Sleeping bags are sold in different styles (mummy, rectangular, hooded and children’s sleeping bags), for different temperatures (extreme weather, cold weather, three seasons, and warm weather sleeping bags) and with many different insulation (synthetic fibers and padding down). Sleeping bag insulations should be considered when shopping for your next sleeping bag. Here are some commonly used isolates and their benefits.
Slumberloft HQ (TM)
It is a synthetic fiber composed of 50% hollow core polyester fiber joined with 50% solid core polyester fiber. This combination offers great warmth and loft. Examples of sleeping bags with Slumberloft HQ are: Slumberjack – Latitude, Long -20F / -29C and Slumberjack – Lil ‘Timber, Kids Bag + 10F / -12C.
DuPont Hollofil® 808
it is a synthetic fiber. Its hollow core is designed to trap more air and provide greater warmth and softness. Examples of sleeping bags with this insulation are: Coleman – Crescent + 15F / -9C and Coleman – Mountain Lodge, King -5F / -21C.
DuPont Hollofil® II
It is a synthetic fiber that has four hollow tunnels that run along its length. With four compartments per fiber to trap air, it generally provides even more warmth and compactability than Hollofil 808. An example of a sleeping bag with this insulation is: Coleman Exponent – Northbound + 0F / -18C.
DuPont Thermolite® Extreme
is a high performance insulation that combines three different fibers: fine denier fibers, thermal bond fibers and hollow core spring fibers. This three-blend fiber system offers maximum warmth and superior compactability. Examples of sleeping bags with this insulation are: Slumberjack – Diablo + 40F / + 4C and Slumberjack – Odyssey, Long + 10F / -12C.
DuPont Thermolite® Extra
is high-rise, high-strength technical insulation for extraordinary warmth. Because it is made from a unique patented hollow core three-dimensional crimp that has a helical configuration, it provides superior loft, compactness, and exceptional strength. An example of a sleeping bag with this insulation is: Slumberjack – Telluride, Long + 30F / -1C.
Polarguard® HV
is a high-performance insulation made of continuous-length, high-vacuum polyester filaments that are bonded into a multi-layer wadding. Because it is a continuous filament, Polarguard HV does not move, bunch, or separate. An example of a sleeping bag with this insulation is: Coleman Exponent – Boulder Ridge + 20F / -7C.
Polarguard® 3D
is a high performance insulation produced from continuous filament in the same way but finer than Polarguard HV. This makes Polarguard 3D softer, more compressible, and stronger while providing great insulating and loft value. Examples of sleeping bags with this insulation are: Sierra Designs – Paul Bunyan, Long + 10F / -12C and Sierra Designs – Pink, Regular + 20F / -7C – Women’s sleeping bag.
Polarguard® Delta
Continuous filament polyester is the newest member of the Polarguard family. Polarguard Delta combined a super void cross section with a modified batt formation. The larger void creates a taller loft with less weight, making it warmer, but lighter. An example of a sleeping bag with this insulation is: Sierra Designs – LX, Regular + 45F / + 7C.
Down
is a long-standing, expedition-proven natural insulation made from very small, extremely lightweight plumules found next to geese skin. For its weight, down has an exceptional ability to trap air, making it the most efficient heat-to-weight insulation available. Examples of sleeping bags with this insulation are: Kelty – Light Year Down, Long + 15F / -9C and The Backside – Blue Ice -50F / -46C (750 Down).
ThermoTech
Exclusive to Coleman, it is made of solid core fibers and is soft and raised with good thermal retention, properties to keep campers warm. Generally used for bags in mild conditions, this insulation keeps campers comfortable on cool summer nights. Made from 100 percent polyester fibers, which are hypoallergenic, machine washable, and odorless. Examples of sleeping bags with this insulation are: Coleman for children – Journey Junior + 40F / + 4C and Coleman for children – Voyager + 40F / + 4C.
Coletherm
Also exclusive to Coleman, it is a hollow core fiber, allowing for greater loft (a measure of the amount of space the insulation takes up and the amount of air the insulation can trap). The hollow core fibers create pockets of air that serve as an additional barrier between the sleeper and the environment, maximizing thermal efficiency. Made from 100 percent polyester fibers, which are hypoallergenic, machine washable, and odorless. An example of a sleeping bag with this insulation is: Coleman Exponent – Big Basin + 0F / -18C.
Buckloft®
It is a fine denier solid core polyester fiber. This combination offers exceptional warmth with an extra loft. An example of a sleeping bag with this insulation is: Slumberjack – Kenai + 0F / -18C.
Buckloft HQ®
It is a synthetic fiber composed of 25% silicone hollow core polyester fiber bonded with 75% solid core polyester fiber. This combination offers great warmth and comfort. An example of a sleeping bag with this insulation is: Slumberjack – Chaparral -30F / -34C.
Kelty CloudLoft®
is Kelty’s durable and affordable synthetic fill insulation. The blend of solid core and hollow core fibers efficiently trap heat and provide excellent loft and comfort. Cloudloft is used in Kelty’s more value-oriented rectangular bags and mummies. An example of a sleeping bag with this insulation is: Kelty – Mistral, Long + 20F / -7C.
