by Zach F

Created on: April 24, 2010   Last Updated: September 25, 2011

Until recently, it seemed like there was only one type of sleeping bag available.  These days, campers have many options.  So what is the difference between all of these sleeping bags?

Generally, there are three factors that affect the usefulness of a sleeping bag.  Campers are usually looking for a sleeping bag which is light weight, as well as wind and water resistant.

The shell, the liner, and the insulation all affect these factors.

Sleeping bag shells generally come in two materials, nylon and polyester.  Of the two, polyester is more resistant to wind and water, but is significantly heavier than nylon.  Either way, the higher the thread count, the more tightly woven the shell will be, and this will increase its protection against both wind and water.  There are several treatments which can also be added to the outside of the shell in order to increase its protection from the wind and rain.  For instance, many nylon sleeping bags are now treated with DWR, or durable water repellant, which increases its protection.

For the intense camper, who plans on spending time outside of a tent, or camping during the winter, two newer, more technologically advanced sleeping bag materials are on the market.  Dryloft is made of gore-tex material.  These sleeping bags tend to be very expensive, but are very breathable and more wind and water resistant than other materials.  The other option is micro fiber, which is lighter and more tightly woven than polyester or nylon, so again, this will provide increased protection against wind and water.

As far as the interior of the bag goes, it is generally best to choose a smooth and slippery nylon taffeta lining.  Not only is this softer to the touch of skin, it is also less likely to snag on clothing and twist and turn the bag during the night.  This allows for better sleep and an increased lifetime for the sleeping bag.  Although the color of the lining may seem trivial, a dark lining is generally a better choice.  Should the bag get wet, a darker color will help it dry faster in the sun.

The insulation between the shell and the lining, however, is what will do most of the warming throughout the night.  This generally comes in two varieties; down and synthetic.  Down is light and very warm, but also very expensive.  The synthetic materials tend to be cheaper, almost as warming as down, and more water resistant.  The two biggest factors are probably the moisture levels where the camper expects to use the bag, and how much they are willing to invest in a sleeping bag.  If the trip is planned on a river, or in a humid area, but in a warmer climate, synthetic insulation might be a better option.  If, however, the bag is to be used in a cold, dry area, the extra investment for a down bag might be well worth it.

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