The Grand Canyon is one of the places on earth where words don’t do justice. It is hard to describe the magnificence and timelessness of the place.
You can only let it be, hike in it, and when night falls, you and your friends tuck yourself into your sleeping bags and gaze at the starry heavens.
The Grand Canyon can be quite chilly at night which begs the question: what type of sleeping bag is best for use in the Grand Canyon?
In this article, you will learn about different types of sleeping bags and which one of them is best for the Grand Canyon.
Types Of Sleeping Bags
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Sleeping bags come in different shapes, and choosing one is based on this factor, mostly. The reason is that the shapes determine how comfortable they are. Moreover, different people would feel different about the shapes. In the end, the sleeping bag you choose for your Grand Canyon trip will depend on your personal taste. The four major different types of sleeping bags are:
Rectangular Shaped Bag
These bags have rectangular shapes. They are long. They provide plenty of horizontal room. If you are tall and slim-bodied, you’d love this kind of bag. On your visit to the Grand Canyon, you might consider buying one like this.
Semi-rectangular Shaped Bag
These bags are shaped almost like a mummy but not quite. It is also called a barrel shaped sleeping bag. In this category producers of sleeping bags have manufactured various shapes that can still be classified as semi-rectangular. At any rate, what’s important is that the bag provides warmth and enough room for your stay in the canyon.
Mummy Shaped Bags
Some bags are shaped like Egyptian mummy. This is a deliberate design that mimics the structure of a prone human body at rest on its back. The design of this is bagakes you roll over with it because it is usually snug fitting. This sleeping bag is also designed this way to cut weight.
Double Sleeping Bags
These bags are designed to accommodate two persons at once. This is an ideal sleeping bag for partners and couples. Some bags can be modified into double bags for couples too if they’re zipped together.
Kids Sleeping Bag
If it’s likely that you would be visiting the Grand Canyon with kids, you’d be needing kids sleeping bags. They are smaller in size, and simpler in design. Many times they are simply adult bags that have been reduced in size making them cheaper.
A further important factor that will help you choose the best sleeping bag for your stay in the Grand Canyon is the insulation of the bag you buy. The challenge for you is choosing between a sleeping bag with a down fill or a synthetic fill. Here is a quick run through the difference between the two types of bag insulation.
Insulation Options
Sleeping bags are all about insulation. The better the insulation in your bag the more warmth it gives you when the temperature drops. And temperatures drop in the Grand Canyon at night to about 20 to 30 degrees.
Down Insulation
This type of insulation provides adequate warmth like no other type does. This is because the down filling is natural. It is an insulation that serves well in a place like the grand canyon that gets really cold at night.
Many down-insulated bags also have been treated so that they’re water-resistant to protect them from wetness. You can count on the dryness of most of the grand canyon, though.
Down-insulated bags also compress well for easy packing. And if you don’t let the compression stay too long, down insulation has a long-lasting loft that you will enjoy every time you visit the canyon.
Synthetic Insulation
This type of insulation serves the same purpose as down insulation but the filling is manufactured from non-organic materials. They are usually more affordable than down-insulated bags.
One of the advantages of a synthetic insulators is that they stay insulating even when they’re wet. They dry faster and do not cause allergies, unlike down insulators. They are usually heavier though.
Sleeping Bag Accessories
Once more, a bag that provides optimal warmth is important for your stay in the canyon hence here are other features that would help you choose the best sleeping bag.
Sleeping Bag Liner
Some bags have extra liners in them. The purpose is to help keep your bag clean. But the added advantage is that you get double the covering which translates to more warmth.
Stuff Sack Bags
Packaging is another factor to consider in a bag. You need a bag that can be packed in a compact way, and without taking up more space than necessary. Bags that have stuff sacks can be packed in a stuff sack, minimizing space in your car or backpack.
Storage Sack
This is another option for storing your sleeping bag. It is designed especially to preserve the fluffiness of insulators. A down insulator bag needs this type of storage because it prevents the bag from being squished into a compressed state. It is also a great option for storing your sleeping bag through the journey out of the canyon and also for home storage in the long term.
My Recommendation
As someone who is vast and proficient in the use of sleeping bags because I’m an outdoorsy person to the core, it is my duty to recommend the best sleeping bag for use in the grand canyon.
Down Insulation Bag
I’m recommending that for your trip to the grand canyon, choose a down insulator bag. There are two reasons for this suggestion:
Lightweight
They’re lightweight which is a good thing since you’d be carrying your stuff on your back as you hike.
Durability
They’re extremely durable types of sleeping bags. The Grand Canyon is a beautiful place. But it’s also filled with rocks with jagged edges. You need a bag that fits the terrain.
Warmth
Down bags provide you with the best amount of insulation that you need in the grand canyon at the end of the day.
Last Words
Finally, sleep is what comes at the end of the day’s work. An enjoyable sleep prepares you for the next day’s tasks. In the grand canyon, things are different. The scenery is breathtaking and you can spend most of the day hiking to see it all. At night though, you’d want to relax your aching muscles. This is where your sleeping bag comes in. Choosing the best bag is perhaps one of the most important decisions you will make as you go into the grand canyon.
