bags is the tapered sleeping bag . Like the mummy bag a tapered bag will be slimmer at the foot end but not so much as to be restrictive allowing a level of free movement . Tapered often provide a choice of hood or not and do provide a level of comfort and warmth level between the rectangular and mummy style of bag .
Consideration needs to be given that men and women do sleep differently with females often needing a slightly warmer bag . Good quality female bags will often have a greater level of insulation around the feet and overall , the bag will be rated higher than an equivalent bag designed for men .
There ’ s no right or wrong when it comes to choosing a sleeping bag , if it meets your particular needs , the one thing that should never be overlooked is cost ; generally the more expensive the better the bag and whilst a down mummy style bag offers the best of everything we believe that a down tapered style is the best all round option .
Where you lay your head is also important and as with a sleeping pad or bag has many factors to consider , this can mean the difference between something light and compact or a larger even full-sized pillow .
How do you sleep ? Stomach sleepers require little support meaning thinner , smaller pillows often work best , while side sleepers generally want a thicker pillow to support the neck inline with the spine . Back sleepers generally want something in between , not too thin , not too thick .
Stuffable pillows are generally the cheapest and smallest to pack , in fact a tee shirt filled with other clothes are just as good however , a purchased stuffable pillow is often a padded bag or sleave that you do fill with clothes . These are the least comfortable of all pillows .
Inflatable pillows are the lightest and smallest packing and once inflated can be adjusted to comfort but generally don ’ t offer the comforts of some of the other pillow types . Some allow for clothing etc to be packed into the cover for additional comfort yet can then feel lumpy and hard . Great if you ’ re limited for space but not so great for a good night sleep .
Compressible pillows usually pack down small but are generally heavier than inflatable pillows . These are often the most comfortable and offer the closest to what we use at home . Most often packed with synthetic material , although down is available , offering the smallest and lightest option for the compressible pillows .
Just as the name suggests , hybrid pillows having a compressible top for comfort and an inflatable lower for support and space saving .
As with sleeping pads and bags , a pillow comes down to what is your preference and what works best in your situation .
With a myriad of choices there ’ s no right or wrong , no easy or hard , however when choosing a sleeping option and kit one item will affect another , all will affect your sleep , and eventually sleep will have an impact on your life . We spend an average of a third of our existence asleep , so it makes sense to have as comfortable and fulfilling sleep as possible , when putting together your kit consider that it should be a complete kit and that all items need to work together and that the least of your considerations should be costs as at the end of the day a good quality kit should last a lifetime .
See our review of three items of sleeping kit starting on page 130 , and one kit that includes everything you will need . TRAVERSE
CHOOSING THE CORRECT COMBINATION
Conditions warm cool cold extreme
Expected Nighttime 10 O C 0 O C -7 O C -18 O C Temperature
Sleeping Bag R-value Rating
-1 O C or lower -7 O C or lower -9 O C or lower -18 O C or lower
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Sleeping Pad
R-value
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Under 2 |
2 - 3.9 |
4 - 5.4 |
5.5 or higher |
Rating |
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TRAVERSE 99