Choosing the right sleeping bag can mean the difference between a comfortable night’s sleep and a miserable one. Start by asking yourself where and when you’ll use it — how cold it gets, how much weight you can carry, and your budget.
Temperature Ratings:
Treat ratings as guides, not guarantees. “Comfort” is for average users; “extreme” only prevents hypothermia. Your warmth depends on what you wear, your energy levels, and especially your sleeping mat — poor insulation beneath you causes major heat loss.
Down vs Synthetic:
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Down: Lighter, warmer, and more compact — ideal for backpacking. Needs careful maintenance and loses warmth when wet.
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Synthetic: Heavier but cheaper, easier to wash, and better in damp conditions. Best for casual camping or wet climates.
Durability & Care:
Down bags need professional cleaning and careful storage; synthetic bags are hardier and washable at home.
Cost:
Down bags are usually around £100 more due to their complex production and cleaning needs.
Recommendations:
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Car camping / summer trips: Synthetic (e.g., Rab Solar Eco).
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Backpacking / mountaineering: Midweight down (e.g., Mountain Equipment Helium).
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Lightweight racing / ski touring: High-grade down (e.g., Rab Mythic).
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Alpine / expeditions: Weather-resistant down or top-end synthetics (e.g., Rab Neutrino Pro, Mountain Equipment Xenith).
Ultimately, no one bag does it all — choose based on climate, weight, and how often you’ll use it.