How to choose the best sleeping bag with Sea To Summit

There is no such thing as a sleeping bag that fits everyone: you have to find the right one for yourself.

A good sleeping bag will allow you to rest properly and recover the energy you need to continue to explore the world, and accompany you on nighttime adventures in the years to come.
For this reason there is much more to consider besides reviews or budget when choosing this essential ally.
Here is everything you should consider when choosing this sleep buddy.

The type of adventure
You have to choose it according to the type of outdoor activity you are going to perform.
Cross the Appalachian Trail? The bag should be as light and compact as possible, that’s why it is best to prefer the sleeping bags of the Spark and Flame range.
Do you go on a kayak trip? It is better to choose a synthetic and technical bag, like those of the Trailhead and Quest range. They could be the best insurance policy against wet weather.

Heat

The sleeping bag has only one mission: to keep us alive by protecting us from hypothermia and other cold-related injuries. Once you have secured yourself for survival, you need to make sure that the sleeping bag is warm enough to keep us from shaking all night long. The poor quality of sleep makes some outdoor experiences quite exhausting. And on more technical expeditions, fatigue is definitely dangerous.
Temperature evaluations according to the EN scale – the most standardized independent test in the industry and supported by the most reputable outdoor designers – are the best solution to choose a sleeping bag of the right temperature range. It allows you to identify the sleeping bag that will keep you warm enough at the lowest temperature you intend to sleep in.
Most men should refer to the lower limit rating for this. While women, who usually sleep a few degrees more than men, should refer to the Comfort rating.

Weight

There is a reason why some people are obsessed with grams: when you carry all your gear on a mountain for several days, all that weight adds up. And it really does!
The sleeping bags with the best heat/weight ratio are the down ones. A bag with synthetic padding can be just as warm, but normally it will be heavier and bulkier to get the same temperatures as a bag with feather padding.
The higher the Loft number, the more compact and light will be your bag with the same heat. A padded Loft 650+ bag is a great choice for camping by car, but a Loft 750+ and 850+ will be the best choice for fast and light shipping.

Expert tip

If you’re choosing a down sleeping bag, choose one that uses hydrophobic down of ethical origin. In Sea to Summit, Rds (Responsible Down Standard) certified Ultra-Dry down jackets are used and all clients receive an authentication certificate. Rds certification requires third-party assessments to ensure animal welfare throughout the entire supply chain.

Here are two examples from Sea To Summit to better calibrate your sleep!

Quest QuI
Designed for women to provide extra warmth where needed (insulation in thicker footbox for warm feet) Quest is packed with technical features in a simple and uncomplicated design.
The full-length zipper on the right side allows you to open the sleeping bag and use it as a quilt, while a second slider provides increased ventilation and versatile temperature control.
The perfect feature-rich and value-oriented synthetic sleeping bag for weekend warriors and new campers.

Ascent AcII
Get ready for the unpredictable with the adaptable sleeping bags from the Ascent series: perfect for most adventures. Light, warm, comfortable and, above all, adaptable. If you’re looking for warmth, just close all the zippers, pull the laces to drag everything inside and relax in total comfort. The generous 750+ Loft Down’s high quality fittings provide excellent insulation, while oversized draught tubes prevent body heat from escaping. The lined footbox and three-dimensional hood ensure you don’t compress the down jacket when you’re trying to stay warm.