Singers Outdoors

Sleeping Bags and Sleeping Bag Accessories

Here is a small selection of our extensive range of Sleeping Bags and Sleeping Bag Accessories.
To see our full range, click on the appropriate category below.

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•  Higher Specification and Technical Sleeping Bags.
•  Compact and Lightweight Sleeping Bags
•  Budget Sleeping Bags.
•  Double and Extra Large Sleeping Bags.
•  Sleeping Bags for Women
•  Sleeping Bags for Children
•  Sleeping Liners to fit all sleeping bags

Sleeping Bags

buying a sleeping bag is one of the most important purchases a camper/hiker will make. There are many types of sleeping bag, both with regard to shape, materials and fillings, and weight. Factors to be taken into consideration are the temperature in which the bag will be used, the weight and size of the bag and the personal preferences of the user.

For example, if the sleeping bag is to be used for hiking and trekking then weight and size are prime factors. If the sleeping bag is to be used for general camping then an extra large, square shaped one, or double sleeping bag might be better.

Sleeping bags are available in two basic style, square shaped ones, some of which can be fully opened out and used as a quilt, or even zipped together to make a double, and mummy shaped ones with the cowl top or hood.

If you sleep sprawled out, and like more room then a square shaped bag might be best for you. If space and weight are at a premium or you sleep in a fetal style then a mummy would be the obvious choice.

A mummy shaped bag is lighter, more compact, and is easier to keep warm since there is less space for the body to warm up. They also have a hood which cam be pulled over the head to further reduce heat loss.

Most rectangular sleeping bags can be zipped together, this is also true of the mummy style, but you have to ensure that you buy a pair, with the zips on opposing sides, one left and the other right. Also since with mummy sleeping bags the zips don't extend the full length of the bag, the feet will still be in separate spaces.

There are many different sizes of sleeping bag available. There are childrens sleeping bags, or junior ones, large ones, extra large (XL) ones for the larger person or those who like more room, and recently even double sized for couples who can’t bear to be parted. Backpackers often buy longer styles since in the winter months the space is useful for stowing extra gear.

One of the most important points to consider is temperature. Sleeping bags are rated according to temperature. They may be labeled as one season, two seasons up to five season or they may be labeled by the temperature rating. These season ratings should be considered as a guide and not absolutely as a guarantee that the bag will be suitable for your needs.

Even though sleeping bags may rated according to the seasons these labels are arbitrary and highly subjective. After all, what is warm for one person would be considered cold by another. Also in defining the season ratings assumptions have been made with regard to the temperatures at various times of the years. However weather conditions may vary greatly throughout the year. Also no universal industry system of ratings is in force.

Other factors such as the additional use of a roll or sleeping mat; are you sleeping inside a tent or completely outside and of course the thermal efficiency of any night clothing you may wear should also be taken into consideration.

From 2005 new legislation has come into force with regard to labeling.

Important Changes in Legislation - from 2005 some new legislation, EN13537: Requirements for Sleeping Bags - will come into force. A new test to calculate the warmth of a sleeping bag will be used. The regulation then specifies how this warmth information is displayed to the consumer (i.e. labeling).

From the beginning of 2005 there will now be four ways of measuring the warmth of a sleeping bag:

* Upper Limit - highest temperature at which a standard MAN would have a comfortable nights sleep without sweating.

* Comfort - lowest temperature at which a standard WOMAN would have a comfortable nights sleep, lying on her back and relaxed.

* Lower Limit - lowest temperature at which a standard MAN in a rolled up body posture would have a comfortable nights sleep.

Extreme - temperature below which a standard WOMAN could expect strong sensation of cold and maybe actual physical injury from cold (e.g. frost bite or hypothermia).

Sleeping Bags- Choosing the right filling, (method of insulation).

Originally, sleeping bags would have been filled with goose down. However as this is now highly expensive other synthetic materials are now widely used. Goose down is still attractive and worth considering since it is very light and warm, and if looked after properly, will last longer than synthetic fibers. (It has what is called high warmth to weight ratio). However the DOWN side is that they absorb moisture easily and lose all their warmth insulating qualities when wet and do take some time to dry.

Most widely used these days are synthetic materials such as those made by Du Pont (hollofil). These are cheaper and consist of hollow cylindrical strands chopped up finely and the idea is that the hollow strands trap the air and insulate the bag. This also reduces weight. The pluses for synthetic fibers are that they are cheaper than down fill, still insulate the bag when wet, and are easier to clean, (most are machine washable.) The negative is that synthetics have a lower warmth/weight ratio and are therefore heavier and bulkier than down.

How is the bag constructed?

This is the method used to keep the filling of the bag in place. There is no point in having a warm insulating filling if it all ends up at one end of the sleeping bag. The single layer construction, stitched through or quilted method holds the filling in channels or baffles. However you get cold spots along the lines of stitching and therefore this method is not the best for cold weather bags.

The next method of sleeping bag to consider is the off-set or double layer way of making a bag. This consists of two layers of insulation with the stitching lines offset helping to eliminate cold spots.

Finally you should consider the advanced shingle method of construction. This system has not stitching at all and this means that the bag has 30% extra loft. Special resins are used to ensure that the insulating fibers support themselves inside the bag. Not having any stitch lines means that there are no cold spots.

Sleeping Bag Features

Other factors to consider are the zips. Two way zips are useful since they can be lifter from the bottom for extra ventilation on warm nights. Also does the zip have a baffle to prevent a cold spot?

Does the bag have a hood? Does the hood have a baffle to and can it be adjusted by a draw cord.Most bags come in a stuff sac these days but many have a compression sac which enables you to make the bag smaller for storing when you are away. However a bag should be taken out the stuff sac for long term storage.

I hope that this has been of help to you and if you need anymore guidance please contact us on f 01772-902120 or by e-mail at sales@singersoutoors.co.uk .