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. A double sleeping bag is the answer. Most are bulky and compromise on good design, but Colorado-based Big Agnes has put the same thought and technology into their doubles as they do into their singles. This not only means a warm option (though note this is their own temperature rating system and refers to the comfort ‘limit’ rather than the comfort rating which is likely to be at least five or so degrees higher), but also one with great design quirks too. Water-resistant products tend to cause problems in the long run. A bag with a water-resistant membrane makes it difficult to evaporate body sweat and moisture from breath causing condensation from your own body. Sleeping bags with membrane coating are fine for short trips with no place to dry. That way they won’t have enough time to collect too much moisture from the environment, instead, they will absorb sweat. 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 many things while you are setting up camp and in the camp that contributes to reducing condensation. You must first choose your pitching spot carefully. Try to avoid water bodies like lakes and ponds and also avoid hollow spots where water tends to gather and the air becomes cooler. 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? 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.

What Causes Condensation?

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+. The Basecamp Explorer is made using the same tech as the adult bags and looks like one too, which many kids will like. Unlike other budget options it offers a nice cross between a rectangular and a mummy shape, offering the benefits of both. The adjustable hood makes for a nice warm fit on cool nights, but the full length and full width zip means you can also open it up fully to create a quilt for them when it gets too hot. A crowded tent causes the temperature to rise in the tent while the air outside is cold. This temperature difference causes condensation. Furthermore, as mentioned above, all these people sweat and also exhale water through breathing. 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.

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

Cover your Bag

The dew point is the real problem when it comes to keeping the bag dry. While camping, condensation occurs due to many reasons: Min comfort temp 0 oC, limit temp -6 oC, extreme temp -23 oC (see FAQs below for temperature rating explanations) You’ll see impressively low temperatures for ‘Extreme’ but this just means it’s the absolute coldest condition under which this bag will save you from getting hypothermia. 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. 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.

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.

Some people - usually men - are hot sleepers and are comfortable at lower temperatures. This is given as the Limit temperature rating. (That is, the lower limit of comfortable sleep.) 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? Moisture also accumulates from breath and sweat. We exhale around 1 liter of water each night whereas sweat also contributes to condensation forming on the bag’s surface. After a hot and humid day when the night becomes cold, it causes the water to accumulate on the surface of the bag. Sleeping bags are among the most important essentials when it comes to camping. They are so popular because they are specifically made for camping. It is well known that a dry sleeping bag is good for staying warm. If the sleeping bag gets wet, it causes problems like losing its ability to provide warmth. This problem is even more significant when you have a down sleeping bag. Wet weather conditions and condensation on the sleeping bag make it wet.