Sleeping Bags – Sleeping Pad and Liners : How to Choose?
Choosing the right sleep system for your camping and backpacking trips can make or break your enjoyment of your adventure.
There is always the trade off between weight and comfort – and cost – to consider. Don’t make a mistake on this critical factor in your rest and recovery after a hard day’s hike!
Learn the questions you need to ask yourself to determine what sleeping bag or quilt, sleeping bag liner and sleeping bag pad will be suit your adventures on today’s podcast and down below.
How to Choose the Right Camping Sleep System for You
To narrow down which camping gear you need for night, you will need to answer some questions:
1. How will you be using your sleep system? Will you be car camping or backpacking?
If you are car camping, bulk and weight don’t make much difference. But if you are bakpacking, it makes all the difference! If you plan on doing both, I recommend getting a lightweight, high perfomance sleeping bag – we will discuss spec recommendation further below.
2. How cold will it be – What thermal rating should I buy?
I don’t camp in the winter, so I am fine with a three season sleeping bag. My friend Casey loves camping in frigid weather, so he needs a more protective sleeping bag.
Sleeping bags are generally rated by these temps:
40+ ° 15-39° 1-4 ° -50 – 0 °
I chose a bag rated for 15 – 39°. Buy for the lowest temperature you can expect to sleep in if you are backpacking. Car campers can add a blanket, so the rating is not as critical.
3. What SHAPE of sleeping bag should you choose?
Do you toss and turn all night? Choose a rectangular bag that opens fully and can work like a comforter.
Do you sleep with a partner? Consider a double sleeping bag or two that can zip together. This usually means the same brand and model, or or one bag has a right hand zip and the other a left hand zip. ASK before you buy if this is important to you!
Are you cold natured? Consider a mummy bag. They hold warmth in better but you can’t move around as much. Some come with a hood for added warmth (or you can save space when backpacking by chossing a hoodless bag and wear a wool hat or balaclava when cold).
Do you toss and turn AND are cold natured? Look into a modified mummy or barrel sleeping bag which is a compromise, semi-rectangular bag.
4. Do you need to buy a Children’s Sleeping Bag
You ask yourself the same questions, and then choose a smaller version to save money. No sense buying more bag than you need unless you want your child to grow into the larger bag.
Infant sleeping bags are a different story. Some parents worry about their baby suffocating in a sleeping bag. You could instead buy a swaddle sleeping bag or one that is jacket-like so their head stays outside of the bag.
5. What is the best material for my sleeping bag : Down or Synthetic?
Down and Synthetic Sleeping Bag Comparison
Down
Pros: Better insulator, lighter weight, compacts better, lasts longer
Cons: Takes forever to dry (but one pre-treated to resist water absorption), doesn’t insulate when wet, not hypoallergenic, more expensive than synthetic, uses goose down (for those opposed – check to see if Ethical Down)
Synthetic Insulation
Pros: Cheaper, insulates even if damp, dries quicker, hypoallergenic
Cons: Bulkier for the same insulation, doesn’t last as long
Other Sleeping Bag Materials to Compare Before You Buy a Sleeping Bag
Zipper A zipper with two toggles means you can adjust your temperature comfort easier. See how the manufacturer protects the zipper from snagging: is there a zipper cover or shield?
Outer Fabric of the Sleeping Bag
The sleeping bag shell is made from nylon or polyester with a durable water repellent feature to help keep the down or synthetic fill from dampness.
Added Sleeping Bag Features
Some sleeping bags offer small pockets you can store things you might need at night like hand sanitizer or a watch. If your tent offers a stash pocket, you may not want to pay for this feature.
Sleeping Bag Accessories
Compression Sack
If you ever use your sleeping bag for backpacking, you will want to buy a waterproof compression sack to reduce the bulk of your bag. These bags suck out all the air, reducing your bag to a fraction of the original size. This makes it easier to fit in your backpack. Learn about where to put your sleeping bag in your backpack in the How to Fit and Pack Your Backpack.
Storage Bag for your Sleeping Bag
But you don’t want to store your sleeping bag in your compression bag or you will reduce its life. Most sleeping bags come with a cotton or mesh storage bag, or else you can buy one. I personally drape my sleeping bag over a heavy duty wooden hanger and allow it lots of room in my closet. This allows it to breathe and keeps its loft.
Sleeping Bag Liners
I believe that it is smart to buy a sleeping bag liner so you keep your sleeping bag cleaner. It’s much easier to wash your liner than sleeping bag (see section below on How to Maintain Your Sleeping Bag). A sleeping bag liner can add as much as 15 degrees of warmth to your sleep system.
Liner materials:
- Silk: Often more expensive, but lightweight, durable, great insulator yet you won’t overheat when it’s warm out.
- Cotton is heavier but cheap, but it is also quite durable.
- Synthetic polyesters, which may also be moisture wicking and quick drying. You can even buy an insulated liner that uses a special fiber that helps it dry twice as fast as cotton. These can be expensive, but some claim up to 25°F of warmth!
- Fleece: It’s possible to get twelve degrees of warmth by using a fleece liner. These are nice and soft, and wick moisture plus are quick dry, but depending on the weight, can be bulky.
Manufactured sleeping bag liners may offer features like built-in bug repellent to repel mosquitos, ticks, flies and fleas, they may be made specifically for your sleeping bag shape, say if you get a mummy bag. Look for a mummy sleeping bag liner that has a 3D foot box so your feet can move around better.
- Some liners have a drawcord hood to help keep you warm.
- Look for a lightweight stuff sack to keep the liner in your backpack.
How to Choose a Sleeping Pad
Sleeping pads get their loft two ways: either by using air or a closed cell foam padding. For the Air Pads, you can get a pad that you blow up yourself or use an inflator, or they even have self-inflating sleeping pads!
Things to consider when buying a sleeping pad:
What is your intended use?
Like the sleeping bag, if you are car camping, it doesn’t make a difference about the weight or size. Here you will want the most comfort for the dollar. But if you are backpacking, weight and size matters.
* Car Camping Sleeping Pads
An air pad is going to be more comfortable than the closed cell padding. Since you’ve got the space, go big or go home:) Choose either the self-inflating or one you blow up. If temps are mild, you can even use a standard sized blow up mattress that uses conventional sheets and blankets and blow it up with a 12v inflator pump. These mattresses don’t have any insulation though, so keep that in mind. If you are car camping, you don’t need to worry about bulk, so get a nice thick one for comfort!
* Backpacking and Thru Hiking Sleeping Pads
If however, you have to carry your sleeping pad, then space and weight must be a consideration.
You can still get an air pad sleeping pad, but you will need to get a thinner and smaller one than the car campers’. Choose one with a reflector for insulation on the bottom.
The higher the performance and the less weight, the more expensive. I believe this is an area to spend the money. You are going to be tired after a hard day’s hike. Get the best sleep possible.
* If you are bike-packing or kayak or canoe touring and have the space, I would go with an air sleeping pad and get as much comfort as you can buy for the space you have.
You can save some weight and cost by buying a pad that comforts your torso, but the legs dangle off. I like the ultra light backpacking sleeping pads available now. My one beef if that my Thermarest makes a crinkly noise when I turn over, so I wear ear plugs. But it is easy for me to blow up in a minute or so, and keeps my body off the ground with some comfort. It’s best to blow up your mattress right before you turn in so that the pad is as full as possible – as temps dip during the night, you might feel like the pad is losing air as the air compresses.
If you tear your air pad, you can patch it. Tears normally occur from dogs, but the occasional rock or stick could also pierce the shell. Keep a small repair patch in your emergency kit. Be sure to read and understand how to patch your pad before you go camping. The middle of the night is not the time to figure it out!
* Ultralight Backpackers wanting to minimize weight at all costs, including comfort, can choose the lightest weight sleeping pad, the closed cell foam pad. One other benefit is that this pad can roll up and store UNDER your backpack using those two straps. These foam pads are also the most durable since they can’t pop, a consideration for backpackers. To reduce your sleeping pad weight even more, you can buy a three quarter closed cell foam pad. I tried it, but I decided I would rather carry the extra ounces of my air pad.
Sleeping Pad Features to Consider
Insulation and R-Value
Each manufacturer will list the insulating capabilities of their sleeping pads in R-Values. These values range from 1, which means it doesn’t insulate you at all, up to 11 for extreme cold situations. Folks who feel the cold but camp in modest weather will usually be happy with around a 4 rating. There are some women-specific air pads that are more insulated by the feet and core areas where women lose heat fastest. My air pad is rated 3.2 and it is fine for my camping needs as I avoid temps below fifty when possible.
It’s important to know that unlike a sleeping bag where you can get too hot, with a sleeping pad, having a higher insulating rating than you need won’t make you any hotter when temps are mild or hot. So you can buy a high rating, but you will be trading money and weight. So it’s still best to buy a sleeping pad that best suits your needs.
Sleeping Pad Weight
You will want to compare the sleeping pad weight of whichever pads you are considering if you are using it for anything other than car camping.
To reduce sleeping pad weight, you can choose a tapered or mummy shape, or a ¾ length pad. If you sleep with a partner, you might shave ounces by using a two person pad.
The lightest weight sleeping pad is the closed cell pad, which you can get torso length to make it the lightest possible (but you won’t be very comfortable). Backpackers trade comfort during the day [light weight gear] for comfort at night [heavier, but more comfortable gear].
Sleeping Pad Length and Width
Most ‘regular’ pads are about six feet long. So if you are shorter, try to find a smaller length, called a ‘short’ or ¾ length at around four feet (your legs will dangle like mine but I prop them up anyway on my pack). If you are taller, you will want a ‘long’ that usually runs 6.5’ long. Backpackers want the shortest and lightest pad they can comfortably get away with.
Most sleeping pads are 20” wide. Larger people or those that roll around a lot may opt for the wider 25-30” widths (or with baffles – see below). Make sure your pad works with your tent (don’t forget about any partner’s pads!). Be sure to compare lengths on the wider models and try to match up your best length and width.
Construction Considerations
If you roll around a lot, you may want a pad that has baffles on the edges to help keep you on the pad. If you’ve got kids, this is a nice feature for them. Some pads also have a ‘pillow’ for your head. I personally bring a 6” down pillow as my ‘luxury’ item when I backpack.
Try to find one with a top that helps to keep you from sliding off the pad. This usually means some kind of texture on top. You can even buy a sleeping bag that has a sleeve to hold your pad. This will also keep you from sliding off your pad. Be sure to check the sleeping bags specs before you buy a pad to make sure your new pad fits!
I can blow up my Thermarest in a minute or so, but if you want, you can buy a pad that comes with an integrated hand pump or you can buy a separate bag style hand pump. Remember that each feature adds weight.
LISTEN to your pad BEFORE you go camping to make sure you can tolerate or mitigate the noise. My pad is fine but noisy! Don’t forget your ear plugs if yours is, too. Try your new pad out at home before you test it in the wild!
Deciding which camping sleeping system is best for you to buy is a personal decision, but if you answer the questions above, you will be able to determine your best sleeping bag!
How to Maintain Your Sleeping Bag
How to Wash a Sleeping Bag
Try spot cleaning your sleeping bag if only some of your bag is dirty (often the top of the bag by your head). Using the recommended cleaning agent (see the label or go online to check), pull the liner away from the insulation so you just clean the cover. Gently scrub the dirty area using an old toothbrush, then ‘rinse’ with a wet sponge until soapy residue is removed. Let dry completely before storing.
Hopefully you are using a sleeping bag liner so that your bag doesn’t get nasty and the spot treatment works most of the time. However, if you use your bag regularly, you may want to wash it each year.
This can also improve it’s loft because your body oils can drag down the fill. Always read the instructions that came with your bag, but in general, I would bring it to a commercial service or find a laundromat with a commercially sized front load washer and dryer. A top load washer agitates too hard so is not recommended. Yes, you could use your bathtub, but this is super labor intense! And ‘no’, you cannot dry clean a sleeping bag – the chemicals are too harsh for the fill. You also don’t want to use bleach, bleach alternative or fabric softeners. Keep it simple!
- If you are washing it yourself, make sure that you use the recommended cleaning agent for your fill. Check online or on the label.
- Loosen any drawstrings before inserting into the wash to help minimize clumping. Also fasten any closures.
- Unless the label says otherwise, use warm water and the gentle cycle and after washing, give it an extra rinse.
- When you take it out of the washer, don’t just pull it out: try to hold the whole bag to avoid hurting the seams, and then press out any excess water. If you’ve got a bunch of dry towels, try rolling sections between two towels to get as much moisture out as possible. Drying takes A LONG TIME!
- Place your freshly washed bag into a commercial dryer on low heat. A down bag can take a couple of hours to dry. Toss in several new tennis balls to help speed things up and to break up wet down clumps. Synthetic bags take considerably less time. Make sure your sleeping bag is COMPLETELY DRY before storing it!
How to Store a Sleeping Bag
Whenever you return from a camping trip, be sure to inspect and clean any gear as necessary to ensure a long life. You don’t want to get ready for a big weekend only to find your sleeping bag is mildewed and your tent is moldy, right?
You’ve learned how to clean your sleeping bag, now let’s learn how to store it.
The most important thing to remember about all of your camping gear is to make sure that it is completely dry before you store it so you don’t get any unpleasant surprises when you take it back out. You will need to find a covered area to dry out your gear (sunlight can hurt the fabric). Think garage or covered porch. I leave mine out for about a day. FIrst I turn it inside out and then midday, I flip it. Make sure all sides of the bag are exposed to the air (so if you don’t have room to open the bag fully unzipped, you will be doing four flips).
A compression sack is fabulous for getting your sleeping bag to fit in your backpack, but you can’t store it in there or you will hurt it’s loft. Keeping your bag squished makes it harder for both down and synthetic bags to maintain the air pockets that make up the loft. So don’t reduce the life of your sleeping bag by storing it compressed.
So store it instead in a mesh or cotton sack. Sometimes these stuff sacks come with your sleeping bags, but you can buy one if not. Choose a 90L bag. You want your bag to be able to breathe. I actually hang mine by draping it over a heavy duty wooden hanger in my spare closet.
You want to choose a temperature controlled room with low humidity. So scrap the attic, basement and garage whenever possible. Don’t store your sleeping bag in the trunk so it’s always on hand because it gets too hot in there!
Camping gear is expensive. Taking proper care of your gear helps you to get the most life out of it and the least maintenance headaches.
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