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Posts Tagged ‘down sleeping bags’

Sleeping in the open is very enticing. All one need is a cozy bed, blankets, bed sheets and a pillow. But while going camping, lugging all of them is a nightmare. But this is easily solved with a sleeping bag. Sleeping bag resembles a zipped up bed. It provides insulation, comfort and the warmth. The main attraction is that this is something that anyone can take along while traveling. It prevents the chill from creeping in. It protects from the wind. It protects the user from the outside. It is easily transportable along with your backpack. Sleeping bags are made of insulating materials such as synthetic fill such as PrimaLoft, or down, cotton or wool. Campers usually prefer the synthetic or down sleeping bag. The insulation is good and water absorption is minimal. It can be folded. The down fill bag can be compressed and retain heat better, but synthetic bags are cheaper.

Sleeping bags come in two shapes. They are the rectangular shaped and the mummy shaped. The rectangular shaped sleeping bag looks like a folded blanket closed at its sides with a zipper. The bag can be easily folded and tied together tight with cords or straps. The mummy bags, as the name indicates, resembles a mummy. They are broad at the shoulder end and tapers down closing at the bottom. The heat is retained better in this type. But this has to be rolled up unlike the rectangular sleeping bag which can be folded easily.

There are a number of reputed firms that produces and sells sleeping bags. Marmot, a firm that sells sleeping bags, also manufactures Marmot tents, backpacks and clothing. It manufactures both Synthetic Bags and Down Sleeping Bags as well. The synthetic sleeping bags of Marmot includes Marmot EcoPro 30 sleeping bag, Marmot Pounder sleeping bag, Marmot EcoPro 40 sleeping bag, Marmot Trestles 15 sleeping bag and Marmot Trestles 30 sleeping bag. The down sleeping Bags consists of Marmot CWM sleeping bag, Marmot Helium EQ sleeping bag, Marmot Never Winter sleeping bag, Marmot Col EQ sleeping bag, Marmot Synthetic Yurt sleeping bag, Marmot Down Yurt sleeping bag, Marmot Atom sleeping bag, Marmot Lithium sleeping bag an Marmot Arroyo sleeping bag, besides others.

The decision on which sleeping bag to buy has to be based on a number of factors in which the primary concern will be the cost of the bag and your budget. Most sleeping bags suit both the hot and the cold weather. When it is colder, one can zip up the bag fully and open it up more when warmer. But you need to go in fro sleeping bags made specifically to withstand sub-freezing temperature if that is the situation. When it is wet, the synthetic fill bag is better than the down bag. The down bag is better under dry weather conditions.

When you go camping out, make sure to always bring Marmot manufactured sleeping bags. They are the best and you’ll surely get what your money’s worth.

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One of the most wonderful qualities of the earth is that, if you know where to go, then it’s never a dull place. Nature offers us so many chances for fun and adventure that we can live our whole lives and still, we’d never run out of activities to do and places to visit. And the best way to experience what the earth has to offer is to go hiking. Without any superfluities and any of those gratuitous comforts of modern living, we really get to experience nature first hand.

There are, however, some items that you absolutely cannot live without, such as a down sleeping bag. You can’t go backpacking if you don’t have a sleeping bag. After all, nature is a dangerous mistress. Sleeping under the sky can be one of the most gratifying experiences on earth, but then, the cold can creep up on you and have you shivering in your sleep. Any adventure could take a turn for the deadly. But still, that’s no reason to avoid going on adventures and exploring. What you must do is to prepare yourself and get all the things that are necessary, such as a down sleeping bag.

Benefits of Down Sleeping Bags

What’s wonderful about down sleeping bags is that, compared to the new artificial ones found in the market, they provide better insulation, and thus, more warmth. You’ll be more comfortable at night, and also safest, if you are sleeping in a down sleeping bag. Goose feathers, which is mainly what “down” is, is one of the best insulators that nature has to offer.

Another reason why down sleeping bags are so great is that, with proper care, they can last for a very long time. Down sleeping bags are durable and hardy, and can withstand the wear and tear of traveling quite easily. Also, down sleeping bags are very lightweight and very compact. This is a very crucial factor when you go hiking because you’re going to need all the space and all the energy you can get. A down sleeping bag is simpler to bring along and it will also give you more space for grub, clothing, and other basic necessities.

Disadvantages of Down Sleeping Bags

The biggest shortcoming of down sleeping bags is cost. They can get quite expensive, especially the better quality ones. Also, some people can be allergic to goose down. They also don’t work well in heavily moist areas.

Before you go and buy a down sleeping bag, you simply need to read Ron’s advice on what to buy and what not to buy when it comes to down sleeping bags.

categories: Down sleeping bags,sleeping bags,outdoor camping,camping,outdoors,sleeping,hobbies

When you’re camping, one item you should certainly have with you is a sleeping bag. No matter where you might be going, whether it’s in the forest or up the mountain, you should ensure that you have a sleeping bag with you. Sleeping bags are not only providers of comfort, they serve a much more crucial purpose, and this is to provide insulation. You’ll be surprised at how cold it can get during the night when you’re in the wilderness. Warmth becomes an increasingly important commodity. And a sleeping bag with good insulation may just become your best friend during the cold evenings. But there are two types of sleeping bags to pick from, one is the down sleeping bag and the other one has synthetic filling.

Down Sleeping Bags

As far as usefulness goes, most people prefer down sleeping bags. This type of bag is filled with goose feathers or, as it is named, goose down. It provides the best insulation as it traps air quite nicely. You can be certain that you’ll have a warm and comfortable night if you have a down sleeping bag with you. Also, down sleeping bags are also rather light. Bringing them along would spare you a lot of effort because of their light weight. They’re very compact and can be rolled quite tightly, which makes them easy to lug around. Indeed, for the camper, down sleeping bags have the most benefits, most especially if the place they’re going to is in the mountains or in other cold areas.

Another good point about down sleeping bags is their durability. Even if you keep them for years and years, as long as they don’t get too tattered, they will still serve their purpose of being wonderful insulators.

Perhaps, the biggest disadvantage of down sleeping bags is that they don’t do well in places where the atmosphere is damp. Once the bag gets damp, it loses its power to insulate. So, if you can’t keep your bag safe from water, it’s best to use the other type.

Synthetic Sleeping Bags

Although heavier and bulkier than down sleeping bags, synthetic sleeping bags actually have their good points too. For one thing, their performance in damp climates is better than that of down’s. Also, this type is hypoallergenic so they’re best for people who are allergic to down. They’re also much cheaper. So if price is a big consideration for you, then it’s best to go with synthetic.

Before buying a down sleeping bag, you just have to read Ron’s advice on what to buy and what not to buy when it comes to down sleeping bags and sleeping bags liners.

categories: Down sleeping bags,sleeping bags,outdoor camping,camping,outdoors,sleeping,hobbies

When you’re camping, one item you should certainly have with you is a sleeping bag. No matter where you might be going, whether it’s in the forest or up the mountain, you should make sure that you have a sleeping bag with you. Sleeping bags are not only providers of comfort, they serve a much more important purpose, and this is to provide warmth. You’ll be surprised at how cold it can get during the evening when you’re in the wilderness. Warmth becomes an increasingly important commodity. And a sleeping bag with nice insulation may just become your anchor during the freezing evenings. But there are two types of sleeping bags to pick from, one is the down sleeping bags and the other one has synthetic filling.

Down Sleeping Bags

As far as usefulness goes, most people prefer down sleeping bags. This type of bag is filled with goose feathers or, as it is called, goose down. It provides the best insulation as it traps air quite nicely. You can be sure that you’ll have a warm and comfortable night if you have a down sleeping bag with you. Also, down sleeping bags are also rather light. Bringing them along would save you a lot of energy because of their low weight. They’re quite compact and can be rolled quite tightly, which makes them easy to haul around. Indeed, for the camper, down sleeping bags have the most benefits, most especially if the location they’re going to is in the mountains or in other cold areas.

Another good point about down sleeping bags is their good quality. Even if you keep them for years and years, as long as they don’t get too tattered, they will still serve their purpose of being wonderful insulators.

Perhaps, the biggest disadvantage of down sleeping bags is that they don’t do well in places where the atmosphere is damp. Once the bag gets damp, it loses its power to insulate. So, if you can’t keep your bag safe from water, it’s best to use the other type.

Synthetic Sleeping Bags

Although heavier and bulkier than down sleeping bags, synthetic sleeping bags actually have their nice points too. For one thing, their performance in wet climates is better than that of down’s. Also, this kind is hypoallergenic so they’re best for people who are allergic to down. They’re also much cheaper. So if price is a big factor for you, then it’s best to go with synthetic.

Before you go and choose a down sleeping bag, you just have to read Ron’s advice on what to choose and what not to choose when it comes to down sleeping bags and sleeping bags liners.

Sometimes we really have to go back to our roots, leave the hustle and bustle of the city, and commune with nature. It’s an urge that is natural to us. And while the advancements of technology has somehow spoilt us and these new machines have become sort of like our second skin, we still find the urge to go camping once in a while or to go fishing.

Somewhere within every man is a caveman, an adventurer, just looking for an opportunity to escape. And when we don’t indulge that urge, we get edgy, irritable, bored.

However, braving the wilderness without the common comforts of modern living is incredibly hard. Besides, it is not really necessary. Bringing a bit of technology into our little nature adventures can’t exactly be considered as cheating, just practical.

Of course, there’s a limit. There are some things that are outlawed on camping trips, such as portable satellite TVs or microwave ovens. There are certain things that are allowable, however, like mosquito nets and of course, sleeping bags.

Sleeping bags, as the name implies, are sort of like large body bags where you can sleep in when you retire for the night during camping. They come in various shapes, sizes, and colors. You can take your pick, really. But what’s special about it is that it is a large bag, sort of like a cocoon, which you can zip up when you go to sleep. People use it when they go camping or in any other situation where bringing a bed along would be sort of difficult. They are usually made of cotton or wool, and which one you’ll use depends on where you’ll go.

While sleeping bags provide a relative amount of comfort which would lessen the machismo effect of camping, they actually do serve a more practical purpose.

The wild is not a place to be taken lightly, especially if you are not very experienced with it. There are dangers there that you would do well to shun if you do not want to be harmed. First of all, there’s the threat of mosquitoes. Down sleeping bags can effectively keep these critters at bay.

Most importantly, down sleeping bags provide warmth. When the temperature drops during the evenings, down sleeping bags can provide warmth.

If there is one thing to consider when buying your next sleeping bag, I say its all about temperature. Get the right range! If the forecast says its going to be warm during the day and then cool off overnight, find out how cold cool off really is, then buy the sleeping bag that is good to 20 degrees below that!

A couple of years ago, I was preparing for a 2 day boat trip to the 1000 Islands. After shopping around all Summer, my husband and I found a boat in late October which suited our needs. We decided to drive the boat back home down river rather than trailer it to save some money, but the boat had no heater.

So, how to keep warm? I did not feel like bringing sheets and blankets, so warm sleeping bags seemed logical. Knowing it might get chilly at night, I checked a few weather sites and determined 45ish would be the low. So, on-line I went to find SO much information and so many decisions to make, it all became a blur.

So, I picked a pretty blue one from Mountain Hardwear called Sunrise for just under $200.00 that was good to 50F. I didn’t really consider my options at that time, but now I wish I had noticed, similar sleeping bags in the same price range and slightly more expensive were available that were good right down to 5 and even to -40F.

Needless to say, that night was c o l d !! We picked up the boat on a balmy 65 morning, and drove all day, ending up in the 1000 Islands near Brockville, Ontario that night. We should have picked up a clue that it was going to be cold when we found that all the docks were removed from the islands, but we just scoffed at the scared, cold-fearing tourists and enjoyed a late dinner all alone on an island.

We enjoyed a warm meal on the boat followed by a nice walk on the island with our golden retriever, then went to sleep early knowing we had another long day ahead of us. Some time during the night, I heard our dog barking so I got up to investigate. The cabin was freezing! It literally felt like there was ice on the floor.

Unfortunately for me, the bed was too small for 3, so I couldn’t even enjoy the warmth of my dog next to me. I quickly dove back into my sleeping bag, but it was too late. My feet were already numb and they didn’t seem to warm up all night.

We found out the next day that the temperature dropped to around 25 overnight. First order of business that day, buy a portable heater! And my advice to all sleeping bag buyers: buy a sleeping bag that’s good to 20 degrees lower than you think you’ll need - you’ll be happy you did!

If there is one thing to consider when buying your next sleeping bag, I say its all about temperature. Get the right range! If the forecast says its going to be warm during the day and then cool off overnight, find out how cold cool off really is, then buy the sleeping bag that is good to 20 degrees below that!

I remember getting ready for an overnight boat trip to the 1000 Islands a few years ago. My husband and I had bought a boat in late October (when they are cheaper!) and we were going to bring it home down river. The boat had no heater and we did not have a portable one, so I knew it was time.

So we knew it was time to buy warmer sleeping bags. I checked a few forecasts to see how cool it might get overnight and found the average to be around 45 degrees. I researched my sleeping bag options on-line, and found a wealth of information. So many sleeping bags to choose from, with so many choices to make!

I ended up choosing a sleeping bag from Mountain Hardwear called Sunrise. Yes, sleeping bags have names! It cost about $200.00 and seemed to suit my needs. Of course, I didn’t really think about temperature options then, I was comparing prices and looks. This sleeping bag was a pretty blue one that matched our new boat!

But no, I went with color and completely regretted the decision that night. Arriving at the marina to pick up our boat in the early morning, the temperature was in the mid 60s and we enjoyed a lovely day cruise down river. We ended up on one of our favorite islands near Brockville, Ontario and had a nice meal just as the sun was setting.

Knowing we had an early start the next day, we quickly made up our beds in the cabin and turned in by 10:00 p.m. Sometime after midnight, our golden retriever Kramer started growling so I got up to check on him. Holy crap, it was cold! I brought our dog into the cabin where he settled happily on the couch.

Unfortunately for me, the bed was too small for 3, so I couldn’t even enjoy the warmth of my dog next to me. I quickly dove back into my sleeping bag, but it was too late. My feet were already numb and they didn’t seem to warm up all night.

The next morning we heard on our radio that temperatures had dropped to 25 overnight! What a surprise, the weathermen got it wrong. So please take my advice and learn from my mistakes - when deciding on which sleeping bag to buy, get one that works to at least 10 degrees lower than you think you may need. You’ll be happy you did!

When the time comes for you to pick out a sleeping bag, one of the most important things to consider is what type of insulation it will be made of. Today sleeping bags are usually made with either down or synthetic fill. Each type of sleeping bag has its own advantages and disadvantages. However, in the long run the best choice is usually the down filled sleeping bag. Let’s face it; goose down is just a better insulator.

Down Sleeping Bags Are More Lightweight Every little bit of weight you’re carrying makes a difference when you’re on the trail. Unless your goal is to tire yourself quickly, you’ll want your backpack to be as light as possible. Down sleeping bags are lighter than sleeping bags with synthetic fills, so you can avoid carrying a little extra weight by choosing a down filled sleeping bag.

Down is Warmer than Synthetic Fiber Surprisingly, there have not been any synthetic fills that are able to match down’s weight when it come to warmth ratio. You simply must have a warm sleeping bag when you are camping in very cold weather. If you do not want to loose sleep because you have been shivering all night, then it is best to get a down-filled sleeping bag. After all, you will have to expend a lot of energy for that early morning mountain ascent.

A Down Sleeping Bag is More Compact When it is time to choose your camping gear, you are going to have to take into consideration the space factor. You will find that a down sleeping bag is able to compress more and will take up less space in your backpack than will a synthetic sleeping bag. That will leave you more room to pack extra food and clothes.

Disadvantages of Down Sleeping Bags Although there are many benefits to having a down sleeping bag, you will find some drawbacks such as versatility and price. When you experience wet conditions, a down sleeping bag might be a rather poor choice. This is due to the fact that a wet down sleeping bag will become very compact and will provide very little insulation. This will, for all intents and purposes, leave you without a sleeping bag for the night. In order to solve this problem, look for a down sleeping bag that is made with waterproof or water resistant material. Therefore, you will still be able to get a down sleeping bag for one of your kayaking trips or for rainy camping.

Finally, the only other drawback is that you will find that a down sleeping bag will be much more expensive than a synthetic sleeping bag. The price reflects a sleeping bag of a higher quality than a synthetic-filled sleeping bag.

Conclusion Unless you have a big concern with the price factor, down sleeping bags are usually your best bet for the money. When you choose to have a down sleeping bag, your backpack will weigh less and you will have more room in it. You will keep warmer as well.