A hooded sleeping bag insulates your head and prevents major body heat loss. Hoods are now available on both mummy and envelope sleeping bags.

Store your sleeping bag loosely. Under no circumstances store the bag in a compression sack as this will shorten the sleeping bags useful life. Dry cleaning is not advised as the chemicals used may damage the bag. The fumes from the chemicals can be poisonous.

If a sleeping bag is going to be used in wet conditions it needs to be stored in a waterproof bag as a damp sleeping bag looses its efficiency.

Children’s bags are now available relatively cheaply however an adult bag can also be used just tie off the bottom of the bag below the level to which the child’s feet extend.

O Meara Camping supplies a wide range of sleeping bags, from high performance outdoor mummy bags to leisure performance sleeping bags. Typically the price dictates how good a sleeping bag that you purchase. A lower priced sleeping bag can, however, have the performance enhanced by using a fleece liner.

Choose a sleeping bag that fits you and also the conditions in which it is going to be used. Too tight a bag is a disaster, too loose difficult to heat up. Too long leaves a cold spot too short and you are in trouble. For family camping standard sleeping bags are adequate and many people prefer some room.

A double sleeping bag can be made by zipping two identical sleeping bags together. Check at time of purchase.

If using a ‘Down Sleeping Bag’ (i.e. A sleeping bag which is usually lined with duck feather as the primary insulating material, extremely light and efficient insulator) it should be unpacked as early as possible and lofted. Shake air into the bag, which is a practice encouraged for all sleeping bags as it further increases the performance. If ‘Down’ is escaping through the stitching holes of the bag wipe the stitching with slightly dampened soap. This fills the holes.

Be sure to air your sleeping bag if at all possible each morning as body moisture will dampen the bag and reduce its efficiency. The warm bonnet of a car after travelling can be useful also!

Sleeping bag Zips are critical as the bag must be snugly closed so treat the zip with care. If the zip is stiff try rubbing some candle wax on it.

Nicely patterned sleeping bags can be used as bed covers.

Sleeping bags are a fantastic way to keep children warm watching television when the heating has gone off. Just try it!

Wash sleeping bags as little as possible. Use liners to keep clean. Wipe the outside with a damp cloth or spot clean.