Down vs. synthetic fibre

A fundamental decision when buying a sleeping bag is which fabric is best suited to the desired purpose. Basically, there are two fabrics to choose from: Down and synthetic fibre. There are also sleeping bags made of cotton or silk, but as these are primarily suitable for huts or indoor use, they are not considered in this text.
Each fabric has its strengths and weaknesses. Down, for example, offers excellent insulation while still being lightweight and compact, as it compresses well. The disadvantage of a down sleeping bag, however, is that the down can clump together when it gets wet and therefore no longer keeps you as warm as when it is dry. However, there are insulated down sleeping bags nowadays that are designed to prevent the down from getting wet. Another advantage of choosing a sleeping bag made from down is its longer lifespan compared to synthetic fibres. However, this also comes at a price and down sleeping bags are usually more expensive than synthetic fibre sleeping bags.
The advantage of synthetic fibre is, that moisture and humidity are not as big of a problem compared to down, but synthetic fibre sleeping bags generally have a larger pack size and are heavier. Depending on the intended use, this can be a limiting factor.

The different shapes

In addition to the mummy sleeping bag, the most popular shapes are the egg-shaped sleeping bag and the rectangular sleeping bag. When you think of a sleeping bag, you most likely have the classic mummy sleeping bag in mind, as this is also the most widely used shape. This is also the most suitable shape for outdoor use, as it requires the least amount of air to be heated and therefore warms faster and better than other shapes. Rectangular sleeping bags are particularly suitable for camping in summer, but are not very easy to transport due to their large pack size and heavy weight. The egg-shaped sleeping bag is particularly suitable if you are planning a trip into the great outdoors in warm temperatures and don't exactly know what the weather will be like. Thanks to its shape, it offers the ideal conditions for warm, cold, wet and dry areas and changeable temperatures that cannot always be planned in advance.

Areas of use

There are sleeping bags for a wide variety of uses, and we will list some of them here and explain their special features.
Trekking sleeping bags should be as light as possible and have a small pack size, as you will need to transport them every day on your hike. If you are travelling in alpine terrain, it is also advisable to choose a sleeping bag that covers a wide temperature range, as the weather in the mountains can change quickly and is sometimes unpredictable.
Three-season sleeping bags are best suited for use between spring and autumn. However, this assumes normal weather conditions and not too high an altitude. These models are insulated but not suitable for winter use.
Summer sleeping bags are, as the name suggests, suitable for summer and are therefore less insulated and relatively light.
Winter sleeping bags allow you to spend the night in the most adverse conditions and can even provide a restful night's sleep at temperatures as low as -40°C. To guarantee this, the demands on materials and quality are naturally extremely high, which leads to a higher price. They also tend to be heavy and have a lot of volume.
Bivy bags are windproof and often waterproof outer covers for sleeping bags that allow you to spend the night in the open air even in adverse conditions and are simply pulled over the sleeping bag. The bivy bag is a good alternative to a tent, especially on longer tours when you want to reduce your luggage to the bare essentials.
Hut sleeping bags have no insulation and are usually made of cotton. They are therefore not suitable for overnight stays in the open, but should really only be used if the destination of your trip is a hut.