This is grams per square metre. It’s used to rate how much filling a synthetic sleeping bag contains and a good number is about 300+. I’ve spent over 15 years wild camping on mountain tops, suspended from cliffs and inside glaciers – and yet I always sleep more soundly than I ever manage to at home in my own bed. Perhaps it’s because all the manmade sounds are replaced with leaves blowing in the wind, the hoot of an owl, or the rhythmic ripple of a stream. Perhaps because I’ve dedicated so much time to finding the best sleeping bag. There are a host of options out there, ranging from very basic (and non-breathable) survival bags to all singing, all dancing, mosquito-net and poles options that verge on being mini tents. But I prefer to keep things simple. For that there’s great value British brand Alpkit. Min comfort temp 0 oC, limit temp -6 oC, extreme temp -23 oC (see FAQs below for temperature rating explanations) Sleeping bags can be a pain to clean, so we take note of any cleaning instructions that come with each sleeping bag we test, and wash them according to those instructions where possible. We praise sleeping bags that are easy to clean and don't suffer damage from washing, and penalise those that are a hassle or have loose threads after being washed.

The Comfort temperature rating is more useful. It shows you how cold the outside temperature can be while still allowing you to sleep in warmth and comfort. The average night temperatures for spring, summer and early autumn are around 4°C and above, so you’d certainly want something rated to 4°C or below. The price may be high, but this sleeping bag really does do it all. For a start it’s warm – the comfort rating allows three-season use comfortably and there are other versions for both lower and warmer temperatures available. Double sleeping bags appeal to couples and to those who like to have plenty of wriggle room when they sleep.Featuring a spacious square shape, a comfortable cotton flannel lining and a built-in pillow, the Indulge sleeping bag is designed to provide ultimate comfort for two on weekend camping trips. It’s not the lightest or most compact bag on the market, but this Berghaus bag comes into its own on couples camping weekends where a good night’s sleep is a top priority. We buy every sleeping bag we test rather than getting free samples from manufacturers, and each of our testers try out every sleeping bag in our selection. Comfort and ease of use Sleeping bags with synthetic fillings are generally machine washable, but if you don't own a washing machine with a large drum then you may need to take it to a launderette. Feather-filled sleeping bags can only be dry cleaned. We roll up and stuff each sleeping bag into its carry bag several times, noting how much effort is required to complete the task and how easily the sleeping bag fits into the carry bag it comes with. Temperature retention This is because the top of a double sleeping bag isn't tightly fitted and there's often no draught collar, leaving gaps for warm air to escape.

It’s worth considering a women’s fit bag – and not just if you are a woman. Women’s bags tend to offer extra warmth around the feet, as well as a wider fit around the hips and narrower fit around the shoulders, so it’s worth considering if this sounds like you. How to store a sleeping bag All these clever features make it a truly versatile option for all sleeping positions (wiggly sleepers, I’m looking at you), as well as those who feel a ‘normal’ bag is too tight around the shoulders and those who may sleep hot, year-round. The person using the sleeping bag is also a major factor. The size of the camper and how much body heat they naturally generate will influence how snugly the insulation fits to their body, and how much heat the sleeping bag retains.Broadly speaking there are two main types. ‘Mummy’ sleeping bags have a hood and are tapered towards the feet, like an Egyptian sarcophagus – hence the name. They’re good for space saving and because there’s less fabric, they are naturally lighter. Heat retention is also good, since there’s less space for your body heat to warm up and no draught through the head end. Rectangular sleeping bags are great if you only intend to sleep in warmer weather or if you like to feel unrestricted. They also offer the option of opening the bag out to form a quilt. However, we'd avoid washing sleeping bags too frequently if you can. In our tests, even those suitable for machine washing often end up with a few loose threads after we've put them through a cycle. I’m often asked about bivvy bags. These are to be used in conjunction with a sleeping bag, not by themselves. It’s essentially a waterproof and breathable cover for a normal sleeping bag that allows you to happily sleep outside without the need for a tent. What sleeping bag do I need for camping in the UK? All the sleeping bags above are R (regular) but bags also come in S (short) or L (long). When looking at the advertised length of bag, make sure that the number refers to the ‘fits’ length (that is, the maximum height of the person that can fit inside it) rather than just the length of the entire bag.

Down sleeping bags are often rated for ‘fill power’ instead: the higher the number, the warmer the bag. 500 is good. Anything higher is excellent. How do you know what size sleeping bag to get?You also have to take care to air your sleeping bag after washing it and hang it up evenly to prevent the filling from bunching up too much. Wringing it out should definitely be avoided as that's certain to spoil the even spread of the filling. We test bestselling sleeping bags from the most popular outdoor brands and UK retailers, including Go Outdoors, Rab, Decathlon, Vango, Eurohike, Berghaus, Outwell and more. A super-comfortable and spacious double sleeping bag designed for comfortable camping nights for couples and those who like extra room to spread out. They aren't typically more expensive than single sleeping bags and should work just as well, although if you're camping in cold conditions, you'll likely find that double sleeping bags let out more heat. When you first delve into the world of sleeping bags you’ll see that many are talked about as being two-, three- or four-season bags. As you’d imagine, four-season bags are the preserve of brave souls who intend to camp in winter on frozen ground. A three-season sleeping bag (spring, summer, autumn) will serve most purposes. A two-season (spring/summer) is fine for those only intending to camp when the sun shines.