Accessories for a Sleeping Bag
As innovative and feature-filled as the modern sleeping
bag may be, there will be times when it will lack those few extra details
that you are looking for to optimize your outdoor slumber experience.
Fortunately for the demanding consumer, there are plenty of
accessories available on the market whose purpose it is to enhance some
aspect of a sleeping bag you own, complement it for specific function, or
simply add that signature detail that allows you to express yourself further
through your sleeping bag.
- Liner –
this additional layer of material fits snugly inside your sleeping bag,
giving you extra protection and comfort during particularly cold nights.
Liners work like blankets or comforters, and can be made of
polyester, fleece, silk or even cotton, if you’re working with a budget.
Liners usually come with their own carrying sack.
There are liner products that are crafted to be vapor barriers,
preventing your body vapor from seeping into the sleeping bag, making it
damp and heavy over time.
- Roll Mats
and Mattresses – sleeping on a cold surface can be rather difficult
even with the added cushion and warmth provided by your sleeping bag.
Mats and mattresses give you additional bottom insulation and
keep the underside of your sleeping bag clean.
Naturally, thicker mats and mattresses provide greater
insulation, but will be heavier and more cumbersome to transport.
- Sleeping
Bag Repair Kit – in spite of your best efforts, the great outdoors
can be a harsh and unforgiving place, and you may find your precious
sleeping bag torn, ripped or abraded by jagged rocks and scratchy dirt.
Having a sealant and emergency fabric for those unexpected
moments can save you a rough night at the mercy of Mother Nature.
- Mosquito
Net – for warmer climates that attract pesky bugs, your sleeping bag
may be ill-equipped to prevent the insects from biting.
Bring a mosquito net along to ward off the tiny beasties, and
worry not that they will find their way into your sleeping bag.
- Straps
– whether to keep your sleeping bag stably attached to a mattress or mat
or simply to keep from rolling away, all-purpose sleeping bag straps
come to the rescue.
- Sleeping
Bag Warmers – these interesting packets contain chemicals that, when
released and become active, can provide sustained heat for up to 12
hours. These are especially
important when your sleeping bag interior has gotten cold from weather
exposure and you’d much rather crawl into a relaxing, warm bag than one
that needs to warm up first through your body heat.
- Down
Booties – though sleeping bags provide insulation for the feet,
there will come situations where you can feel your toes freezing because
the coldness outside is too penetrating.
Down booties wrap your feet in warmth-inducing down, solving the
problem of literal cold feet without sacrificing comfort.
Clearly, there is a wealth of optional extras out there
for any sleeping bag enthusiast to enjoy.
Sleeping bag perfection may simply be a matter of finding the right
accessory for you.
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