Sleeping Bags \\\' How To Buy One With Confidence

The sheer variety of sleeping bags on the market makes the choice for the first-time buyer quite difficult. If you don't know what to look for, you could easily buy something that is totally unsuitable for your purposes.

In the first place you have to consider your budget. The cheapest reasonable quality sleeping bag will probably cost around a hundred dollars. There is virtually no upper limit. Only you can decide how much you want to spend and this should largely be determined by how much money you have and what you want to use the sleeping bag for.

So what should you look for when selecting a sleeping bag? The answer to this question depends on why you want to buy one in the first place. What do you plan to use it for? Weekend camping trips in perfect weather with the family or treks in the Canadian wilderness?

The important aspect here is the thickness, quality and weight of the fill. Should you want to do serious hiking in good weather conditions, go for a lightweight material. This will make it easy to carry and it will be perfectly suitable for the weather conditions you plan to use it in.

If, on the other hand, you are planning an extended trek in the wild and you expect the weather to to get very cold at times, buy the best quality fill you can afford. This doesn't have to weigh more than your mother in law and be a pain to carry ' modern lightweight materials provide excellent protection against the cold. This type of bag normally has a temperature rating, so you will be able to see at a glance whether it's the right bag for your purposes.

The shell of the bag is also important. You should once again buy a bag with a type of shell that is suitable for the conditions you want to use it under. If the terrain is rugged with many rocks and scrubs, select a shell that will be able to withstand a lot of abuse.

The lining of the sleeping bag is another important consideration. Choose something that will not tear easily, is lightweight yet allows air to circulate. You don't for example want a plastic lining! It should also be comfortable and soft to the touch. Nobody like sleeping wrapped in something that's as coarse as sandpaper.

Modern sleeping bags also come in a variety of colors and styles. You are therefore sure to find something that fits your image as a serious backpacker or mountaineer.

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