Sleeping under the stars can be one of the most wonderful experiences in every camper or hiker's life. But, there is nothing romantic and lovely in feeling cold. No matter how warm the climate is, having a sleeping bag is a must for hikers and campers. Our bodies tend to lose temperature if we aren't supported by a blanket or in this case by a sleeping bag. If you're a hiker who is about to go on your first adventure, you should consider getting compact hiking sleeping bags. Here is everything you need to know about such sleeping bags.

Difference Between Camping and Hiking Sleeping Bag

man holding a sleeping bag in mountains
source: vidatrakking.com

A sleeping bag is a sleeping bag, right, there is no rocket science there. However, there is a difference between camping and hiking sleeping bags. In general, hiking sleeping bags are more lightweight. When you pack them they are way smaller. They also give more warmth even though they aren't so heavy.
When choosing a hiking sleeping bag, it won't be a problem to make a difference from the camping ones. It's important to know if you will only go hiking, or hiking and camping. If you do both, then choose a hiking bag since you will carry it for a long time on your back. Adding weight when hiking can make you easily tired and you won't enjoy the hike.

Sleeping Bag Temperature Ratings

girl wrapped in sleeping bag drinking tea
source: packyourtent.com

Sleeping bag temperature ratings shows the lowest temperature at which the bag was designed to keep you warm. If you can't make up your mind choose a bag with a lower temperature rating; this way you will never feel cold and you can always open up the bag to cool down if the weather is warmer.
These are the ratings:

ISO or EN

This rating indicates that you can reliably compare any two sleeping bags. These standardized tests mean you can compare temperature ratings between brands. With the ISO/EN testing, a sleeping bag is assigned to two temperature ratings - comfort and limit ratings. The "comfort" rating is the lowest temperature at which the sleeping bag will keep you comfortable.

"Limit" is a rating for the lowest temperature at which the bag will keep you comfortable and is in general the temperature assigned to unisex or men's sleeping bags. If you see that a bag rating lacks the term "comfort" or "limit", it's likely that the brand's estimate and not an actual ISO or EN test result.

Insulation Types

red sleeping bag in snowy mountains
source: rollingfox.com

One of the most important things when choosing compact hiking sleeping bags is to check the insulation. There are several insulation types; let's check them in detail.

Down Insulation

This is the more expensive version than synthetic insulation. It's much lighter and more compressible. It's more durable than synthetic fill, which means it will retain a consistent level of warmth for a longer time. If you take care of it properly, it will last for decades.

Synthetic Insulation

This option has a solid performance and is affordable. It will keep keeping you warm even in damp climates. Most synthetics are made of polyester and almost all famous brands and manufacturers offer this material.

Down/Synthetic Blends

You can also find sleeping bags made of both materials. The synthetic insulation gets at the bottom, where it will compress less. The down is added to the top where it will loft better. Once you roll the bag onto its side, that design will lose its protection. This type of blend is the primary factor in the size of the sleeping bag. Seek compressed volume option (they won't feel so heavy when you carry them).

Sleeping Pad and Bag

It's not only the sleeping bag that is necessary for your comfortable and warm sleep under the stars. A sleep system has three basic components: the sleeping bag, the sleeping pad and your clothing. If you get a less-insulated pad and use it in colder climates, the sleeping bag won't serve you up to its temperature ratings.

The testing of sleeping bags is done on a person who wears long underwear and socks and is sleeping on an insulated pad with an R-value of 5.5. So if your sleeping bag didn't keep you warm and yet it was rated that will keep you comfortable even in colder climates, perhaps your sleeping pad wasn't well insulated (and you didn't wear long underwear and socks).

Consider the Weight and Shape

The bag weight matters when you're carrying it on your back. The insulation fill weight may feel comfortable when you lie down, but if you have to walk for a long time with the bag on your back, it won't feel very pleasant. Sure, the heavier the bag, the warmer it will feel, but the bag's temperature rating is in fact the more reliable indicator of warmth.
The shape of the bag also affects the weight. A sleek shaped bag and a snug fit will feel lighter, than a similar bag that is roomy. There are three shapes for sleeping bags: mummy (slim cut and contoured hood that adds more warmth), semi-rectangular (modified mummy) and rectangular (maximum roominess).

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