As any outdoor camping enthusiast will admit, it is difficult to rest soundly without a good sleeping bag liner. Liners, sometimes referred to a travel sheets, maintain a sleeping bags hygiene and lifespan. They also enhance its warmth by 5° to 15°F, depending on the fabric used. Buyers can choose bag liners from different materials available in the market. Each material has its advantages and limitations in relation to campers needs. Lack of basic knowledge on liner features however, makes shopping for this prerequisite camping equipment a daunting task.
Shopping for bag liners should not frazzle shoppers with the four tips outlined below:
Moisture Control
Several hours of sleep inside a toasty bag makes the entire body clammy with sweat, especially in warm weather. The bags liner is in full contact with the body as the owner sleeps. Therefore, its finishing fabric must have ample moisture control ability. It should wick perspiration from the body and convey it to the surface for evaporation. If this does not happen, moisture will soak the bag making it unbearably cold and damp for its user.
Generally, campers prefer sleeping bags made with cotton and polyester blend of fabrics. Polyester alone has poor water absorption. Its reasonable price however makes it popular with many camping aficionados. Cotton absorbs moisture readily but tends to cling to it longer. Slow evaporation, especially during warm temperatures at night, often leads to soaking of the bag. A blend of these two materials enhances moisture control ability of the bag.
Silk sleeping bags on the other hand, offer the best moisture control. Silk liners wick moisture readily and convey it to the surface for evaporation. Nevertheless, silk is a high-end fabric that costs much to produce liners.
Frequent backpackers, especially those who trek cold regions, might be a bit lackadaisical about liner materials. These hurdy folks sometimes sleep with their bulky climbing attire on, to deflect away freezing gusts. Accordingly, their clothes perform moisture control negating the work of bag liners. This notion does not cut across the board however, and exclusively cotton and polyester bag liners tend to receive a bashing for poor moisture control.
Smoothness
The smoothness of the bag liner to some extent determines its overall comfort. Smoothness maybe a matter of personal choice, but is a crucial aspect for bag liners. Sometimes, searing temperatures at night force campers to sleep in liners alone. This is only possible with comfortable liners, which have sufficient bulk and warmth.
Campers who sleep with part of their gear on may also prefer slicker bag liners. Such a liner will not hook on buttons or other small projections on the camping gear as the owner sleeps. This incidence often leads to the entire bag tangling around the sleeper.
Silk is the smoothest but priciest of all fabric liners. Silk blends are available at more reasonable costs than the exclusive fabric.
Conversely, some people detest the smoothness of silk and prefer rougher bag liners. For such individuals, fleece or cotton fabrics are more preferable.
Ease of Washing
Ease of washing is an essential quality of a bag liner. This is because time is always of the essence for campers in the wild. No one wishes to be kept waiting by accessories that take ages to dry completely. A hundred percent cotton is the worst culprit. It absorbs a lot of moisture but does not let it evaporate quickly enough.
Polyester and nylon on the other hand are easier to wash and dry. A blend of either of these materials with cotton makes the ideal combination, since they lack sufficient warmth when used alone. Silk is also easy to wash and dry, but tends to hold stains that are unavoidable outdoors.
Typically, darker fabrics dry quicker than light colored ones under direct sunlight. Dark hues absorb more heat enhancing the drying process.
Durability
Sleeping bag durability is critical for serious backpackers. Occasional campers and hikers may go for less resilient fabrics due to their lower costs, but this is not the case for their dedicated counterparts.
Silk is a high-end fabric for bag liners but its durability is questionable. It is highly prone to ripping and even a jagged toenail can gash it. Albeit it is soft and comfortable, its short lifespan curtails its use among devoted hikers.
Cotton down sleeping bags liners are not so sturdy either, but are easier to replace than silk. Synthetic fabrics make the toughest liners while blends come in second.
Comfort is the last thing on a campers mind in the great outdoors. Therefore, a plush sleeping bag offers physical and mental rest to the agitated hiker. The sleeping bag liner that comes with or separate from the bag, determines its overall comfort. Hence, it is vital to have a clue about the quality features of each material, in order to choose the ideal one for your case. Some of these features include:
- Moisture control
- Smoothness
- Ease of washing
- Durability
Thus, when you head out to search for an ideal sleeping bag, use the tips above to obtain the perfect sleeping bag liner for your case.