Camping has exploded in popularity as many parents take their children for weekend camping trips. Camping in the United Kingdom, even in the summer months, is always a risky business. While there is very little risk of encounteruing Bears or poisonous Snakes there is every chance you will encounter some uncertain British weather.

But, as long as yiou have the right camping kit you and your family can have a lot of fun, regardless of the weather. One of the most important pieces of camping kit has got to be your sleeping bags.

There are a great selection of sleeping bags to choose from these days, some will cost only a few pounds but others can cost a small fortune. So how can you select the right bags for you and your family?

The first thing to consider is the time of year and where you will be camping. If you only expect to be camping during the hopefully warmer summer months then you will not need expensive, arctic quality sleeping bags.

Some sleeping bags are filled with down and some are filled with polyester. Down filled bags tend to be the most expensive and often have a higher insulation rating. But polyester filled bags can be equally as warm and generally have simpler care requirements.

Another aspect to keep in mind is how your sleeping bag will be packed. Will you be hiking with your sleeping bag in a backpack or will it never need to be crammed into a small pack? Size and weight will be important factors to bear in mind if you will be carrying your sleeping back in a backpack.

Its also worth considering who the sleeping bag is for, how big they are and what their comfort requirements might be. Some people (including my own partner) are never comfortable sleeping within the confines of a sleeping bag and lots of children prefer to have child size bags.

Finally there is probably the most important aspect to consider which is, of course, the price. The price of sleeping bags, both down and polyester filled, can vary enormously. Down filled bags tend to be the most expensive and most suitable for winter and all year round use.

The most affordable option is likely to be a polyester filled bag that is suitable for the hopefully warmer summer months. For additional sleeping comfort add a sleeping matt or maybe an airbed.

Insulation from the ground is an important consideration when sleeping out. Some like to string a hammock between a pair of trees but wind and rain can make this an impractical sleeping arrangement. A far better option is using an airbed. These can be quickly and easily inflated using either a manual or electric pump and provide a comfortable layer of air insulation between you and the cold ground.

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