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Hi all, my 1st post (gulp) of no doubt what will be many!! All new to this camping lark and having freid my brain choosing a tent I am now repeating the experience choosing sleeping bags.... Anyway my question is should I go for a full sized bag for my 9/10yr old son or opt for the junior option? I bought one today(junior) and it just seems like it won't last very long . Am I more sensible buying a decent bigger bag that will last him and tying the bottom off? He is tall anyway and the rate he is growing at the moment is scary. Any advice would be great.

Thanks in advance

My kids grew out of their junior sized bags when they were about six so I can't imagine that a tall 9 year old could even fit into one? You might find the width of an adult bag is more of a problem than excess length at that age.  Buy him an adult sized one, in a good weight and quality, with shoulder baffles, in a mummy bag style. . Kids do better in mummy bags  because there's less dead airspace round them to warm up. If you're still finding it's a bit big, try adding a fleece liner to fill up the gaps.

Quote: Originally posted by alisonme on 15/5/2010

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One thing about the junior ones is that they have elastic around the top, rather than a cord which can be accidentally tightened.   

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You can replace the cord with elastic quite easily of course.

Yup, adult bag.

Our eldest is 9 9ok, pretty tall at 140cm or so) and has been in an adult bag since about 6. We don't bother with tieing it up or nything. ok there is a bit more dead air space in it which theoretically makes it less effiecient in keeping you warm, but she has always been warm enough, and would probably object as she likes to squiggle down to the bottom of the bag sometimes.

If you really felt the need to get something smaller you could get a womens specific bag as they tens to be a bit shorter and narrower. But she does fine in  a standard bag. she has a Snugpak Laponie 350 which I can recommned.

I personally don't think it's worth searching out womens specific bags for kids. They may be about 4-5" shorter but the shape is different too...wider hips, narrower shoulders...and if this bag is intended to be for a boy for the next few years, you're better off sticking to standard bags. I did buy a Vango Nitestar 350 WS for my daughter have to say but that was really only because my local camping shop was shutting down and this bag was a bargain £10 at the time I was actually looking for a bigger bag for my girl. Could not really refuse at that price!

I can definately recommend the Vango Nitestar 350's, btw. Good all round bags suitable for 3-season camping, shoulder baffles, pack down small.

Sleeping bags are traditionally rated by seasons, there is also an EN standar  temp rating sytsem as well. The only number really to bother about with this is the 'comfort' temp rating. This page from Penrose Outdoors outlines it. Though some bags, generally those intended for use in caravans etc. seem to be rated by the filling weight

For general UK use   3 season bag is generally recommended, though for summer use for me i'd buy  atwo season bag . A 3 season bag  should keep you warm down into the low single figures centigrade - or below freezing, depedning on things,  Though, it depends on many factors - i'ma  'warm' sleeper, so can get away with  a lighter weight bag , my wife prefers a warmer bag in the same conditions

Thanks for the advice, we have puchased the kids some season 3 mummy bags today which should be fine for starters. Very easy to get carried away with spending setting up this camping kit!!! Trying to be sensible but many people have said get decent bags that are at least season 3.

Thanks again all