Key factors
Cool zippers, new waterproofing, etc... sometimes it's easy to get lost in all the hype (over-spending happens on features). Our guide focuses on the fundamental factors you should always keep in mind (thus, this short list is similar across all items). Then only at the end do we have some questions to get you thinking about other minor features.
We highly recommend reviewing Type or Style first, where we review what you can use to address the Core function--a regular item you have at home may work! The other factors are secondary & depend strongly on the Type or Style you've picked.
While we encourage you to use regular items wherever possible, as an outdoor gear shop, we only carry outdoor-specific products
Type or Style
We've organized the most commonly used items people use to address the Core function below, with example images, characteristics, features, etc.
With sleeping bags, there are 2 primary dimensions that you should consider in terms of type or style.
Name |
Regular bedding |
Sleeping bag |
Blanket |
Duvet/ comforter |
Rectangular bag |
Mummy bag |
Single sheet of material |
Two sheets of material with insulation in-between |
Think of a duvet folded in half & stitched together (can often be fully unzipped into a small duvet) |
Think of a duvet cut & stitched to fit snugly around your body including a hood. Zipper doesn't go all the way down, creating a 'foot box' |
Example images |
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Effect on secondary factors
For sleeping bags, data for adult sizes only, more info on youth in Capacity
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Price |
$20-100 |
$40-400 |
$60-150 |
$80-700 |
Warmth
Given shape-only
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No comparable temperature rating
Not enclosed, so doesn't keep out drafts & may create excessive dead air
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Rated at discrete temps from 30F to 45+F
(-1C to 7+C)
Enclosed, but not always form-fit so there can still be some drafts & excessive dead air
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Rated at discrete temps -30F & below to 40F
(-34C & below to 4C)
Form-fit to minimize drafts & excessive dead air
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Capacity |
Twin to king size |
Generally singles for individuals
Though there are some doubles, which is roughly the size of twin-size bedding
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Weight
For size analogies, see below
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Lighter & smaller |
Heavier & larger |
2-7lbs
(0.9-3.2kg)
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1-4lbs
(0.5-1.8kg)
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Rationale |
N/A |
Less warm = less technical, which is why it's used in milder or indoor settings (more ideal for higher temperatures) |
More warm = more technical, which is why it's used in colder settings (more ideal for lower temperatures) |
Why we do/don't carry it
= we rent = we sell
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Not specific enough for outdoor use |
For rent for sleepers who need extra capacity; Extremely limited availability, please call to reserve
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Standard for most outdoor uses
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With any of the form factors above, a difference of insulation material is also significantly important. (Note, if you've read our guide on clothing, both of these materials are of the lofting filler technology, i.e., the synthetic doesn't refer to fleece! The reason is because lofting fillers have better warmth-to-weight ratios, e.g., wool sleeping bag of the same warmth as a down one would be too heavy & bulky to bring outdoors.)
Insulation material |
Natural down |
Synthetic fibers |
Naturally-derived from the fluffy part at the root of duck or geese feathers |
Man-made, various technologies exist |
Does it maintain insulation ability when wet? |
Wet feathers don't loft well. Face fabrics or feathers may be treated to be water repellant, but care should still be taken to avoid getting this wet
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Fibers are designed to loft even when wet
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Effect on secondary factors
For adult sleeping bags only, not regular bedding, more info on youth in Capacity
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Price |
$100-700 |
$60-250 |
Warmth |
Rated at discrete temps from -30F & below to 45F
(-34C & below to 7C)
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Rated at discrete temps from 0F to 45F & above
(-18C to 7C & above)*
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Weight
For size analogies, see below
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1-3.5lbs
(0.5-1.6kg)
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2-6lbs
(0.9-2.7kg)
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Rationale |
Down lofts better than synthetic, so you need less of it to achieve the same insulation, which is why it can get very lightweight & therefore is the most practical option for the lowest temperature rated bags. The trade-off is that it's more expensive, since it's a natural material |
Technology has yet to create a synthetic material that performs as well as down, therefore there's a practical limit to how low of a temperature rating you can achieve (before the bag gets too heavy & bulky to be realistically used) |
Why we do/don't carry it
= we rent = we sell
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We do carry both to optimize for performance & also price
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*Synthetic lofting fillers' fibers will break over time, impeding their ability to loft. With proper care (e.g., not prolonged compressed storage), down fibers can last much longer
While these factors affect any type or style, we've only gathered specific data for sleeping bags. Blankets or duvets/ comforters are more familiar to most people & are also not optimized for the technical factors we'll consider below (e.g., warmth or weight & size)
Price
One of life's certainties is the trade-off between price & quality. This creates an inherently unfair situation. If you save money today by buying something lower end, you'll end up replacing it more frequently, spending money & time each instance so that at the end, you probably haven't actually saved anything. On the other hand, if you decide to invest in something higher end, you'll need a lot more upfront money, and you need to be able to use the item frequently enough to make it worthwhile.
We developed our rental program to address this unfairness. We don't sell lower end items. But for our higher end items, we offer them for rent at up to 90% off retail price, generally well below the cost of buying even the cheaper option. That's a win-win!
It may seem like the price & quality trade-off is disappearing, because you can find a cheap version of almost anything for tens of dollars that still has good reviews (assuming the reviews are real). Remember 2 things:
- Many reviews are written after only a trial use, first use, or infrequent use: We've seen entire review videos of gear done at home, which is very different than actually being outdoors!
- The point of gear is to give you a good experience because you've already spent money to be on vacation from work! Don't let quality issues affect your relaxation
For gear specifically, the quality issues center around performance & durability.
Performance
- The sleeping bag was bigger or heavier: A 1lb or 2kg difference may not matter on a 3 hour hike, but it might on a 6 hour hike! Not to mention you might need to spend more on a big enough backpack to carry it
- The sleeping bag leaves you cold: We talk more about Warmth below. Lower end brands don't standardize their temperature ratings & are frequently overly generous; some reviews have said a 0F bag felt like a 40F bag!
- The sleeping bag wasn't very waterproof or durable: Waterproofing is a bigger concern for down bags, which don't insulate well when wet. Durability is really important for zippers. Higher end bags have features that prevent zippers from snagging & breaking. This may seem like a small issue, but if a bag can't be zipped up it won't insulate! Fabric-wise, lower end items tend to be made with polyester, which is less durable than nylon (more info in our clothing protip); and of course, if the fabric tears, performance is compromised. Finally lower end items may not have or may have less effective waterproofing treatments
Durability
Maybe you are the average person that goes 1-2 times per year, you don't mind the hassle of replacing gear that doesn't last, and you also don't care about the performance differences. Then use our borrow program & get free gear where available! Or for a little more, use our rental program.
Methodology notes on prices shown on this page
In addition to losing money by buying lower end products that just aren't worth it, you can also lose money by buying higher end products that also aren't worth it. Once you reach a certain tier of quality, any additional price differences are based on branding or design (check out this Louis Vuitton chalk bag [other chalk bags cost $20-50]).
For the reason above, the price data on this page for outdoor-specific gear (i.e., not household items) generally excludes
low end & high end prices. This way, you get a more accurate sense of price comparison & trends across categories (i.e., if there's a $20 version of everything, then it's hard to get a sense of trends if the ranges all start at $20).
Low end products are defined those that:
- Most professional reviewers don't mention
- Tend to be sold at mass retail (i.e., non-specialty stores)
High end products are defined those that:
- Are mainly branding driven (like the LV chalk bag; the brand isn't specialized in gear)
- Are so technical even most backcountry, off-track explorers won't really need it (we looked at a lot of consumer forums & our own expert staff for input on this)
Rule-of-thumb: when looking for decent quality, most bigger gear items (e.g., tents, sleeping bags, backpack) & key clothing (e.g., outer layers like jackets, pants, gloves & insulating mid-layers) should be at least $100; most smaller gear items (e.g., headlamps, small stoves, water filters) & clothing base layers or accessories (e.g., buffs, socks) should be at least $20
Capacity (size)
How many people fit in a sleeping bag
Most sleeping bags are designed for single, individual sleepers, since that's the best way to optimize for insulation to minimize drafts & dead air (if insulation didn't matter because it's very hot, then a blanket or duvet may be fine!). That said, there are double sleeping bags (or sometimes 2 single sleeping bags can be zipped together, see Usage section). Here's how a double bag affects the other factors:
- Warmth: given that it isn't as optimal for insulation as a single bag, you're probably not taking a double bag to extreme cold places. Temperature ratings generally are rated 15F/ -9C & above
- Weight & size: more material = greater weight & size
- Price: unfortunately no special deals here, most double sleeping bags are priced like 2 individual sleeping bags
Since it's less versatile & around the same price as 2 individual sleeping bags, most people don't get a double bag. For that reason, we don't have detailed data, nor do we carry this item.
How big the sleeping bag is
Remember that for insulation reasons, it's generally more important to find a bag that fits you just right to minimize drafts & dead air, rather than something that's roomy & more comfortable (e.g., for people who toss & turn a lot). This is a trade-off each person should figure out for themselves via experience. If you decide to go with a roomier bag & feel cold, check out the Usage section for some tips on keeping warm.
Labeled length
Height of person it will accommodate, note that some models will give you an extra 2in (5cm) over this labeled length
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Name to look for
Some models have a sex-based size difference, some don't. For when there is a sex-based size difference, we've indicated what it's likely to be
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Youth or Kids |
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Adult short |
Adult standard (aka adult regular) |
Adult long |
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Women's standard (aka women's regular) |
Women's long |
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Men's standard (aka men's regular) |
Men's long |
Effect on other factors
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Price
For 20F (-7C) & above temperature ratings at regular weight*
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$40-150 |
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$60-250
Shorter/longer bags than standard may incrementally change price & weight by up to +/- $20 & 5oz (142g)
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Warmth |
Discrete temps from 20F to 40F
(-7C to 4.4C)
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Discrete temps from -30F & below to 45F & above
(-34C & below to 7C & above)
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Girth
See below for more info
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Scales down to youth appropriate size |
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Generally adult short & standard sizes share similar girth. Adult long bags may only come in extra-wide girths |
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Weight
For 20F (-7C) & above temperature ratings*
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2-4lbs
(0.9-1.8kg)
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2-7lbs
(0.9-3.2kg)
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Rationale
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Youth bags aren't made for technical conditions (e.g., very cold or ultralight) so they use less material & less technical material, not to mention their shorter length requires less material |
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More material & more technical material given usage in more technical conditions & longer length |
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Why we do/don't carry it
= we rent = we sell
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Most youth are going camping in milder environments, so they can take a thicker adult bag & just fold the excess under them |
For shorter people who need a more form fit bag, extremely limited availability, please call to reserve
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Standard for most outdoor uses
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For people who need more space, extremely limited availability, please call to reserve
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*Comparisons are limited to these ranges, since per Rationale, youth bags aren't made for as diverse a set of temperature ratings or weight classes as adult bags are
Girth: We can have the same table as above for the width dimension, or more accurately, girth--the circumference of the bag on the inside. However, girth differences are less standardized & usually people who get the right height bag find the girth to be appropriate, so we do not present detailed data here. A few guidelines to follow:
- Just like how there's an "Adult long" length size, there's often an extra-wide girth size for people who need more space. Sometimes though extra-wide bags only come in "Adult long" (unfortunately for people who are very tall & very thin)
- For mummy bags, girth is measured in 2 places: around the hips & the shoulders. It's possible to have a bag that's better fit in one place than another
- Rectangular bags, because they're not form fit, generally are roomier than even extra-wide bags, and may be the best option for larger people (not to mention they can often unzip into a blanket)
An extra-wide bag, like a longer-than-standard bag, may incrementally increase price & weight over the standard size by up to $20 & 5oz (142g). We do carry extra-wide (and rectangular) bags for rent for people who need the extra space; extremely limited availability, please call to reserve.
Warmth
In the US, most sleeping bags are marketed as Product + Temperature rating in Fahrenheit . E.g., the Marmot Trestles 15 is a Marmot Trestles sleeping bag rated to 15F/-9C. On our catalog, our sleeping bags follow the convention of using the manufacturer's marketing temperature rating! This temperature rating tells you the ideal temperature in which the manufacturer believes this bag is suited for. This means that the temperature rating is inversely related to the bag thickness; i.e., the lower the number, the thicker the bag. For example: bag rated for 0F/-18C is thicker than (designed for a colder temperature) a bag that's rated 15F/-9C, which is itself thicker than a bag that's rated for 30F/-9C (designed for a warmer temperature).
While it seems really straightforward to just lookup the temperature forecast where you'll be camping, and get the appropriate sleeping bag, here are a few complexities:
- Sleeping bags may have 4 distinct temperature ratings; know what you're looking for!. Generally, women tend to be cold-sleepers & men tend to be warm-sleepers. So, a 15F/-9C bag... is that good for a woman at that temperature (in which case a man might find it to be too warm/ too thick), or good for a man at that temperature (in which case a woman might find it to be too cold/ too thin)? Recognizing this conundrum, the European Union attempted to standardize temperature rating with a set of 3 EN ratings printed on the bag (see definitions below). So a Marmot Trestles 15 bag will also tell you that it's EN comfort is 27F/-3, EN limit is 16F/-9C, and EN extreme is -17F/-27C. In this case, the marketing temp rating is closest to the EN limit, but this won't always be the case; manufacturers follow their in-house testing to set their marketing rating, so there's no formula to translate the marketing rating to EN rating, though you should expect the marketing rating to fall within the range of EN limit to comfort +/- a few degrees.
- EN Comfort rating: the lowest temperature at which the bag will keep you comfortable if you are an average cold-sleeper (likely to be a woman)
- EN Lower limit rating: the lowest temperature at which the bag will keep you comfortable if you are an average warm-sleeper (likely to be a man)
- EN Extreme rating: (less commonly cited) the lowest temperature at which the bag will keep the average warm-sleeper alive (yes it's a bit... extreme!)
- The sex-based differences above are still based on averages. Like any decision around insulation & warmth, personal preference can be much more important than statistics & actual conditions. We've had customers rent 30F/-1C (what would normally be a summer bag) to go mountaineering; and we've had customers getting a 0F/-18C bag for summer camping! The great thing about renting is you can experiment with what works for you
- Temperature ratings often assume you are wearing base layers & are using a sleeping pad (i.e., skipping either means the temperature rating is more generous, and you may be colder)
Because it's not so straightforward, especially for more beginners without the experience of trying various bags, we generally recommend a sleeping bag rated to at least ~10F/5C lower than the actual night time temperature forecasted, sometimes even more (some people recommend a rating up to ~25F/13C lower than forecasted temperature). I.e., if the temperature forecast is 40F/4C, you should have a bag that's rated to at least as warm as a 30F/-1C bag (in this example, a 15F/-9C bag is thicker and might be better for someone who knows they tend to be colder at night). Here's a more practical guide using activity examples, and so you can also see how the bag temperature affects other factors like weight & price.
Temperature rating |
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When you might use it |
For mountaineering & expeditions |
Multi-purpose (15F/ -9C is standard) |
Like a thick blanket (great for indoor use) |
Effect on other factors
For a single person (best for insulation) & adult standard capacity bag
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Price |
$200-700 |
$100-700 |
$100-600 |
$80-400 |
$60-100 |
Weight
For size analogies, see below
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3.5-7lbs
(1.6-3kg)
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2.6-7lbs
(1.2-3kg)
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2-4lbs
(0.9-1.8kg)
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1-3lbs
(0.5-1.4kg)
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3+lbs*
(1.4+kg)
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Type or style |
Mummy |
Mummy or rectangular |
Rectangular |
Down |
Down or synthetic |
Synthetic |
Rationale |
More material (thicker) & more technical material |
Less material (thinner) & less technical material |
Why we do/don't carry it
= we rent = we sell
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Most people would not need something this technical |
Bags in this range are standard for most outdoor uses from summer trips to many mountaineering trips
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Doesn't add that much more value (you can use something non-outdoor-specific which would be much more affordable) |
Weight & Size (Compactness) for Backpacking
If you're thru-hiking 20+ miles (32+km) per day, every advantage counts! In this case, size refers to compactness. You can carry more gear in the same size backpack if all of it is very compact, or for more weight savings, you can get a smaller size pack.
To reduce more weight & increase compactability, manufacturers reduce the amount of material used (e.g., fewer features, thinner fabrics, etc.) and, where possible, use more technical materials to prevent performance loss. For example, ultralight fabric used in clothing has to still be waterproof. These strategies create 2 general consequences
- Lightweight gear tends to be less durable: Sometimes, light-weight gear is just thinner & so more prone to damage (even a more technical material may not fully offset the loss in durability)
- Lightweight gear tends to be more expensive: While less materials = lower cost, the more dominating effect is often that thinner materials = more technical = greater cost
For these reasons, the lighter the gear, the more you should treat it as an investment! Is the price difference worth the weight or size savings? This depends on you & your trip.
Sleeping bag
Single person & adult standard capacity
|
Regular |
Superlight |
Ultralight |
Synthetic insulation |
Down insulation |
30F/ -1C
Warmth
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Weight |
2.5-3lbs
(1.1-1.4kg)
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1.6-1.9lbs
(0.7-0.9kg)
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~1lbs
(~0.5kg)
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Size |
Like a standard 11L bear canister |
Like a soccerball |
Like a volleyball |
Effect on Price |
$80-150 |
$150-300 |
~$400 |
15F/ -9C
Warmth
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Weight |
3-4lbs
(1.4-1.8kg)
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2-2.5lbs
(0.9-1.1kg)
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~2lbs
(~0.9kg)
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Size |
Like a kitchen stockpot |
Like a standard 11L bear canister |
Like a soccerball |
Effect on Price |
$100-200 |
$250-400 |
$400-600 |
0F/ -18C
Warmth
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Weight |
5-7lbs
(2.3-3.2kg)
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3-3.5lbs
(1.4-1.6kg)
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2.6-3 lbs
(1.2-1.4kg)
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Size |
Slightly bigger than a cylindrical wire mesh office waste bin |
Slightly bigger than a standard 11L bear canister |
Like a standard 11L bear canister |
Effect on Price |
$100-200 |
$300-500 |
$500-700 |
Rationale |
Less technical material (synthetic) |
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More technical material (higher fill-power down) |
Why we do/don't carry it
= we rent = we sell
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Standard for most outdoor uses
On our Catalog, this is indicated with '(regular)'
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Our mission is to increase access to gear & we are proud to be the only company to rent as well as sell this type
On our Catalog, this is indicated with '(backpacking)'
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We don't carry this because much more expensive relative to the improvements
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Methodology notes
- Only weight is compared exactly. We've tried to describe size using analogies (it's hard to imagine dimensions); that said size depends on compacting & packing strategy, for example, sleeping bags are cylindrical, not round like balls, but you could compress them into that shape (which is why we picked the analogies that we did)
- Warmth is a key determinant of weight & size, you can think of the spectrum from the Warmth section as the first column--for each capacity, there could be a Regular vs Ultralight comparison. That said, we've only identified some common breakpoints here because:
- Bags rated higher than 30F/ -1C are already pretty thin, so therefore light & compact enough already there isn't an additional 'Superlight' & 'Ultralight' option
- Conversely, bags rated lower than 0F/ -18C need to be so thick they're probably not for trips where weight & size are huge concerns
- While weight ranges are based on our own research in trying to find natural 'breakpoints' in the market, 'Ultralight' is an industry term, so we've tried to ensure that if a brand calls its product 'Ultralight', then that it generally does fall within our range
- Capacity is also a key determinant of weight & size, but anyone who cares will just get a single-person!
Minor features that may be important
Here, we give you a list of questions to start thinking about minor features. We hope our approach of savings these features for last gets you to more critically think about what you need & not get caught up in the hype of what's cool and over-spend your budget.
- Is there an internal pocket?
- How are the zippers placed? (It can be hard to get in/out of a bag, some people find zipper placement helps)
- Is there a drawstring so you can pull the hood tight enough that only your nose & mouth are showing? (this depends on fit with you specifically!)
- Can it integrate with a sleeping pad? (Some sleeping bags have sleeves so you can put a sleeping pad inside, helping stop you from rolling off the pad)