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Materials And Other Considerations For Sleeping Bags

There are many different kinds of fabrics that are being used to make the outer layer of sleeping bags. The choice of fabrics used in making the outer layer of sleeping bags is so diverse because it takes into consideration the different weather conditions that may be experienced when using the sleeping bags outdoors. Basically the level of wind and water resistance vary considerably from one sleeping bag to another so you just have to choose what fits your needs best.

Sleeping Bags Thread Count

The thread count actually dictates level of wind and water resistance. The higher the thread count, the more resistant it is and the more high-tech the filling materials used the lesser is the chance of air moving through the fillings resulting in a drier feeling. This translates to better insulation for you. In general there are five types of materials used for sleeping bag shells; nylon, polyester, microfiber, and dryloft. Among the five, dryloft is considered as the most expensive, then microfiber with polyester considered as the cheapest material used for sleeping bags. Another type of fabric known as ripstop is also very popular because of its strength. It can be made from either nylon or polyester.

Polyester Sleeping Bags

In general polyester fabrics have better waterproofing characteristics compared to nylon fabrics. But, when it comes to weight, polyester is heavier compared to nylon. So it may be quite difficult for a child to carry a polyester sleeping bag even if it will give him better protection against the rain. There is also another fabric based on polyester and it is known as polyester taffeta. It is a variation of this fabric in as much as a polyester ripstop is.

Nylon Fabric Sleeping Bags

In order to increase the ability of nylon fabrics to repel water it is normally sprayed with a special coating by sleeping bag manufacturers. This delivers a certain degree of water resistance although still not comparable to the innate ability of polyester fabrics. The tight weave of nylon fabrics however makes it a better material when it comes to wind resistance. This means that sleeping bag shells using nylon fabrics are relatively warmer compared to polyester ones. Also, ripstop nylon sleeping bags are considered generally more durable than others because of its reinforced threads. The other variant, the nylon taffeta is smooth and silky but is not as strong as the nylon ripstop variety.

Microfiber Fabric Sleeping Bags

When it comes to weight however, microfiber fabrics are generally considered as one of the lightest. They also make use of a comparatively tighter construction which is useful in repelling water. Good breathability is a general characteristic of sleeping bags made from microfiber fabrics. This material used for sleeping bag shells provide a higher level of water resistance as well as wind proofing compared to other fabrics commonly used for sleeping bags. However, when it comes to water resistance, dryloft fabrics are still better than microfiber fabrics.

Dryloft Fabric Sleeping Bags

Dryloft is a material used for sleeping bags that allows more breathability and is considered as highly resistant to water making it one of the most ideal fabrics for sleeping bag shells. However, because of the relatively expensive way of manufacturing it, there are limited number of sleeping bags that make use of this type of material despite being considered as the best kind for virtually any type of weather.

Choosing The Right Sleeping Bag For You

Now that you have a bit of an understanding on the type of material used for sleeping bags, you can look for the best one to suit your needs. However, you must understand that sleeping bag shells are not the only considerations that you have to look into. You must also consider the type of sleeping bag linings. This is perhaps the next most important thing to look into because this will ultimately play a vital part on how comfortable your sleep will be.

What is the use of being weatherproof when you feel like you are sleeping on a rock? So you have to consider that traditionally cheaper sleeping bags have more polyester cotton lining which means that it is not as silky smooth as a nylon taffeta lining. Essentially, what you are looking for is something which will not snag with the clothes that you are wearing so that the sleeping bag will not twist in your sleep.

The more slippery the fabric of the lining is, the better it is for you. So you must also take a look at the lining and not just concentrate on the sleeping bag shell. You must also take into consideration the color of the lining. If the color of the lining is dark, it will help it to absorb heat better allowing your sleeping bag to dry faster in case it gets wet. In considering the material of the sleeping bag lining you should also know that there are some insertions that can be bought to make the inside of the sleeping bag warmer and soft, adding to its overall comfort.

When it comes to insulation for sleeping bags they can normally be categorized as either natural down or man-made synthetic. The decision to get a natural down or man-made synthetic will depend on a number of factors. For one, man-made fibers are relatively less expensive. However, natural down fibers are softer and considered higher quality. You must remember that insulation for sleeping bags determine its performance in various weather conditions which makes it a very important feature that you must not neglect. Majority of sleeping bag fills in the market make use of goose down, duck down, or synthetic fibers.

These different types of fibers are responsible for holding what is known as dead air. The more of this dead air it holds the warmer you will feel when sleeping inside your bag. Essentially the sleeping bag becomes warmer with every pound of weight in relation to the amount of dead air the fibers hold. In the manufacturing process, the insulation material used for sleeping bags is sandwiched between the fabrics used for the sleeping bag shell and the sleeping bag lining. There are various methods used to manufacture sleeping bags but eventually the type of materials used for the sleeping bag shell and sleeping bag lining will have a tremendous weight on its durability and comfort.




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