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 necessary.
Do you know that these zippers will be on both facet of the sleeping bag – and that some producers will allow you to select which facet to get yours on?
On this article, we’re going to dive into the ins and outs of zipper orientation, and what it could possibly imply in your total sleeping bag expertise.
Fundamentals Of Sleeping Bag Zippers
Left-Hand Zip (LHZ)
Left hand zippers are going to be on the fitting facet of your sleeping bag while 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 facet of your sleeping bag when mendacity down.
With the identical reasoning because the left hand zips, this enables 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 Finest For You
For lots of people, having the zipper on both facet of your sleeping bag isn’t going to make an entire lot of distinction in your tenting expertise.
That being mentioned, there are particular circumstances having the zipper on one specific facet of your bag could be extra handy.
Listed below 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.
If you need 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 alternative facet.
So, when you’re right-handed – get a right-hand zip, and when you’re left-handed, get a left-hand zip.
Tent Entrance Orientation
You probably have a tent with a facet entrance, it’s higher to have a sleeping bag with a zipper that’s going through that entrance.
That manner, getting out and in of your tent is quite a bit faster and simpler, as a result of you may 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 acquired a variety of area to maneuver round inside these tents, having a zipper that’s going through the door makes issues run quite a bit smoother.
Bivy Sack Alignment
This is identical deal as with tent doorways. When you’re sleeping in a bivy sack, you wish to ensure that your bivy and your sleeping bag have zippers on the identical facet.
Having the zippers aligned on the identical facet will make zipping and unzipping a lot simpler.
You’ll be capable of do all of it with one hand shortly and with none hassles.
Aspect Sleepers
Personally, I’m a tosser and turner. I flip forwards and backwards between my proper facet, left facet, and abdomen all by way of the evening.
Nevertheless, some folks at all times sleep on one specific facet. If that’s you, you’ll wish to get a sleeping bag with a zipper on that facet.
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, when you at all times sleep in your proper facet, get a sleeping bag with a left-hand zip (as a result of that’s what you may be going through) and vice versa.
Zipper Manufacturing Variations
Male Vs. Feminine Sleeping Luggage
For essentially the most half, the supplies and zippers utilized in each males’s and ladies’s sleeping baggage are going to be related, if not similar.
Nevertheless, the designs of males’s and ladies’s sleeping baggage will fluctuate to go well with the overall physique composition of the genders.
Generally, ladies’s baggage can have extra insulation and are available in comparatively shorter sizes than males’s baggage.
They will 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 ladies, who often lose warmth all through their core, can have further insulation in these areas.
Ladies’s sleeping bag designs are additionally primarily based across the common top of ladies, so you’ll discover they arrive in shorter dimension 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 in longer sizes and received’t have fairly as many curves included into the design as ladies’s baggage.
Model Variations
Whereas all sleeping baggage can have facet 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 will be positioned on the highest of the physique, the edges, or close to the foot field of the bag.
Having extra zippers offers you extra room to maneuver, and it places you answerable for the air flow whilst you sleep.
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These designs can fluctuate primarily based on model, so there’s loads of choices obtainable so that you can select from.
Frequent Misconceptions
“One-Dimension-Suits-All”
Sleeping baggage are designed to maintain you heat primarily based on a variety of specifics, together with your top, weight, and physique composition.
Because of this there are completely different sleeping baggage designs primarily based on gender and top.
One sleeping bag design won’t work for everybody. A sleeping bag that works greatest for you is match to your private wants.
If you’re searching for a brand new sleeping bag, it’s at all times greatest to go to the shop to take a look at just a few 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 top and gender (or physique composition).
Gender Requirements
Although gender classes are a useful instrument to make use of when choosing a sleeping bag, they aren’t set in stone!
The gender classes are primarily based on the typical “case” for every gender.
Generally, ladies’s sleeping baggage have extra insulation as a result of ladies are typically shorter and weigh lower than males.
Comparatively, males’s sleeping baggage have barely much less insulation and are available in longer sizes.
That being mentioned, go for it when you discover that the opposite gender design works higher in your physique. You already know 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 routinely be suitable when 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 to learn the product particulars and ensure the zippers are the identical mannequin and design.
Then, you’ll be capable of ensure your baggage can have suitable zippers – and which you can make a duo bag!
FAQs
Can Two Sleeping Luggage With The Identical Zipper Orientation Be Zipped Collectively?
No, two sleeping baggage with the identical zipper orientation can not zip collectively as a result of the zippers should not suitable.
If you wish to zip two sleeping baggage collectively, you’ll want two sleeping baggage with reverse zipper orientations.
This manner, the zipper “tooth” can alternate with each other to create a cohesive zipper.
How Can I Stop My Zipper From Snagging?
The commonest strategy to snag your zipper is on the material surrounding the zipper itself.
To keep away from this, preserve the encompassing material away from the zipper tooth.
After I zip up my sleeping bag, I am going slowly and use my hand to maintain the material out of the way in which.
If my zipper does get caught, I rigorously unzip it as a lot as potential 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 Luggage 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 “tooth” of the zipper will come collectively because the zipper rises up the size of the bag.
Make certain 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 may’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 state of affairs, you should utilize a sleeping bag with the zipper on both facet with none main points.
You probably have a tent with a facet entrance, you’re higher off with a zipper on the identical facet because the door.