Types of sleeping bags

I have to admit something. About two months ago, my husband and I went camping near Mormon Lake in Arizona, and I did not bring a sleeping bag. I figured since it is almost summer, I could get away with just bringing a blanket to sleep in. To my dismay, I froze my butt off. It got down to 40 degrees that night, and I could hardly regain any comfort. I have to express how important it is to bring a sleeping bag camping no matter what. In doing my research over the years, I have learned that there are basically two styles of sleeping bags, the rectangular, and the mummy.
The rectangle sleeping bag, is an older style bag which provides a lot of leg room and cushion. The good news with this style of bag is, that it can be zipped with an equal style bag to fit two people inside. The bad news is, that no matter how you roll it up, it takes up a lot of space. This style of bag is not as warm as the mummy bag.
The mummy sleeping bag is the most popular bag used especially for colder climates. Because of its cocoon shape, it allows you to maintain an equal body temperature throughout the night. Once you are in this style of bag, you can use the drawn sting to close the bag around your head only exposing your nose and mouth. I would not recommend this type of sleeping bag to someone who is claustrophobic. The best thing to do is when you are looking to purchase the right type of sleeping bag, make sure you follow these few principles:
-Check the weather ahead of time, so you have an idea what the temperature will be at night. If you purchase a sleeping bag that is expected to keep you warm at zero degree temperatures, and it’s only 70 degrees at night, you will probably wake up sweating and miserable.
-Look for good filling material. Currently there is synthetic fill and down fill. Synthetic is more cost effective, but down is warmer but more expensive.
-Look for the temperature rating on the tag affixed to the bag. Best thing to do is plan for an extra ten degrees to be on the safe side
-Look for tuck stitching on the bag. This is where the fabric is folded inward and the stitch is on the inside. This will make for better insulation.
-Make sure the bag you purchase will be long enough for you to fit comfortably in.
-Always check with a camping specialist if you visit a sporting goods store, as they tend to provide some good advice. If you purchase online, make sure you do your research first. As always, Happy Camping America.