Things to consider when choosing a sleeping bag: |
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What is your primary end use for the bag? Will you use it mostly for backpacking, car camping, alpine climbing or traveling? Will weight and stuffed size be an issue? |
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Are you generally a cold or warm sleeper? Do you tend to sweat beneath the covers or wear socks to bed year-round? We encourage you to be conservative when considering sleeping bag temperature ratings. |
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Which insulation is best for your primary activities? Will you be camping in moister climates or in the desert? |
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What pad will you use with your sleeping bag? |
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Down is extremely lightweight, features excellent loft and is the most compressible insulation material. Down bags tend to be slightly more expensive than synthetic and does not insulate well when wet. |
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Synthetic insulation is extremely durable, transfers moisture away from your body, insulates very well even when wet and is less expensive than down. Compressed synthetic bags are generally slightly larger and heaver than down. |
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Dualmax bags like our Crystal model utilize a blend of PrimaLoft Sport™ (PLS) synthetic insulation and 650 fill goose down which yields a lightweight bag and offers the protection of synthetic insulation. |
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Choose the right pad for your bag. Your pad will provide insulation from the cold or heat in the ground so the pad temperature rating is as important as the bag temperature rating. |
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Your body will heat the space inside your bag, so if you have too much extra space to heat up, you may be cold at a higher temperature than your bag is rated. A bag that is too big for you won’t work efficiently. |
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Stay hydrated and refueled. Your body stays warmer if you drink enough water and eat enough food. Caffeine and alcohol will dehydrate you more, especially at high altitudes. |
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If you are a cold sleeper, think about using a bag rated 10° warmer than the temperature you think you’ll need. |
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Wear the right clothing. Avoid cotton because it retains moisture. |
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Always have a dry layer especially for sleeping. Never sleep in damp clothing. |
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Match a comparably rated pad with the temperature rating of your bag. |
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Foam core pads will offer more insulating value than an air core pad. |
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The thicker the foam core pad, the more insulation it will provide. |
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Make sure your pad size and shape matches the pad sleeve size and shape in your Big Agnes bag. |
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Use a closed cell foam pad in addition to your self inflating pad for extra insulation when winter camping. |
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Use a closed cell foam pad with any of our Air Core Pads for extra insulation, especially when camping on frozen ground, snow or cold rock. The foam pad provides a barrier against the cold from the ground. |
SLEEPING BAG |
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Always store in a cool, dry place out of the direct sun. |
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Store in a larger storage sack or hang loosely. |
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Never store compressed in a stuff sack because it will damage the insulation and shorten the life of your bag.
Sleeping Bag Care Instructions (.pdf)
Nikwax cleaning products for sleeping bags, tents and technical fabrics available from many srtockists - to find them click below.
Nikwax UK Ltd
www.nikwax.co.uk
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SLEEPING PAD |
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Store in a cool, dry place out of the direct sun. |
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Store unrolled, with the valve open. |
TENT |
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Store clean and free of debris. In a cool, dry place. |
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Keep zippers and poles free of dirt to keep all mechanisms working properly. |
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Don't leave your tent in hot temperatures as the heat could damage the fabric coatings. |
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Storing your tent damp could result in mildew growth, which can cause the tent to smell or delaminate. |
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Never dry clean or machine wash your tent. |
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Only use cleaners specifically recommended for tents. |
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Avoid prolonged exposure to sun. UV rays can eventually damage the tent fabric. Always set up your tent in shaded areas whenever possible. |
