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Encyclopedia > Sleeping bag

A sleeping bag is a protective "bag" for a person to sleep in, essentially a blanket that can be closed with a zipper or similar means, and functions as a bed in situations where it is impractical to carry around a full bed. Its primary purpose is to provide warmth and insulation. It also protects, to some extent, against wind, precipitation, and exposure to view, but a tent performs those functions better. The bottom surface also provides some cushioning, but a sleeping pad is usually used for that purpose. A bivouac sack (bivy) is a waterproof cover for a sleeping bag that may be used in place of a tent for lightweight travelers or as a backup if inclement weather occurs. For other uses, see Sleep (disambiguation). ... It has been suggested that Wool blankets be merged into this article or section. ... A double bed A bed is a piece of furniture or location primarily used or intended for sleeping upon, but also commonly used for sexual activities, relaxing, sitting, and reading. ... For other uses, see Wind (disambiguation). ... Look up exposure in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... rolled sleeping pad self inflating camping mat In camping, a ground pad, sleeping pad, sleeping mat or roll mat is a simple device often used in conjunction with a sleeping bag. ... Climbers bivouac outside an hermitage in Europe In mountaineering, a bivouac, bivy, or bivy sack, is an extremely lightweight alternative to traditional tent systems. ...

Contents

Design types

A mummy bag
A mummy bag

A basic sleeping bag is simply a square blanket, fitted with a zipper on one or two sides, allowing it to be folded in half and secured in this position. A sleeping bag of this type is packed by being folded in half or thirds, rolled up, and bound with straps or cords. The basic design works well for most camping needs but is inadequate under more demanding circumstances. The second major type of sleeping bag, sometimes called a mummy bag because of its shape, is different in a number of important ways. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2048x1536, 685 KB) Summary Licensing File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Sleeping bag Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2048x1536, 685 KB) Summary Licensing File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Sleeping bag Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner... It has been suggested that Wool blankets be merged into this article or section. ... Zipper slider brings together the two sides A zipper (British English: zip fastener or zip) is a popular device for temporarily joining two edges of fabric. ... A strap is a strip, usually of fabric or leather. ... A mummy is a corpse whose skin and dried flesh have been preserved by either intentional or accidental exposure to chemicals, extreme cold, very low humidity, or airlessness. ...

  • It tapers from the head end to the foot end, reducing its volume and surface area, and improving its overall heat retention properties. Some bags are designed specially to accommodate women's body shapes.
  • It usually does not unzip all the way to the feet. The zipper is a weak point in any sleeping bag's insulating qualities. Together with the tapered shape, this design feature helps protect the feet, which are more vulnerable to heat loss than other parts of the body.
  • It usually has a drawstring at the head end, to help prevent the escape of warm air.
  • A mummy bag often cannot be rolled like a rectangular bag. Instead, it is simply stuffed into a stuff sack or compression sack.

The volume of a solid object is the three-dimensional concept of how much space it occupies, often quantified numerically. ... Area is the measure of how much exposed area any two dimensional object has. ... For other uses, see Foot (disambiguation). ... A stuff sack is a type of drawstring bag, usually used for storing camping items. ... A compression sack is a special type of stuff sack, designed particularly for the storage of bulky sleeping bags in internal-frame backpacks. ...

Fill

A highly compact sleeping bag measuring 23 cm with a diameter of 12 cm when packed but 210 cm x 65 cm when unfolded.
A highly compact sleeping bag measuring 23 cm with a diameter of 12 cm when packed but 210 cm x 65 cm when unfolded.

Many different insulating materials are available for sleeping bags. Outdoor professionals usually prefer either synthetic fill or down, and they have debated the merits of these materials for years. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2592x1944, 2507 KB) A photo of a highly compact sleeping bag next to a ruler for scale. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2592x1944, 2507 KB) A photo of a highly compact sleeping bag next to a ruler for scale. ... The down of birds is a layer of fine feathers found under the tougher exterior feathers. ...


Synthetic fill does not readily absorb water, dries easily, and provides some warmth even when thoroughly soaked. These properties may save the owner's life if, for example, the sleeping bag is accidentally dropped into water on a cold day. Synthetic material is also firm and resilient, so it insulates well even underneath a person's weight. Synthetics also have the ability to loft faster than down, allowing the sleeping bag to provide the insulation faster than a down bag. On the flipside, synthetic fill cannot be compressed as much as down, causing such bags to take up more space when not in use. Impact from a water drop causes an upward rebound jet surrounded by circular capillary waves. ...


Down fill weighs less than synthetic and retains heat better, but usually costs more. Down must be kept dry; a soaked down sleeping bag may provide even less insulation than no sleeping bag at all, leading to hypothermia. Newer, more technically advanced sleeping bags often have water-resistant shells and can be used in damper conditions. It is also recommended to keep a sleeping bag in a larger sack (storage sack) as opposed to the small traveling sack (compression bag) during long periods of storage. However, many regular backpackers and hikers agree that hanging a sleeping bag, taking care to move the position of the bag on the hanger at intervals so as to not create a "dead spot" (a spot where the fill has been crushed so that it is no longer useful), is the best method of storing a bag for long durations. Hypothermia is a condition in which an organisms temperature drops below that Required fOr normal metabolism and Bodily functionS. In warm-blooded animals, core [[body Temperature]] is maintained nEar a constant leVel through biologic [[homEostasis]]. But wheN the body iS exposed to cold Its internal mechanismS may be unable...


Other materials, notably cotton and wool, have also been used for sleeping bags. Wool repels water nicely and also resists compression, but it weighs much more than any alternative. Cotton suffers from high water retention and significant weight, but its low cost makes it an attractive option for uses like stationary camping where these drawbacks are of little consequence. For other uses, see Cotton (disambiguation). ... Long and short hair wool at the South Central Family Farm Research Center in Boonesville, Arizona Wool is the fiber derived from the fur of animals and people of the Caprinae family, principally sheep, but the hair of certain species of other mammals such as goats and rabbits and oxes...


Temperature ratings

A person in a sleeping bag
A person in a sleeping bag

In Europe, the EN 13537 standard normalizes the temperatures at which a sleeping bag can be used. A test, relying on a heated mannequin, provides four temperatures: Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1545x1024, 897 KB) Summary Author: Daniel Maleck Lewy, 2005, all permissions are given. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1545x1024, 897 KB) Summary Author: Daniel Maleck Lewy, 2005, all permissions are given. ... For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ... EN 13537 (or EN13537) is a European standard designed to standardize the temperature ratings on sleeping bags manufactured and/or sold in Europe. ... Standardization, in the context related to technologies and industries, is the process of establishing a technical standard among competing entities in a market, where this will bring benefits without hurting competition. ... For other uses, see Temperature (disambiguation). ... A wooden mannequin For other uses, see Mannequin (disambiguation). ...

  • the upper limit is the highest temperature at which a 'standard' adult male is able to have a comfortable night's sleep without excess sweating.
  • the comfort rating is based on a 'standard' woman having a comfortable night's sleep.
  • the lower limit is based on the lowest temperature at which a 'standard' adult male is deemed to be able to have a comfortable night's sleep.
  • the extreme rating is a survival only rating for a 'standard' adult woman. This is an extreme survival rating only and it is not advisable to rely on this rating for general use.

The transition zone, in between the comfort and lower temperature, is usually considered as the best purchase guideline.


Indoor sleeping bags

Indoor sleeping bags, sometimes called slumber bags, are widely available, often for use particularly by children. These are usually not designed to be weatherproof, and are often made of natural fabrics instead of the synthetic fabrics commonly used for outdoor sleeping bags. Children's sleeping bags in particular often feature elaborate, brightly-colored printed designs, such as images of popular media characters. Slumber bags make floor sleeping more comfortable, and are often used for sleepovers, family visits, and other situations where there aren't enough beds for everyone. For other uses, see Sleepover (film). ...


Manufacturers

Manufacturers of sleeping bags include:

Coleman Company, Inc. ... Haglöfs is the largest supplier of outdoor equipment in Scandinavia. ... Kelty (owned by American Recreation Products) is a manufacturer of backpacks, tents, and sleeping bags. ... Lafuma is a French based company that specializes in outdoor equipment, such as backpacks and sleeping bags. ... Mountain Hardwear, founded in 1993, is a California-based company that manufactures outdoor clothing, backpacks, sleeping bags, and tents. ... Snugpak is the tradename of manufacturer Brett Harris Ltd. ... The North Face is an outdoor product company. ... PHD Mountain Software PHD--or Peter Hutchinson Designs--is an outdoor clothing and equipment company. ...

See also

A sleeping bag is a protective bag for a person to sleep in, essentially a blanket that can be closed with a zipper or similar means, and functions as a bed in situations where it is impractical to carry around a full bed. ... An infant sleeping bag is a bag-like garment or covering worn by infants for sleeping. ... // Sleepsacks are a popular type of bondage (BDSM) gear. ... Pertex is a versatile, wind resistant, durable wicking fabric with more breathabilty than waterproof membranes. ...

External links

  • Sleeping Bags How to select a sleeping bag.
  • Sleeping Bag Selection A primer on sleeping bag selection, care and use.
  • Washing sleeping bags Information on cleaning and caring for down sleeping bags.
  • BackpackGearTest.org Backpackers evaluate new gear in the field and report their findings

  Results from FactBites:
 
sleeping bag,sleeping bags manufacturer and sleeping bag,sleeping bags supplier--China Bourgeon Industrial Co., Ltd. (148 words)
sleeping bag,sleeping bags manufacturer and sleeping bag,sleeping bags supplier--China Bourgeon Industrial Co., Ltd.
Our extensive line total includes 7 parts of our cataloges, They are Eazy-up tent, Emergency tent, Gazebo, Carport, Hammock, Camping chair, Sleeping bags, sleeping bag, sleeping bags, outdoor leisure products.
We have our own design department to bear new ideas and create new sleeping bag, sleeping bags, camping sleeping bag, down sleeping bag, air mattress sleeping bag designs continuously.
Sleeping Bags, Sleeping Pads, and Vapor Barriers (10 pgs. 6 illus.) - Art of Travel - European and World Backpacking (3541 words)
SLEEPING BAGS ARE great for keeping warm in airports and stations, on overnight trains and buses, and for crashing on a new friend's floor.
For travel the two sleeping bag designs to consider are the two which are the most weight and stuff-size efficient: the mummy style and the semi-rectangular style.
Since I sleep on the cold side I would choose a slightly warmer bag for a given condition, which for safety and comfort's sake is a good idea regardless of metabolism.
  More results at FactBites »


 

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