Sleeping Bag Buying Guide
Sleeping Bag Buying Guide
Struggle to sleep when you’re camping? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Lots of people have trouble sleeping when they’re camping and, more often than not, it’s down to using the wrong sleeping bag. With so many to choose from, it’s easy to pick one that’s too warm or not warm enough. Thankfully, our Sleeping Bag Buying Guide is here to help.
Sleeping Bag Buying Guide: Insulated Filling
The warmth of a sleeping bag is determined by the amount of filling inside it which is measured in grams per square metre (GSM). Basically, the thicker the filling, the warmer the sleeping bag. Sleeping bags with a synthetic hollowfibre filling are ideal for warmer weather, whereas those designed for colder weather are usually stuffed with heavy downing.
Sleeping Bag Buying Guide: Season Rating
All our sleeping bags have a season rating which indicates how suitable they are for the time of year you’re camping. Although there are other factors that can affect your warmth and comfort, including the temperature inside your tent, a season rating is the best guide to follow.
1 Season (100gsm to 150gsm)
Sleeping bags with a one season rating are the lightest type available and are perfect for using when the weather is uncomfortably hot and sticky. Because the UK has a cooler climate, most people prefer to use a two season sleeping bag if they’re camping during the summer.
2 Season (150gsm to 250gsm)
Sleeping bags with a two season rating are slightly thicker than a one season sleeping bag and a great choice for summer camping in the UK. However, if the weather’s warm enough, you can use a two season sleeping bag during the late spring and early autumn.
3 Season (250gsm to 350gsm)
Sleeping bags with a three season rating are perfect for using during the spring and autumn months, as well as cooler nights throughout the summer. Also, if the winter months are mild enough, there’s no reason you shouldn’t be able to use a three season sleeping bag.
4 Season (350gsm to 450gsm)
If the temperature inside your tent is bitingly cold, opt for a four season sleeping bag. They’re thicker and heavier than other types of sleeping bag for optimum warmth and comfort. Despite being great for frosty conditions, they’re best avoided beyond the winter.
Sleeping Bag Buying Guide: Comfort Rating
All of our sleeping bags have a comfort rating to give you a clearer idea of how warm they are to sleep in. When the temperature inside a sleeping bag is within the Comfort Range, it will provide optimum warmth and comfort. However, if the temperature inside a sleeping bag drops below the Comfort Range, it will enter the Extreme Temperature Range and be too cold to sleep in. Likewise, if the temperature inside a sleeping bag climbs above the Comfort Range, it will reach its Comfort Limit and be too warm to sleep in. As a rule of thumb, you should never use a sleeping bag if it climbs five degrees below or five degrees above its Comfort Range.
Our Sleeping Bags
By now, you should have a good idea of the key features to look out for when choosing a sleeping bag. But, seeing as we’re kindly souls, we’re going to make your decision even easier by giving you a definitive rundown of all the sleeping bags in our collection.
Envelope Sleeping Bag
For summer camping, look no further than our Envelope Sleeping Bag which has a 200gsm hollowfibre filling and a Comfort Range of 10˚C to 20˚C. Additional features include a two way zipper to regulate the temperature and an internal pouch to keep valuables by your side.
- Season Rating: 2 Season
- 200gsm hollowfibre filling
- Breathable 170T polyester shell
- Comfort Range: 10˚C to 20˚C
- Anti-snag 2-way zipper
- Internal storage pouch for valuables
- Compression storage sack
- Size: L190cm x W75cm (approx.)
£16.99
Hooded Sleeping Bag
After something a little warmer? With a 250gsm hollowfibre filling and Comfort Range of 0˚C to 10˚C, our Hooded Sleeping Bag is a perfect option. As well as a snug drawstring hood for extra warmth and comfort, it comes with a compression sack to easily store and carry.
- Season Rating: 3 Season
- 250gsm hollowfibre filling
- Breathable 190T polyester shell
- Comfort Range: 0˚C to 10˚C
- Snug drawstring hood
- Anti-snag 2-way zipper
- Compression storage sack
- Size: L220cm x W75cm (approx.)
£21.99
Alpine 400 Sleeping Bag
Sleeping bags don’t get any warmer than the Alpine 400. With its snug drawstring hood and double-filled 400gsm hollowfibre filling, it’s incredibly warm and comfy to sleep in. Also, it’s been specially designed with offset stitching to form a stronger barrier from the cold and minimise heat loss. As a result, it’s a perfect choice for autumn and winter camping
- Season Rating: 3 to 4
- Double-filled 400gsm hollowfibre filling
- Breathable 190T polyester shell
- Offset stitching to minimise heat loss
- Comfort Range: -5˚C to 5˚C
- Snug drawstring hood
- Anti-snag 2-way zipper
- Compression storage sack
- Size: L220cm x W75cm (approx.)
£34.99
Mummy Sleeping Bag
With a comfort range of -5˚C to 5˚C, our Mummy Sleeping Bag is lovely and snug to sleep in. Unlike our other sleeping bags, it has a tapered shape which is narrower at the feet to keep you tightly cocooned and improve your warmth and comfort. Plus, it has a plush drawcord hood.
- Season Rating: 3 Season
- 300gsm hollowfibre filling
- Breathable 190T polyester shell
- Comfort Range: -5˚C to 5˚C
- Snug drawstring hood
- Anti-snag 2-way zipper
- Internal storage pouch for valuables
- Compression storage sack
- Size: L220cm x W80cm/40cm (approx.)
£24.99
Cotton Flannel Sleeping Bag
If you crave a bit of home comfort when you’re camping, you’ll fall head over heels for our Cotton Flannel Sleeping Bag. Unlike our other sleeping bags, it has a 100% cotton flannel lining, making it luxuriously soft to sleep in. Also, it’s double quilted with offset stitching to reduce heat loss and keep you exceptionally warm and snug. Not only is it perfect for using during the spring and autumn, but it’s a top choice for cooler summer and milder winter nights.
- Season Rating: 3 Season
- Double quilted 300gsm hollowfibre filling
- Durable embossed 210T polyester shell
- Luxurious 100% cotton flannel lining
- Comfort Range: -5˚C to 15˚C
- Snug drawcord hood
- Anti-snag 2-way zipper
- Internal storage pouch
- Compression storage sack
- Size: 220cm x 85cm (approx.)
£44.99
Double Sleeping Bag
Planning a romantic camping trip? Look no further than our Double Sleeping Bag. Perfect for two people, it has a 200gsm hollowfibre filling with a Comfort Range of 0˚C to 10˚C. In addition, you can convert it into two single sleeping bags when you want a bit of peace and quiet.
- Season Rating: 2 Season
- 200gsm hollowfibre filling
- Breathable 190T polyester shell
- Comfort Range: 0˚C to 10˚C
- Anti-snag 2-way zipper
- Internal storage pouch for valuables
- Compression storage sack
- Size: L200cm x W150cm (approx.)
£34.99
Cotton Flannel Double Sleeping Bag
Searching for a double sleeping bag that’s luxuriously warm and snug to sleep in? If the answer’s yes, our Cotton Flannel Double Sleeping Bag is a perfect option. Because it’s double quilted with offset stitching, it’s excellent at reducing heat loss and keeping out the cold. Plus, it has a 100% cotton flannel lining for a cosy ‘home comfort’ feel. As with all our double sleeping bags, it can also be converted into two singles if you’re desperate for a bit of space at night.
- Season Rating: 3 Season
- Double quilted 300gsm hollowfibre filling
- Durable embossed 210T polyester shell
- Luxurious 100% cotton flannel lining
- Comfort Range: -5˚C to 15˚C
- Snug drawcord hood
- Anti-snag 2-way zipper
- Internal storage pouch
- Compression storage sack
- Size: 220cm x 150cm (approx.)
£69.99
Kids Envelope Sleeping Bag
For little campers aged 4 to 12 years old, look no further than our Kids Envelope Sleeping Bag. With a a 200gsm hollowfibre filling and Comfort Range of 10˚C to 20˚C, it's a perfect choice for summer camping. Also, it’s smaller than our other sleeping bags to keep children extra snug.
- Season Rating: 2 Season
- 200gsm hollowfibre filling
- Breathable 170T polyester shell
- Comfort Range: 10˚C to 20˚C
- Anti-snag 2-way zipper
- Internal storage pouch for valuables
- Compression storage sack
- For age 4-12 years old (5ft max height)
- Size: L160cm x W65cm (approx.)
£12.99
Kids Mummy Sleeping Bag
With its 300gsm hollowfibre filling, our Kids Mummy Sleeping Bag is a top choice for cooler weather. Coupled with its snug mummy shape, it has an elasticated hood to deliver exceptional warmth and comfort. Plus, it comes with a backpack-style bag for little campers to easily carry.
- Season Rating: 3 Season
- 300gsm hollowfibre filling
- Breathable 190T polyester shell
- Comfort Range: -5˚C to 5˚C
- Anti-snag 2-way zipper
- Internal storage pouch for valuables
- Compression storage sack
- For ages 4-12 years old (5ft max height)
- Size: L170cm x W70cm/50cm (approx.)
£24.99
Polycotton Sleeping Bag Liners
Sleeping bags are big and bulky which makes them difficult to clean. Thankfully, you can place a sleeping bag liner inside a sleeping bag to keep it nice and fresh. Because the liner is made from lightweight polycotton, it’s easier to stuff inside a washing machine and regularly clean. Also, if it’s too hot and humid to sleep in a sleeping bag, you can use a liner on its own instead.
At Trail, we stock an envelope sleeping bag liner and a mummy sleeping bag liner.
£12.99
Microfleece Sleeping Bag Liners
Fleece sleeping bag liners are made from 150gsm microfleece material which has similar properties to wool. As a result, they’re incredibly warm and snug to sleep in. By placing one inside a sleeping bag, you can easily increase your level of insulation. For example, placing one inside a 3 season sleeping bag will turn it into a 4 season sleeping bag for winter camping.
At Trail, we stock a fleece liner to fit inside our hooded and envelope sleeping bags.
£17.99