There are a number of factors you need to consider when reviewing a sleeping bag, the most important one by far is whether the bag's temperature rating is sufficient for your needs. Here's what to look for.
What's your sleeping bag rating?
On your sleeping bag stuff sack you will usually find data that will tell you your sleeping bag rating. Most sleeping bags have 'Temperature' and 'Season' ratings . The season rating is two season, three season or four season and gives you some indication of which season the bag should be used. The bag should also have a temperature rating, depending on how old it is. The temperature rating is either in the form of a comfort range or three temperatures corresponding to the Comfort/Limit/Extreme temperature. 'Limit' is the temperature that you will begin to get seriously cold. The 'Extreme' temperature is the point where the temperature gets dangerous. For camping in the summer the 'Comfort' rating is the figure you should be interested in.
Night temperatures
To make sure you've got the right bag, compare the comfort rating to the normal night time temperatures of your destination. For example, in Oregon in February the average nightly temperature is -5.1 degrees C and in July it's 7.9 degrees C. Compare this to the United Kingdom where the February figure is 1.1 degrees C and in July it's 11.7 degrees C. Be sure to get a sleeping bag with the correct rating for your destination. In winter, to be on the safe side, I'd definitely look at the 'Extreme' rating of the bag and compare it to the lowest record temperatures of a region.
Cold or warm sleeper?
Do you sleep in your bed socks in July? If you do I'm willing to bet you're a cold sleeper. If you're a cold sleeper I would certainly adjust all the figures down. Go for the three season sleeping bag in summer and the four season one in September. Women, in general, need a sleeping bag that's 5 degrees lower than men as do older people. Manufacturers assume you're going to be wearing baselayers or reasonable pyjamas while sleeping, if you prefer to go naked, again, adjust the figures.
Down or Synthetic?
Down filled sleeping bags are the best quality sleeping bags you can buy. They're lightweight, they pack down really small and they have the best weight to warmth ratio of any bag. The problem is they're very expensive and, if you're a family summer camper, they're way over the top. Family campers should stick with the synthetic bags. They may be a little bulkier and a bit heavier but they still provide all the warmth that you need and, here's the exciting bit, they're a lot cheaper.
Sleeping mats and other things
Sleeping mats are important. Heat is lost fairly rapidly into the ground if you don't have a sleeping mat that's insulated. Also, if the sleeping bag doesn't fit correctly, it can cause cold spots, so have a look at the height and width before you buy, better still go to a shop and try one.
What's your sleeping bag rating?
On your sleeping bag stuff sack you will usually find data that will tell you your sleeping bag rating. Most sleeping bags have 'Temperature' and 'Season' ratings . The season rating is two season, three season or four season and gives you some indication of which season the bag should be used. The bag should also have a temperature rating, depending on how old it is. The temperature rating is either in the form of a comfort range or three temperatures corresponding to the Comfort/Limit/Extreme temperature. 'Limit' is the temperature that you will begin to get seriously cold. The 'Extreme' temperature is the point where the temperature gets dangerous. For camping in the summer the 'Comfort' rating is the figure you should be interested in.
Night temperatures
To make sure you've got the right bag, compare the comfort rating to the normal night time temperatures of your destination. For example, in Oregon in February the average nightly temperature is -5.1 degrees C and in July it's 7.9 degrees C. Compare this to the United Kingdom where the February figure is 1.1 degrees C and in July it's 11.7 degrees C. Be sure to get a sleeping bag with the correct rating for your destination. In winter, to be on the safe side, I'd definitely look at the 'Extreme' rating of the bag and compare it to the lowest record temperatures of a region.
Cold or warm sleeper?
Do you sleep in your bed socks in July? If you do I'm willing to bet you're a cold sleeper. If you're a cold sleeper I would certainly adjust all the figures down. Go for the three season sleeping bag in summer and the four season one in September. Women, in general, need a sleeping bag that's 5 degrees lower than men as do older people. Manufacturers assume you're going to be wearing baselayers or reasonable pyjamas while sleeping, if you prefer to go naked, again, adjust the figures.
Down or Synthetic?
Down filled sleeping bags are the best quality sleeping bags you can buy. They're lightweight, they pack down really small and they have the best weight to warmth ratio of any bag. The problem is they're very expensive and, if you're a family summer camper, they're way over the top. Family campers should stick with the synthetic bags. They may be a little bulkier and a bit heavier but they still provide all the warmth that you need and, here's the exciting bit, they're a lot cheaper.
Sleeping mats and other things
Sleeping mats are important. Heat is lost fairly rapidly into the ground if you don't have a sleeping mat that's insulated. Also, if the sleeping bag doesn't fit correctly, it can cause cold spots, so have a look at the height and width before you buy, better still go to a shop and try one.
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If you need more help, take a look at these pages for reviews of sleeping bags and check this site to see some useful camping gear advice .
