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How to choose your sleeping bag, your bivouac or hiking sleeping bag?

Indispensable in a hiking package, the sleeping bag must be chosen with care otherwise you may not fully enjoy your outing! We give you all the elements to choose the perfect sleeping bag.

Finding the right comfort temperature

© Photo Big Agnes

Keeping you warm is the primary mission of your sleeping bag. To help you choose your bivouac sleeping bag, you will find 3 temperatures on the packaging:

  • The comfort temperature: this is the temperature up to which you can sleep relaxed and without feeling cold. This temperature is estimated for a woman of 60 kg.
  • The comfort limit temperature: at this temperature, the subject is curled up to limit heat loss and begins to feel cold. The subject to determine this temperature is a 70 kg man.
  • Extreme temperature: at this temperature, the risk of hypothermia becomes significant (estimate for a woman weighing 60 kg, curled up on herself).

When choosing your camping sleeping bag, only consider the comfort temperature. To find the right one for you, consider the following:

  • The place where you will sleep: bivouac in the mountains, temperatures, precipitation and wind are all elements that will make you choose a hiking sleeping bag with a low comfort temperature for the extreme cold, higher for a camping sleeping bag.
  • The conditions of the bivouac: will you sleep in the open air, in a refuge, in a tent?
  • Your sensitivity to the cold: it happens that after a day of walking, you are a little more sensitive to the cold and, if you are naturally chilly, opt for a comfort temperature higher than what you think you need.

Good to know: how are the temperatures of sleeping bags determined?

To ensure the compliance and uniformity of the temperatures associated with a hiking sleeping bag, manufacturers must calculate them according to the EN13537 standard. They are determined for a person sleeping in their underwear and of a certain weight. The feeling can then differ according to the clothes worn during the night and the morphology of each and every one.

Which filling to choose for your bivouac sleeping bag?

You will have the choice between two padding materials for your camping sleeping bag:

  • Synthetic fibers: They are heavier than feathers, but are more tolerant to humidity. They are also less expensive. On the other hand, they can't be compressed as well as down sleeping bags. It is therefore recommended to choose a bivouac sleeping bag made of synthetic fibers if you risk being exposed to bad weather or if you sleep under the stars and have enough space available to carry your sleeping bag.
  • In goose or duck down and feathers: it is light, insulating and breathable. The percentage between these two components of the filling is displayed on your sleeping bag. 70/30 means that your down is made up of 70% of down and 30% of plumules (light/fluffy feathers). These give it it's swelling and insulating capacity. Highly compressible, however, it is not very resistant to moisture and can be expensive. However, you will find sleeping bags with a hydrophobic shell.

The down sleeping bag will be preferred if you are looking for a light model that takes up little space, while providing good thermal comfort.

Good to know: pay attention to the weight of your sleeping bag

The more you walk, the more you will need a lightweight backpack, so it is important to be aware of the weight of your sleeping bag. At the same temperature, the down sleeping bag will be lighter than the sleeping bag made of synthetic fibers. On the other hand, for outingns in very cold conditions, you must necessarily choose a heavy down sleeping bag.

Finding the right sleeping bag shape

The shape of your camping sleeping bag will be a critical component of your comfort. The Mummy shape conforms to the shape of the body for enhanced thermal protection (looks like a sarcophagus most of the time). Space-saving and light, they are popular with hikers and are also the most effective children's sleeping bags because they allow you to find the ideal fit in length and width.

However, some people are embarrassed by the lack of foot space, so they can choose a bivouac sleeping bag with a rectangular or barrel shape. You will lose thermal comfort since it will contain more air that your body heat will have difficulty heating. They also do not have a hood, a very interesting option especially in very cold conditions or in the mountains. To be preferred for a camping excursion under mild skies.

Which closing system for your sleeping bag

The closure system is an integral part of the insulating qualities of your camping sleeping bag. If for the rectangular/barrel-shaped sleeping bags, there is only a zipper system, the Mummy versions have two options:

  • Hood tightening: once slipped into your sleeping bag, you can adjust the closure of your hood and leave a larger or smaller opening in your face depending on the outside temperatures.
  • Double tightening: in addition to the hood tightening, these models have a collar on the chest to trap heat in the body. You can then leave the hood open without feeling cold. This double closure system is found especially on sleeping bags for extreme cold conditions.

Our tip: the trick for more heat

To gain a few degrees, you can add in your sleeping bag a silk or fleece liner. Be careful though, if this tip can save you the day when the temperatures drop a little lower than expected, iy you're in extreme conditions, directly choose a sleeping bag for extreme cold conditions.

The thermal insulation offered by your down sleeping bag will obviously be your main concern when choosing your camping sleeping bag, but do not forget to also take into account it's weight, it's volume and it's closure system to find the lining that will accompany you on your expeditions.

The three key points to remember when choosing your bivouac/trekking sleeping bag:

  1. To be perfectly insulated from the cold, you will have to take into account the comfort temperature when choosing your camping sleeping bag.
  2. There are two types of padding for your sleeping bag: synthetic fibers and down, the former being heavier and bulky.
  3. The rectangular or barrel-shaped sleeping bag provides extra comfort, but it is less insulating than a mummy style down sleeping bag.