Each sleeping bag has a zipper that runs down one in every of its sides to make it simpler so that you can get out and in of the bag. That is the place the distinction between left vs. right-hand zippers for sleeping baggage is essential.
Do you know that these zippers may be on both aspect of the sleeping bag – and that some producers will allow you to select which aspect to get yours on?
On this article, we’re going to dive into the ins and outs of zipper orientation, and what it might probably imply on your total sleeping bag expertise.
Fundamentals Of Sleeping Bag Zippers
Left-Hand Zip (LHZ)
Left hand zippers are going to be on the fitting aspect of your sleeping bag once you’re laying down. Confused but? Don’t be!
Left hand zippers are designed for use by the left hand when the camper is laying down within the sleeping bag.
Which means that it is possible for you to to achieve your left hand throughout your physique to unzip the bag with essentially the most leverage.
Proper-Hand Zip (RHZ)
Proper hand zippers are the mirror to left-hand zip baggage. With these, the zippers are on the left aspect of your sleeping bag when mendacity down.
With the identical reasoning because the left hand zips, this permits right-handed campers to achieve throughout their physique to unzip the bag with ease.
It’s value mentioning that as a result of extra people are right-handed, right-hand zips are much more frequent than left-hand zip baggage.
Figuring out Which Is Greatest For You
For lots of people, having the zipper on both aspect of your sleeping bag isn’t going to make a complete lot of distinction in your tenting expertise.
That being stated, there are particular circumstances having the zipper on one specific aspect of your bag is likely to be extra handy.
Listed here are some issues to contemplate when selecting a sleeping bag with a left or proper hand zipper.
Righties Vs. Lefties
Essentially the most primary factor to contemplate is your dominant hand.
In order for you to have the ability to use your dominant hand to zip and unzip your sleeping bag, simply get a sleeping bag with the zipper on the other aspect.
So, in the event you’re right-handed – get a right-hand zip, and in the event you’re left-handed, get a left-hand zip.
Tent Entrance Orientation
When you’ve got a tent with a aspect entrance, it’s higher to have a sleeping bag with a zipper that’s going through that entrance.
That method, getting out and in of your tent is so much faster and simpler, as a result of you possibly can simply slide out and in, with out having to shuffle round as a lot.
That is very true if it’s a small 2- or 1-person tent.
Because you haven’t received lots of house to maneuver round inside these tents, having a zipper that’s going through the door makes issues run so much smoother.
Bivy Sack Alignment
This is identical deal as with tent doorways. For those who’re sleeping in a bivy sack, you wish to guarantee that your bivy and your sleeping bag have zippers on the identical aspect.
Having the zippers aligned on the identical aspect will make zipping and unzipping a lot simpler.
You’ll be capable to do all of it with one hand shortly and with none hassles.
Aspect Sleepers
Personally, I’m a tosser and turner. I flip backwards and forwards between my proper aspect, left aspect, and abdomen all by the evening.
Nonetheless, some individuals at all times sleep on one specific aspect. If that’s you, you’ll wish to get a sleeping bag with a zipper on that aspect.
It’ll make zipping and unzipping one thing you are able to do shortly, with out having to flip round to search out the zipper.
So, in the event you at all times sleep in your proper aspect, get a sleeping bag with a left-hand zip (as a result of that’s what you can be going through) and vice versa.
Zipper Manufacturing Variations
Male Vs. Feminine Sleeping Baggage
For essentially the most half, the supplies and zippers utilized in each males’s and ladies’s sleeping baggage are going to be comparable, if not equivalent.
Nonetheless, the designs of males’s and ladies’s sleeping baggage will range to swimsuit the overall physique composition of the genders.
Usually, girls’s baggage could have extra insulation and are available comparatively shorter sizes than males’s baggage.
They may even have extra curves to suit into the design of the sleeping bag, particularly across the shoulders and hips.
These design modifications are made to make sure that girls, who normally lose warmth all through their core, could have further insulation in these areas.
Ladies’s sleeping bag designs are additionally based mostly across the common peak of girls, so you’ll discover they arrive in shorter measurement choices.
Compared, males’s baggage have much less insulation as a result of males’s our bodies, on common, retain extra muscle – which in flip retains warmth.
Moreover, males’s sleeping baggage will are available longer sizes and received’t have fairly as many curves included into the design as girls’s baggage.
Model Variations
Whereas all sleeping baggage could have aspect zippers, whether or not or not there are different zippers in different spots will depend upon model design.
For instance, many producers will add zippers all through the physique of the sleeping bag so as to add air flow choices.
These zippers may be positioned on the highest of the physique, the edges, or close to the foot field of the bag.
Having extra zippers provides you extra room to maneuver, and it places you answerable for the air flow when you sleep.
pic
These designs can range based mostly on model, so there’s loads of choices accessible so that you can select from.
Widespread Misconceptions
“One-Dimension-Matches-All”
Sleeping baggage are designed to maintain you heat based mostly on a spread of specifics, together with your peak, weight, and physique composition.
This is the reason there are completely different sleeping baggage designs based mostly on gender and peak.
One sleeping bag design won’t work for everybody. A sleeping bag that works greatest for you is match to your private wants.
Whenever you’re in search of a brand new sleeping bag, it’s at all times greatest to go to the shop to take a look at a number of fashions earlier than buying one – or do loads of on-line analysis.
The rule of thumb is to discover a sleeping bag that caters to your peak and gender (or physique composition).
Gender Requirements
Despite the fact that gender classes are a useful software to make use of when choosing a sleeping bag, they don’t seem to be set in stone!
The gender classes are based mostly on the typical “case” for every gender.
Usually, girls’s sleeping baggage have extra insulation as a result of girls are usually shorter and weigh lower than males.
Comparatively, males’s sleeping baggage have barely much less insulation and are available longer sizes.
That being stated, go for it in the event you discover that the opposite gender design works higher on your physique. You recognize what works greatest for you, so the decision is yours on the finish of the day.
Model Product Compatibility
By no means assume that two sleeping baggage from the identical model will mechanically be appropriate in the event you want to use them collectively.
Many manufacturers use completely different fashions of zippers for various sleeping bag designs. And irrespective of how a lot you need it, two completely different zipper fashions won’t work collectively.
Before you purchase, ensure that to learn the product particulars and ensure the zippers are the identical mannequin and design.
Then, you’ll be capable to ensure that your baggage could have appropriate zippers – and that you would be able to make a duo bag!
FAQs
Can Two Sleeping Baggage With The Identical Zipper Orientation Be Zipped Collectively?
No, two sleeping baggage with the identical zipper orientation can’t zip collectively as a result of the zippers usually are not appropriate.
If you wish to zip two sleeping baggage collectively, you’ll want two sleeping baggage with reverse zipper orientations.
This manner, the zipper “enamel” can alternate with each other to create a cohesive zipper.
How Can I Forestall My Zipper From Snagging?
The commonest technique to snag your zipper is on the material surrounding the zipper itself.
To keep away from this, preserve the encompassing cloth away from the zipper enamel.
After I zip up my sleeping bag, I’m going slowly and use my hand to maintain the material out of the best way.
If my zipper does get caught, I fastidiously unzip it as a lot as attainable till I attain the “snagged” portion of cloth.
When you unzip from the caught portion, your zipper ought to run simply as easily because it did earlier than.
Why Do Sleeping Baggage Have Two Zippers?
Some sleeping baggage have two zippers to extend accessibility for each right- and left-handed campers.
Additionally, extra zippers means extra choices for air flow all through the bag.
How Do You Zip A Sleeping Bag?
Beginning on the backside of the sleeping bag zipper, work the zipper up the size of the sleeping bag.
The “enamel” of the zipper will come collectively because the zipper rises up the size of the bag.
Ensure to go slowly to make sure that the material across the zipper doesn’t get caught within the zipper itself.
Wrapping Up
On the finish of the day, whether or not your sleeping bag has a left vs. right-hand zipper is a minor level.
The one scenario you possibly can’t make do is if you wish to mate two mummy-shaped sleeping baggage right into a double bag. On this scenario, the zippers must be on reverse sides.
In each different situation, you need to use a sleeping bag with the zipper on both aspect with none main points.
When you’ve got a tent with a aspect entrance, you’re higher off with a zipper on the identical aspect because the door.
