Left or right zipper for sleeping bag?

R

Rich_S

Joined
Dec 3, 2005
Messages
1,391
I'm in the market for a Bivy sack and sleeping bag and am trying to decide between right side zipper and left side zipper. I'm right handed. On the one hand, it's probably easier to reach across with my right hand to zip/unzip a left zipper. But it just look odd to me. Thoughts?
 
I am a righty and use a right hand zipper bag, just seems natural to me. Bought a left zipper bag, but only to mate with the right zipper bag.
 
Match whatever your sleeping bag has. That way, opening the sleeping bag zipper will get you access to the bivvy zipper. Just image the contortions you'd need if they're on opposite sides. In a pinch, you could end-up wetting the bag....
 
i'm righty, i use a left zip. i think this is the common option, and it seems natural to me.

then again, you wont be thinking about it enough to regret chosing the other side IMO
 
I never really bother to intentionally choose a side because both side works well, however if Im buying a set or if it is to go with something it would matter.
 
Thanks guys. I ordered a left side zip Sierra Designs Wild Bill sleeping bag from Campmor last night ($69) and an Integral Designs South Col Bivy (also left zip) from Amazon for $135. Those prices were too good to pass up. The bag normally retails for $109 and the bivy for $205.
 
My Mont Bell #7 down bag doesn't even have a zipper :)

Many ultralight. hikers use a quilt-style bag, which has a foot bag, but no bottom on the main part of the quilt, going on the principle that the down compressed underneath you does nothing to insulate, so it is more weight-effective to have the down on top where it does some good. The quilts are designed to mate with a sleeping pad which is doing the job of insulating the bottom.

I'm a lefty and prefer a right hand zipper as I reach across to operate it, using my right hand to keep fabric out of the zipper, etc. Ultimately, it doesn't make a huge difference to me and I can use either.
 
I've been in the market for a new bag and bivy, so I've been thinking this over as well. In the past, I have always used right zip models, but thought a left zip might be easier to zip all the way up.

On the other hand, I sleep really warm and I virtually never zip a bag all the way. On top of that, I like to keep my handgun on my right side and having the bag open makes reaching it much easier. (Bad news for my hunting partner and his weak bladder!)

-- FLIX
 
Another thing to consider is what your significant other has. A big reason that they make two different zipper side types is that you can zip bags together. :)
 
Check out the feathered Friends Rock Wren. 1/2 zip that goes up the middle and it has 2 arm holes and a drawcord foot. If you do a lot of winter camping and mountaineering this bag rocks. You can wear it around like a huge down coat. This eliminates the choice. This style is also handy if your aid climbing and hanging out in a portaledge.


8d8cd7f5.jpg



Exped makes a synthetic version called the Wallcreeper that is synthetic and about 1/3 the price.
 
haha if it opens down the center it looks like a body bag...but in a fun new COLOR!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top