COMFORTABLE SLEEP UNDER THE CLOUDS: WHICH SLEEPING BAG TO CHOOSE FOR A BIKE TRIP?
Cycling is one of the most enjoyable forms of active recreation, so every year more people decide to spend their vacations on a bike saddle. It's no wonder, as no other means of transportation offers as much freedom without excessive strain on the budget. However, a multi-day expedition requires proper preparation, especially if it includes camping under the open sky. In today's article, we provide tips on how to choose the perfect bike sleeping bag!
WHAT WILL YOU LEARN FROM THE ARTICLE?
- Why do most cyclists choose mummy-shaped sleeping bags?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of down sleeping bags?
- What interesting models of down sleeping bags are currently available in stores?
IN BRIEF
A sleeping bag for bike trips should be small and lightweight. If the budget allows, it is best to choose a mummy-shaped model filled with high-quality natural down, which has excellent thermal and compressible properties. When it comes to temperature range, the reference point for women should be the T-comfort value, and for men, the T-limit value.
TEMPERATURE AT THE CAMPING SITE
When choosing a sleeping bag, you should consider the purpose of the expedition, the season, and the place of accommodation. As you can easily guess, a different model will work in a mountain refuge in the summer than in a tent in the autumn. Another important factor is individual sensitivity to low temperatures. Usually, women feel colder than men, but that doesn't mean there aren't men who get cold easily. The perception of temperature is also influenced by the level of fatigue and calorie intake, so during intense physical activity, it is worth considering purchasing a slightly warmer sleeping bag.
HOW TO READ THE INFORMATION ON THE SLEEPING BAG?
Manufacturers usually provide three or four temperature ranges for their products, so which one should be taken as a reference? The lower limit temperature (T-limit) tells us at what temperature a man with a standard body build using a particular sleeping bag can expect a comfortable sleep, while the comfort temperature (T-comfort) indicates the conditions for comfortable sleep for an average-built woman. The remaining two values inform us about the conditions in which sleep will cease to be comfortable for an average man due to overheating (upper comfort limit: T-max) or for an average woman due to cooling (extreme temperature: T-extreme).
However, it is worth knowing that not all manufacturers provide temperatures according to the relevant standard (EN 13537 or ISO 23537). To avoid unpleasant surprises, it is worth choosing sleeping bags from companies that test their products in laboratories, such as Pajak Sport.
WEIGHT, SIZE, AND SHAPE OF THE BIKE SLEEPING BAG
Bike trips can take various forms. Some people opt for a fully loaded bike with large panniers, while others prefer minimalism and carry only small bags with essential items. In both cases, the advantage of a sleeping bag will undoubtedly be its small size and low weight. A heavy load is definitely not recommended for bike trips.
As for the shape, sleeping bags come in two basic types commonly referred to as "rectangular" and "mummy." The former, due to more space inside, is considered slightly more comfortable. Another advantage is that when unzipped, they can be used as a regular blanket. However, for bike trips, most people choose mummy-shaped sleeping bags. Due to their more fitted shape, they offer better thermal properties at a lower weight and volume.
FILLING OF THE BIKE SLEEPING BAG
There is still the issue of filling. Down sleeping bags are characterized by unmatched thermal parameters, and they compress better and weigh less. Their only drawback is the relatively high price. As for sleeping bags with synthetic filling, they are chosen by people with a limited budget or those going to areas with exceptionally high humidity. A synthetic sleeping bag with properties comparable to a down model will be more than twice as large and heavy!
RECOMMENDED MODELS
To make it easier to answer the question of which down sleeping bag to choose for cycling, we have prepared a list of several interesting models. For trips in the warmest months of the year or stays in mountain refuges, the Pajak Radical ULX model is perfect (T-comfort 12°C and T-limit 9°C). However, for spring and autumn expeditions with overnight stays under the open sky, it is worth opting for something warmer. The down sleeping bag Pajak Radical 4Z weighs around 800 g with T-comfort = -1°C and T-limit = -7°C.
It's high time to plan your next bike adventure! If it's time to buy a new sleeping bag, be sure to visit pajaksport.pl.