Someone Mentioned My Sleeping Bag Doesn't Have Baffles, What are Baffles?

Hey everyone, so I just got back from a camping trip in the Smokies, and I swear my old sleeping bag totally failed me. I was freezing all night, even though it’s supposed to be warm enough. Someone mentioned that it might be because my bag doesn’t have baffles? What the heck are baffles? Should I be looking at getting a new bag with these things, or is there something else I can do?

Oh man, Baffles are those little compartments that keep the insulation from moving around in the bag. Without them, the insulation can clump up, leaving you with cold spots. I upgraded to a baffled bag last year, and it made a huge difference. If your bag’s not cutting it anymore, it might be time for an upgrade.

Honestly, I don’t think baffles are the end-all, be-all. I’ve been using my trusty old non-baffled bag for years, and I just throw on an extra layer if it gets chilly. But if you’re camping in colder weather often, maybe it’s worth checking out a baffled bag.

Baffles Are A Series Of Chambers Stitched Into The Design

I’ve never used a baffled bag and haven’t had too many problems. I just layer up and use a good sleeping pad. But if you’re finding cold spots a lot, baffles could help. Might be worth renting one to test it out before you commit to buying.

Hey @WanderWolf, Same thing happened to me on a trip to Colorado. My old bag wasn’t baffled, and I froze my butt off. Upgraded to a baffled one, and now I’m way more comfortable. If you’re camping in cold weather, I’d definitely recommend it mate…

Sometimes the cold comes up from the ground more than through your bag. A good pad with your current bag might do the trick if you don’t want to spend on a new one just yet.