Lightweight summer sleeping bags - how to choose?
Summer and vacations are that special time of the year when the vast majority of us make the most of our vacation time. Everyone wants to make the most of this time, enjoy the great weather and take a break from everyday life. Every year, more and more people choose to actively spend this time in nature during numerous trekking trips, canoeing, camping, bicycle rallies, survival training or scout camps. One of the most important accessories on any such trip is definitely a lightweight sleeping bag for summer.
Summer sleeping bags are characterized by low weight (usually no more than 1 kg) and high compression capability, so they can easily be clipped to a backpack or carried in a travel bag. This is a piece of equipment that you should always carry with you, as it allows you to have a comfortable and uninterrupted sleep, which is essential for recovery after a hard physical effort. It also provides adequate thermal comfort, both on hot days and on cool and windy nights.
Thermal comfort in summer in a sleeping bag
During the summer, despite the capricious Polish weather, we will come to camp in temperatures exceeding 10 degrees Celsius. Therefore, most of the generally available sleeping bags that meet thermal comfort standards (according to the European standard EN 13537) of about 5-8 degrees Celsius will work perfectly as a sleeping bag for summer. Extras such as a thermal collar or a lath at the zipper are not necessary.
However, it is worthwhile to properly prepare for camping and remember a few simple but important things that have a big impact on the comfort of our sleep:
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When choosing a place to spend the night, look for a dry place sheltered from the wind, as humidity and wind cool our body.
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Underneath the sleeping bag, it is worth placing a carrimat or a self-inflating mat, they will not only provide comfort on hard and uneven surfaces, but also insulation from the cold ground.
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Before laying down to sleep, it is important to pay attention to the selection of appropriate clothing. Too much warm clothing will cause the inside of the sleeping bag to heat up more slowly. In addition, it will not provide adequate air circulation and moisture transport, causing excessive sweating. The optimal solution in such situations is a set of thermal underwear.
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If you're planning to trek in the mountains or expect the temperature to drop significantly at night, it's a good idea to get disposable chemical warmers or reheating pads.
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If you are traveling with a partner or partner, it is worth buying similar sleeping bags with zippers on two different sides. They can then be combined into one larger sleeping bag.
Best summer sleeping bag
The huge selection of summer sleeping bags makes one's head spin. Almost every manufacturer has at least a dozen such models on offer. They differ in thermal comfort, weight, material and price. So what should you follow when choosing one? Is it worth paying extra for a more expensive model? Which summer sleeping bag to choose?
A lightweight sleeping bag for summer should weigh no more than 1 kg. It is also important that it does not take up too much space when packed together with the cover. The cover should have a strap system that allows it to be clipped to a backpack or pack. Most summer sleeping bags have synthetic filling. Its main advantages are lighter weight, easy maintenance (machine washable) compared to natural materials. In the case of sleeping bags for extreme expeditions, the outer shell is additionally covered with a waterproof membrane. It is also worth paying attention to the quality of the zippers, they must not cut the material and should be marked in such a way that you can easily locate them in the dark.
Check out our guide: What kind of sleeping bag to choose?
