Childrens Down Filled Sleeping Bags

Sleeping Bag Fillers

When shopping for a child’s sleeping bag, you can choose a children's down filled sleeping bag or a synthetic filled sleeping bag. Which type of filler is best for children's sleeping bags?

Features of Children's Down Filled Sleeping Bags

There are many great reasons to use down for sleeping bag filler:

• Down is warmer because it traps more air
• Down is light
• It is more easily compressible
• Down is very durable and can last a lifetime

Even with so many positive features, down has a negative side as well. Cost is generally higher for down filled sleeping bags and if it should happen to get wet you’ll have a clumpy, uncomfortable sleeping bag. For a small child this may be more of an issue, especially if your child has occasional night time accidents. These are very likely the reasons for so few children's sleeping bags are down filled.

Features of Synthetic Filled Sleeping Bags

Most sleeping bags that you find on the market today will have synthetic filling. Probably the main reason for this is cost. Synthetic filled sleeping bags are considerably cheaper than down filled.

They can also be very warm, but in order to offer warmth comparable to down, more filling is required. This means that a synthetic bag is often bulkier and more difficult to carry than a down filled sleeping bag.

Synthetic filled bags do not last as long as a down filled bag either. Generally, the heavier the bag the longer it will last. However, for a growing child a sleeping bag that lasts a long time may not be a consideration since you will need to replace it as your child grows anyhow.

And the Winner Is…

Comparing synthetic and down filling sleeping bag will help you make a wise choice for a sleeping bag that will meet your child’s needs. If you decide you prefer a synthetic bag you will find many places that sell them.

If you decide that you prefer children's down filled sleeping bags however, you may find that you have a challenge. They are extremely hard to find. In fact, in days of searching the web here is the one result:

• Sonoma Outfitters carries one (yes, just one) down filled sleeping bag for children. The Lafuma Warm ‘n Light 800 gram junior sleeping bag comes in acid green and retails for $99.95.

Choosing a Sleeping Bag

You may be tempted to purchase a sleeping bag designed for adults to allow your child to grow into it. If you do an extensive amount of camping this may seem like the most economical way to go. However, this isn’t a good idea for two reasons.

A Large Bag for a Small Child

One reason is that an adult bag is too big for a child to keep adequately warm. Sleeping bags work best when they fit the size of the person sleeping in it. This is because they trap air that is warmed by the body. The less air space you have, the warmer the bag. If the sleeping bag in which your child sleeps has a large amount of empty space, this is space that won’t get warm and may actually rob your child of needed warmth at night.

Secondly, if your child is old enough to carry his own pack, an adult sized sleeping bag can be difficult to carry. Think about it: You likely make careful choices about what you will pack so you won’t be carrying more weight than you need to. Doesn’t it make sense to do the same for your child? Even if you carry your child’s supplies, you want your pack to be lightweight to avoid unnecessary fatigue, especially on long hiking trips.

These are both important to remember when you shop for a child’s sleeping bag. Additionally, you will need to consider the type of sleeping bag your child will need.

Types of Children’s Sleeping Bags

• Novelty sleeping bags—probably the first thing you will find for kids are novelty sleeping bags. These can be a good choice for sleep-overs, short summer campouts or just for fun. However, if you do a lot of camping or camp in places or seasons where it can get cold at night, this isn’t your best choice.

• Barrel sleeping bags—the best choice for warmer climates, these tend to be a little roomier than mummy bags. A restless sleeper will be more comfortable in a barrel sleeping bag and there is even a little extra room for a favorite teddy bear.

• Mummy sleeping bags—these tend to be warmer because they are more “fitted” and have less air space than a barrel sleeping bag. For colder climates, this is the best choice to stay warm. Mummy sleeping bags are also more compact and lighter to carry which is a big plus if your child carries his own pack.