Today’s sleeping bags have a lot of technology that goes into them and you can buy them to withstand extreme temperatures and lots of conditions. While most are made from nylon, not all sleeping bags are created equal. So how do you know which one is best for your needs?

The outside nylon shell of the sleeping bag can have different features. It can be a thick layer or a thin layer, waterproof or water resistant. The inside can be made from many materials. Some sleeping bags are made to be lightweight so that they are easy to carry in a backpack. Some materials like Thermolite by Dupont and Primaloft are great insulators that don’t weight a lot, so if the weight of your sleeping bag is a

Down sleeping bags have been a favorite for decades, but did you know they can be made with real or synthetic materials? Check the labels. Either way, they will be very comfortable and warm. When buying a down sleeping bag, keep in mind that there will be a number associate with the amount of fill - the higher the number the better so choose a 900 over a 700. This is the volume occupied by a cubic ounce of fill.

You can also get different shapes. Of course there is the standard rectangle - if you buy one with a full zipper you can unzip it to lay it flat or even zip two together. If you will be camping in extreme cold conditions, consider a mummy sleeping bag with a hood and collar.

One thing about camping in a tent is that the ground can be pretty hard, but if you shop around you can find a sleeping bag that might remedy that. One model has a pad that you can slide in to the underside of the bag, thus providing a padding between you and the ground. Some bags are made for added padding, but if you will be hiking you want to choose one that has the comfort without the bulk and weight.

Choosing the right sleeping bag is key to the enjoyment of your camping trip - after all if you don’t get a good nights sleep how can you enjoy yourself the next day?