How to pick the perfect sleeping bag

It's the perfect time of year for camping, but sleeping under the stars can turn miserable without the right equipment. Here's how to pick the perfect sleeping bag for your camping needs.  

With the change of seasons comes the most delightful time of year for camping, the fall. Cooler temperatures make campfires, hay rides, and sleeping under a canopy of stars a treat.

Of course, none of this is much fun if you end up cold and miserable all night — and it all depends on the sleeping bag you choose. Get the right one, and you'll be snug and toasty; get the wrong one, and you'll be shivering all night, even if the temperatures are well above freezing. How do you make the right choice? Here are some factors to consider.

The Right Configuration

Sleeping bags for general camping (as opposed to backpacking bags, which are minimal in weight but maximal in price) come in a couple of basic shapes: rectangular, like this Coleman Palmetto Cool Weather Sleeping Bag ($29.99 with free shipping with REDcard, a low by $3). Or try the semi-rectangular shape, like the Columbia Radiator 40 Semirectangular II Sleeping Bag ($63.73 with free shipping, a low by $26).

The rectangular shape has the advantage of roominess. If you like to sprawl when you sleep, this would be a good choice. The semi-rectangular is cut a little more like the shape of your body, wider at the hips, tapering toward your feet. These bags are a bit warmer, as there is less dead air around your body that you need to warm. If heat is your primary concern, strongly consider this configuration. Some bags also come with a hood that you can pull around your head, a great way to improve your heat retention on a cool night.

The Right Insulation

Most sleeping bags in this class are made of nylon or polyester, light-weight materials that will wear well. The more important material, however, is the insulation they contain. The cheapest bags will be insulated with several layers of cloth, and will feel like a really thick bedspread. But if it becomes wet, it feels like — a wet bedspread. Not a nice way to spend a night.

Most moderately-priced bags are stuffed with a fluffy form of polyester that doesn't absorb moisture, works even when wet, and stands up to abuse. Real goose down, a more expensive material, is used in pricier bags for backpacking because it's lighter and more compressible. However, goose down loses its efficacy when wet, so it isn't a good choice for general camping.

The Right Temperature Range

Bags are broken into several classes depending on the lowest temperatures at which they still work well. A summer bag is typically good to 40 degrees or so. A 3-season bag should keep the sleeper warm in 15- or 10-degree weather, while a cold-weather bag functions down to a crazy -10 degrees. People have a range of temperature tolerances, but no matter your limits, always err on the side of caution. Buy a bag rated well below the lowest temperature you anticipate.

The Right Style for You

Sleeping bags are also available specially configured for women and children. According to REI, women typically need a warmer bag than men — up to 8 degrees warmer, says a recent test. Women's bags, like the Big Agnes Lulu Sleeping Bag ($103.97 with free shipping, a low of $35) are also narrower at the shoulders, more generous at the hips, and feature more insulation for the upper body and feet.

Children's bags are smaller but sometimes have extra features such as a sleeve that can hold a sleeping pad in place while a restless child tosses and turns. Pockets inside or out can keep flashlights and devices handy, and a built-in pillow pocket can be stuffed with extra clothes to cradle the child's head. If you're in the market, give this Eureka Lightning Bug Sleeping Bag ($39.99 with $5.95 s&h) a try.

Camping couples might look for bags that zip together, for double-wide room for cuddling at night.

Other Tips for Staying Warm at Night

The sleeping bag is only one element determining whether you have a cozy night or not. Wearing clean long underwear and socks will help warm you up while wicking sweat effectively. Wearing a stocking cap is also helpful if you don't have a bag with a hood. A sleeping bag liner— a sheet-like pocket that slips inside your sleeping bag, like the Cocoon Nylon MummyLiner ($9.16 with free shipping via Prime, a $6 low) — can stabilize the effective temperature of the bag by as much as 10 degrees. A tent will keep you warmer at night than being exposed to the elements. Eating something before going to bed will also help.

Sleeping out can be a great way to enjoy the autumn weather, and the right sleeping bag is a crucial part of a pleasurable experience. Stay dry and warm, and you'll wake up rested, ready to tear through that corn maze or dominate that morning hike.

Tom Barlow is a contributor to Dealnews.com, where this article first appeared: http://dealnews.com/features/Deals-and-Tips-to-Choose-the-Best-Sleeping-Bag-for-Camping/495770.html