# Sleeping Bags

Part of the Camping Merit Badge Digital Resource Guide: [Introduction & Overview](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/camping/guide/index.md)

*6. Shelter & Camp Setup*

> **6e.** Discuss the types of sleeping bags and what kind would be suitable for different conditions. Explain the proper care of your sleeping bag and how to keep it dry. Make a comfortable ground bed.

After a long day of hiking and campcraft, a good night's sleep restores your energy and keeps your spirits high. Your sleeping bag is the piece of gear most responsible for making that happen — especially in cold weather.

### Types of Sleeping Bags

Sleeping bags are categorized by shape, insulation type, and temperature rating.

#### Shapes

**Mummy bags** — Tapered from head to foot with a snug fit. The narrow shape reduces the amount of air your body has to warm, making mummy bags the warmest and lightest option. They include a hood that can be cinched around your face.

- Best for: Backpacking, cold weather, weight-conscious campers

**Rectangular bags** — Roomy and comfortable, with a boxy shape that gives you plenty of room to move around. They can usually be unzipped completely and used as a blanket.

- Best for: Car camping, warm weather, people who feel claustrophobic in mummy bags

**Semi-rectangular (barrel) bags** — A compromise between mummy and rectangular. Tapered at the feet but wider in the torso than a true mummy bag.

- Best for: Scouts who want warmth without feeling too confined

#### Insulation Types

**Down insulation** — Made from goose or duck feathers. Down is the gold standard for warmth-to-weight ratio. It compresses small, lasts for years, and provides exceptional warmth.

- **Pros:** Lightest and warmest, packs very small, lasts a long time
- **Cons:** Expensive, loses insulating ability when wet, takes a long time to dry

**Synthetic insulation** — Made from polyester fibers designed to mimic down's loft. Synthetic bags are the practical choice for most Scout camping.

- **Pros:** Insulates even when wet, dries quickly, less expensive than down, easier to care for
- **Cons:** Heavier and bulkier than down for the same warmth rating, wears out faster

> **Tip**
>
> For most Scouts, a synthetic sleeping bag is the best choice. It handles the wet conditions of Scout camping better than down, costs less, and is easier to care for. Consider a down bag when you are ready to invest in ultralight backpacking gear.

#### Temperature Ratings

Every sleeping bag has a temperature rating that tells you the lowest temperature at which the bag will keep you warm.

- **Summer bags (35°F and above)** — Lightweight and packable for warm weather
- **Three-season bags (15°F to 35°F)** — The most versatile choice for most Scout camping
- **Winter bags (15°F and below)** — Heavy and bulky but essential for cold weather camping

> **Did You Know?**
>
> Temperature ratings are based on standardized tests, but your personal experience may vary. Factors like your metabolism, what you ate for dinner, and whether you are wearing a hat and socks inside the bag all affect how warm you feel. If you tend to sleep cold, choose a bag rated 10–15 degrees lower than the temperatures you expect.

![Three sleeping bags laid out side by side on a tent floor: a mummy bag, a rectangular bag, and a semi-rectangular bag, each partially unzipped to show their shapes](https://ik.imagekit.io/doulacoop/tr:w-800/mbu-assets/merit-badges/camping/guide/sleeping-bag-types?v=a2dc9dfb)

### Keeping Your Sleeping Bag Dry

A wet sleeping bag is a useless sleeping bag — especially a down bag. Keeping it dry is your top priority.

**Keeping Your Bag Dry** — Protection strategies

- [ ] Store your sleeping bag in a waterproof stuff sack or line your stuff sack with a trash bag.
- [ ] Keep it packed inside your backpack, not strapped to the outside where it can get rained on.
- [ ] Never set your sleeping bag directly on wet ground — always use a sleeping pad and tent floor.
- [ ] Change into dry sleepwear before getting into your bag. Damp clothing transfers moisture to the insulation.
- [ ] Air out your sleeping bag in the morning before packing up. Drape it over your tent or a branch to let body moisture evaporate.

### Sleeping Bag Care

Proper care keeps your sleeping bag warm and functional for years. For detailed care instructions, review [Requirement 5c — Gear Care & Storage](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/camping/guide/req5c/).

Key points:

- **Air out after every trip** — Body moisture accumulates in the insulation each night.
- **Spot clean** small stains with a damp cloth and mild soap.
- **Deep wash rarely** — Once or twice per season at most. Use a front-loading washer, a gentle cycle with cold water, and a specialized sleeping bag wash.
- **Dry thoroughly** on the lowest dryer setting with tennis balls to break up insulation clumps. This takes 2–3 hours.
- **Store loosely** in a large breathable storage sack, never compressed in its stuff sack. Long-term compression ruins insulation.

Video: [Choosing a Sleeping Bag](https://youtu.be/yNaUoBUHKPg?si=Zaxv436Q71UlUO7d)

Video: [Caring for a Sleeping Bag](https://youtu.be/9qOpq5FvKR4?si=ZxVSRZPQOvIQZNUD)

### Making a Comfortable Ground Bed

Your sleeping bag provides insulation from the cold air above you, but the cold ground below you is an even bigger heat thief. A comfortable ground bed insulates you from below and cushions you from rocks and roots.

#### The Ground Bed System

1. **Ground cloth or footprint** — A waterproof layer under your tent that blocks ground moisture.
2. **Tent floor** — Provides a second waterproof barrier.
3. **Sleeping pad** — The most important component. A sleeping pad insulates you from the cold ground and provides cushioning. Types include:
   - **Closed-cell foam pads** — Inexpensive, indestructible, and provide good insulation. They do not puncture like inflatable pads. Lightweight but bulky.
   - **Self-inflating pads** — Foam inside an air-tight shell. Open the valve and the foam expands, sucking in air. Good balance of comfort, insulation, and packability.
   - **Inflatable air pads** — The most comfortable and packable option. Many have insulated cores for cold-weather use. The downside is that they can puncture.
4. **Sleeping bag** — Laid on top of the sleeping pad.

> **Safety First!**
>
> A sleeping pad is not optional — it is essential. Even in summer, the ground pulls heat away from your body. Without a pad, you will be cold no matter how good your sleeping bag is. The ground's temperature stays around 50–55°F year-round in most areas, which is cold enough to chill you through a sleeping bag.

> **Tip**
>
> Sleep with a hat on in cold weather. You lose significant heat through your head, and a warm hat inside your sleeping bag makes a noticeable difference on cold nights. Cinch your mummy bag hood around your face, leaving just your nose and mouth exposed.

![A cutaway illustration showing the layers of a comfortable ground bed: ground cloth at the bottom, tent floor, sleeping pad, and sleeping bag on top](https://ik.imagekit.io/doulacoop/tr:w-800/mbu-assets/merit-badges/camping/guide/ground-bed-layers?v=96a58a87)

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- Previous: [Backpacks](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/camping/guide/req6d/index.md)
- Next: [Gear Checklist & Packing](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/camping/guide/req7/index.md)