Volume 7, Issue 10, October – 2022

International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165

Overview on Types and Materials of Sleeping Bag
Trisha A., Jayapriya M., Preethi N.
B. TechFashion technology Scholars,
Kumaraguru College of Technology, Coimbatore

Dr. S. Kavitha,
Assistant Professor,
Department of Fashion Technology,
Kumaraguru College of Technology, Coimbatore

Abstract:- A sleeping bag is a blanket-like bag thatallows individuals sleep comfortably and safely. It acts asa close alternative to a bed in situations where a bed is
not available. Sleeping bags offer several advantages.
They provide warmth, protection from cold winds, acushioning effect, and protection from rain. Individuals
choose sleeping bags according to size, season rating,comfort rating, and insulation. The market for sleeping
bags is rapidly expanding due to an increase in outdoor
activities such as hiking, hill walking, climbing,and camping. The sleeping bag market is influenced by
the rise in the popularity of outdoor recreational
activities, promotion of camping sites on social media &online platforms and increase in awareness about rockclimbing. Sleeping bags have evolved into a must-haveitem when packing for a camping trip. The rise of ecommerce makes sleeping bags and their variants moreaccessible to consumers, which contributes to themarket's increased demand for sleeping bags. This paper
reviews about different types of sleeping bag, material
used for manufacturing and latest trendsin the market.

children during slumber parties. Well-insulated bags aredesigned for cold weather use. The most well-insulated andlightweight sleeping bags, which are designed for serious
hikers and adventurers, are more expensive than lightly
insulated sleeping bags. One subcategory of cold-weather
sleeping bag, the mummy bag, is so named because it has an
insulated hood for the head. A bivouac sack is a waterproof
cover for a sleeping bag that may be used in place of a tent
by minimalist, experienced hikers. A bivy bag may also be
carried by day hikers as a backup or emergency shelter, tobe used if they cannot make it back to their starting point by
nightfall due to inclement weather or getting lost.

I. INTRODUCTION
A sleeping bag is a necessary textile item designed toprotect persons in cold or hot outdoor settings. They are
frequently utilised in field training, rescue, and relief
operations and are also becoming into standard equipment
for travel and leisure for regular people.A sleeping bag is an
insulated covering for a person, essentially a lightweight
quilt that can be closed with a zipper or similar means toform a tube, which functions as lightweight, portablebedding in situations where a person is sleeping outdoors(e.g. when camping, hiking, hill walking or climbing). Its
primary purpose is to provide warmth and thermal insulation
through its synthetic or down insulation. It also typically has
a water-resistant or water-repellent cover that protects, tosome extent, against wind chill and light precipitation, but atent is usually used in addition to a sleeping bag, as it
performs those functions better. The bottom surface also
provides some cushioning, but a sleeping pad or camp cot isusually used in addition for that purpose. The bottom surface
of a sleeping bag may be moderately water repellent, but aplastic tarp or groundsheet is often used to protect against
moist ground.
There are a range of sleeping bag models designed for
different purposes. Very lightly insulated sleeping bags aredesigned for summer camping use or for indoor use by

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II. TYPES OF SLEEPING BAGS
There are various types of sleeping bags:
 Rectangular sleeping bags
Those who need a large space while they sleep prefer themost conventional kind of sleeping bags. They are
inexpensive and designed as single or a double size.
Additionally, certain rectangular sleeping bags will allow
to join many sleeping bags together. The disadvantage ofa sleeping bag that is excessively broad or long is that it
will not keep as warm as one that fits correctly and will
be heavier than one need to carry.
 Mummy sleeping bags
These type Sleeping bags are small and completely
enclose the head and body in insulation resemble a
cocoon. The tapered system removes dead air spaces
inside the bag that otherwise need to be kept warm, andthe integrated hood reduces draughts even more. It’s the
typical design for high-performance, lightweight sleeping
bags and is particularly effective at heat retention. The
negatives of mummy sleeping bags are the restrictedventing capabilities and the limited room space available
within the bag .
 Quilts
This type may open entirely like blankets and arecomparable to those seen on home mattresses. However,they are made of materials that are suitable for use
outdoors, and many have foot boxes that reach the knees
or lower thighs. This kind of sleeping bag guarantees
flexibility, warmth, and comfort.
 Wearable sleeping bags
These are multipurpose and they may be used as warm
outerwear in camp or during chilly noon breaks as well asa sleeping bag at night.

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Volume 7, Issue 10, October – 2022

International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165

Fig. 1: Different types of shapes of sleeping bag
In addition to the shape of bag and its materials, bags can beclassified based on the temperature or season rating Summer-weight bags
It is appropriate for temperatures up to roughly 30 °F
These tend to be light and thin and are only appropriate
for camping in warm summer climates. A sleeping bag
liner can be opted based on the hot climate outside. Most
summer bags are plain sacks without need for a hood or adraught collar
 Three-season bags
These are the best option for the majority of temperatecamping excursions since they will keep comfortable onchilly evenings in the spring or fall but won't be too hot on
a warm night. These bags work best for journeys in thespring and fall as well as in the high mountains during thesummer when temperatures can drop below freezing atnight. They are ideal for temperatures of around 20°F andabove. With features like cinch-able hoods, draught
collars, and zipper draught tubes, good three-season
backpacks can withstand lower temperatures Winter bags
These are must when camping in frigid, sub-zerotemperatures. They tend to be heavier, thicker, and morecostly than other bags. These puffy cocoons have moreinsulation and all the characteristics of a three-season bag(cinch-able hoods, draught collars, and zipper draught
tubes), making them suitable for temperatures of around20°F and below.

Fig. 2: Sleeping bag and ambient conditions
III. TEMPERATURE RATINGS
All sleeping bags have temperature ratings that show
the bare minimum that they are made to withstand.
However, temperature ratings should be regarded withcaution as there is currently no standardised, universal
method for doing so. Europe has widely embraced a brandIJISRT22OCT1183

new, uniform grading system called EN 13537. ISO 235371:2016 standard replaced the EN 13537 standard which
describes the method for the assessment of the performancein steady-state conditions of a sleeping bag with regard to
the protection against cold.

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Volume 7, Issue 10, October – 2022

International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165

Fig. 3: Temperature rating
The system rates bags on a scale of 1 to 5:
 Upper limit - the greatest air temperature at which theaverage man can sleep peacefully.
 Comfort -The lowest air temperature at which a woman
can sleep soundly is considered to be comfortable.
 Lower limit - the lowest air temperature at which a man
can sleep soundly.
Typically, traditional sleeping bags consist of thefilling, an inner layer, and an outer layer. The maximum
temperature, the comfort temperature, the limit temperature,and the extreme temperature must all be marked on sleeping
bags. The two most crucial temperatures for consumers outof these four named temperatures are comfort temperatureand limit temperature. The term "comfort temperature"refers to the lowest temperature at which a typical woman
might sleep for eight hours in a relaxed position (i.e., lying
on her back) without feeling cold.
The environmental variables include the airtemperature, mean radiant temperature, air velocity, andrelative humidity. Over the course of the night, these
conditions are constantly shifting. For instance, thetemperature might be 4 °C (40 °F) when a person enters thebag at night and drop to -7 °C (20 °F) by dawn. Interaction
with environmental moisture (e.g., rain, snow) and wind
may also minimise the insulation of the bag. In warm
weather, the sleeping bag system really needs lessinsulation.

Fig. 4: Insulation used in sleeping system
A. Down
The lightest and most effective insulation available ismade of down. In addition, it holds its loft (and hence
insulating capacity) longer than synthetics and is the mostcompressible of all materials, which is a huge benefit for
backpackers carrying heavy loads. The cost of down varies
from synthetic, but it also relies on the fill-power, which is ameasure of the down's quality. The fill-power ratings are
between 600 and 900. The value represents how many cubic
inches one ounce of down uses up in a beaker. The higher
the number, the warmer it will be because the loftiest down
is the warmest down.

There are different factors regard to when assessing
sleeping bags.
 Category of insulation.
 sleeping bag size
 Sleeping bag weight.
 Weather conditions like wind or humidity.
 The temperature at which the person choose to sleep
during night.
 Price factors
IV. INSULATION TYPE
Although there are various varieties, selection of asleeping bag should be also based on the materials used forfilling. The type of insulation or fill chosen is the mostimportant consideration, followed by how warm a bag andhow small it should be. The perfect bag would belightweight but very warm, low in packed bulk, sturdy, nonabsorbent, quick-drying, warm when wet, comfy, and handy
sleeping bag.. The primary decision is between synthetic
fibres and reaches down.

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Fig. 5: Down
B. Synthetic
There are many various types of synthetic insulation, but
it is typically a fluffy polyester material that does not absorb
water, making it a good choice for any camper who could be
confronted with damp weather. Although synthetic bags areoften bigger and heavier, they are substantially less costly.

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Volume 7, Issue 10, October – 2022

International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165

Down

Synthetic++ lightweight— heavier++compressable to a smaller size

— bulkier++ great for extreme cold weather++ performs well in wet weather++ natural++ man made— not Hypo allergenic++ great for Allergy prone users— performance deteriorates in wet weather++ keeps insulating even when wet— expensive++ cheaper

V. CONSTRUCTION
There are many methods of sewing all soft little
filaments or down feathers together to achieve the greatest
warmth out of a sleeping bag. Down bags are usuallyconstructed with the baffle box or sewn through method,whereas synthetic bags comes in shingle or the layered
construction.Down bags have inner walled compartments
sewn in that are filled with insulation; others use baffle tubes
or shingles of fill arranged and sewn together to keep the fillfrom bunching up or shifting around within the shell. Somebags use a layer of insulated quilting to provide warmth.
Besides the amount and type of fill being used, the method
used to secure the insulation in place plays an important rolein insulation and warmth
Each method has its pros and cons like the sewn
through method usually offers more chances of a cold spot
to seep through, whereas an overlapping layer traps air andprevents the warmth from escaping. But bags with the sewn
through construction are usually lighter too.
TechniqueSewn-through/stitchthroughBox Baffles
Shingle Baffles

Continuous Baffles
Side Block Baffles
V-tube Baffles
Offset Quilting

Other construction
methods

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Fig. 6: Typical sleeping bag construction

Description
Used on bags with low volumes of fill (no baffling). Stitching that pulls the shell and lining
close together can create cold spots along that seam. Often used in down bags
Basically a four-sided chamber, with straight or slanted sides or trapezoidal in shape. Some box
baffles are stacked in two layers, offset at the seams like laying bricks in a wall.
Attached to the shell and the lining, these sheets or sections of insulation overlap like theshingles on a roof. A modified shingle baffle, called “Wave construction” uses a shingle longer
than the space length forcing the sheet of shingle to compress into a wave formation
Wraps the insulation around the entire bag allowing for shifting a portion of the insulation fromthe top to the bottom based on seasonal temperatures
Another seasonal adjustment that enables user to shift insulation from torso to lower bodyV” or triangular-shaped baffles are used to keep down from shifting. Slightly heavier due tonumber of baffle walls throughout bag.
Features offset stitching of layers of insulation panels. In inexpensive, warm weather bags, theshell, the quilted layer and the lining are all stitched together and as such are prone to cold
spotting along those seams.
Differential cuts create a sleeping bag where the outer shell is slightly larger than the inner
liner. Differential fill means more insulation is on top rather than on the bottom of the bag.
Some manufactures also use welding to fuse the baffling to the shell and liner thereby
eliminating all puncture breaches to those surfaces
Table 1: Some bags use a combination of these construction techniques

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International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165

Fig. 7: Fill configuration
VI. PARTS OF A SLEEPING BAG
 Shell - The shell fabric makes up the exterior of thesleeping bag. The shell fabric is usually more durable thanthe lining fabric, and sometimes features water-resistant or
waterproof breathable technology.
 Lining - The interior fabric of the sleeping bag is thelining. It is usually soft and comfortable, and sometimes
features moisture-wicking technology.
 Anatomical Hood - The hood of a sleeping bag isinsulated and works to prevent heat loss from your bodyand the sleeping bag. An "anatomical" hood is a hood thatis designed to fit the shape of the neck and head forincreased comfort and thermal efficiency.

 Pillow pocket - A pocket inside the hood where clothes
can be stuffed or a camp pillow for head cushioning andsupport.
 Stash pockets - Some sleeping bags feature stash pockets
in the hood, chest or other areas. A hood pocket.
 Draft collar - The draft collar, sometimes referred to as a"head gasket," is an insulated collar around the hood. The
draft collar stops heat from escaping the sleeping bag. It
can usually be tightened or loosened by a drawcord.
 Drawcord collar - A drawcord collar tightens and loosens
the hood or draft collar of the sleeping bag to prevent heatloss.
 Baffle - the seams running across the shell of sleeping bag
are baffles. They're needed to keep the insulation fromshifting or clumping. By keeping insulation in place,baffles keep cold spots and heat loss to a minimum.
 Draft tube - An insulated tube that runs along and behindthe zipper to stop cold drafts from getting in and warm airfrom getting out.
 Side Seams - The side seams of a sleeping bag are whatconnect the front and back of the sleeping bag shell
together. Some sleeping bags feature ground-level side
seams, which are more thermally efficient because they
allow the front layer of the sleeping bag to wrap all theway around the body.
 Two-way zippers - Two-way zippers allow to close oropen different sections of the sleeping bag to regulate
temperature.
 Zipper lengths - Full-length zippers make it easier to getin and out of the bag and regulate temperature, half-length
zippers save a bit of weight, and no-zipper sleeping bags
are ideal for ultra-lighters.
 Footbox - The footbox of a sleeping bag is the section
where a person’s feet will be located when they are
sleeping. A "trapezoidal" or flared footbox allows more
space for feet to rest comfortably. Some mountaineering
sleeping bags have more spacious footboxes to allow
room for hot water bottles and boot liners.
 Pad loops - Some sleeping bags have pad loops on thesides that are meant to connect to sleeping bag and keep itin place while sleeping.
 Hanging loops - If there are loops on the bottom ofsleeping bag, they are intended for hanging the bag to dry.
Hanging the bag to dry, rather than drying it flat, will
maintain insulation loft.
 New Features in a sleep bag
 The compression bag or stuff sackCompression sacks offer four way compression withadjustable straps, which can be pulled tight to make thesize of sleeping bag as compact as possible. Stuff sacks
can also be a handy way to store sleeping bag but do nothave the ability to be crushed down with compression
straps as compression sacks are.

Fig. 8: Sleeping bag components

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International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165

Fig. 9: Stuff sack
 Insulation Enhancing Features
Sleeping bag hoods are a useful feature as they help toinsulate the head, which is one of the areas of the bodywhich loses heat the fastest.Another feature suitable foron the higher season options is an adjustable shoulder
baffle. It basically forms a collar inside the sleeping bag
which prevents warm air from escaping and keeps
warm during the night in cold temperatures.
 Zip Related Features
A two way zipis to make it easier to open from theinside as well as the outside.

 Full-length double-slider #5 YKK zipper withzipper flow makes getting in and out of the bag a
breeze.
 Integrated pillow pocket allows a jacket, extra
clothes, or Fillo™ to be stuffed into the sleeve
opening for secure, elevated support through thenight.
 Opposite-sided zippers on Forte™ Men's andWomen's models increase versatility by allowing
them to be zipped together into a double sleepingbag.
 This wearable sleeping bag is suitable for all thecamping activities with Comfort rated at 45°F,
with a 37° limit, it features an insulated hood, legvents, removable booties, among other nifty design
details and comes in a variety of colours and sizes(including kids).

Fig. 11: Wearable sleep bag

Fig. 10: Two wayZippers
 Internal Pocket
These pockets have become more and more popular,
especially when it comes to travel sleeping bags.
Internal pockets are usually a sleeve-style pocket with a
Velcro fastening and are found inside the sleeping bag,these are typically used for storing valuable items tokeep them safe and close to hand while the person issleeping.
 Features offered by different manufacturers
 Classic Spoon™ shape adds room at elbows andknees for versatile comfort. Forte’s classic Spoon™
shape provides a generous cut at the elbows andknees so side sleepers can shift positions
comfortably throughout the night.
 Updated with Primaloft® RISE insulation,
featuring 80% post-consumer recycled content, andengineered to deliver maximum warmth retention
and water resistance with less weight thanconventional synthetic insulation.
 A fabric set of 30D Nylon Ripstop and 20D Nylon
Taffeta offers an ultra-plush sleep experience.
 Thermo Gills™ allow to vent body heat without
letting cold drafts in.
 Blanket Fold™ external draft collar and a fulllength draft tube provide tucked-in comfort andtemperature regulation.
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 An assistive sleeping bag for children with autism
spectrum disorder Trajectory's sleep bag has Carry cover provided with the
products
 Harrison’s products are made of vegan material and they
are reversible.
 YFXOHAR's sleeping bags are equipped with an extra
zipper and windproof buckle
 LWVAX's It is multi-use as it can be used as a comforteras well as a sleeping blanket apart from being used as asleeping bag.
VII. CONCLUSION
A sleeping bag is a great alternative to a bed insituations which allows to sleep comfortably and safely. A
sleeping bag has lot of types from which any one can choose
starting from the shape of the bag to its material. These bags
can also be classified based on the temperature or theseason's ratings. The perfect Bag should be lightweight, butvery warm, low impact bulk, sturdy, Non-absorbent, quickdrying, warm, comfy and handy. When a person chooses a
sleep bag they choose it by assessing the different factors
like the category of insulation, sleep bag size, sleep bag
weight, weather conditions, the temperature at which theperson chooses to sleep, price factors etc. The constructionof the sleep bag varies and it is a combination of manytechniques depending on the insulation and warmth
required. It is noticed that constant growth in sleep bag
market is achieved as it is regularly used by people fortravel, leisure and other purposes, New features have been
introduced by many companies constantly which makes way
for the growth of sleep bags in the modern world.

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International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165

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