Up next 15 Camping Essentials for Dogs Published on March 06, 2020 Author John Pangilinan Tags camping, insulation, Sleeping bag, temperature rating, winter, Share article Facebook 0 Twitter 0 Mail 0 6 Questions to Ask Before Buying a Sleeping Bag A few things to look for when selecting a new sleeping bag include temperature rating, insulation, shape, size and weight, construction and materials, and features. Temperature Rating Temperature rating is a key factor for the winter as you’ll want a sleeping bag with a temperature rating lower than the coldest temperature that you think you’ll be in. It is often listed by the EN 13537 standard, which is decided through four parameters: upper limit, comfort, lower limit, and extreme. Some manufacturers conduct their own tests and have their own standards for setting a temperature rating. The temperature rating should match your activity and type of camping you’ll be doing, such as backpacking through the woods, mountain climbing, and car camping. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Insulation Insulation, typically down or synthetic, is what keeps you warm at night. Both materials have pros and cons. Down insulation has a better warmth-to-weight ratio and packs lighter and smaller, but it is typically more expensive and loses its properties in wet weather. The synthetic insulation traps your body heat inside the sleeping bag; with winter options, they only let a very minimal amount of heat escape. Shape The preferred shape for cold weather is the mummy, which is tailored to the shape of your body to increase heating efficiency. It is narrower toward your feet and widens near your head, it but wraps around your head to keep even the top of your head warm while resting inside. The traditional rectangular and semi-rectangular shape is typically used for milder seasons. Size and Weight Sleeping bag design has come a long way. They’re often available in regular and long for taller users, and options are even available for both male and female users. The goal is to select a sleeping bag that is closest to your body type to ensure a comfortable experience. Additionally, you’ll want to consider the activities taking place; for hiking or mountaineering, smaller and lightweight sleeping bags are more ideal, while car camping allows for larger and bulkier sleeping bags. Construction and Materials The quality of your sleeping bag also depends on what it’s made of and how it’s made. Specific materials work better than others depending on the conditions you’re in. The exterior is typically constructed from ripstop nylon or polyester and often waterproof and treated with a durable water-repellant (DWR) finish. The inner lining material is often polyester or nylon taffeta, as both materials are soft, comfortable, and breathable. You’ll want to look at how the sleeping bag is constructed to ensure a warm and comfortable night’s sleep. Features Features of the bag differentiate one from another. This may include the addition of a hood to cinch up tight around the face to trap body heat, keeping the face as protected as possible. A draft collar fits around the top opening, near the hood, and limits the amount of cold air that enters the sleeping bag. A draft tube prevents air from entering through the zipper and a good sleeping bag design will cover the zipper. Additional features may include pockets for storage, a sack or bag to store and compress the bag when not in use, and the allowance for extra pads such as pillow pads and full-body sleeping pads. Most of the bags tested came with both a compression sack and mesh sack—you’ll want to store in the mesh sack as to not lose its loft. You may still want to test how you fit in each sleeping bag prior to purchasing. Here are a few winter sleeping bags we selected for cold nights. Editor’s Note: A version of this article first appeared in the January/February 2020 print issue of Tread Magazine.
Features Modifications David and Goliath Against the World: A Defender Story The Land Rover Defender is one of the most iconic overland vehicles ever produced, and while not known for its reliability, its capability and field […] Bryon Dorr July 20, 2023
Features SUVs Lexus GX Goes Off Road The Rise of the GX What’s not to like about seeing a luxury soccer mom car traveling through remote, challenging, off-road terrain? Not only is […] Bryon Dorr November 30, 2020
Bronco Features SEMA award-winning 2021 Ford Bronco Del Fab Relives His Family Dream If you would have told Kyle Delfel that he would own a shop (Del Fab), build a badass SEMA […] Mike Alexander December 14, 2023
Features Toyota 4Runner Built on Family and Trails A Toyota 4Runner Forged by Family and Trails For Rob, Toyota isn’t just a brand—it has been a constant positive presence in his life. Growing […] Tread Staff June 13, 2025