As the modern-day equivalent of the old explorers, the backpacker will be exposed to all kinds of climatic conditions on many different types of terrain. He or she must be self-sufficient and prepared for the worst at all times. And preparedness starts before leaving home, with the selection of backpacking gear. Of particular importance is your backpacking sleeping bag. Not getting a good nights rest can lead to mistakes that can mean the difference between enjoying that view of the sunset from a mountain ridge and seeing that same sunset from a Search and Rescue helicopter.

1. The Backpacking Sleeping Bag – All Sleeping Bags Are Not Created Equal

Before choosing a sleeping bag, it can be helpful to know what some of the key differences are between the backpacking sleeping bag and other sleeping bags. The needs of a backpacker lead to special considerations that the backpacker must address:

The backpacking sleeping bag must be light. A typical backpacker will already be carrying food, extra clothing for rain or snow, fire-starting and cooking gear, flashlights, water bottles, first aid supplies and other survival gear, and any special equipment for traversing the terrain the backpacker will be in, such as ropes, pitons, etc. Adding a 25 pound sleeping bag to this load can make the weight unmanageable for someone not blessed with a Herculean physique.

It must be easy to store. The backpacking sleeping bag should roll into the smallest space possible, for easy stowage and maneuvering. A big, bulky sleeping bag tied to your back can be a major impediment when moving through difficult or heavily forested terrain.

The backpacking sleeping bag must adequately protect the backpacker from the elements. This is a more complicated issue to address and will be explored in more depth below.

2. Nature and You – Protecting Yourself from the Elements

Before you choose which sleeping bag to take with you on a given excursion, consider where you will be going. You wouldn't take the same backpacking sleeping bag with you on a trip to the Rocky Mountains as you would on a trip to the Louisiana bayou. Is the area you are going hot? Cold? Humid? Dry? Is it the rainy (or snowy) season there? What kind of temperature variations are there between day and night? A polyfill or synthetic type insulated backpacking sleeping bag will keep you warm better when it is wet than a down filled, but a down-filled bag will keep you warmer in frozen, windy environments. A simple nylon shell may work well in a warm, humid climate, but cold winds will cut right through it. Microfiber linings will work well when wet, and provide good wind protection, but can be heavy and costly. And of course, the amount of a given material the backpacking sleeping bag uses directly influences both weight and bulk.

3. One Size Does Not Fit All

Although it would be nice if you could choose one backpacking sleeping bag for all climes, this is just not possible. Using a light shell in the mountains will make you freeze all night, and using a down-filled backpacking sleeping bag on a warm beach somewhere will lead to a night of sweltering in your bag. Even within groups of bags appropriate to a given climate, what works well for one person may not work for someone else. Metabolic and circulatory differences between people lead to differing needs in their backpacking sleeping bag. Look at the sleeping bag's temperature ratings, they will give you an idea of the temperatures that a bag will keep you comfortable in. Also consider whether to purchase accessories such as hoods for minimizing heat loss through your head, or draft tubes to get rid of excess heat in the backpacking sleeping bag.

4. Final Words

After choosing a backpacking sleeping back that will work for you, also consider purchasing a liner for your sleeping bag. Using a liner will cut down on having to wash the entire sleeping bag. This will greatly extend the useful lifetime of your sleeping bag, since washing tends to make the insulating fill "clump", greatly reducing comfort and effectiveness. Choosing a good, quality backpacking sleeping bag and properly caring for it will allow years of backpacking enjoyment.



Thanks to Abhishek Agarwal for contributing this article to our backpacks blog:

Zebra Backpack

Backpacking requires that you bring all essential items before going on a trip. You do not want to be endangered during your trip, do you? If you want to avoid accidents and problems as much as possible during your trip, you have to pack all kinds of things like maps and compass, tents, sleeping bags, water, matches and maybe some canned goods for your adventure. You have to bring a first aid kit too.

These gears are numerous, I know. Carrying a load that is too heavy might pose a problem for you when going on a trip. Carrying a hefty load will make your backpacking adventure less fun and more cumbersome. So how do you counter this problem when you know that you need all the things you are carrying? You cannot very well leave some of the things behind, can you?

The trick to remember when packing for a backpacking trip is to bring items that are lightweight but nonetheless provide you with the same protection during your camping expedition. There are now hundreds of Ultralight gears available in the market today and these gears are a big help to you. Your backpack must not weigh more than two pounds. Purchase one that is not only lightweight, but is durable to hold all your gears. A light sleeping bag is a great idea for lightweight backpacking, too. It should not be more than three pounds and should not be too bulky. Instead of packing a tent, why not opt for a tarp instead? Tents are bulky and tend to be heavy. A tarp can provide you with the same degree of protection and shelter when in the wild but you have to have knowledge on setting one up first so that you would not get wet. Setting up a tarp requires that you know how to do it and you practice on it first before going on a trip.

Backpacking also requires that you are in good shape when going on a trip. All the hiking demanded by a backpacking trip will surely take its toll on you if you are not in a good physical state. But the best way to cope up with a backpacking trip is having a much needed presence of mind. Being on alert and knowing what to do during your trip will definitely save you from a lot of risks and problems.



Thanks to Greg Lucas for contributing this article to our backpacks blog:

Rolling Laptop Bag