The advent of the internet has turned consumers into wise and savvy shoppers who no longer jump at the best deals or make any type of purchase without first doing a little research. When it comes to doing research on certain kinds of products, it always helps to read the product descriptions and reviews. Sleeping bag companies offer information as do review sites where everyday folks can give a thumbs up or thumbs down on a product. However, when it comes to something like sleeping bags, technical terms can be a hang-up, leaving a would-be buyer scratching their head and even more confused than when they started!

In reading reviews, sleeping bag lingo can seem daunting; cryptic at the very least. Temperature ratings, mummy bags, draft tubes, fill power and other words often make up most of the descriptions- and without understanding what any of those things mean, it can seem like reading a secret code! Since one of the most important things about choosing a sleeping bag is where and what type of climate it will be used in, when a purchaser reads the reviews, sleeping bag features and their uses need to be fully understood in order to keep from investing in the wrong type of bag. By becoming familiar with the terms, the next time a consumer reads the reviews, sleeping bag lingo will no longer be a point of confusion. It will not only ensure the proper product is being purchased but will give the consumer a chance to sound like a camping or hiking pro to others!

These are a list of terms, commonly found in product description or reviews. Sleeping bag features vary and have pro's and cons depending on different climates and weather conditions.

Draft tubes are a feature that helps preserve body heat by insulating the zipper on the sleeping bag.

Fill power is the number of cubic inches one ounce of down fills. A fill power that ranges from 550 to 700-plus cubic inches is considered top quality.

Mummy bag is a snug fitting sleeping bag that is great for keeping warm. Used by the more serious camper or hiker in colder temperatures.

Stuff sack is the nylon bag in which the sleeping bag is carried

Tapered bag is a sleeping bag that is wide at the shoulders and narrows at the feet but is not as snug as the mummy bag and allows better movement.

Temperature rating is what sleeping bags use to show what one can expect the lowest temperature of the weather to get to and still expect the bag to keep a camper warm. This is generally a guide and does not count for other conditions such as wind- which can make a temperature feel lower.