Tag Archives: camping sleeping bags

The Insulating Benefits of a Sleeping Bag Liner

As a necessary requirement for any camping activity or outdoor overnight activity, the sleeping bag is very important. When sleeping in the cold outdoors, it is vital that the proper type of bag is purchased. All products provide a rating on the label, so you know how much protection you will have against the cold. For bags that do not provide enough warmth in the cold, there are other options in improving performance, without purchasing another bag. A sleeping bag liner or travel sheet slips inside your bag, to improve its ability to protect you from the cold. Liners can be added or removed to meet the changing requirements from one day to the next or in different locations.  These products typically come with a zipper, which aids in keeping warmth in your bed roll.

One product available is the silk liner, which is desirable because it is soft, yet sturdy. Other products combine Egyptian cotton with silk, for an even more comfortable feel. Silk fabric is a soft and shiny when dry, yet becomes very strong when it gets wet. Woven silk provides insulation properties that are far better than other heavier fabrics. This makes it perfect for use with bedding, particularly in the outdoors. It can greatly improve the comfort level of the sleeping bag and allow the user to get a better night’s rest. Silk used to make consumer products interestingly comes from caterpillars. If you think about how well this creature’s cocoon keeps out chilling temperatures, you can understand the benefits that using silk will provide in keeping you warm.

If the high cost of a silk liner is not in your budget, you can buy a fleece liner as an alternative. Fleece is made of natural animal fibers, typically from the yak or sheep. It keeps animals warm, so it will help keep you warm inside your bedroll as well. Liners made of this fabric can be washed in a machine at home and are available in many bright colors as well. Coleman offers a desirable product which folds into a highly compact roll, which is kept in place with a stretch cord. This can keep you warm in temperatures as low as fifty degrees (F), by itself. This is an indication of just how warm you will be when using this product inside your bag. It is a very thin fabric, but provides quite a bit of warmth.

As weather conditions can change very quickly outdoors and wind chill can make the environment much colder, using a bag liner is the best way to ensure you will stay warm, when such conditions arise. Many have additional handy features, like a carrying pouch or a closable storage pocket. These items are easy to pack and take with your other camping gear.

Your first sleeping bag

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If you’re new to camping and are in the market for camping sleeping bags, you’re going to have to make sure you get the right kind for the kind of camping you plan on doing.  If you don’t know exactly what kind of camping you’ll be doing or what temperature ranges you might find yourself in, you really should find those things out before you commit to laying any of your hard earned money down.  There’s just no sense in spending money for a sub zero rated sleeping bag if you’re only going to be spending your time camping by the beach in July and August.  In fact, with that kind of sleeping bag in those kinds of conditions, you’ll probably be miserable.  Make sure you get appropriately rated equipment for the kind of environment you’ll be spending your time in.  And if you think you’ll be camping in everything from summer beaches to winter snow camping… well then you just might be in the market for more than just one bag!

The other thing you might want to consider is who you will be camping with and whether that makes a difference.  What I mean is if you are just going camping with your buddies and it might be cold weather, you’ll probably want to get a mummy style sleeping bag.  On the other hand, if you’re planning on enjoying the outdoors with your boyfriend, girlfriend, wife or husband, then you might want to think about getting the kind of sleeping bag that can zip together and make a double bag.  This way you have the option of having a single bag if you ever camp alone, but if and when the two of you camp together, you can really enjoy the experience “together”.

Still, the same suggestion applies as was mentioned above; make sure your double sleeping bag is rated to the appropriate temperatures you’ll be camping in.