How to Choose The Perfect First Ascent Sleeping Bag

Whether you're prepping to summit Mt Kilimanjaro or, planning an overnight hike in your local mountain range—the First Ascent sleeping bag range has been developed with every type of adventure in mind, despite the weather forecast.
First Ascent - How to choose a sleeping bag

Choosing the correct sleeping bag for your next adventure can make all the difference! From keeping you warm and comfortable to even protecting your life - always ensure you have the right sleeping bag for your outdoor activity. Find out more about the different benefits of the these excellent First Ascent sleeping bags below.


Understanding the importance of INSULATION 

The human body is designed to maintain a constant core temperature of around 37°C. To aid one’s body in maintaining this temperature, you will need to provide yourself with the right type of insulation. The ambient air temperature usually determines how you will keep yourself warm (such as using extra clothing, covers like blankets or sleeping bags and shelters, such as buildings, tents or natural nooks). As the ambient air temperature decreases, the ability of materials or structures to keep you insulated and warm also decreases, which affects the ability of your body to maintain a constant 37°C.

Sleeping outside of our snug and warm beds should never be taken lightly. The most common way to keep yourself warm when you go hiking and camping is by using the right clothing along with the correct sleeping bag , mattress and/or tent. However, with so many different factors involved, such as temperature ratings, fill type, shell type, shape type and weight, choosing the correct sleeping bag can be a tricky task! 

Start by asking WHERE you will be using your sleeping bag

Weather is incredibly hard to predict ahead of your adventure – especially in South Africa. One moment you may be enjoying the warm sunshine and the next you could find yourself in icy clouds, rain and high winds. On top of the unpredictable weather, one needs to consider the usual day – night temperature fluctuations - which can swing wildly from boiling hot days to a freezing nights - even in summer. or spring! Therefore it is very important to understand the environment which you will be sleeping in and what the expected weather forecast could be - taking into account different scenarios that you may encounter.

Think about how LONG YOU will be HIKING OR CAMPING FOR

If you are a seasoned adventurer, you will appreciate the importance of not carrying too much weight or having to make compromises on what to take vs what to leave.

One item you should never compromise on is the sleeping bag you take with you. On any adventure - good quality sleep and comfort while trekking is extremely important.

How do TEMPERATURE RATINGS work

Each of our sleeping bags has a specific temperature rating that is determined primarily by the sleeping bag filling (down or synthetic).

Sleeping bag temperature rating

Comfort

Transition

Extreme


Example of a temperature rating



Comfort
— Based on a person having the most comfortable night's sleep possible.

Lower Limit — Based on what the lowest temp. will be to have a comfortable night's sleep.

Extreme — The minimum temperature at which a human can survive for six hours without the risk of death from hypothermia (though frostbite or other health-risks are still possible).

It is also good to remember that these ratings are based on the user wearing one long, thermal underwear layer, a beanie and sleeping on a single 2.5 cm thick foam pad.

Which Sleeping Bag is best for you?

Considering all of the above, you will be more clued up on what your sleeping bag preference is. Below is a range of various options to choose from.

The Ice Breaker Down Sleeping Bag - the backpackers best friend

Whether you are sleeping on top of a mountain range, or backpacking through Europe during the colder seasons, the Ice Breaker is the best choice for all-round use. Featuring a comfort rating of -3⁰C. If you are looking for a smaller alternative to the Ice Breaker down sleeping bag, it is worth also looking at the Ice Nino, which is designed with the same features as the Ice Breaker, but for smaller framed people.

First Ascent - Ice Breaker Sleeping Bag

Ice Breaker Down Sleeping Bag

The Amplify 1500 Synthetic Sleeping Bag - Multi-Purpose Sleeping Bag

Often we need a sleeping bag for more than one type of adventure or occasion. The Amplify 1500 Synthetic Sleeping Bag, is the ideal companion for all seasons. Elastic stitching makes this sleeping bag particularly comfortable, as well as cosy with it fitting to the body with its snug-fitting design that helps to trap heat during colder evenings. Benefits include minimized heat loss, as well as easy mobility ease of mobility when needed. The comfort rating for the Amplify 1500 is 5⁰C. Synthetic fill also has the added advantage of being easier to clean and quicker drying than down.

First Ascent - Amplify 1500 Synthetic Sleeping Bag

Amplify 1500 Synthetic Sleeping Bag


The Explorer Sleeping Bag - Light, Convenient & Perfect for On-The-Go Adventures

If you are a regular traveller and always moving from one place to another, it can become tiring carting a heavy sleeping bag around with you - the Explorer Sleeping Bag is great for solving this problem. It is compact and light, making your travel movements a breeze. With a comfort rating of 5⁰C, ensures optimal warmth as well as light for travel. the Explorer down sleeping bag offers warmth, along with its lightweight design for hassle-free travels.


First Ascent - Explorer Down Sleeping Bag

Explorer Down Sleeping Bag


The Amplify Down Light Sleeping Bag - Easy Summer Hiking Bag

A summer adventure, that allows you to sleep under the stars and take in the night sky, calls for a comfortable companion. The Amplify down Light Sleeping bag is exceptionally lightweight at only 595g, but will still keep you warm. With a comfort rating of 9⁰C the Amplify Down light, will keep you cozy under the evening sky.

First Ascent - Amplify Down Light Sleeping Bag

Amplify Down Light Sleeping Bag


The Compact Down Blanket - Hutted hikers and a campfire companion throw-over

While it may not be a sleeping bag, the Compact Down Blanket provides superior warmth and follows the principles of ultra-lightweight hiking. Ideal for when a sleeping bag is not preferred, hutted hikes where a sleeping bag is not required or even as a campfire companion. The Down Blanket is extremely compact, packing up into its internal stuff bag for easy storage.

First Ascent - Compact Down Blanket

Compact Down Blanket

It is extremely important not to underestimate the temperature of your chosen destination, as even in the summer months, the evenings can be freezing despite how hot the days are. Being comfortable and getting enough sleep on your outings is extremely important, and you need to make sure you have the correct inner, as well as the best shape and filling for your sleeping bag for maximum benefits.




First Ascent - How to choose a sleeping bag


Browse all our First Ascent Sleeping Bags for your next adventure here!



Article Source: First Ascent