Equipment |
Sleeping bag |
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Equipment sleeping bag
If you're not a sailor or kayaker, I recommend down sleeping bag. Synthetic one is too heavy, and its only advantage over the down is that it can get wet.
When you are comparing sleeping bags between themselves, there are three the most important factors - the quality of down, the amount of it, and the total weight. Sleeping bag temperatures rating can be compared to each other only from the same manufacture. Between different brands it should be treated as a guideline only. Each company has 
different ways of measuring “comfort" sleeping zone, as comfort is a relative term, and even when using EN norm, the tests varies between themselves. An “extreme” temperature rating is a joke - it means in what temperature you can stay alive in a sleeping bag. Thank you, but I’m not interested in fighting against hypothermia.
The quality of down means “loft”. The higher is the number the better the quality. The simplest down sleeping bags (or jackets) are rated 400, the best 1000. In theory this number indicates how many cubic inches will fill by down which weights one pound. Of course it’s better to have a higher number, as it means a lighter sleeping bag. The only barrier here might be the price.
The second important factor is “fill” - how much down is inside the sleeping bag. However, not always the more the better. If you go to the tropic with warm sleeping bag, it will overheat you. In this condition the sleeping bag should has unzipped foot part, to let the legs get outside. The mummy shape saves weight (wider shoulders, narrower at the feet).
Remember that the body heats the sleeping bag, not the other way around. Bag is just holding your body heat. My car camping sleeping bag has loft 700, fill 800 grams. It is enough for me to stay in comfort even below zero degrees. But I have a high metabolism, it means that I'm usually warmer than the ordinary person. Do not believe in gossip that sleeping without the clothes will be warmer than without. This is nonsense. 
The only explanation for it could be in two following situations: First, sleeping in wet clothes which transfer moisture into the down, causing loses of insulating function. Second, sleeping in many clothes layers might put pressure on down. Then, the internal expansion makes down work less effectively, as it actually isolates when in natural shape. So sleeping bags should be stored lose, in natural shape, not compressed.
Many companies have a lot of good sleeping bags. For me, however, after closer research two companies are the leaders on the market - Montbell and Western Mountaineering, because the very good PHD is out from the race as it’s bloody expensive. I'm owning now Western Mountaineering Summerlite and Alipne GTX version, both I love!
3-season sleeping bag - please see example:
Western Mountaineering Summerlite, loft 850+, fill 275g, total weight 525g, temp 0°C, price €370.
4-season, winter:
Western Mountaineering Ultralite, loft 850+, fill 450g, total weight 820g, temp -7°C, price €460.
PHD Hispar, loft 950, fill 400g, total weight 790g, temp -9°C, price €800.
I also use a sleeping bag silk liner. This is an extra weight, but this liner performs two important tasks. First, give you extra warmth, and when it’s too hot for sleeping inside the bag, you can sleep only in the liner. Secondly, we shouldn’t wash down sleeping bags (I always take it to the professional cleaning company). After washing down it will lose a certain percentage of quality. Silk liner protects sleeping bag from your sweat, dirty skin or clothing. Liner can be washed regularly. There are also some special liners designed to improve isolation. You can enjoy 3-season sleeping bag (comfort above 0°C), and in winter conditions carry on you the special liner. Look at Thermolite Reactor Extreme from Sea to Summit. According to the manufacturer it will gives you up to extra 15°C warmth (don't take it too serously), and it weighs 400 grams.
As I mentioned before the down performs best when it’s in its natural position, without any pressure from outside. What is happening when we lie on it? Well, the insulation is no longer as efficient as it should be. Therefore, sleeping mat which protect us from the freezing ground plays an important role. More info on “sleeping mat” page.