Best Sleeping Bag Liner for Extra Heat

If you are an avid camper, you will probably own a great sleeping bag that will withstand cold weather. However, if you are only just starting your camping journey, you may not have the right gear to match your camping aspirations. For example, a sleeping bag that is suitable for the summer may not be suitable for spring or fall. If you have a camping trip coming up and cannot afford a new weather-appropriate sleeping bag, a sleeping bag liner could be a good option for you.

Sleeping bag liners add an extra layer to your sleeping bag, making them warmer and more comfortable. This is a great item to buy before eventually upgrading to a warmer sleeping bag.

Although every sleeping bag liner fundamentally works similarly, some are more effective than others and have various added features you may appreciate. To help you find the best sleeping bag liner most suited to your needs, we have compiled a list of features you may wish to consider before making your decision.

Want to know more? Check out the rest of our article below.

Why use a sleeping bag liner?

There are several reasons you may wish to use or benefit from using a sleeping bag liner.

Less cleaning

Mummy shaped bag liners help backpackers keep their sleeping bags free of body oils and dirt. Sleeping bag liners keep your sleeping bag cleaner between washes. Sleeping bag liners are much easier to clean and dry much faster than a sleeping bag.

Extra warmth

As previously mentioned, a bag liner provides extra warmth from 5 degrees to 15 degrees to your sleeping bag. The sleeping bag liner’s warmth varies depending on the liner material. You can use a bag liner by itself in hot climates and forgo the sleeping bag altogether.

Staying in hostels and hotels

When staying in a hostel or hotel where you are not sure of the cleanliness, a sleeping bag liner can give you a barrier between yourself and the sheets. It is possible to catch bed bugs, crabs, HPV, and even chlamydia from dirty bedsheets. A rectangular sleeping bag liner is often a requirement in numerous hostels. In budget hotels, where the standards of cleanliness aren’t as strict as high-end hotels, a sleeping bag liner is a popular item to use.

Things to consider when buying a sleeping bag liner

There are many sleeping bag liners on the market. To narrow down your search and make looking for your most compatible sleeping bag liner easier, we have provided a handy list of considerations, This will save you time and money, purely because you will not pay extra for impressive-sounding (but entirely unnecessary) additional features and you’ll know exactly what you want before you make a purchase.

Size

You can get a sleeping bag liner for single sleeping bags or double sleeping bags. Other sizes may be available.

Shape

Sleeping bag liners come in two shapes: mummy shapes to fit inside your sleeping bag or rectangular liners for solo use or in a sleeping bag. If you’re planning on using a sleeping bag in hotels or hostels, a rectangular liner would be best for this purpose.

Types of sleeping bag liners

Fleece and microfleece bag liners are heavy and warm; they can add up to 12 degrees of heat. They are also soft. The material pulls sweat away from the body during sleep and is fast drying. Fleece and microfleece sleeping bag liners can be bulky but will keep you nice and warm.

Silk sleeping bag liners are very lightweight (about 5 oz.) and easy to compact. In cold weather, silk helps insulate, but in warm weather, it is absorbent and breathable. Silk is also better for acne-prone skin.

Cotton sleeping bag liners are durable, absorbent, and firm but not the most compact or the lightest.

Synthetic sleeping bag liners are breathable and moisture-wicking. For this reason, synthetic sleeping bags are perfect for humid conditions. They also offer some stretch which is helpful for people who move around in their sleep.

Insulated sleeping bag liners can create up to 25 degrees of warmth. It dries 50% faster than cotton due to its hollow-core fiber insulation.

Built-in bug protection

Some sleeping bag liners come with built-in bug protection. The bug protection will usually wash out after a certain amount of washes. Look for sleeping bag liners with insect shield features.

Pockets

To keep your belongings secure during a night of staying in a hostel or even in your tent, you should consider buying a sleeping bag liner with pockets. You are less likely to be robbed if your valuables are close to your person.

Weight

The ideal sleeping bag liner will weigh as little as possible while being as warm as possible. Unfortunately, you will always need to sacrifice weight for warmth or warmth for weight. The sleeping bag liners that are both the lightest and the warmest are also the most expensive, so you will need to choose which feature you value the most.

Compact

A sleeping bag liner should be able to fold away into the smallest bag possible. You don’t want it to take up much space in your suitcase or your backpack.

Sleeping bag liner price range

Sleeping bag liners can range in price from $9 to $110. However, just because a sleeping bag liner is expensive doesn’t mean it offers superior quality to medium-quality products—budget between $25 and $55 for a good-value-for-money and good-quality sleeping bag liner.

FAQ

How do I wash my sleeping bag liner?

To wash your sleeping bag liner, soak it in water with detergent briefly. After it has soaked, hand wash it, ring it out and rinse with warm water.

What are some of the best sleeping liner brands?

There are many sleeping bag liner brands available. These include Montbell, Cocoon, Rab, Western Mountaineering, Sea to Summit, and Thermarest. Many more sleeping liner brands are available, and you can find them with a quick Google search.