While usually associated with camping, sleeping bags can be used for anything from children's indoor sleepovers to extreme wilderness excursions. The design, materials and price vary as widely as the possible use for the sleeping bag.
While indoor and summer car camping may be fine for square, inexpensive, cotton-filled sleeping bags, outdoor use will require bags of synthetic or down fill as well as a water resistant exterior.
Bag shape can be rectangular with a capability for two bags to be zipped together to mummy style bags which tend to be lighter and give more thermal protection while also being more cramped and allowing less movement.
As with any sporting equipment, how the bag will be used will dictate some of the decisions on material and design.
What to Look for
Most manufacturers list a comfort zone of temperatures for their sleeping bags, but due to a lack of industry standards, the temperatures listed should be taken as a rough estimate. Temperature ratings for sleeping bags assume a sleeping pad for insulation from ground heat loss is being used.
Synthetic fill is more water resistant than down as well as less expensive. Down fill is lighter (a big consideration in hiking) and can be warmer as long as it is kept dry.
Bag shape is basically either rectangular to give more wiggle room or mummy style. With "square" or rectangular bags, there is room to maneuver but added weight, while the mummy style bag has advantages of less weight and more warmth but the sleeper may feel cramped.
Since sleeping bags are often stored for long periods, a hanging bag for the sleeping bag is a good option to keep the material from bunching up or compressing and thus losing some thermal storage. Water proof covers and a hood to keep heat loss from a person's head are also good items. A wet sleeping bag may actually give less thermal protection than no bag at all and most of a person's heat loss is from the head, so a hood with pull-string closure can help keep in precious warmth.
Common Pitfalls
No one style of sleeping bag will suit all activities. Extended hiking may make weight the biggest consideration while occasional sleepovers and car camping will be as well served by a heavier, roomier sleeping bag. A down, mummy style bag will fit one venue while a cotton, rectangular bag will be fine for the other.
Sizing for sleeping bags normally goes from the foot to shoulder and doesn't count hood length. There should be enough length to have some freedom of movement.
Finally, getting the warmest sleeping bag possible won't necessarily fill the bill. It can be just as uncomfortable being too warm and sweating as not having enough protection from the cold.
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