People who are avid backpackers know the extreme conditions and dangers that may arise on a backpacking trip. Once you are out in nature and away from shelter, nothing should be taken for granted and weather conditions and terrain often change with little to no warning. It’s always best to prepare for these changing conditions before you take your first step out the door. Finding the right equipment to take with you should be your first priority.
You’ll need to take plenty of equipment and items with you on this journey and you will need to keep your backpack as light as possible. Sleeping comfortably and keeping yourself warm at night will rely solely on the backpacking sleeping bag you bring with you. Retailers worldwide make specialized backpacking sleeping bags for varying conditions. Here are a few things to look for when selecting the right one.
The first thing to look for when looking trough the wide selection of backpacking sleeping bags is the actual weight of the bag. Since you are going to be hiking in rough terrain and in unpredictable conditions, you want your backpack to be as light as possible. There is no way you will be able to haul around a 20 pound sleeping bag on your back with all of the other equipment you’ll have to bring too.
When you look at big brand name sleeping bag suppliers like Marmot, Kelty, Big Agnes, Coleman, and Slumberjack to name just a few, you will find that they do make specialized backpacking sleeping bags. These bags are made light weight specifically for backpacks. Some of the bags are rated to keep you warm in freezing temperatures, weigh less than 5 pounds, and rolls up into a very small compact size. These bags will allow you to move around more freely and cover more ground hiking during the day because they are so light.
Besides the weight and size of the sleeping bag, you should also look for one that is going to be able to deal with unpredictable elements. The really light weight bags are going to be the most fragile and delicate, and not to mention the most expensive sleeping bags you will run into. You will have to consider where you are going to be hiking primarily before you choose what kind of backpacking sleeping bag you should bring.
Some bags will be water proof and others will not. Some are made of down filling and will keep you warmer for winter conditions while others are meant for summer. Take a look at all of the options before you buy and ask the retailer for help if you are not sure what you should get.