Side sleeper? These 5 sleeping bags will keep you comfortable on your next camping trip
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ByMasha Vapnitchnaia
A too-snug sleeping bag can make certain positions uncomfortable, but fortunately, there's camping gear designed with side sleepers in mind. The best sleeping bags for side sleepers provide more room for elbows, knees, and feet and have additional features, like a side-facing hood, to enhance your comfort. To find the right option for your needs, there are a few key factors you'll want to consider.
Sleeping bag shape
While classic mummy bags are extremely warm and the most popular style, their snug fit is not as comfortable for side sleepers. To accommodate side sleeping, some brands have made adjustments to the mummy design, including a roomier footbed that can be left open and a side-facing hood. Similarly, a spoon-shaped mummy bag helps seal in body heat but is extra-wide at the elbows and knees. For more space, you may prefer a rectangular sleeping bag with plenty of room to roll from side to side — but they’re bulkier and don’t trap body heat as well as mummy bags. Likewise, some side sleepers favor a no-zipper quilt that you can wrap around yourself like a comforter. This design usually features an insulated footbed that helps retain heat, even if your upper body is not zipped up tightly.
Weight & warmth
A lightweight sleeping bag that’s approximately 2 pounds or less is a good choice for long-distance hiking; heavier bags are better suited for camping trips. The type of insulation — down or synthetic — also plays a role in your sleeping bag’s weight. Down is durable and compressible, and a fill power of at least 600 will offer excellent insulation while remaining lightweight. Synthetic fill is more affordable and a better choice for damp weather, but it will be heavier than down to achieve the same level of warmth.
Finally, the best sleeping bags for side sleepers include lab-tested ISO/EN temperature ratings, which are the lowest temperatures at which an average sleeper will stay warm. If you’re a cold sleeper, use the"comfort rating" as your guide. If you sleep warm, focus on the "lower limit" temperature.
Whether you're camping or backpacking, there are options below in a range of weight and warmth levels that you'll have no trouble toting on your next trip.
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