Three Season Sleeping Bags

A Good Three Season Sleeping Bag, from The North Face

There are a multitude of three season sleeping bags on the market today, if only because these types of bags are by far the most versatile - and hence popular.

Sadly, all too many bags have a quality factor that hangs right near 0. Still others look nice, but rear their ugly had on your camping trip when you discover that the temperature rating shown in the store was a bit more than "generous".

Shop & Compare Sleeping Bags

Three Season Synthetic Sleeping Bags : Synthetic bags are ideal for where there are concerns you might get your bag wet. Synethic bags are also less-expensive than down bags, too.

Three Season Down Sleeping Bags : Down bags are a bit lighter and less bulky than synthetic sleeping bags. Just don't get them wet...as they can be difficult to dry.

Synthetic Bag or Goose Down Bag?

That is the question, isn't it? Let's go over the benefits, drawbacks and differences between them.

Synthetic Bags : Less-expensive than down bags (usually). Easy to take care of...if they get wet, just throw them in a dryer. Most popular bag type available.

Down Bags : Don't get them wet! Very few down bags can just be "tossed in the dryer" to dry out. Advantages, though, include lighter weight than synthetic bags (by a few ounces) and that they pack down into a somewhat smaller package (goose down is highly compressible).

What Is a Three Season Sleeping Bag?

There are no "hard-fast" rules, but a good definition is that a three season sleeping bag will serve you well to temperatures down to 20 degrees. Remember, though, just because a sleeping bag is rated for 20 degrees doesn't mean you'll stay warm...much depends on what you wear to bed, your matabolism (whether you're a hot or cold sleeper) and the bags construction itself (it isn't unheard of for sleeping bag manufacturers to be "optimistic" with sleeping bag ratings).

Quick Sleeping Bag Buying Tips

Here's some quick tips to help select the right sleeping bag:

1. Get a bag that is rated at LEAST 10 degrees warmer than you think you'll need.
2. Assume that the sleeping bags rating is "generous" by at least five degrees...but be safe and figure ten degrees. Thus, assume a bag rated to twenty degrees will keep you warm in temperatures down to thirty degrees.
3. If you're a cold sleeper (you sleep at home in a seventy-degree room with numerous blankets and feel chilly!), be doubly safe and assume the sleeping bag will only keep you warm to temperatures 20 degrees above the sleeping bags rating. Thus, a sleeping bag rated to 20 degrees will keep you warm in temperatures down to 40 degrees.
4. If you think you're bag has the potential of getting wet (like on a float trip), buy a synthetic bag, not a down bag.
5. If every ounce of weight and every inch of bulk matters, then buy a down bag...they are lighter and less bulky.
6. Good brands of sleeping bags include The North Face, Western Mountaineering, Marmot, Mountain Hardwear, Sierra Designs and many others.

Browse Sleeping Bags

Three Season Synthetic Sleeping Bags : Synthetic bags are ideal for where there are concerns you might get your bag wet. Synethic bags are also less-expensive than down bags, too.

Three Season Down Sleeping Bags : Down bags are a bit lighter and less bulky than synthetic sleeping bags. Just don't get them wet...as they can be difficult to dry.

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