Sleeping bag guide: What to look for in a sleeping bag?

The sleeping bag is one of your most important companions on multi-day treks, camping trips or when bivouacking. It can make the difference between a peaceful night’s sleep or hours of freezing – in extreme cases, the right sleeping bag can make all the difference and prevent life-threatening situations. Our sleeping bag buying guide is designed to help you make the right choice: What is the best temperature range, what is the best material for your project and what cuts are available? We answer all the questions!

Choosing the right insulation

Freezing or sweating? Neither summer nor winter camping or bivouacking should definitely NOT be both. That’s why sleeping bag manufacturers also give temperature specifications (according to the European standard EN 13537) to guide you.

Comfort	Level at which an average woman doesn’t feel cold.
Limit	Level at which an average man just does not feel cold.
Risk or Extreme	It is better not to test this limit as there is a risk of hypothermia.

When buying a sleeping bag, always use the comfort temperature as a guide. If you tend to get cold easily, choose a sleeping bag with a low comfort temperature. Of course, it all depends on what you are wearing under the sleeping bag, your state of health and the local conditions. Always make sure you know the conditions and temperatures you are going to be in before you pack your sleeping bag.

The right sleeping bag for temperatures above freezing

When it’s summery warm outside, sleeping outdoors can be a lot of fun. Breathable sleeping bags are especially recommended to keep you from sweating in warm temperatures. There is a wide range of synthetic sleeping bags that allow your skin to breathe. Lightweight down sleeping bags are also recommended in the summer, as they are known to have the best warmth-to-weight ratio, making them lightweight companions.

The right bag for cold nights

Even on cold spring and autumn days at the lake or in the mountains, and especially when there is snow and temperatures are below zero, thin sleeping bags are no longer enough. A down sleeping bag is recommended for these cold nights. The advantage: Down keeps you warm. Down sleeping bags are also relatively light and easy to pack. Essential for long climbs. A word of caution: Regular airing and drying is very important for down sleeping bags.

SLEEPING BAG INSULATION: DOWN, SYNTHETIC FIBER AND WOOL

Down Sleeping Bag

It’s the down that counts. This applies not only to bedding, but also to sleeping bags. Down sleeping bags are usually more expensive, but also more durable than synthetic sleeping bags. Of course, this is down to production – after all, down comes from ducks or geese. Down refers to the lower plumage of the animal, with goose down being considered the higher quality. Down sleeping bags are usually made from a mixture of down and small feathers. The more down in a sleeping bag, the higher the quality and the more money you will have to spend.

The quality of down in down sleeping bags varies. You can tell by the Cuin specification – also known as bulking power, loft or fill-power. The cu/in specification is a classic measure of down quality. To determine the fill-power, the down is filled into a measuring cylinder and compressed. The better the down rebounds, the better its thermal performance and therefore its quality. A fill-power of at least 700 cuin, for example, indicates very high quality. A disadvantage of down sleeping bags, however, is that they no longer provide effective warmth when the air is humid or wet. This is because the fine branches of the down feathers collapse, reducing their insulating properties.

But be aware: Animal welfare is an important consideration when buying down sleeping bags. Many manufacturers – such as Mountain Equipment, Grüezi bag and Deuter – use down with the RDS (Responsible Down Standard). This standard identifies products that respect animal welfare.

Synthetic sleeping bag

It is the uncomplicated one: the synthetic fibre sleeping bag. Because of the synthetic filling used in its manufacture, this type of sleeping bag is not only cheaper than a down sleeping bag, but also has a better thermal insulation potential in areas with higher humidity or a lot of rain. The synthetic fibre is less sensitive to moisture and will therefore keep you warm in wet weather. It is also easier to care for, but less durable than a down sleeping bag and more difficult to pack.

If you like to spend the night in areas with high humidity, such as by the sea or a river, you should use the synthetic fibre option. However, if you are going to combine your sleeping bag with a bivouac bag, down sleeping bags are still a good choice.

Wool sleeping bags 

Like down sleeping bags, wool sleeping bags are made from natural fibres. Wool sleeping bags are breathable, antibacterial and climate regulating. The company Grüezi bag has been producing wool sleeping bags for many years and has won awards such as the Outdoor Industry Award and the German Design Award.

Grüezi bag offers three solutions for natural sleeping comfort: breathable sleeping bags with pure Lavalan® alpine wool fill, DownWool models and models with a special hybrid down construction.

Lavalan® Alpine Wool

Sleeping bags with alpine wool insulation are designed for temperatures above freezing. Alpine wool can absorb moisture without losing its insulating properties. Alpine wool is pure wool from Alpine sheep. The advantage is that wool keeps you warm even when it is wet. Alpine wool is therefore ideal for regions where high humidity is to be expected. A great advantage for canoeing or white water sports. Wool is also antibacterial and very easy to care for. Wool insulates well, but does not have the high insulation values of down. Pure wool sleeping bags work well in temperatures between 16° and 4° Celsius.

DownWool

Grüezi bag has developed DownWool for temperatures below freezing. Made from 70% RDS certified down and 30% wool, the lightweight DownWool insulation combines the best qualities of down and wool in one material. This is achieved by combining down and wool in a specially developed process to create a new insulation material. DownWool is light, insulates very well and the 30% wool provides a comfortable feel-good climate. Because wool is very good at balancing out temperature differences, DownWool sheep sacks have a wide range of uses. The wool also traps moisture, which means that the down stays dry and fluffy in high humidity, providing excellent insulation. There is no need to impregnate the down. DownWool is manufactured by Grüezi bag in Regensburg, Bavaria. The care instructions for DownWool are the same as for pure down. DownWool sleeping bags are available for temperatures between 12° and – 2° Celsius comfort temperature.

Hybrid down

In the highly complex hybrid down construction of winter and expedition sleeping bags, pure down is used in the chambers closest to the body. The down-filled chambers are surrounded by a layer of alpine wool. The wool ensures that the down stays dry and fluffy even at very low temperatures and that any condensation on the top of the sleeping bag freezes. If the moisture in the down layer were to freeze, the down would lose most of its insulating properties. Hybrid down sleeping bags are suitable for temperatures down to -5° Celsius.

No sleeping bag without insulation mat

Note one thing: No matter which sleeping bag you choose, it is enormously important to buy the matching sleeping pad. This is essential for a restful sleep and the optimal heat supply. After all, no one wants to spend the night on an uneven, cold floor. If you want to learn more about it, feel free to click through to this blog post:

→ Insulation mats: Why they are so important?

Choosing the right sleeping bag size

As well as the material of the sleeping bag, the size of the sleeping bag is also important for comfort. Ideally, the sleeping bag should fit snugly against the body.

The length of the sleeping bag is specified by the manufacturer. But don’t choose exactly the same length as your body size – you need freedom of movement. If the sleeping bag is too small, it will not only be uncomfortable, it may also mean that certain parts of your body are not warm enough. If it is too big, there will be too many cavities for cold air to enter.

THE IMPORTANCE OF SHAPE

There is a specific type of sleeping bag that is best suited to each project.

We have summarised the most common shapes here:

• Mummy shape = The shape of a mummy sleeping bag – like a mummy with its head wrapped around – has a particularly high heat retention capacity at a comparatively low weight. Ideal for sleeping in a tent or outdoors.
• Egg Shape = A variation of the Mummy Shape. They are cut much wider than mummy bags, especially in the chest and hip area. An advantage is that the legs can be bent.
• Quilt Shape = The quilt shape is cut like a quilt. It is particularly suitable for camping, staying by a lake or in a cabin. It is not suitable for longer trips in extreme weather conditions. It is thinner, has poorer insulation and a larger pack size than other sleeping bags. A hut sleeping bag, for example, has a classic blanket shape. Ideal for a cosy evening in a hut, but not for an overnight trek.
• Bivouac = The bivouac bag is a windproof, mostly waterproof bag used as an outer shell for overnight camping (bivouacking). It protects against moisture, dirt and cold. You can find out more about bivouacking in our bivouac guide.

RIGHT OR LEFT ZIPPER

You can recognize a high-quality sleeping bag by the fact that the zipper is covered on the inside. This ensures better insulation and more comfort. Whether the zipper is on the left or right depends on your personal preference. A right-handed person may find it more comfortable if the zipper is on the left, while a left-handed person may find it more advantageous if it is on the right.

PROPER CARE IS IMPORTANT

If you have successfully decided on a sleeping bag, then you are probably also interested in how you can keep it in good condition. So here are a few tips for sleeping bag care:

Coating or impregnation?

The correct surface treatment is crucial for plastic sleeping bags and plastic covers for coated down sleeping bags. Manufacturers coat the plastic fibers with silicone, for example, to prevent them from snagging and tearing. This increases the life and bulkiness of the sleeping bag.

Down sleeping bags can be impregnated. There are sprays or wash impregnation for this. When you wash your sleeping bag, it is very important to let it dry well afterward. But note: In order not to damage your sleeping bag or the existing impregnation, it is advisable to take your sleeping bag to an expert who will treat it professionally. That way, you don’t take any risks.

In general, sleeping bags – regardless of whether they are synthetic or down – should only be washed if absolutely necessary. It is better not to wash down sleeping bags yourself, but to take them to a specialist. Instead of washing sleeping bags, it is better to air them regularly. To increase its lifespan, you should spread out the sleeping bag in the fresh air or in a dry room for a while after each tour.

Proper storage

Once you have used, ventilated and dried your sleeping bag, you should store it. If you are still outdoors and need to compress the sleeping bag, use the stuff sack that came with the bag. For storage at home, however, you should use a storage bag that compresses the sleeping bag much less.

It is important that you stuff your sleeping bag into the storage bag and do not fold or roll it. This would be counterproductive, as creases or bruises in the same place can damage the sleeping bag. Down sleeping bags in particular are very fragile. They should not be compressed too much when stored. If stored incorrectly, the down can break or the fibres can tear. Many manufacturers offer special storage bags for down sleeping bags.

Continue browsing our blog:

• Camping in a greener way: Our top tips!
• Sleep well: Our guide to sleeping mats
• What type of tent are you?