What is a Sleeping Bag Liner?
One of our readers dropped us an email and asked "What is a sleeping bag liner?" and whether they should get one. We're happy to help. A sleeping bag liner is exactly what it sounds like — a liner that you put inside a sleeping bag, often made of silk or fleece. There are several reasons you would want one.
1. Extending the life of your sleeping bag
If you have a mid-range or premium sleeping bag, you'll know the washing instructions say that each time you wash it, you shorten its life, as the fill and fabric are delicate. By using a liner inside your sleeping bag you can wash the liner regularly without having to wash the sleeping bag as often, prolonging its life. If you're camping for an extended period it's also a hassle to wash a whole sleeping bag, since they're thick, heavy and take a long time to dry, whereas a liner is quick to wash and dry.
2. Keeping you warm
Fleece liners can provide extra warmth on cold nights — some can add as much as 25°F of warmth to a sleeping bag. Just watch out, though, as some fleece liners can be quite bulky.
3. Keeping you cool, and even saving you money
As well as keeping you warm, liners can also keep you cool. If you're camping in a hot summer you might not want your thick three-season sleeping bag, so just a liner would be perfect. Or if you stay in hostels, you may find yourself charged for sheets and not allowed to use a sleeping bag — but a liner should be fine.
So there you have it — three uses for a sleeping bag liner. If you're serious about preserving the life of your sleeping bag, or want the extra warmth, a liner is a must-have item.
If you have a camping question, or just something to share, get in touch — [email protected].