $239.95 Buy Now |
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Big Agnes Roxy Ann 15 Degree Sleeping Bag The Roxy Ann 15 Degree Sleeping Bag is for adventurous women who aren’t willing to compromise on comfort or performance. As part of Big Agnes’s System bag line, which unites the bag with a sleeping pad (sold separately), the newly designed Roxy Ann combines a roomier contour shape with a narrower pad sleeve to provide an overall more comfortable and cozier sleeping experience than ever before. The new shape provides more insulation next to your body for more efficient heat distribution…. [More] Price: $279.95 Buy Now |
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The Big Agnes Whiskey Park Sleeping bags are cut wide and tall. They’re ideal for campers of a larger stature, or for folks who just want more room to move around at night. Ideal for hunting camps, base camping, or budget-minded road tripping…. [More] Price: $144.96 Buy Now |
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 Eureka Casper 15 Degree The Eureka Casper bag keeps you warm and comfy when the temperatures drop! It includes an internal pocket to keep your necessities close, and hook and loop closures to keep your items in place. The fill is a polyester blend. |
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 Kelty Cosmic Down 41 Sleeping Bag Get more out of your warm weather nights with the Kelty Cosmic Down 41 Sleeping Bag. This revolutionary water-resistant down fill stays drier, lofts better and dries faster…. [More] Price: $139.95 Buy Now |
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Marmot Trestles 15 Degree Mummy Sleeping Bag The Marmot Trestles 15 Degree Down Mummy Sleeping Bag features SpiraFil synthetic insulation, a super, high-loft insulation that is incredibly warm and comfortable. Dual zippers allow you to fold down the top, making getting in and out of your bag nice and easy. This perennial favorite is loaded with features, at a great price…. [More] Price: $99.98 Buy Now |
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 Marmot Atom 40 Degree Down Sleeping Bag The Marmot Atom Down Sleeping Bag’s ultra-light design and highest quality, water-resistant down have given it cult status among alpinists as a bivy bag on extreme climbs, but its comfortable, silky fabric make it a great bag for warm-weather camping on casual summer road trips as well…. [More] Price: $279.98 Buy Now |
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 Big Agnes Buffalo Park 40 Degree Sleeping Bag The Big Agnes Buffalo Park is an oversized rectangular bag designed for big guys or those that just want more space. It offers warmth to 40 degrees and protection from moisture with Thermolite® Quallofil synthetic insulation… [More] Price: $104.96 Buy Now |
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