Do Sleeping Bag Liners Really Work?
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Camping in sleeping bags can be so much warmer than blankets and duvets yet you can still feel the cold from time to time, a way to combat this is by using a sleeping bag liner.
Sleeping bags liners are worth having especially if you find yourself camping in colder weather conditions or you naturally srtuggle to stay warm while asleep. Sleeping bag liners provide another layer that helps keep the body heat close to the body and helps less cold air coming in.
In this article we are going to talk about what a sleeping bag liner is, what is does and are they worth buying and using?
What Is A Sleeping Bag Liner?
Sleeping bag liners are light stuffed sacks, usually fitted in sleeping bags to provide comfort, cosiness and also help maintain the sleeping bag’s cleanliness. Vapour Barrier Liner a special type of liner that hinders the sleeper’s moisture (e.g., sweat) from getting to the bag, thereby preventing evaporative heat loss.
Sleeping bag liners are sallied as a basic kit by sundry members of the US and British armed forces. Sleeping Bag liners are usually fitted inside your sleeping bag to offer you more warmth and prevent dirt from reaching your bag to keep it clean.
A thin liner may seem more tender for the sleeper. Liners provide the sleeper the opportunity to use the liner alone, without the bag in hot conditions.
What Liners Are Made of
Liners are made of cotton, silk, Mix of silk and cotton(Synthetic), polyester and nylon, etc.;
- Silk liners
Silk liners are light, tender, durable, and can hold much thermal insulation even when soggy.
- Cotton
Cotton liners are like advanced silk due to their heaviness and their ability to absorb water.
- Synthetic [mix]
Synthetic is a mix of the first two liners; It is soft, tough, and does not suck in water.
How Much Do Sleeping Bag Liners Cost?
A good sleeping bag is needed to have a successful camping trip. The importance of a good night’s sleep can’t be underemphasized, especially when it comes after a day spent hiking, trekking, or engaging in outdoor activities.
Examples of sleeping bags liners and their prices (on Amazon) are as follows:
Moonvast Sleeping bag | For seasons for warm and cold weather | $39 |
Ecoopro | For warm weather sleeping bag | $26 |
Tuphen sleeping bags | For adults and kids | $24 |
Coleman zero degree Fahrenheit Mummy Sleeping bag | For big and tall adults | $49 |
Texton Sports sleeping bag | For general camping | $72 |
Atarashi camping sleeping bag | For general camping | $45 |
Coleman Brazos Cold Weather Sleeping bag | For cold weather | $36 |
Hewolf Sleeping bag | For general camping | $35 |
Do You Really Need A Sleeping Bag Liner?
Absolutely. Sleeping bags are designed to ensure a certain degree of warmth in cold conditions. People rarely sleep without sheets on their beds for an extended period. Sleeping bag liners are like the bed sheets for your sleeping enclosure when you go on adventures.
- Cool Nights
No one really likes to sleep outside on very cold nights without a form of protection; liners help to keep you warm on nights like this, especially during winter camps.
Placing a liner inside your bag provides a layer of insulation and makes the sleeping bag thicker to help you stay at a comfortable temperature on cold nights.
Liners are designed to offer you extra degrees of warmth to your current sleeping bag.
- Warmer Climates
In warmer climates, when sleeping in a bag might be considered extreme, you can easily lay your sleeping bag on the floor while you sleep in the liner. You can use a sleeping liner by itself and forgo the sleeping bag.
Plus, for hikers that can go for a couple of days without water to take a shower, having a liner in your sleeping bag can help to prevent it from tracking debris, dirt, and even body stains.
Sleeping bag liners are dynamic camping gears that can greatly improve the temperature capabilities of your sleeping bag at no extra cost or significantly added weight.
If you need to stay warm on a cold night and maintain a clean sleeping bag, a sleeping liner is the way to go.
Do Sleeping Bag Liners Really Work?
People with sleeping bags can benefit a lot from sleeping bag liners. The simple but effective designs of sleeping bag liners sometimes make people disregard their importance.
Below are some of the benefits of sleeping bag liners:
- Warmth
Just by using insulated liners, your sleeping bag’s temperature increases by up to 25 degrees. This means you can use your sleeping bags in varying weather conditions without the need for special sleeping bags.
- Comfort
Most sleeping bags are made of nylons interiors, but with liners, you can enjoy the comfort of premium materials that beat nylon. Liners exist in various material options, allowing you to choose the one that best suits your needs.
A sleeping bag liner can help you stay warm on long bus rides and plane journeys.
- Materials
- Silk liners are famous for offering comfort to users and being lightweight too. Warm climatic conditions agree with silk liners and allow for a premium experience. Silk liners can be budget-friendly or very costly; the choice is yours.
- Cotton – The absorbent nature of cotton ensures that moisture inside your sleeping bag is well-managed. Cotton is not advisable for use in cold and wet regions; it is a very comfortable option. Cotton liners are well-known for their affordability.
- Wool – Wool can easily be crowned the prince-material of outdoor activities as it has served that many outdoor purposes for many years. Wool is a superior insulator, even in wet conditions. Wool is also perfect for warm temperatures as well. The only downside is that wool liners are quite expensive.
- Extended Life Span
Liners are effective for extending the lifespan of your sleeping bag as it protects against sweat, body oils, and other foreign substances that can damage your bag. This means that you wash your bag less often and essentially, extend its lifespan in the process.
- Travelling Companion
Astute itinerants who travel long distances to adventurous places use their sleeping bags to ensure warmth. However, they also help to maintain good hygiene in areas with lots of dirt.
- Shape
Liners are designed in various shapes and sizes to suit the common designs of sleeping bags.- Mummy liners
Designed to fit easily with the various configurations of most sleeping bags.
The usual design consists of liners that taper from the shoulders down. - Rectangular liners
Dynamism is the language of rectangular liners.
They are mostly used by travelers who use them in hotels or hostel-style beds.
These liners are usually the go-to liners for campers. - Double-wide liners
These are used for dual-person sleeping bags.
- Mummy liners
- Sense Of Security
You can make use of liners to foster a sense of security during adventures, as their enclosed nature makes you feel protected. The inner loops found in most sleeping bags is used to hold liners in place.
- Cleanliness
For travelers, the availability of rectangular bag liners protects them from beddings of questionable cleanliness or with possible bedbug infestations.
It is recommended and often even a requirement for most budget hotel travellers, too.
For long-term travelers, silk sleeping liners are the best. You can use it on a flight, a cheap guest house, or a hostel that may not provide a blanket.
- Budget
A light sleeping bag liner and a travel towel solve the problems of cheap accommodation options that don’t offer linens by helping one save cash.
- Bug Deterrent
Sleeping bag liners are effective mosquito deterrents as they help to keep mosquitoes out while keeping me enclosed. This gives one relief that one won’t go down with malaria after a camping trip. This is especially handy since mosquito spray doesn’t keep ruthless sandflies at bay.
- Adventure
Buying a sleeping bag that you can place your liner in, especially when you are out on a camping trip, is essential for hygienic reasons.
It is also very good for providing heat insulation when used with thick blankets during cold weather.
Disadvantages Of Sleeping Bag Liners
A major disadvantage of sleeping bag liners is their tendency to get wounded around your body during your sleep. This is especially true for restless sleepers.
One disadvantage that is particular to sleeping bags without a hood is that they are heavier than quilts. You do not get any benefit from lying on the insulated portion since it withholds hot air. For those who are backpacking, this is not a good option. It adds a lot of weight to their backpacks.
When Is It Most Suitable To Use?
During winter, liners are all that you need to get that extra layer of warm comfort without spending extra on another bag. Like bed sheet fabrics, a liner can help sustain your sleep mechanism by maintaining air pressure around your body to keep you warm.
Sleeping during warm weather.
Sleeping bags are not exactly convenient to sleep in during hot summer vacations. Unzipping your sleeping bag might not be enough to keep you cool. Liners are the best devices for staying cool on nights like this. All you need to do is get a breathable liner and light for your nightly adventures.
This is the most suitable time to use a liner as it helps you prevent unbearable heat and also helps you reduce the weight of the load you carry when going on a camping trip.
After hikes
After long backcountry hikes, cleaning your whole body before sleeping in your bag might be a herculean task. With your sleeping bag liner, you can decide to sleep without cleaning up; your liner will protect your bag from you.