Sleepingbags

Sleeping bags for camping and trekking

If you're going trekking or camping, a good sleeping bag is essential for a good night's sleep. Which sleeping bag you need depends on what you're doing and the conditions you'll be using it in. With us you'll find sleeping bags for every outdoor adventure. From ultralight for those who count every gram to expedition sleeping bags designed for extreme cold.

Choosing the best sleeping bag

When you're out on the move, you want a sleeping bag that keeps you comfortably warm. That means not too cold, but also not too warm. That's why it's important to know the temperatures you expect at night during your outdoor trip. Then use the comfort temperature or limit temperature to help find a suitable sleeping bag.

Comfort temperature vs limit temperature

The comfort temperature of a sleeping bag indicates the temperature at which an average European woman can sleep comfortably without feeling cold. The limit temperature is based on an average European man. When determining the limit temperature in tests, the position with knees drawn up is assumed.

If you know you tend to feel cold more quickly, or less so, you can take that into account when choosing a sleeping bag.

Note: we advise NOT to look at the extreme temperature when purchasing. The extreme temperature will keep you warm enough to avoid dying from hypothermia, but you won't be able to sleep.

Mummy bag or rectangular model

Whether you choose a mummy bag or a rectangular model depends on the conditions and your personal preference. Because a mummy bag fits closely to your body, you lose less heat and therefore feel cold less quickly. A rectangular model, on the other hand, offers more room to move. If you're heading out in sub-zero temperatures, our advice is to always choose a sleeping bag with a hood.

Which sleeping bag insulation is better: down or synthetic?

If you're trekking or camping, the best sleeping bag typically has down insulation. Down naturally offers many advantages:

• Optimal thermal regulation for a comfortable sleeping environment.
• Compresses well for minimal packed volume.
• Lighter, because you need less fill to achieve the same insulation value compared with synthetic.
• Down insulation also lasts longer.

However, you should avoid getting a down sleeping bag wet in the field, as down fill does not dry well.

Would you like information and tips about buying a sleeping bag? Also read our buyer's guide: Choosing the right sleeping bag.

Combine your sleeping bag with a good sleeping mat

Once you've found the best sleeping bag, it's important to pair it with a good sleeping mat. Especially at lower temperatures. When you're lying in a sleeping bag, the fill under your body is compressed, making the sleeping bag less effective at that point. Good insulation from beneath is particularly important in cold temperatures. If you buy a sleeping mat with limited insulating properties, you may still feel cold.

Buying a sleeping bag at Snowcountry

Whether you're going camping, undertaking a multi-day trek or heading on an expedition to the polar regions, you'll find the perfect sleeping bag at Snowcountry. Our collection includes well-known brands such as Big Agnes, Exped, Sea to Summit and Thermarest. Do you have questions about the sleeping bags in our collection or would you like personal advice? Contact our experts, they are happy to help.