Issue link: https://bluemagazine.uberflip.com/i/25128
colu m n: gea r on locati 0 n_ TEXT: JOHN SHAFT I I SLEEPING BAGS TRYING TO SUMMIT KILIMANJARO AFTER HAVING SPENT A COLD, SLEEPLESS NIGHT IN AN INADEQUATE BAG IS NO FUN. THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN BAGS ARE HUGE AND IT CAN BE AN OVERWHELMING PROCESS DECIDING WHICH COMBINATION OF WARMTH, COST, WEIGHT AND SHAPE IS RIGHT FOR YOU. Factors to consider: 1. Temperature ratings. Every bag has a temperature rating that is based on nighttime temperatures. There is no standard scale but 3-season bags are generally rated to 20 degrees F. Remember to consider the altitude and time of year as well as the climate at your destination. But also keep in mind your own personal factors: Do you sleep "warm" or "cold"? A good rule is, take the expected temperature and drop 10 or 20 degrees. This helps avoid the night- mare of stumbling out of a semiwarm bag in the middle of the night in search of more clothes. 2. Fills. there are two insulation choices: down or synthetic. Down packs tighter, lighter and lasts longer than anything else on the market. On the downside (no pun intended), it retains little warmth when wet and takes longer to dry. It is also more expensive, but given its almost unlimited useful life, some consider it a bargain on a per-use basis. Synthetic fillings are improving every year, so you're getting the best on the market. They're trap- ping less air, compressing small er and drying faster when wet. They also offer some warmth when wet, something to be considered if your trip is through wet terrain or involves water sports. 3. Shape. Consider packing size and sleeping style when choosing between mummy, semi-rectangular or rectangu lar shaped bags. Narrow mummy shapes save on space and retain more warmth. Larger, semi-rectangu lar bags take up more room but allow for more maneuvering. Rectangular bags are really too bu lky and heat-inefficient for trekking. 4. Bells and whistles. Hoods, zipper draft tubes and collars are extras you'll pay for, but extras that will keep you warmer and happier in colder weather camping. Also look for cinch straps, hidden pockets and zipper compatibi lity that allow you to double the sleeping area with an additional sleeping bag.