Not All Sleeping Bags Are Built the Same | Some Brief Tips on Choosing the Bag That's Right For You
Photo by Christoph MichelChoosing the right sleeping bag for any excursion can mean the difference between a night spent dreaming of your next day’s adventure and a night spent tossing and turning uncomfortably, while you worry about your lack of sleep for that same adventure. Whether it be down or synthetic, rectangular or mummy, there are numerous factors which can and should influence your decision of which bag to buy.
For years, the differences between down and synthetic insulation were so pronounced that, if you were doing any sort of serious hiking or expedition, it was pretty much a given that you needed a down bag. Over the past decade or so however, advances in synthetic insulation have narrowed the gap considerably, and now allow synthetic bags to be used for adventures that previously would have been out of the question.
Because of the narrowing performance-gap between down and synthetic insulation, it’s become more important to choose the bag that fits your planned activities. Since down is still lighter and more compressible than synthetic insulation, if you plan to do thru-hiking on something like the PCT or AT, a lightweight down bag such as the SummerLite 32-degree bag or UltraLite 20-degree bag, both from Western Mountaineering are still going to be some of your best choices.
Conversely, if you’re planning any sort of outdoor epic in a consistently rainy spot, such as the tropics or the Pacific Northwest, your options have now changed. Previously, you would have probably just taken a down bag and hoped it didn’t get wet, or spend an inordinate amount of time drying it out, once it inevitably did become damp. Now, thanks to advances in synthetic insulation, you can rock a bag like the Marmot Trestles 30 and still backpack comfortably, even in wet conditions. The Trestles utilizes SpiraFil high loft insulation, instead of down, to provide a great night’s sleep. While still not as compressible as a down bag, we’ll take a bit more weight over snuggling up inside a damp, cold, smelly wet down bag any night of the week.
No matter your goals, camping plans, or intended sleeping bag usage, Granite Chief can help hook you up with the right sleeping bag to turn those dreams into reality. Come take a look and speak with our friendly, informative staff who will figure out the best set-up for all your adventures.