by Dominic Clacy

Created on: October 15, 2009   Last Updated: October 18, 2009

Sleeping bags have come a long way since Freydis Eiriksdottir invented her first sleeping bag as she sailed around the world in 1000, and the manufacturers have paid close attention to the needs of consumers, producing sleeping bags for every camping, hiking, mountain climbing, canoeing, fishing and hunting adventure.

If you are going camping and need a sleeping bag it is important that don't just pick the first one you see. Selecting the best bag depends on the intended use and how often you plan to use it. There are a variety of shapes and sizes to suit all conditions and temperatures. Some were made for lower temperatures and retain heat better and so it is important to know which one works best for you.

Choosing the proper sleeping bag for your camping style will keep things rosy on your camping trip.

The two most common types of sleeping bags are rectangular and mummy style. Rectangular shaped ones are by far the most popular style but experienced campers prefer the mummy designs. The mummy bag is a snug fitting style that is smaller and lightweight, but still offers the same temperature rating as comparable rectangular sleeping bags. Mummy sleeping bags are roomy and include many technical elements. They are also available with a variety of insulation and in a variety of fabrics. Rectangular sleeping bags give more room to move around and can usually be zipped together with other rectangular bags if needed, perhaps to make a double bag. The mummy bag however conforms more closely to the body. Some semi-rectangular bags come with a contoured hood making up for the heat loss. Common dimensions for rectangle sleeping bags are: 28 x 60 (children), 33 x 75 (adult), 33 x 80 (tall adult), and 39 x 80 (big and tall adult).

Sleeping bags are either synthetic-filled or down-filled. Renowned for its superior insulation, goose down is one of the premier sleeping bag materials made to keep the warmth in and keep the cold out, but has a price tag to reflect this. Synthetic sleeping bags are cheaper than down and usually non-allergenic. They are easier to take care of especially with spills. Sleeping bag fill will come in both short and long fibers. Many new synthetics use a hollow fiber method that keeps sleeping bags light and allows for good compression when packing, while still offering excellent warmth. Long fibers found in sleeping bags with synthetic fill are more stable and will be less likely to shift during use. Short fibers on the other hand can shift during

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