Choosing Kids Sleeping Bags
Adults are not the only ones that go camping during the summer holidays. Many kids look forward to their camping trip because it’s just a lot of fun.
However, kids have different needs to adults when it comes to camping gear and this includes sleeping bags. Kids sleeping bags are not only smaller but the design is also a little bit different. To be more accurate, the design is a little bit simpler.
They’re made of cheaper materials than full-size sleeping bags. Most are filled with synthectics rather than down. It’s fair to assume that if you’re going to invest in a high quality kids sleeping bag it’s not going to be something your children will grow out in a few years.
However, price is not the only reason why synthetics is used instead of down. Synthetics are easier to clean and can be rinsed and washed repeatedly without causing too much damage. This is important especially when your kids are in the nappy years. You’ll rarely ever see kids sleeping bags with down fillings but the Montbell UL Alpine Down Hugger #3 Sleeping Bag is one of the best if you can afford it.
Lower quality kids sleeping bags are more popular. This is probably because kids tend to sleep warmer than adults. They may seem likely to lose more heat than adults while sleeping in the cold because of their smaller bodies, with a bigger surface/volume ratio, but they tend to have a higher metabolic rate.
One particular kids sleeping bag model that has quite good reviews from the likes of Backpacker magazine and Backpackergeartest.org is the “The North Face Tigger +20 Kids’ Sleeping Bag”. Rated at 20 degrees F(-7 degrees C), a lot of people are recommending it at Backpacker’s forums. Draft collars protect the zipper from letting in cold air.
The Tigger is generally known for its warmth and comfort but it also has some important safety features. There are no cords to get tangled in and no way of adjusting the hood or chest section so that it closes off completely.
Other kids sleeping bags recommended by Backpacker magazine which they included in their Annual Gear Guide included bags from Eastern Mountain Sports, Feathered Friends, Ferrino, Integral Designs, Kelty, L.L. Bean, Lafuma, Wenzel, REI, Stephenson-Warmlite, Tough Traveler, Peak I, Molehill Mountain Equipment, Big Agnes and Slumberjack.
The bags ranged from the low-budget baby-fat types to more sophisticated models with draft collars, shaped hoods and more. Kids sleeping bags are relatively cheap in general but higher end bags can cost up to $500.
However, kids have different needs to adults when it comes to camping gear and this includes sleeping bags. Kids sleeping bags are not only smaller but the design is also a little bit different. To be more accurate, the design is a little bit simpler.
They’re made of cheaper materials than full-size sleeping bags. Most are filled with synthectics rather than down. It’s fair to assume that if you’re going to invest in a high quality kids sleeping bag it’s not going to be something your children will grow out in a few years.
However, price is not the only reason why synthetics is used instead of down. Synthetics are easier to clean and can be rinsed and washed repeatedly without causing too much damage. This is important especially when your kids are in the nappy years. You’ll rarely ever see kids sleeping bags with down fillings but the Montbell UL Alpine Down Hugger #3 Sleeping Bag is one of the best if you can afford it.
Lower quality kids sleeping bags are more popular. This is probably because kids tend to sleep warmer than adults. They may seem likely to lose more heat than adults while sleeping in the cold because of their smaller bodies, with a bigger surface/volume ratio, but they tend to have a higher metabolic rate.
One particular kids sleeping bag model that has quite good reviews from the likes of Backpacker magazine and Backpackergeartest.org is the “The North Face Tigger +20 Kids’ Sleeping Bag”. Rated at 20 degrees F(-7 degrees C), a lot of people are recommending it at Backpacker’s forums. Draft collars protect the zipper from letting in cold air.
The Tigger is generally known for its warmth and comfort but it also has some important safety features. There are no cords to get tangled in and no way of adjusting the hood or chest section so that it closes off completely.
Other kids sleeping bags recommended by Backpacker magazine which they included in their Annual Gear Guide included bags from Eastern Mountain Sports, Feathered Friends, Ferrino, Integral Designs, Kelty, L.L. Bean, Lafuma, Wenzel, REI, Stephenson-Warmlite, Tough Traveler, Peak I, Molehill Mountain Equipment, Big Agnes and Slumberjack.
The bags ranged from the low-budget baby-fat types to more sophisticated models with draft collars, shaped hoods and more. Kids sleeping bags are relatively cheap in general but higher end bags can cost up to $500.
