Compact Sleeping Bag - Is it good for you ?
When you are out in the great outdoors, you really don't need all that extra weight to slow you down. You have so many things to carry with you such as canned goods, clothes and hiking equipment that you can't afford your sleeping bag to be that heavy anymore. The good thing though is that the use of compact sleeping bag is becoming a lot more popular nowadays with so many manufacturers taking into consideration the weight of their sleeping bags.
Down or Synthetic
The very first dilemma when it comes to purchasing lightweight sleeping bags is whether they should be made with down or synthetic material. You can always go for synthetic sleeping bags but I really do feel that down filled sleeping bags is the best way to go in this criteria.
The first reason why is because sleeping bags made of down material have the tendency to compress easier which provides for ease when it comes to fitting the sleeping bag into your backpack.
Secondly, down filled sleeping bags tend to be lighter than those of the synthetic kind. Because you will more or less be lugging the entire thing with you, you will have to really take into consideration the weight of your sleeping bag or else it's going to be backaches for you.
Lastly, there is a considerable difference between down filled sleeping bags and synthetic kinds when it comes to the warm and comfort that they provide. You may be roughing it out but that doesn't mean that you have to be uncomfortable.
Down Filled Sleeping Bag Considerations
The problem with down sleeping bags is that when they get wet, they become useless. This is why you have to take extra precautions against this. The best is to purchase a waterproof, compressible stuff sack. This stuff sack will keep your sleeping bag dry especially in a wet environment. But other than this, it also allows your sleeping bag to be even more compressed than it already is. And for this ability to shrink your sleeping bag further, your stuff sack won't add considerable weight which makes it a valuable tool.
Care for Your Sleeping Bag
So you have your sleeping bags already, but according to how you use it, sleeping bags have different life spans. If you want your investment to be a good one, you also have to fulfill your end of the bargain.
Always air through your sleeping bag. Exposing your bag fully under the heat of the sun also works great for killing all those odor-causing bacteria that you do not want to be in your bag the next time you use it for a camping or hiking trip.
If you aren't using your sleeping bag, make sure that you have it stored in a big storage sack so that it can breathe while it's being tucked away.
Never dry clean your compact sleeping bag. This will strip your sleeping bag of essential oils. If you need to wash it, use a down-specific detergent. If you don't find one, a mild soap will do.