What should you pay attention to when using a sleeping bag for outdoor camping in winter? First, prepare a high-quality moisture-proof mat. Anyone who often goes camping knows that if cold air seeps up from the ground directly to your back, the cold will be unbearable. If the sleeping bag is not warm enough, you can put on more clothes, or cover the sleeping bag with clothes and other items. Soft clothing like fleece jackets can also be stuffed into the sleeping bag to fill the gaps between the sleeping bag and your body. Generally speaking, the temperature ratings provided by manufacturers are measured in relatively ideal environments and for people with good physical fitness—you should keep this in mind when choosing and buying a sleeping bag, and it’s better to be conservative in your choice.

There are usually three ways to label a sleeping bag’s temperature ratings:

Single temperature label: Typically, this temperature represents the extreme temperature rating of the sleeping bag. Using the sleeping bag below this temperature may be dangerous, and the actual comfort temperature of the sleeping bag varies from person to person.

Two-temperature label: Usually, these two temperatures refer to the sleeping bag’s extreme temperature rating and maximum temperature rating (or extreme temperature rating and comfort temperature rating). The maximum temperature rating generally means that using the sleeping bag normally at this temperature will feel too hot.

Three-temperature label: This includes the extreme temperature rating, comfort temperature rating, and maximum temperature rating.

Now, do you know the correct ways to use a sleeping bag in winter?

The general principles for using a sleeping bag are: fire prevention, moisture prevention, and hygiene. Smoking inside the sleeping bag is prohibited, and the sleeping bag should be kept away from campfires. If it gets damp or after use, it should be aired or dried in time.

Buy a thin sleeping bag liner separately to use inside a down sleeping bag. This way, even if you get dirty, the liner will get dirty first, and it will be much easier to clean.

Use the sleeping bag together with a high-quality moisture-proof mat—this is extremely important. Because the volume of a down sleeping bag shrinks when pressed, the part under your body during camping will become very thin. If the moisture-proof mat is too thin, cold air will seep up from the ground directly to your back, and the cold will be unbearable.

Do not put on thick clothes before getting into the sleeping bag; this will actually make you less warm. Putting on a set of long thermal underwear and pants before getting into the sleeping bag will make you very comfortable. However, remember not to wear cotton clothes or pants to sleep in the sleeping bag. If the inside of the sleeping bag gets too hot, sweat will soak the cotton underwear, making it very uncomfortable to stick to your body.

You can fold your warm-layer clothes slightly and put them into the sleeping bag. This way, the clothes won’t feel cold when you put them on the next day. However, do not stuff all your clothes into the sleeping bag—only keep the amount that won’t affect your sleep.

After reading the above introduction to these methods, have you learned how to use a sleeping bag correctly? To learn more about sleeping bags, please follow us!