Sleeping bags are essential whenever you’re going on an outdoors trip that will last more than a few hours. Even if you’re hiking or camping in a relatively warm area, you’re still going to need one once the night settles in, since the temperatures can drop fast. Especially for lady adventurers, comfort is important, which is why the bag your sleep in must be the perfect one for you.

But choosing the best sleeping bag for women isn’t so easy; since different features can cater to different preferences and needs. To avoid confusion, here is everything you need to know when you set out to buy a female sleeping bag. The weight, the insulation levels, the comfort, the way it opens or closes and all other aspects you should take into account. Before getting into those, we’ll start as usual with our top of the best picks of ladies sleeping bags.

How To Choose A Women’s Sleeping Bag – Buying Guide

Still confused? Here are the main features to look at when shopping for women’s sleeping bags.

Warmth

The warmth you need from a sleeping bag depends on where you plan to go camping. If you’re heading out on a hiking or camping trip in winter, then you need to choose your sleeping bag carefully. Cold temperatures are not to be taken lightly, since it can quickly become a life-or-death situation. Our recommendation is to opt for a heavy sleeping bag that can be adjusted by taking out some of the warmth from it. This way you can be sure you’re covered in most situations.

Weight

The weight of the sleeping bag can become a problem if you’re backpacking your way through the outdoors space. If the weight of everything adds up to what you actually need to carry, then you should definitely go for a womens lightweight sleeping bag. There are some designed for really cold weather which still manage to stay light, so you’re covered even if you’re going on a winter trip.

Comfort

Comfort can mean different things to different people, but these are the main aspects to watch out for. The softness of the fabric inside the sleeping bag is important, even if you think the clothes that you’ll wear during the night will shield you from a rough texture.

Also, pay attention to how much leg room you have in the female sleeping bag you choose. At first it may not seem important, but it can get frustrating after a while if you can’t change sleeping positions easily.

Durability

The durability of the sleeping bag is more or less directly related to the quality of the fabrics and the brand that manufactures it. The best women’s sleeping bags on the market should last you around 3-4 years with several trips per year. After this period of time, you might begin to notice small signs of tear and wear and a general feeling that it’s getting colder in the bag, but this doesn’t mean that your sleeping bag will actually not be usable anymore.

This time frame of 3-4 years is expected for synthetic sleeping bags, while natural down sleeping bags are expected to last for up to 15 years without a drop in their level of warmth. The best women’s sleeping bag options on the market are made from a combination of both types of fabric. This is why you can expect yours to last anywhere from 4 to 15 years, with minor signs of damage accumulating over this period.

Some consumers even report happily using their sleeping bags for 10 or 15 years, as long as they picked a really good one to begin with. The best way to predict a long durability is by checking out the price tag: sadly, the longer-lasting items are also the most expensive.

Features

Extra features are not a must, but they’re welcome when they fit your needs and preferences. A media pocket is a nice addition to your sleeping bag if you tend to read a bit or browse your phone before falling asleep.

Compression

If you’re backpacking, it’s important to save valuable space by choosing a sleeping bag which compresses well. The label of the sleeping bag you consider buying should clearly mention to what dimensions it compresses to.

Size

The size of the sleeping bag you choose should reflect you own personal size, as well as how much leg room you want to have in it. Some people prefer a snug fit when they sleep, since it makes them feel safer and all tucked in. Others prefer extra space inside for tossing and turning, as long as this doesn’t affect the temperature and it’s still warm enough.

The best women’s sleeping bag options tend to be on the generous side of sizes. Our recommendation is to avoid choosing one which is too tight; you never know when you need to add an extra mid-layer or when your body size changes. A little extra room is always welcome.

Temperature Ratings

All sleeping bags should clearly mention what temperatures they can withstand without loss of warmth. Choose one according to your travel plans and make sure you have good mid-layers with you just in case.

Insulation

The main two types of insulation in women’s sleeping bags (or sleeping bags in general) are down and synthetic. Both have its merits: down is warmer and lasts longer, while synthetic also protects you from moisture and the elements but has a shorter life span. Most of the options on our top above have some combination of both types of insulation.

FAQs

Q: How Do I Check A Sleeping Bag For Durability?

A: First of all, check the label details to see the material that the female sleeping bag you’re considering is made of. If it’s made from natural down, you can expect it to last as long as 10 to 15 years without losing its warmth, but it won’t be moisture resistant so you might be reluctant to go for a pure down sleeping bag.

If the sleeping bag you’re interested in is made from synthetic fibers, then you can only expect to last 3 to 4 years in pitch perfect form. After this time, you may begin to notice that the sleeping bag is not as warm as it used to be, but it can still be usable in less cold conditions. In other words, your 4-season sleeping bag can become a 3-season sleeping bag, for example.

Of course, to be able to predict the durability of your sleeping bag even better, it’s always worth checking if it comes with a commercial guarantee. As long as you get one, that will make it clear as daylight for long you can expect your sleeping bag to work flawlessly.

Q: How To Choose A Lightweight Sleeping Bag?

A: If you plan on backpacking your way through a camping trip and everything you take with you will be carried on your person, then you should really pay attention to both the weight and the size of the female sleeping bag you choose. Usually, these are written on the specifications of the product before you buy it.

A reasonable low weight that you can hope for in a good sleeping bag for women is about 4 lbs. You should also be mindful of how much space the sleeping bag occupies when compressed, if you need to carry it at all times.

Globo Surf Overview

We hope that you feel more prepared now to choose the best women’s sleeping bag for your needs. Our editors recommend going for a flexible option whenever you’re in doubt: heavy insulation and warmth, but with a type of quit that allows you to adjust the temperature. This way, you can make sure that no matter how cold it gets, you’re still prepared to make the most of it. Enjoy your trip!

Sources

1. Outdoor Safety Tips, Fs.fed.
2. Outdoor Safety in Winter Weather, CDC.gov.

What kind of women’s sleeping bags have you used so far? Do you have a great experience or a not so great one worth sharing? Do you have a favorite brand for women’s sleeping bags or a go-to model for them? Let the other members of the Globo Surf Community know in the comment section below! We could all use learning from each other.