Sleeping Bag Liner: the Ideal Way to Keep Warm in Your Tent When Camping

Camping is a great way to discover the beauty of nature and reap the benefits this activity has to offer. Taking a break from the stress of everyday life is more than welcome in these pandemic times and spending some time in the great outdoors can help you keep good health and a clear mind. Whether you want to share this amazing experience with family and friends or enjoy it by yourself, you need to make sure you’ve packed the essentials for an ideal trip off-grid.

Always consider the climate of the area where you’ll be camping, the environment and your needs. Your tent and sleeping bag are a must, but you need more than that to feel comfortable and warm when the night comes. A sleeping bag liner is probably one of the most underrated pieces of camping gear, but the truth is that it can make your outdoor adventure more enjoyable and keep you warm on those chilly nights in the forest.

What Is the Point of a Sleeping Bag Liner?

Sleeping bag liners are considered the heroes of camping trips as they can do everything from boosting the warmth of your sleeping bag to increasing its lifespan. They are inserted inside your sleeping bag to add extra warmth and prevent dirt from reaching it. They can add from 10 to 15 degrees of extra warmth to your sleeping bag depending on the liner material, so you can choose a sleeping bag liner that meets your needs and preferences.

Cotton

Cotton sleeping bag liners are strong, durable and absorbent and offer a soft feel. They are machine washable and cost-effective options.

Fleece

Fleece is a soft material, quick-drying and moisture-wicking. Fleece sleeping bag liners are lightweight, but they provide extra warmth and are easy to take care of.

Thermal

These are highly breathable and provide you with a soft feel against the skin. With the stretchy fabrics that move with you, they are a great choice if you’re a restless sleeper. They allow you to use a thinner sleeping bag in cold water and are machine washable. One of their greatest advantages is that they can be used as stand-alone sleeping bags when the weather gets warmer.

Silk

Silk sleeping bag liners are lightweight and soft against the skin. They can help insulate in cold weather but are breathable and absorbent on warm nights.

Most sleeping bag liners come in two shapes – regular or mummy. The regular ones are designed to fit inside sleeping bags that are not mummy shape. The mummy-shaped sleeping bag liners, as the name suggests, are compatible with mummy sleeping bags. As these bags are tapered towards the bottom, they provide a closer fit than the regular ones, there for some extra warmth in the cold nights.

Benefits of Sleeping Liner Bags

Additional Warmth

A sleeping liner can add a few degrees of warmth to your sleeping bag. Placing a liner inside your sleeping bag provides a layer of insulation and can keep you warm on cold nights.

Comfort

Comfort is essential for quality night sleep. When it comes to outdoor activities, a good night rest can make all the difference and help you dose off in unforgiving terrain and having a sleeping liner in your pack is always a good idea as it can help you get comfortable and cosy in your tent and rest well.

Increased Hygiene Levels

Your sleeping liner can serve as the much-needed barrier between you and your sleeping bag and significantly raise your hygiene standards when in the great outdoors. As we all know, when camping or hiking, sleeping bags are often used in a situation where sweat and dirt are accumulated and a liner can help keep your bag clean by preventing sweat and dirt from reaching it. After all, washing it is much easier than washing your sleeping bag.

Prolonged Usage of Your Sleeping Bag

Using a sleeping liner can increase the life of your high-quality sleeping bag as it will be more protected from the build-up of oils from your skin, which can prevent the bag from lofting and keeping you warm. Also, the sand that you bring into your sleeping back can damage the lightweight face fabric once the small grains make their way into the insulation. Using a sleeping liner can prevent it and help you keep your sleeping bag in a good shape for longer.

Protection Against Insect Bites

You always need a safety gear starter pack for the ideal camping adventure , but when it comes to insects, we all know how annoying they can be and ruin your entire trip. If you’re going to a destination where insects might be an issue, your liner can add an extra layer of protection against insect bites.

Other Ways to Stay Warm in Your Tent

Always Dress in Layers

Dressing in multiple layers includes base layers, mid-layers and outer layers and gives you control over regulating your body temperature. As you move through the activities of your outdoor adventure, you’ll work up body heat and you need to manage it by constantly adding and subtracting layers. This way you’ll prevent sweating and stay warm at all times.

Layer Up as Soon as the Temperature Starts to Drop

Don’t wait until you feel cold to layer up, instead grab an extra layer when the temperature starts to drop in the evening. This way you won’t feel cold and then wait to warm up again.

Put a How Water Bottle in Your Core Region

Always pack a hot water bottle and place it in your groin instead of placing it on your toes. This way it will heat the blood that goes throughout your body, reach the extremities and warm your body up. Make sure to crank down the lid to prevent leaks and not burn yourself with hot water.

Vent the Tent

Airflow in the tent is a good idea during winter nights. By keeping your tent ventilated you can reduce the dampness and condensation and keep yourself and the inside of the tent dry.