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 luggage is essential.
Do you know that these zippers will 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 will probably imply on your general sleeping bag expertise.
Fundamentals Of Sleeping Bag Zippers
Left-Hand Zip (LHZ)
Left hand zippers are going to be on the precise 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 it is possible for you to to succeed in 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 luggage. 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 enables right-handed campers to succeed in throughout their physique to unzip the bag with ease.
It’s price mentioning that as a result of extra people are right-handed, right-hand zips are much more frequent than left-hand zip luggage.
Figuring out Which Is Finest 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 mentioned, there are particular circumstances having the zipper on one specific aspect of your bag is likely to be extra handy.
Listed below are some issues to think about when selecting a sleeping bag with a left or proper hand zipper.
Righties Vs. Lefties
Probably the most primary factor to think about is your dominant hand.
If you would like 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, for those who’re right-handed – get a right-hand zip, and for those who’re left-handed, get a left-hand zip.
Tent Entrance Orientation
When you have 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 lots faster and simpler, as a result of you’ll be able to 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 loads of area to maneuver round inside these tents, having a zipper that’s going through the door makes issues run lots smoother.
Bivy Sack Alignment
This is identical deal as with tent doorways. In case you’re sleeping in a bivy sack, you need to make it possible for 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 of 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 way of the evening.
Nevertheless, some folks at all times sleep on one specific aspect. If that’s you, you’ll need 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, for those who 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’ll 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 girls’s sleeping luggage are going to be related, if not equivalent.
Nevertheless, the designs of males’s and girls’s sleeping luggage will differ to swimsuit the final physique composition of the genders.
Basically, girls’s luggage can have extra insulation and are available in comparatively shorter sizes than males’s luggage.
They may also 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, can have further insulation in these areas.
Ladies’s sleeping bag designs are additionally based mostly across the common peak of ladies, so you’ll discover they arrive in shorter dimension choices.
As compared, males’s luggage 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 luggage will are available in longer sizes and received’t have fairly as many curves integrated into the design as girls’s luggage.
Model Variations
Whereas all sleeping luggage can have aspect zippers, whether or not or not there are different zippers in different spots will rely on 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 differ based mostly on model, so there’s loads of choices obtainable so that you can select from.
Widespread Misconceptions
“One-Dimension-Matches-All”
Sleeping luggage are designed to maintain you heat based mostly on a spread of specifics, together with your peak, weight, and physique composition.
Because of this there are totally different sleeping luggage 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.
Once 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 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
Though gender classes are a useful device to make use of when choosing a sleeping bag, they aren’t set in stone!
The gender classes are based mostly on the common “case” for every gender.
Basically, girls’s sleeping luggage have extra insulation as a result of girls are usually shorter and weigh lower than males.
Comparatively, males’s sleeping luggage have barely much less insulation and are available in longer sizes.
That being mentioned, go for it for those who discover that the opposite gender design works higher on your physique. You understand 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 luggage from the identical model will routinely be suitable for those who want to use them collectively.
Many manufacturers use totally different fashions of zippers for various sleeping bag designs. And regardless of how a lot you need it, two totally different zipper fashions won’t work collectively.
Before you purchase, be certain to learn the product particulars and make sure the zippers are the identical mannequin and design.
Then, you’ll be capable of be certain your luggage can have suitable zippers – and that you may make a duo bag!
FAQs
Can Two Sleeping Luggage With The Identical Zipper Orientation Be Zipped Collectively?
No, two sleeping luggage with the identical zipper orientation can’t zip collectively as a result of the zippers will not be suitable.
If you wish to zip two sleeping luggage collectively, you’ll want two sleeping luggage 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 most typical option to snag your zipper is on the material surrounding the zipper itself.
To keep away from this, preserve the encircling cloth away from the zipper enamel.
Once I zip up my sleeping bag, I am 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 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 luggage 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 that 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 state of affairs you’ll be able to’t make do is if you wish to mate two mummy-shaped sleeping luggage right into a double bag. On this state of affairs, the zippers have to be on reverse sides.
In each different situation, you should use a sleeping bag with the zipper on both aspect with none main points.
When you have a tent with a aspect entrance, you’re higher off with a zipper on the identical aspect because the door.