Get Your Camping Stuff Ready – Camping Sleeping Bags

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010

Going camping is an exciting and very cost effective vacation for many people.  With the right camping stuff, including the right camping sleeping bags, you can enjoy a night or more out under the stars with the people that you love the most.  While camping is a simple time, sleeping in a tent and cooking food on the open camp fire, if you do not have the right camping stuff you could find that your trip leaves you with a literal pain in the neck or back.

Many people sleep in tents when they camp out but others choose to sleep outside.  Either way, having the right camping sleeping bags is very important.  There are several different designs and styles, each with a different design features that are included to make your camping nights more comfortable.  You should consider what you need out of your sleeping bags before you make your purchase.  Think about size, shape, and the materials they are made from.

If you are camping out with you and your spouse or partner, consider purchasing a two person sleeping bag.  You can lay close with your loved one, in the same sleeping bag to ensure you stay snug as the night gets a little cool.  These two person sleeping bags are made in different styles as well.  You can find camping sleeping bags that are made for warmer weather, with lighter fabric to make the bedding.  You can also find them in deluxe styles that will add more comfort to your night out in the woods or camping area.  Your camping stuff is what will get you through the experience in comfort so be sure that you choose a sleeping bag that works well for your needs. 

If you are taking children out on your outdoor adventure, purchase them their own camping sleeping bags.  Child size sleeping bags can be found with characters or in plain colors.  The prices may go up with the addition of character designs but if this is what will keep your little angels snug and sleeping well outdoors then this is definitely worth the additional costs.  Children love to be outdoors and will have a great time while you are there.  After a full day of hiking and exploring all that nature has to offer they will be ready to be tucked into their sleeping bags and will drift off to dream of the adventures they just experienced and those that are to come. 

An important part of choosing the right camping sleeping bags is how much padding the bag has built in.  Unless you plan on bringing cots as part of your camping stuff, you will be sleeping on the ground.  Not all camp grounds or clearings in the woods have flat ground.  You may find that you can only place your tents and sleeping bags in an area where tree roots are protruding from the ground or in an area that has small pebbles or rocks all around.  If your sleeping bags do not have enough padding you will surely feel every piece of the tree or the rocks that may be under your tent. 

You can purchase pillows and extra sheets to go in your camping sleeping bags as well.  The pillows will keep you more comfortable when it is time to drift off to sleep and the sheets can add more warmth to a chilly night.  While these are extras and do not come with every sleeping bag that is available, if being comfortable when you are sleeping is important to you then these might be a great choose to add to your camping stuff.   

Anyone that has ever walked outside early in the morning and has seen the dew that forms on the ground at night will know how important it is to have a sleeping bag that is waterproof.  Mother Nature plays tricks on us at times and can throw a late night shower or thunder storm into our camping trip as well.  In either case, it is important to be prepared.  Your camping stuff should definitely include camping sleeping bags that are waterproof.  It is really uncomfortable and possibly very cold to sleep in a mound of wet bedding. 

Be sure to check all of these aspects before you purchase the camping sleeping bags for your trip out into the wild outdoors.  You will have a much better time if you do your research and purchase the right sleeping bags as part of your camping stuff.  The outdoors is an amazing place to explore and with the right types of supplies you could find that you are visiting your favorite camping plot more often. 

 

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The History of Camping Sleeping Bags

Monday, August 9th, 2010

It is believed that Freydis Eiriksdottir, the brutal daughter of Fredrick the Red of Greenland, invented the first sleeping bag in 1000 A.D during her journey to North America. Since then, different variations of camping sleeping bags have been made, with notable ones such as Francis Fox Tucketts’s prototype alpine sleeping bag being first tested in 1861. In 1876, the Euklisia Rug was designed by Pryce Jones and later became the first sleeping bag to be mass produced and circulated around the world.

It was a folded, woolen rug that had fasteners to keep it closed. Back then; this was the only design that could be used as a sleeping bag. From the late 19th century however, inventions have been made on modern day camping sleeping bags, so that pieces available in the market provide not just a cushioning for sleeping in the cold outdoor nights, but also comfort and insulation.

Different materials are used to create insulation for sleeping bags. For camping sleeping bags, synthetic fill is mostly used. This is because it does not easily absorb water and dries quickly in the event that it gets wet. You’ll find that even when soaked, it still has the capability to provide a high degree of warmth. This is a big advantage over natural fill, such as down, which gets fully soaked, in case of an accidental drop in water.

Camping sleeping bags made of synthetic fill are firm, resilient and loft faster than natural fill, thus providing insulation faster. On the other hand, down fill retains heat better and is lighter, thus occupying less packing space. The issue of space has to be considered also especially because you have to include other camping stuff such as clothing and equipment. Synthetic fill tends to be bulky and takes up more space in the backpack.

Other alternatives to down fill are cotton and wool. Cotton is the cheapest of them all, but has notable disadvantages such as weight issues and high water retention. It is however, an excellent choice for stationary camping. Although quite heavy, wool has excellent water repellant properties. For extra insulation, a nylon or polyester lining is used. In some camping sleeping bags, a fleece camping liner is used to increase softness and warmth. It also adds a sense of comfort for people who might have allergic reactions to the plain sleeping bag material.  Bags used in the early days differed from modern day sleeping bags in that they did not have any liners.

All camping sleeping bags are designed for heavy duty use because of the harsh conditions expected in the outdoors. Most of them are designed for all weather, all season use but it is important to factor in some things when buying a sleeping bag. The first among these is the type. There are two main types of camping sleeping bags: mummy and rectangular shaped sleeping bags.

The rectangular shaped bag is more spacious and ideal for people who like to sleep with their legs and arms sprawled out. You can also zip together two rectangular sleeping bags to form a double sleeping bag. The mummy style sleeping bag on the other hand gives a snug fit and is perfect for people who love to sleep in a curled up state or in the fetal position. It is smaller and lighter in weight, making it easier to carry around.

The second thing you must consider is the kind of fill used in the sleeping bag. If you are allergic to duck or goose down, you should opt for a sleeping bag filled with synthetic material. If you opt to go for natural fill, consider also the effort needed to take care of it and whether you will be able to undertake proper care and maintenance. Natural bags should be hand washed with a mild detergent and laid out flat to dry. The bag should be completely dry before storing to prevent growth of mildew. Synthetic bags are easier to clean and maintain. They can be machine washed and dried in a dryer, but on low heat to keep the fibers from melting.

Third, consider the cost. Natural sleeping bags are more costly than their synthetic counterparts but more durable. A natural bag will serve you for many years. A synthetic bag will cost you less and last fewer years. Regardless of the material you settle for, camping sleeping bags should be warm, snug and hard wearing. They should be the first camping item you shop for as they are the most important of all camping stuff.

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Camping Sleeping Bags All Need A Sleeping Pad

Wednesday, July 14th, 2010

You have gotten that brand new sleeping bag and was really looking forward to a great week of camping with a good nights sleep with out getting cold or wet but unfortunately you became wiser when you got out there because even though you chose from the wide variety of camping sleeping bags that are out there and thought you did a great job on picking that special sleeping bag which really met your needs something just went wrong because when you tugged in at night it was impossible to keep warm even though the sleeping bag had a temperature range all the way down to -5 degrees Celsius and it only got down to about 0 degrees. You even tried out with sleeping in a bit warmer clothes but still nothing worked out the way you expected.

One of the big nightmares campers  face is the challenge of keeping warm at night but even after choosing a nice camping sleeping bag things go wrong and most people have no clue on what went wrong but usually it is as simple as a laying pad – Did you choose the right one for the occasion or did you just choose the wrong sleeping pad. The trick that make your camping sleeping bags work is simply to buy the right pad and you will find just as many sleeping pads as sleeping bags so then what to choose?

Many people find the thick inflatable sleeping pads as a really good investment but laying an inflatable pad on a cold ground can be big problem because to have any real effect you will need to keep all the air warm with your body heat which in colder situations is not possible.The insulation between you and the ground is simply not good enough.

You will find inflatable sleeping pads that will work but still my recommendations is to leave the inflatable once behind! Just find a simple pad that you find will suit your needs but try it out because you might get surprised with the acking body you can get from choosing a sleeping pad which is to thin.

Keep in mind that choosing a thin sleeping pad will probably give you a lighter solution to carry but if you had a bad nights sleep because the thin sleeping pad could not keep the cold from the ground you are probably better of choosing a thicker pad. You just have to look at it this way camping sleeping bags are usually nice, comfy and warm and you just have to make sure they do not get cold from the ground!

I really hope these few pointers will sort things out for you and maybe give you a better experience when you go camping next time because nothing beats that perfect camping experience with the family.

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Camping Sleeping Bags Caring

Wednesday, May 19th, 2010

It does not take much effort to prolong the life of your camping sleeping bags. With only a few simple guidelines you will have a sleeping bag that will last year after year when you go camping. First thing to remember is always to keep your sleeping bag dry. A wet sleeping bag is worth next to nothing when it comes to keeping you warm. Should you be out of luck and should you get your camping sleeping bags wet it is very important that you dry the bags very well and let them hang to get aired thoroughly. Camping sleeping bags loose loft when they get wet. Loft is the measure that is used to let you know the puffiness of the bag and with that the ability to keep you warm.

This also means trying not to wash your camping sleeping bags to often. For some this might seem impossible because you use it outside when camping but with a small effort I am sure you can manage not having your sleeping bag washed every time you have been out. In the end if you have to wash/clean your bag try out with a sponge and some mild soap first before using the washer. If you do wash your sleeping bag make sure you give it time to dry thoroughly and make sure it gets fresh air. Some people might want to dry clean the sleeping bags but I can not recommend that.

Most campers buy camping sleeping bags to use it and of course it should be used and not hidden away because you think it might get dirty or ruined. You only have to pay attention to what and where the sleeping bag goes. Even when you jump in the bag at night you have to make sure you do not carry dirt inside the bag and wearing your outside clothes in the bag is a very bad idea because your clothes might be moist from you sweating or the night dew and all this will effect the sleeping bag liner which is inside the bag and eventually again it will reduce
loft.

The best way to make sure you are not dirty or your clothes are not the least moist I would recommend that you wear some long under-wears and a long sleeved shirt. This will also prevent that vapor from you when you are sleeping in the bare nothing will penetrate the sleeping bag liner and this way ruin your favorite camping sleeping bags.

During camp fire watch out – To many people want to get cosy at night and bring there camping sleeping bags to the camp fire but it does not take much effort from the fire to catch on to a sleeping bag. Now a days most sleeping bags has to meet requirements to withstand some kind of flame resistance but to be honest I would not play around with this option.

The last thing which most people tend to forget is storing your camping sleeping bags the right way. When you get to camp or when you are finished camping and get home make sure to get your sleeping bag out and let it get some air. Do not as most people do stuff your camping sleeping bags in a tight container or bag leave it in a place where it has space to “breathe”. Leaving your sleeping bag compressed for a longer period will reduce loft.

These are just a few simple guidelines which all are easy to follow and the will eventually save you money in the long run and for sure it will make your camping sleeping bags keep the same abilities as when you bought it.

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Basics Before You Buy Your Camping Sleeping Bags

Sunday, May 2nd, 2010

There is nothing better than a great outdoor experience where everything is planned and working accordingly but unfortunately more and more often people tend to forget the planning and therefor things turn out in a different way and what was expected to be wonderful, could easily be ruined by a simple thing such as a wrong choice of sleeping bag.

The market for Camping sleeping bags is huge and they come in so many variations so choosing the right sleeping bag can be a nightmare. Should you choose a synthetic or a down filled sleeping bag? How many degrees would be preferable? You really have to choose wisely otherwise the well planned vacation can turn out to be full of unnecessary challenges which could have been sorted out before leaving home. In the end you just need a sleeping bag that will keep you warm and give you a good night sleep.

First things first when you go camping always make sure  you know what weather conditions you might be able to face, will it be raining, bright sun or in between when you got the facts right or as close as you get the next step is to pick the right sleeping bag. Camping sleeping bags are not a subject many people know much off but I will try to give you a quick guide on what to look out for when choosing.

Are you travelling lightweight you will defiantly need to pick a lightweight sleeping bag or are you going camping with your girlfriend you might want a double sleeping bag! These are some of the basic choices you can make when you have chosen if you prefer a down filled sleeping bag or a synthetic one.

Should you buy a down filled or a synthetic sleeping bag? well to make the right choice you need to know that down filled sleeping bags are usually more expensive and in worst case scenario if you get your down sleeping bag wet you will have a worthless sleeping bag because it will lose the warming effect which would not happen the same way with a synthetic sleeping bag. In other words down camping sleeping bags need more caring but personally I would prefer down.

You will find many manufactures making the camping sleeping bags but basically there are only to shapes of sleeping bags and you want to make sure you know which one that will suit you the best. The mummy bag is a sleeping bag which narrows in towards your feet which gives less space to keep warm but also gives you less space to move around in. Then you find the rectangular sleeping bag which most people know.

Make sure not to pick a sleeping bag that is to long because one of the big mistakes many people do is just buying a sleeping bag without having a look at the tent they are going to sleep in. If the sleeping bag touches the inside of the tent it might gather up all the moist inside the tent and get wet – which is a bad result!

You should also have a good look at the zipper on the Sleeping bag some have zippers on two sides which gives more freedom to open up when getting hot. Others have only one zipper and some will not even zip all the way down just to save a few grams. A good thing is having an insulating flap over the zip if you do not care to look at the weight! Some camping sleeping bags also comes with a hood which can be very effective when camping under open air or in cold conditions, just make sure you do not tie the hood to tight so it catches all the moist from your breathing.

This was a bit of basic knowledge on sleeping bags which I hope you can use and that it will make your choice of the right sleeping bag much easier and in the end result in a better outdoor experience for you and your family.

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Camping Sleeping Bags – How to choose?

Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010

 

What are the best camping sleeping bags you can get? Well, it depends on what criteria you have for a sleeping bag. To be sure you make the right decision when looking for the right camping sleeping bags you will have to sit down and find out what needs your sleeping bag has to have. Is it a one time use in the woods just to see what it’s like so you can go with the cheapest or are you going to become the next camping hero living in the outback. If so you need to settle on what kind of camping you will be doing will it be in colder areas or will you be camping in 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) is it going to be wet or dry, do you want a double sleeping bag for you and your wife, a lightweight sleeping bag or just a compact sleeping bag as you can see there are enough to choose from.

Finding the right Camping sleeping bags do not have to be a tough decision but it can be if you make so because like many other things the camping sleeping bags come in many variations from cheap to very expensive. Some of the things you will have to consider is the range of temperature the sleeping bag has to be working within, they all have a range where they have the best performance so to speak. You will also need to know if you want to travel light or if heavy will be okay. The lighter the sleeping bag you get the more expensive it will usually be and a lightweight sleeping bag will also usually have a lower temperature range. Will you be sleeping in a tent or outside and therefor have to be aware of the weather, will it be rain or sunny.

These are just some of the not so technical issues you will be facing when you have to find the best camping sleeping bags for your camping experience. If you are a camping freak you might want to dig even deeper into the sleeping bag area and wanting to have a closer look at the material from inner to outer layers what is it made from, will it be breathable or not. You might also be the kind of person who could not care less on what to pick but you just want a series of camping sleeping bags to choose from and from there the color and price will be what makes up your decisions. What ever you choose to do, when finding the best camping sleeping bags I will just give one simple advice before choosing, make sure you know what you want to use it for, make sure you have thought up all situations before you make your choice otherwise you might end up with something you will regret later.

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