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Having never purchased sleeping bags before, I find the choice bewildering (as a simple guy, I would be happy if there was only one available!). Any advice on what to go for? (First camping session planned for Gwithian in Cornwall for the last two weeks of August. Will probably only ever camp in the UK over the next couple of years and probably no earlier than Easter and no later than October. I like to be cool at night, but the wife and kids like to be warm.

Any assistance, greatly appreciated

M

Hi M

As you will see by the attached list of topics on sleeping bags it is all a matter of preference, you have given the wise owls a good start with the seasons for camping and comfort levels.

Im sure you will soon be over run with replies  (if not they're all out camping)

Heres the link to other forums on sleeping bags

ATB

Personally I prefer the old fashioned rectangle shape type of bag rather than "mummy" bags as I find I feel trapped in and can`t get comfy.

Guess like everything this is all down to personnal choice.

Becks

I agree with Becks - don't like the mummy ones as you can't move your legs about properly!  However, I do like one with a cowl hood to snuggle into if it's cold.  Check out the temperature ratings listed for the bags - choose one with a wide gap between the 'extreme' and the 'comfort'.  I believe the 'extreme' temperature is virtually just that - you'd survive in one with clothes on at that temperature.  If you like to be quite warm go for an extreme down to something like minus 10.  Unlike two of our friends, we don't like a double to share, but prefer separate ones - less likely to disturb each other and can have different temperature bags.

Hope this helps.

Caro.

Thanks everybody - I think I have narrowed my search down to around 10 choices now - soon be there...

M

Thanks for bringing this up again coz I'd lost the link to the site I wanted to order our new bags from! It was in one of those that dear skatty, (gawd bless 'er), pointed you towards. Found it and bunged it in favourites again and don't intend to lose it before I order them this very week! They're from camping-online.

We like the rectangular ones so when they're joined you're not always rolling onto to the zip where they join down the middle. This was a dread of mine about the mummy types that can become doubles, but dear souls on here came to the rescue and told me the answer.....you do feel the zips when you roll into the centresCan't see hubby being too pleased about that, so rectangular ones it will be again and I like the colour and pattern of the hi-gear ones

As a make, i would suggest you go for a Snugpak Sleeping Bag. They offer very good size and weight ratio to performance. They are also widely used by the British Army (as they have a seperate range designed specificaly for them).

The best prices i have found are from the website below:

http://www.lansdaleltd.com/prod.php/sect/CV

I bought one of them mummy type sleeping bags,they are great for keeping you up all night,to cramped and i found it hard to roll over.it is now collecting dust in my garage and has been replaced with the good old rectangle one.

Hope this helps.

Dave

I love mummy sleeping bags (am I the only one)? My brother gave me his from his hunting in New Zealand days to try and I've still got it! It's a Fairydown 5 season job and I love it. I can turn over on the campbed or airbed and the bag comes with me which keeps me toasty warm - no cold bits to roll onto. It has a drawstring around the shoulders so they don't get cold and a drawstring hood if it's really cold.

My OH reckons I look like a maggot in it!