Selecting Cold Weather Sleeping Gear Tips
Selecting the proper cold weather sleeping gear can make or break a successful backpacking trip. I try to check the weather forecasts for the area I plan to backpack right up until the night before I leave. Thirty (+30) degrees fahrenheit is about the lowest I choose to be out overnight in a tent.
The reason I choose the thirty degree mark is once you start going lower than that you elevate the cost of equipment and the amount of weight you will need to carry.
I choose not to carry any supplemental heaters. Catalytic heaters and such just add weight you that you need to lug around all day. Sleeping bags are available today in the discount stores, but be very careful and take a minute to read the label on the sleeping bag very carefully. I have had friends who bought a $39.00 sleeping bag rated at zero degrees and they have half-frozen to death all night at an outside low temperature of +40 degrees F.
Most of the cheap sleeping bags are filled with a synthetic fiber fill material sometimes referred to as hollow fiber. These may be more adaptive to camping down on the farm in the good old summertime, but they lack the ability to keep you warm on cold nights out on the trail. They also are short-lived and do not keep their shape well. So, you could end up with all of the filler at your feet or lumped up in all the wrong places. Common Trade Names are Hollo-fil, Micro-loft and Polar-guard.
I recommend the natural feather fill insulating material. Goose or duck down, preferably Goose. These sleeping bags are generally better constructed as well as being filled with one of the best insulators know to man. They are lightweight and very compact when compressed. They will quickly expand and will keep you well insulated even when they become wet. Compression and expansion are very important. Especially when you are squeezing your bed down to size for carrying on your back all day.
The shape of the Sleeping Bag is a personal thing. I keep two. One is a "Mummy Bag" and the name describes the shape of it. If it will be cold I prefer this bag because it is easier to heat up (body heat) and keep warm due to it's smaller internal size. The larger full bag I use when things start to warm up a bit and I might just want to sprawl some. The shape is up to you.
Another point to look for when purchasing a sleeping bag is a zip collar or hood. These will help you to further conserve heat in the sleeping bag by not allowing body heat to vent out around your head or neck. And, get used to wearing a nightcap(ski cap) it really helps with heat loss.
Sleeping Bags come in many configurations for men and women. As far as the outer shell they are sold in different colors and materials. The main thing to consider when looking for a sleeping bag is the fill material. Get that right and all the other stuff doesn't really matter.
About The Author:You can learn and develop a love for backpacking by visiting my website. I am a lifetime backpacker who started at 14 and am now 75. I love the sport and hope to continue it forever. My backpacking experiences range from Alaska throughout the continental USA. I promote the self sufficiency of Solo Backpacking on my site http://backpackingsurvivalkit.com
Recent Articles On This Topic
Selecting Cold Weather Sleeping Gear Tips
Selecting the proper cold weather sleeping gear can make or break a successful backpacking trip. I try to check the weather forecasts for the area I plan to backpack right up until the night before I leave. Thirty (+30) degrees fahrenheit is about the lowest I choose to be out overnight in a tent.
Firesteel - What Is It?
A firesteel is a rod of material including magnesium that is scraped with a specially designed scraper or the back of a knife to produce sparks that in turn set light to tinder and thence the kindling and main material for the camp fire.
Portable Solar Shower: Choosing The Right Option For You
Choosing a portable solar shower can be a little difficult because there are just so many of these portable camping showers to choose from. You can get them in many different sizes and with many different features. If you're looking for a great solar shower for your next camping trip, here are some tips to help you choose the right one.
Buying A Double Sleeping Bag? Here Are Some Tips
Well, these are some ideas to help get you started with looking for your double sleeping bag. Buy one that is comfortable and of good quality and you will have a reliable piece of camping equipment that should last you many years.
Choosing A Portable Toilet For Your Next Camping Trip
Possessing your own portable toilet can be a huge convenience when you are camping, especially if you like to camp in remote areas that are likely to have no amenities available.
What To Look For When Buying A Tent - A Guide
With so many high quality tents on the market these days, where should one start when thinking of buying a tent? There are a few topics worth considering before choosing your tent.
LED Lanterns Vs Gas Lanterns
Sitting around a campground at night, it's easy to convince yourself that there are mysterious creatures lurking just a few feet out of your range of vision. You don't need to be a child to be afraid of the dark in such situations. Camping lanterns make us feel more comfortable in the wild, as light brings a sense of safety.
Guide To Buying An Ultralight Tent
Increasingly, people are enjoying the pleasures on the outdoors in more and more ways. This means their doing more outdoor sports and more styles of camping, which means they require different technologies. Ultralight tents are meeting these needs, by serving one fundamental need for several groups of people: 'if it's going on my back, I want it to be light!'
Family Tents - Want To Know The Best Features And Selection Tips?
When you are purchasing family tents you might want to pay attention to some of the special features.
Waterproof A Tent
Taking steps to waterproof a tent that you are planning on using will make a world of difference in your camping experience.
Navigation
