Choosing the Right Camping Sleeping Bags for Your Next Camping Trip

Camping is one of the most-loved outdoor activities in the world. Not only is it an activity in itself; it is also a jumping-off point for other nature activities like fishing, hiking, climbing, and just getting back to nature in general. It's one of the least expensive but most fun ways to have a great time in the great outdoors.

That's not to say that camping is entirely without costs, though. To have an enjoyable and safe camping trip, you will need some equipment. The most basic pieces of gear that you and your camp mates will need are camping sleeping bags. Camping sleeping bags are different than lightweight sleeping bags or indoor sleeping bags. Camping sleeping bags are made to be used in an outdoor environment or in a tent, and have a protective layer on the outside that will both keep you warm and stop the material from wearing out too quickly.

Types of Bags

You'll have a wide choice of camping sleeping bags, and choosing one is largely a matter of personal choice. You'll also have to consider the climate and environment that you'll be sleeping in when you're deciding between different types of camping sleeping bags.

There are the standard camping sleeping bags, which are basically a rectangle of insulated bag with a zipper around three edges and a place for your head to stick out of the fourth side. These are pretty straightforward, and nearly everyone has used one at some point.

There are also camping sleeping bags that have a bit around the top to keep your head warmer. Since you lose a lot of heat from your head, this little feature can serve to keep you warm on colder nights, and it also provides some comfortable padding.

A more extreme version of the head-enclosing bag is the mummy sleeping bag, which entirely encapsulates you except for your eyes, nose, and mouth. This is an excellent choice for cold-weather camping because it provides the maximum amount of coverage. While you may be tempted to stick your face down into your sleeping bag while you sleep, the moisture from your breath only makes you colder in the end. Mummy bags make it impossible to do this, so you end up staying warm all night.

Another great way to combat the cold nights is with tandem camping sleeping bags. This type of bag allows you to share with another camper, thus sharing body heat and allowing some bonus time together.

No matter what type of camping sleeping bags you and your camping party decide on, if you choose a high-quality and durable sleeping bag you'll greatly increase your enjoyment of any camping experience.