An overview for the un-initiated! (Sleeping Bags)

Member Name: salty_monk

Product:	Sleeping Bags
Date:	23/01/01 (235 review reads)
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Advantages: Go 5 season if u can......

Disadvantages: Don't buy cheap "wind tunnels"

Ok, Sleeping Bags. Lets assume that the main criteria here is that you wanna be warm!

Sleeping Bags come in ratings of seasons - 5 is the warmest (for use when ice climbing etc) going down to 1. If it hasn't got a rating walk away!
They generally come in 2 shapes, those that are like a tube with a hood are warmer than the square "wind-tunnels"!.
They use 2 types of filling - Hollow Fill or Down. These also have different ratings so check the spec!
Down packs smaller but hollow fill remains warm when it's wet (as down just clumps together).
Remember that sleeping bags do require replacement from time to time (& washing!!) & that one you used in the army 20 years ago just might not cut it anymore!
At the end of the day you'll know - the obvious test is whether you get cold feet or not.

As with all things you get what you pay for although again there are products where you just pay for the name!!

Gelert is a good one for those on a tight budget! Remember if in doubt as to what seasons your gonna use it in - go warmer; you can always undo the zip!!

Also all you couples, remember when buying in pairs you have to but bags with zips on opposite sides otherwise when they're zipped together one of you ends up with a hood over your face!!!

P.s. for those of you interested I use a 4 season hollowfill Vango bag (along with a therma-rest) - I haven't been cold in it yet!

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