Sleeping bags are sold in different styles (mummy, rectangular, hooded, and kids' sleeping bags), for varying temperatures (extreme weather, cold weather, three season, and warm weather sleeping bags), and with many different insulations (synthetic fibers and down fill). Sleeping bag insulations should be considered when purchasing your next bag. Here are some commonly used insulations and their benefits.
Slumberloft HQ(TM)
is a synthetic fiber composed of a 50% hollow core polyester fiber joined with a 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
is a synthetic fiber. Its hollow core is designed to trap more air for greater warmth and loft. Examples of sleeping bags with this insulation are: Coleman - Crescent +15F/-9C and Coleman - Mountain Lodge, King -5F/-21C.
DuPont Hollofil® II
is a synthetic fiber that features four hollow tunnels that run throughout its length. With four compartments per fiber to trap air, it typically provides even more warmth and compactibility 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 blends three different fibers - fine denier fibers, thermal bonding fibers, and hollow core spring fibers. This tri-blend fiber system offers ultimate warmth and superior compactibility. Examples of sleeping bags with this insulation are: Slumberjack - Diablo +40F/+4C and Slumberjack - Odyssey, Long +10F/-12C.
DuPont Thermolite® Extra
is a high-loft, high-resilient technical insulation for extraordinary warmth. Because it is made from unique patented hollow-core, three-dimensional crimp having a helical configuration, it provides superior loft, compactness, and exceptional resiliency. An example of a sleeping bag with this insulation is: Slumberjack - Telluride, Long +30F/-1C.
Polarguard® HV
is a high-performance insulation made of high-void, continuous-length polyester filaments that are bonded into a batting of multiple layers. Because it is a continuous filament, Polarguard HV does not shift, clump, 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 manner but finer than Polarguard HV. This makes Polarguard 3D softer, more compressible and stronger while providing great insulating value and loft. Examples of sleeping bags with this insulation are: Sierra Designs - Paul Bunyan, Long +10F/-12C and Sierra Designs - Rosa, Regular +20F/-7C - Women's sleeping bag.
Polarguard® Delta
continuous filament polyester is the newest member of the Polarguard family. Polarguard Delta combines a super void cross section with modified batt formation. The larger void creates higher loft with less weight, making it warmer, yet lighter. An example of a sleeping bag with this insulation is: Sierra Designs - LX, Regular +45F/+7C.
Down
is a time honored, expedition proven natural insulation made of very small extremely light down plumules found next to the skin of geese. For its weight, down has an exceptional ability to trap air, making it the most efficient warmth 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, is made of solid-core fibers and is soft and lofty with good thermal retention, properties to keep campers warm. Generally used for mild condition bags, this insulation keeps campers snug on cool summer nights. Made of 100 percent polyester fibers, which are non-allergenic, machine washable, and odorless. Examples of sleeping bags with this insulation are: Coleman for Kids - Journey Junior +40F/+4C and Coleman for Kids - Voyager +40F/+4C.
Coletherm
also exclusive to Coleman, is a hollow-core fiber, allowing for greater loft (a measure of the amount of space the insulation occupies and the amount of air the insulation can trap). The hollow-core fibers create pockets of air that serve as an extra barrier between the sleeper and the environment, maximizing thermal efficiency. Made of 100 percent polyester fibers, which are non-allergenic, machine washable, and odorless. An example of a sleeping bag with this insulation is: Coleman Exponent - Big Basin +0F/-18C.
Buckloft®
is a fine denier, solid core polyester fiber. This combination offers outstanding warmth with extra loft. An example of a sleeping bag with this insulation is: Slumberjack - Kenai +0F/-18C.
Buckloft HQ®
is a synthetic fiber composed of a 25% siliconized, hollow-core polyester fiber joined with a 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 affordable and durable branded synthetic fill insulation. The blend of solid core and hollow core fibers trap heat efficiently and provide excellent loft and comfort. Cloudloft is used in Kelty's most value-oriented mummy and rectangular bags. An example of a sleeping bag with this insulation is: Kelty - Mistral, Long +20F/-7C.