Sleeping Bag

You will usually be camping 8,500 feet above sea level. Philmont, overnight temperatures can drop to below 30 degrees Fahrenheit. You will want to make sure you have a warm enough sleeping bag. A 20 to 25 degree sleeping bag is what you need to take. If you plan on bringing a sleeping bag rated above 30 degrees, bring warm sleeping clothes to compensate for the warmpth difference. There are two types of sleeping bags on the market, each has it’s own pro’s and con’s. No one bag as an advantage over the other at Philmont.

Generally, the less expensive the sleeping bag, the bulkier and heavier it is. You can get around the bulk by using a compression sack.

Synthetic

Bags are relatively inexpensive. They tend to weigh more and compact to a larger size than their down counterparts. If a Synthetic bag gets wet, it will keep you warm and dry quicker than a down bag. Cleaning can usually be done by a front loading washing machine and hung out to dry. Synthetic bags are not as comfortable as down bags.

			*Needs 20-inch-wide square sleeping pad

Down

bags are expensive, but well worth the investment. Geese feathers have an extremely high insulation value. This means that which means you can have the same warmth as a synthetic bag, with less weight and it is less bulky. Down bags do not will not keep you warm if they are wet and they will take a long time to dry out. So make sure you don’t get it wet! You should hand wash down sleeping bags in a bath tub and let them air dried, they are extremely delicate. If you take care of your down sleeping bag you will sleep warm and comfortable.