Choose the Best Sleeping Bag for Your Camping Trip

People are rediscovering the joys of camping and many parents are taking their children for short weekend camping adventures in the countryside. Camping in the United Kingdom, even in the summer months, is always a risky business. Not because of Bears or Snakes, but due to the uncertain British weather.

But, as long as yiou have the right camping equipment you and your family can have a lot of fun, regardless of the weather. One of the most important pieces of camping kit has got to be your sleeping bags.

There are an incredible range of sleeping bags to choose from these days, some costing only a few pounds but others that can cost a lot of money. So how can you select the right bags for you and your family?

Probably the first consideration is the time of year that you will be using your sleeping bag and where you will be camping. If you only expect to be camping during the hopefully warmer summer months then you will not need expensive, arctic quality sleeping bags.

Another consideration is packing. Will you be hiking with your sleeping bag in a backpack or will it never need to be crammed into a small pack? If you expect to be hiking with your sleeping bag in your backpack weight and size will be a consideration.

Yet another consideration is who the sleeping bag is for, how big they are and their specific comfort requirements. For example, children may be more comfortable in child size sleeping bags and some people (like my partner) are never comfortable sleeping within the confinements of a sleeping bag.

Finally there is probably the most important aspect to consider which is, of course, the price. Sleeping bags, both down and synthetic fibre filled, can vary in price enormously. Down filled bags tend to be the most expensive and most suitable for winter and all year round use.

Your most economical sleeping bag is likely to be polyester filled and suitable for the warmer summer months only. You will probably also want a sleeping matt or maybe an airbed for sleeping comfort and insulation from the cold ground.