How to choose a winter sleeping bag (sleeping bag) to make your winter tent comfortable and 8 recommended ones

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2016

Western Mountaineering , Valandre , Feathered Friends , Introduction to Mountaineering , Recommendations , How to Choose , Mont-bell , Rab , Sleeping Bag , ISUKA , NANGA

Written by Yasushi Hisatomi

table of contents

I want to sleep well even in the extreme cold!
table of contents
Things to consider when choosing a winter sleeping bag
8 recommended winter sleeping bags (sleeping bags) from the editorial department

I want to sleep well even in the extreme cold!

When staying in a tent in a winter mountain tent, where it tends to be extremely heavy and bulky, one of the gears you don't want to compromise on is your sleeping bag (both sleeping bags and sleeping bags). It goes without saying that in winter, when your body is exhausted, it is important to restore your physical strength through sleep, but on the other hand, it is also a season when it is difficult to sleep comfortably due to the cold and cold. However, if you choose a good quality sleeping bag, you will surely be surprised at how light it feels like it is floating, even in a tent that is below freezing temperature. If you're not good at it, it's always much better than the environment you sleep in.

The act of choosing a winter sleeping bag properly is not only expensive, but it also requires two knowledge: "good materials" when choosing a down comforter, and "good tools" when choosing excellent outdoor gear, which is quite difficult.

So, this time we will introduce eight points to consider when it comes to winter sleeping bags, which are super-high-end mountain tools, in the first half, and eight gems recommended by the editorial department in the second half. Let's take a look now.

We also recommend this article about sleeping bags.

Things to consider when choosing a winter sleeping bag

Point 1: What shape should you make?

Many introductory and guidebooks explain the differences in shape, such as "mummy-shaped" and "envelope-shaped," but when it comes to choosing a sleeping bag in the winter, there is no need to worry. In winter, the only option is mommy style. The reason is simple: the mummy type is the best choice for the most important points of heat retention and weight. In fact, this model is called a winter sleeping bag (for mountain climbing, such as in tents), so you'll rarely find any other shapes, so don't think about it at all, just use the mummy shape.

The mummy shape doesn't have any extra space along the body lines, so it's light and compact, making it perfect for winter.

Point 2: What kind of padding material should you use?

There are two broad options for insulation materials used as padding for sleeping bags. There are two types: down, which is made from natural materials, and the other is synthetic insulation that reproduces the characteristics of down. In this regard, down is definitely recommended for winter . Of course, if it's a matter of spring to autumn, there are plenty of cases where it is better to choose synthetic fibers because of the strength to wetting, quick drying, and ease of care, which are the benefits of synthetic fibers (I will explain this in a separate article on how to choose a sleeping bag at a later date). However, when it comes to winter, unless you use it for a long time in an environment that is particularly wet and humid, or you don't have a very clear preference, you should definitely choose down first, based on heat retention, comfort, and compactness . Of course, at that time, don't forget to be very careful to avoid getting wet.

Once you decide to choose a down, you should also pay attention to the quality of the down if possible. Among the downs, the European goose down has a large down ball and is highly bulky, and the overall quality is much different than the duck downs . It has excellent heat retention per weight, making it surprisingly warmer than regular down, and also lighter and fluffy. Of course, you have to be prepared for that expense.

Point 3: How much warmer should you want?

Many people, including myself, who grew up in the city, can never imagine how cold or not a night in a tent in a winter mountain. In such a situation, what you can do to choose a sleeping bag appropriately is to first know as much as possible the lowest temperature at the location and time of year you will be staying there . Incidentally, the temperature drops about 0.6°C when the altitude rises by 100m, so if the minimum temperature on flat ground is 6°C, it should be 0°C at the same time at an altitude of 1,000m.

to check the adaptive temperature indicator displayed on most sleeping bags . These are two patterns that are presented by manufacturers based on their own experience and standards , and one that displays a common standard for temperature notation for sleeping bags in the EU, known as the European Gnome (EN13537)

Both should be very useful, but it should be kept in mind that the standard values and displays are guidelines and are merely useful People who are cold may not be able to withstand that standard, and on the other hand, people who are hot or wearing any kind of winter clothing may be able to sleep comfortably in a colder place than the standard standard. In addition, it is naturally influenced by the performance of the sleeping pad (mat), the size and fit of the sleeping bag, and environmental factors such as the outside temperature and humidity.

This is just a reference, but as far as I have experienced, I feel that the EN standard is quite cautious compared to the manufacturer's own standard values. There are times when models with a limit display of "-10" based on the EN standard may feel warmer than models with a limit temperature of "-15" based on the manufacturer's own standard. I haven't seen all manufacturer standard values, so this is just my personal opinion.

What I want to say here is that it is better to assume that there is a wide range of standard values. It is important to choose the right sleeping bag, but the more important thing is to have a variety of drawers to help you survive the cold, such as wearing all kinds of cold gear, throwing gloves that you can't wear into your sleeping bag to fill in the excess space, or wearing a backpack over your sleeping bag . Before you have the experience for the first time, it's a realistic way to find out the most secure standards and limits for yourself, hedging risks, such as using more winter clothing to be careful, and attempting to increase your own withdrawals by trying various trials and error.

Point 4: Water repellent? waterproof? Need for sleeping bag covers

One of the troublesome things about tents in winter mountains is the fact that the inside of the tent is inevitably wet. One of the causes is condensation. Tents are more humid than outside due to steam from cooking and humidity caused by human breathing, and when these are cooled by the outside air, condensation occurs on the inner wall of the tent, causing water droplets and frost to wet the sleeping bag. Another thing is that when snow melts inside the tent to create water, and when snow enters when you enter and exit, before you know it, a puddle of water is formed on the floor of the tent. If your precious down is wet, you'll be out of stock, so make sure to take all your sleeping bags waterproof .

For this reason, the most essential part a sleeping bag cover made of waterproof and breathable material . If you cover your sleeping bag thoroughly with a sleeping bag cover when you sleep, it will not get wet. At this time, it is important that the sleeping bag cover is made of breathable material, which can lead to an unpleasant situation where the sleeping bag gets wet due to the moisture caused by the evaporation of your sweat while you sleep. Another great thing is that by wearing a sleeping bag cover, you can expect a slight increase in heat retention .

However, I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks that it's better to just take a sleeping bag cover that doesn't make any sense to me. So, below, we will consider two water-resistant measures other than the sleeping bag cover, which have been made possible through recent technological innovations.

First of all, water-repellent down sleeping bags do not absorb water, so there's no need to use a sleeping bag cover. It may be tempting to think about this, but unfortunately this is just water-repellent and does not completely prevent wetting . Therefore, a sleeping bag cover is required to be waterproof. However, combined with the water-repellent properties of the outer fabric, it does not allow a certain amount of moisture to ward off, so make a comprehensive judgment based on the location, weather, and dates (personally, I often cut it if it's for about one night in a low-altitude place).

Another thing is how about sleeping bags that use the outer fabric with waterproof and breathable properties? For now, I can say that you certainly don't need a sleeping bag cover. However, simply a sleeping bag made of waterproof and breathable fabric cannot prevent water from flooding through the seams or zippers. Therefore, if waterproofing is strictly necessary, it should be a waterproof sleeping bag with full-scale features such as waterproof zippers and seam tape.

ISUKA Gore-Tex Shrimp Cover Ultra Light Wide Navy Blue 200821

For down sleeping bags that are not wet, the sleeping bag cover is essentially a must-have.

Point 5: What other good features do you have?

Weight and storage capacity

If you're not careful, sleeping bags for harsh winters can be as large as tents for 2-3 people, so there's no doubt that a model that's as light and compact as possible is best. However, the major factors that determine the weight and size are largely due to the performance of the down, so if you are too particular about storage, your wallet will not be able to carry it.

One good thing to know is that the storage size listed in the catalog is only the size when it comes into the included stuff sack. As shown in the photo below, even if it is large when purchased, some items can be stored quite compactly by using a compression sack sold separately .

If the included bag is large enough to have a little space, you can use a compression stuff sack to make it more compact (right edge).

Food

Check how well this part is made, which is so important that it is said that about 80% of your body temperature is dissipated from the neck and head. The actual warmth you feel is completely different depending on whether it has a shape that wraps around the head in a three-dimensional way, a generous amount of down positioned, and a sealing hole without any pressure.

The shape and thickness of the hood vary slightly depending on the brand. All of them are warm, but there may be some likes and dislikes, such as how they are tightened with a drawstring and the area where the face is covered.

shoulder

The neck and shoulders, which require a solid heat just like the head, have a tubular or U-shaped shoulder warmer like a muffler, which means that the heat inside will not escaping, making it much more comfortable. The shape varies depending on the model.

The heat retention around the neck and shoulders also vary in shape. While the shape of the tube tightening with a drawcord makes it easy to adjust, it has advantages and disadvantages, with more parts than the U-shaped ones, resulting in loss in terms of weight.

zipper

There are two points to check on the zipper. One is whether a draft tube filled with padding is placed on the inner line of the zipper to prevent heat from escaping.

The other is whether the zipper will bite into the extremely thin fabric by raising and lowering the zipper, and there is no bite prevention mechanism to prevent the fabric from damaging.

In any case, this is a standard feature for a safer and more comfortable sleeping bag.

The photo shows a zipper that reduces biting, jointly developed by Nanga and YKK. It is smooth and easy to open and close, and is less likely to damage the fabric even if it bites.

Foot silhouette and structure

Whether or not you are taking particular care of your feet's heat retention is important as it can be a very common problem for some people. For those who are particularly concerned, it is a good idea to choose one that has a 3D structure that fits just the overall shape of your body, as well as special ideas such as increasing the amount of lowering your feet.

A large number of feathers are enclosed at the feet, which makes it easy to feel cold. In addition, the three-dimensional structure that matches the shape of your feet keeps the entire foot warm evenly without waste.

Size variations

To sleep warmly, the key is not to create any extra space (dead space) between you and your sleeping bag, and to do this, it is important to choose a sleeping bag that suits your height and body shape. When purchasing, check if there are models with a height or short height type or a variety for women.

Side zipper positions left and right

Generally, it is said that a side zipper on the left side is easier for right-handed people to use. Whichever you choose, it won't have a fatal result, but don't forget to check it out to make it perfect for a perfect feel.

8 recommended winter sleeping bags (sleeping bags) from the editorial department

Taking into account the above checkpoints, we will introduce recommended winter sleeping bags, including models you have already tried, models you would like to experience someday. Most of the same model have a lineup of suitable temperatures, but as a guideline (depending on where you stay), we have used the limit temperature model to be the lowest temperature (around -10 to -15°C) in the harsh winter season in the mountains of Honshu Of course, this is just a guideline, so when purchasing, try adjusting the temperature to the right one for you.

ISUKA Air 630EX

Air 630EX Gold

ISUKA

51,840 yen

1,060g

A long-established sleeping bag brand that has been leading the mountain climbing in Japan for a long time. The high reliability of the craftsmanship is unchanged since its founding, thanks to its careful craftsmanship and its strict and unique standards for both the lab and the field. Made from 800FP white goose down, which is lightweight and has excellent heat retention, it shows its commitment to lightweight, heat retention and compactness, with a three-dimensional structure that is highly efficient in keeping warm, and shoulder warmers that combine light weight and heat retention.

NANGA UDD BAG 630DX

UDD BAG 630DX

NANGA

50,155 yen

1,045g

This model uses the ultra-water-repellent down UDD from a sleeping bag specialist manufacturer that is well known for its thorough commitment to down quality. Down, which has a unique water-repellent coating that allows moisture to pass through but does not absorb water, will prevent you from accidentally getting wet by rain or condensation droplets. In addition, we have an amazing commitment to high quality and confidence in high quality with no gaps, including an amazingly high loft (bulk) thanks to the reliable quality of refined down from domestically refined feathers, a three-dimensional structure that combines heat retention efficiency and fit, and a lifetime warranty with no repair costs.

NANGA AURORA light 600DX

AURORA light 600DX

NANGA

51,321 yen

1,050g

This is a highly functional compact sleeping bag that does not require a sleeping bag, using Aurolatex, a waterproof and breathable material, and does not require a sleeping bag cover. I would have thought that this would be bulkier than a regular sleeping bag, but it is still lightweight and compact, without increasing the volume at all. Since no sleeping bag cover is required, it is quite lightweight and compact. If you have the time, we also recommend the "SPDX model" with even higher quality down.

mont-bell alpine downhugger 800 #0

Alpine Down Hugger 800 #0

mont bell

47,520 yen

1,185g

Montbell is originally well-known for its wide range of down products, including down jackets, so it is sure to have high heat retention and comfort thanks to the high quality 800FP goose down. And above all, the spiral stretch system is ultra-lightweight and compact, yet highly fit and comfortable. It fits firmly even when you move inside the sleeping bag while you sleep, so this mechanism does not create gaps in air, which increases heat retention efficiency. It also looks great when you can "wear" a sleeping bag while walking across your legs.

Western Mountaineering Antelope MF

Antelope MF

Western Mountaineering

89,640 yen

1,105g

Western Mountaineering, a world-leading manufacturer known as one of the world's leading down specialists, continues to hand-made production at its own factory in San Jose, and its reliability in quality continues to be proven by outdoor enthusiasts around the world. It is made from the finest quality white goose down, making it an ultra-comfortable sleeping experience, while using a lightweight, water-repellent outer fabric, making it easy to use.

Valandre Bloody Mary

Bloody Mary

Valandre

98,900 yen

1,073g

Vallandre is well-known as a leading down manufacturer not only in France but also in Europe, and is the first to attract attention with its outstanding quality of grey goose, which grew up in the southern part of France, and uses only the best condition down, which is 21 weeks after birth. This top-quality down is trapped in baffles shaped like 83 anatomical shapes, and with ideas, such as removable colors, we have created a light, warm, and versatile model.

Feathered Friends Snowbunting EX 0

Snowbunting EX 0

Feathered Friends

1,276g

From here on, this model is extremely difficult to obtain from Japan, but even so, what's so attractive that you'll want to recommend is the winter sleeping bag from FeatherFriends, a down manufacturer specializing in. The high quality goose down makes it light and warm and keeps you warm, and the high waterproofness of PertexⓇ Shield EX, the outer material, have earned its reliable quality, and its high waterproofness, making it number one on reliable overseas review sites .

Rab NEUTRINO ENDURANCE 600

NEUTRINO ENDURANCE 600

Rab

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1,100g

Rab is now a leading UK comprehensive outdoor and apparel manufacturer that handles many products, but it is actually known as a manufacturer that started out as a down sleeping bag that can withstand the harshest places in the world. There is no way there is a compromise in the quality of the sleeping bags, the company's signature item. The combination of "super water-repellent down" and "outer fabric made of waterproof and breathable material" ensures excellent protection against wetness. The baffle structure that allows for the effective placement of high-quality down, and the close fitting neck baffle that fits perfectly around the neck, as well as the mechanism that increases comfort throughout the rest of the world, are made use of many years of experience and technology.