Sleeping Bag

What is the best sleeping bag to get for camping in the Rocky Mountains?

Should I get a cold weather sleeping bag, or warm weather if I am camping in the summer months? Are higher altitudes colder even in the summer?
Specifically the Colorado area, in a designated campsite in Rocky Mountain National Park. Nothing too wild here (I'm a beginner, lol)...I won't be hiking to the campsite. Thank you for the information, guys!

Here is my opinion. others will disagree, but I don't care. I have lots of experience and I'm an independent old fart. First, Down is warmer than any other insulation. It lasts longer and compresses better. In modern tents you will not have an issue keeping it dry. New fabrics are more water resistant than older shells. So don't believe those critics that say down isn't good because it looses it's insulaation value when wet. In well over 40 years of backpacking and climbing in Washington, Alaska and California I have managed to keep my down dry and am loving it. Next, get a bag that will work for at least three seasons. Next, a limit of 2.2 pounds (1000grams) is maximum you need or want to carry. If price is an issue you might check the REI down Kilo bag. I don't own one, but the reviews are quite good. If price isn't an issue check out Marmot and Western Mountaineering brands. Don't pay much attention to temp. ratings, as they vary by manufacturer. Customer reviews are a better way to evaluate bags. If you purchase quality it will last a long time and you will never regret it when you climb into your comfy bag on a cold night.

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The Advantages of a Down Sleeping Bag

When you are choosing a sleeping bag, one of the major things to consider is the insulation fill type. Sleeping bags are typically made with either synthetic fill or down fill. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, but a down filled sleeping bag is usually the best choice.

Down Sleeping Bags Weigh Less

The weight of your backpack and its contents is crucial when hiking the trails or even climbing a mountain. The more weight you carry, the sooner you will tire out and need a break. A down sleeping bag can make your pack a little lighter. Since a sleeping bag is one of the biggest items you will carry while hiking, this is definitely a good place to save some weight.

A Down Filled Sleeping Bag is Warmer than Synthetic Filled

Surprisingly, no synthetic fills can match down's weight to warmth ratio. Down traps more air and acts as a better insulator than any manmade fibers. When you are camping in cold weather, a warm sleeping bag is a must. You don't want to lose sleep shivering through the night, especially if you need energy for an early morning mountain ascent.

Down Bags Are More Compact

Pack space can be an importance factor when choosing camping gear. A down sleeping bag will compress more to take up less backpack space than a synthetic sleeping bag. That leaves you more room for things like food and extra clothes.

The Disadvantages of a Down Sleeping Bag

Although down sleeping bags have a lot of benefits, there are some drawbacks such as price and versatility.

In wet conditions down may be a poor choice. This is because a wet down bag becomes very compact, providing little insulation. This essentially leaves you with no sleeping bag for the night. To prevent this problem there are down sleeping bags made with water resistant or waterproof material. So you can still get a down bag for kayaking trips or rainy camping.

The only other real drawback is that down sleeping bags tend to be much more expensive than synthetic sleeping bags. You are usually paying for a higher quality sleeping bag when you choose down though.

Conclusion

Unless price is a big concern, down insulation is usually the best choice for sleeping bags. When you choose down, your bag weighs less, you have more room in your pack and you are warmer.

About the Author

Check out Taiga Works for a wide variety of camping gear, including down sleeping bags and Gore-Tex jackets. Buy quality outdoor gear at discount prices.