Choose the Best Sleeping Bag for Your Camping Trip
Friday, July 31st, 2009People are rediscovering the joys of camping and many parents are taking their children for short weekend camping adventures in the countryside. Camping in the United Kingdom is always a risky business. While there is very little risk of encounteruing Bears or poisonous Snakes there is every chance you will encounter some uncertain British weather.
But, as long as yiou have the right camping equipment you and your family can have a lot of fun, regardless of the weather. One of the most important pieces of camping kit has got to be your sleeping bags.
There are a bewildering number of sleeping bag designs to choose from, some costing only a few pounds and others costing a small fortune. So how can you make the right choice for you and your family?
The first thing to consider is the time of year and where you will be camping. If you only expect to be camping during the hopefully warmer summer months then you will not need expensive, arctic quality sleeping bags.
Another consideration is packing. Will you be hiking with your sleeping bag in a backpack or will it never need to be crammed into a small pack? Size and weight will be important factors to bear in mind if you will be carrying your sleeping back in a backpack.
Its also worth considering who the sleeping bag is for, how big they are and what their comfort requirements might be. For example, children may be more comfortable in child size sleeping bags and some people (like my partner) are never comfortable sleeping within the confinements of a sleeping bag.
Finally there is probably the most important aspect to consider which is, of course, the price. The price of sleeping bags, both down and polyester filled, can vary enormously. The most expensive sleeping bags are those that are made for all year round and winter use, often down filled.
Your most economical choice is likely to be a polyester fibre filled bag that is suitable for the summer months only. You will probably also want a sleeping matt or maybe an airbed for sleeping comfort and insulation from the cold ground.