Pod: If you like to curl up or starfish, or find other bag types too tight, the wide oval shape of a pod sleeping bag provides plenty of wriggle room. Some people - usually men - are hot sleepers and are comfortable at lower temperatures. This is given as the Limit temperature rating. (That is, the lower limit of comfortable sleep.) We roll up and stuff each sleeping bag into its carry bag several times, noting how much effort is required to complete the task and how easily the sleeping bag fits into the carry bag it comes with. Temperature retention This is because the top of a double sleeping bag isn't tightly fitted and there's often no draught collar, leaving gaps for warm air to escape.

Sleeping bags with synthetic fillings are generally machine washable, but if you don't own a washing machine with a large drum then you may need to take it to a launderette. Feather-filled sleeping bags can only be dry cleaned.There are a host of options out there, ranging from very basic (and non-breathable) survival bags to all singing, all dancing, mosquito-net and poles options that verge on being mini tents. But I prefer to keep things simple. For that there’s great value British brand Alpkit. There is an age-old camping conundrum for couples – should you take two sleeping bags and sleep separately or zip them together? The former is warm but not exactly romantic, the latter is great for cuddling but not for comfort – especially if you end up lying over the zips. However, we'd avoid washing sleeping bags too frequently if you can. In our tests, even those suitable for machine washing often end up with a few loose threads after we've put them through a cycle.

Sleeping bags can be a pain to clean, so we take note of any cleaning instructions that come with each sleeping bag we test, and wash them according to those instructions where possible. We praise sleeping bags that are easy to clean and don't suffer damage from washing, and penalise those that are a hassle or have loose threads after being washed. I’ve spent over 15 years wild camping on mountain tops, suspended from cliffs and inside glaciers – and yet I always sleep more soundly than I ever manage to at home in my own bed. Perhaps it’s because all the manmade sounds are replaced with leaves blowing in the wind, the hoot of an owl, or the rhythmic ripple of a stream. Perhaps because I’ve dedicated so much time to finding the best sleeping bag. I’m often asked about bivvy bags. These are to be used in conjunction with a sleeping bag, not by themselves. It’s essentially a waterproof and breathable cover for a normal sleeping bag that allows you to happily sleep outside without the need for a tent. What sleeping bag do I need for camping in the UK? The person using the sleeping bag is also a major factor. The size of the camper and how much body heat they naturally generate will influence how snugly the insulation fits to their body, and how much heat the sleeping bag retains. Mummy - these are designed to fit more snugly than a rectangle and are tapered towards the foot. This reduces air movement around your body and helps to build up an insulating layer of warm air. The shape can be restrictive, so you may find them uncomfortable if you move around in your sleep.The price may be high, but this sleeping bag really does do it all. For a start it’s warm – the comfort rating allows three-season use comfortably and there are other versions for both lower and warmer temperatures available.