Even in high summer Canadian nights can be cold, especially in the back country. A good sleeping bag is very important to your enjoyment of the outdoors.
Factors to consider when choosing a sleeping bag:
- Warmth Rating
- 0C to -10C rating is ideal
- +10C to 0C may not keep you warm enough
- -10C to -20C will likely be too bulky and/or expensive
- Fill Type
- Down is the best fill type (water resistant down is even better) warmest, lightest, but also most expensive
- Advanced synthetics, like PrimaLoft are a good compromise: less expensive than down and only somewhat more bulkier, but are not as durable
- Weight
- choose the lightest bag at your desired rating and price
- Compactness
- choose the most compact (when packed) bag at your rating and price
- Shape/Size
- Mummy shape – warmest; comes in Women’s and Men’s sizes; may need to learn to sleep in one
- Rectangular shape – most comfortable, not as warm as heat is lost through the opening
- Stuff-sac
- A good stuff-sac compresses the bag for easy packing and carrying and can also serve as a pillow when filled with clothes
Rectangular Bag
Mummy Bag
In the GTA you can get a sleeping bag at Canadian Tire, MEC or SAIL.
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