Sleeping Bag Guide: Temperature Ratings, Fill Types, and Selection¶

A cold night in a bad sleeping bag can end a trip. This guide covers temperature rating standards (EN/ISO), down vs. synthetic fill, fill power, shapes (mummy, quilt, semi-rectangular), sizing, and how to match your sleeping bag to your destination's conditions. Includes a temperature rating comparison table.

Introduction¶

Sleep Quality = Trip Quality¶

Temperature Ratings¶

EN/ISO Testing Standard¶

Comfort vs. Lower Limit vs. Extreme¶

How to Choose Your Rating¶

Fill Types¶

Down — Fill Power, Hydrophobic Treatment¶

Synthetic — Continuous vs. Short-Staple¶

Down vs. Synthetic Comparison¶

Shapes¶

Mummy — Maximum Warmth-to-Weight¶

Quilt — Ultralight Philosophy¶

Semi-Rectangular — Comfort vs. Efficiency¶

Features¶

Hood Design¶

Zipper Length and Placement¶

Draft Collar and Tubes¶

Foot Box¶

Sleeping Pads — The Other Half¶

R-Value Explained¶

Inflatable vs. Foam¶

Care and Longevity¶

Washing Down Bags¶

Storage¶

Temperature Rating Comparison Table¶

Budget Recommendations¶