Researching the best sleeping bag for your needs can be a hassle. When you’re not sure which one to get, it can feel like a daunting task. Luckily, there’s now an app that does all the hard work for you! This article covers how the SleepScore app rates and compares sleeping bags for campers and hikers alike.
Why do sleeping bags have ratings?
Some people believe that sleeping bags are rated in order of warmth. This is not true. Sleeping bags are rated by how much insulation they provide. The higher the rating, the more insulation the sleeping bag has.
There are three common ratings for sleeping bags: Standard, Heavy Duty, and Winter . The Standard being 2-3/4″ thick, the Heavy Duty 4″ – 5″ thick, and the Winter rating being 5″ or more.
What is the difference between a sleeping bag liner and sleeping pad?A sleeping bag liner is a blanket made for sleeping bags. It is about 3″ to 6″ thick. A thermo-regulating pad is thicker than a liner, usually at least 12″ to 18″ thick. They are used together as an insulation layer of sorts when sleeping in colder conditions, like very cold weather, below freezing temperatures for instance. Both liners and pads should be treated as clothing and kept dryer than other gear you have with you at night. Liners can compress down pretty small when it’s not being used.How do I clean a sleeping bag liner and pad?Wash it with soap if dirty. Do not soak in liquid or soak longer than 24 hours, as this may affect the synthetic fibers some fabrics are made of. If you can still feel grit on the surface (like sand or dirt), there is probably more grit left on the surface from storage that needs to be cleaned off before washing.If I store my sleeping bag liner and pad like clothing, will they lose their insulating qualities?No, they won’t lose their insulating properties when stored like traditional clothing. It would be fine if you were only using them for storing until needed. Then remove them from your gear list to use properly!
How are sleeping bags rated?
When it comes to buying a sleeping bag, buyers have many different factors to consider. Some of the most important factors include the temperature rating of the bag, the type of insulation it is made of, and whether or not it has a water-resistant lining. But how do sleeping bags get rated?
The sleep test industry was originally created in response to the issue of people dying in their sleep because they were using incorrect or unsafe bedding. Today, the sleep test industry has evolved and now evaluates sleeping bags based on five key performance criteria: heat loss, insulation, comfort, breathability and water resistance. The testing process for each criterion is detailed below.
Heat Loss: This test simulates a person being in bed asleep and measures how much heat is lost through the sleeping bag. The warmer the sleeping bag is rated, the more heat will be lost.
Insulation: This test measures how well the sleeping bag insulates against heat loss. The higher the rating, the more heat will be retained.
Comfort: This test measures how comfortable a person feels while wearing the sleeping bag. The higher the rating, the more comfortable a person will feel.
What is your sleeping bag rating?
A sleeping bag rated to a certain warmth level is ideal for those cold winter nights. Sleeping bags range in warmth from 0°F to 50°F, with the lower temperatures corresponding to lighter weight and the higher temperatures corresponding to heavier weight bags. Different ratings indicate how warm a sleeping bag will be when worn on a cold night. A 5-degree rating means that the sleeping bag will be 5 degrees cooler than body temperature when worn.
A few other camping tips
- When camping, always make sure to pack a properly rated sleeping bag. Many times these bags are rated with a temperature range, such as 0-35 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure you pick the right rating for the weather where you will be camping.
- Always keep your sleeping bag clean and free of dust and dirt. This will help to keep you warm during colder nights or when the weather changes.
- Use a ground cloth or Sleeping Pad protectors to avoid getting any dirt or dust on your sleeping bag and mattress.
Conclusion
When it comes to sleeping bags, you want to make sure that you are getting the best possible rating. Sleeping bags are designed to protect you from the cold weather, and as such, they need to be able to keep you warm without overheating. To do this, a sleeping bag is rated according to two different metrics: warmth and weight. The warmer a sleeping bag is, the more insulation it has and the heavier it will be. Most sleeping bags are rated according to the temperature range in which they are most effective (e.g., 0°F – 20°F), but some also have ratings for extreme conditions (e.g., below 0°F). As long as your sleeping bag meets the minimum requirements for both warmth and weight, you can be assured that it will provide adequate protection from the cold weather.
