Ultralight Sleeping Bag

Should You Purchase An Ultralight Sleeping Bag?

Just how light is an ultralight sleeping bag, and is it worth buying one? That all depends on what your camping priorities are. If you’re going to be camping out of your car, you won’t need one of these supper efficient bags. On the other hand, if you’re into ultralight backpacking, a lighter bag is vital. That’s because this kind of backpacking is only possible if you cut down the weight of the big three items you’re bringing with you - shelter, backpack and sleeping bag.

If you’ve ever hiked with a five pound summer bag on your back, you’ll know that it gets annoying after a while. You might prefer to go lighter - many of us do. Fortunately, there are superlight sleeping bags out there that weigh as little as a pound - a few more ounces if you include the stuff sack to compress the bag. However, some of them will even fit in a lightweight bread bag, making it even easier to hike without too much weight.

You might wonder if these bags, as light as they are, are capable of keeping you warm. It varies depending on the bag, but ultralight sleeping bags stuffed with down are extremely insulative, even at temperatures below freezing. Just don’t let them get wet, as water will destroy the insulating properties of the filler. These bags look fragile, and should be handled with care, but they can take more abuse than it first appears. Many of them will last in all kinds of weather and in relatively primitive camping situations. There are even zero degree bags that come in at under three pounds.

Most ultralight sleeping bags have a few features that help them be lighter and warmer. You’ll find that the zippers don’t go all the way down the side of the bag, and most are mummy types, as well. Most will contain a down fill, because this is still the lightest, warmest, most compressible material we have. However, there are also synthetics available for those who have allergies, are camping in wet conditions, or object to animal materials. Some synthetic summer bags come in at a pound or so these days as well.

If you love ultralight camping, one of these light, easily packed bags could be the right choice for you. Take a little bit of time to look at what’s on the market and see if it’ll work for your preferences and the way you camp. Just remember that these bags do require gentle treatment if they’re going to last. However, if you take a little care, you could have a sleeping bag that weighs less than two pounds and still keeps you warm for a long time to come.

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