Features To Covet

• Lining of taffeta or other softer non-cotton material.
• More comfy, warms quickly, breaths supremely.
• Two-way zipper for more ventilation and flexibility options. Be sure to buy a right or a left side zipper that is compatible with the other bag if you desire companionship.
• Differential cut -- the inner lining is sewn smaller than the outer shell, allowing insulation to loft up to its maximum. More loft, more warmth.
• Insulated draft collar seals in the warmth and keeps out the cold around your neck and shoulders.
• Hook and loop tab to cover the zipper toggle by the hood, preventing unplanned unzipperings whilst you slumber.
• Multi-sectioned or shaped hood to cup the head naturally.
• Ample draft tube that hangs from the top of the bag and covers the zipper to seal out cold air.
• Man-made fibers or down for insulation. Down is lighter and more durable. Synthetic fills will fare best when the bag might get wet.
• A windproof and water-resistant outer shell is a plus. DryLoft is my favorite and the most downproof.
• Semi-rectangular cut for sleepers who toss and turn. Mummy-style bag for sleepers who manage to stay put.
• Dark colored lining. This absorbs heat better and the sun's rays most efficiently should you need to dry out your bed.
• Highly desirable option: a fleece-lined stuff sack. Turn it inside out for a comfy pillow when stuffed with a parka or your extra clothes.

Variables To Consider : An Adventure Network Truth from the gear guru himself, Michael Hodgson:
Temperature ratings are not guarantees of warmth. It is not all that for people to judge the minimum comfort limit of an identical sleeping bag up to 20 degrees apart. Even without the variables of environmental factors, clothing worn, food eaten, pads used, body size, fitness, etc., the perception of 'comfort' varies wildly.

Points To Consider When Comparing Bags

• Look at the foot section, hood area and draft tube. How are they designed? Are there any obvious cold spots? How do they compare with the other bag(s)?
• How much insulation is in the bag? Consider that bigger bags require more insulation to provide equal insulating qualities as smaller or more narrow cut bags.
• On down bags, do the compartments feel firm ( a good sign that prevents cold spots forming since down shift is minimized) or soft and fluid (a poor sign since the down is free to 'fluidly' move around the tube creating cold spots. The only exception are those bags designed for the user to be able to shift down from top to bottom to adjust for temperature fluctuations.

Still confused or unsure? Ask Adventure Network