Types of Sleeping Bags

If you’ve done any tent camping at all, you’ve very likely used a sleeping bag. Sleeping bags are the best way to keep warm and comfortable when you’re spending the night in the great outdoors.

What many people don’t realize is that there are quite a variety of types of sleeping bags to choose from. Choosing the best sleeping bag for your particular camping experience is important. Here are some of the most common types of sleeping bags:

The Mummy Sleeping Bag

A “Mummy” style sleeping bag is one that can, essentially, cover your entire body, including the head. Mummy bags leave room to breathe, but they keep out most of the cold. Some mummy sleeping bags are rated to go as low as -30 degrees Fahrenheit – far below freezing. A mummy style sleeping bag is most useful if you’re camping in the winter, or if you’re camping in a place that is cold all year around. If you’re camping in a temperate climate in the summer, a mummy sleeping bag will be less useful.

The Warm Weather Sleeping Bag

On the opposite end of the spectrum from the mummy sleeping bag is the warm weather style sleeping bag. These sleeping bags are often much thinner than most sleeping bags, and may not even have a vinyl exterior. The warm weather sleeping bag may resemble a blanket with a zipper, more than it resembles other sleeping bags.

The Children’s Sleeping Bag

There are smaller sleeping bags designed especially for children. These sleeping bags typically have interesting designs or popular characters printed on them. Make sure when buying a children’s sleeping bag that it is rated for the temperatures you’ll be experiencing, however. Many children’s sleeping bags are extremely lightweight, and not good for camping when it’s cold outside.

The Oversized Sleeping Bag

There are even sleeping bags that come in larger sizes. There is a queen sized sleeping bag, for example, that couples can use together. In some cases, these oversized sleeping bags can actually be separated into two smaller sleeping bags, should the need arise.