Zipper Side... Does It Really Matter?

[SamDC]

Hi All,

I'm a newbie to this site so please pardon me if this question has been asked before. I did a search and didn't find any info so I'm hoping someone out in cyberspace can offer some advice.

I'm trying to get into camping and have looked around some e-retailers for a nice, down sleeping bag. I've noticed some places have, what appears to be, pretty good bags on sale. However, I'm right-handed and the majority of the bags have the zipper on the right-hand side as well. I've read that left-sided zippers are for righties, however, does it really matter? Is it an inconvenience that I can live with or is it something that's going to annoy the snot out of me down the trail?

Thanks for any assistance!

Sam

[GreatDivide14]

No, it doesn't matter. I think my two bags have zippers on different sides, which is occasionally annoying during midnight bathroom breaks when I forget how to get out, but otherwise, it doesn't matter. Opening a zipper isn't complicated enough to require your dominant hand. If you use a liner/overbag (I use a cotton liner for car camping, highly recommended to keep crud out of the down), you want the openings to line up, although most liners work just as well inside out, so it's a minor issue. The only time it makes any real difference is if you're getting two of the same model (his & hers, assuming adherence to convention) and plan to zip them together, in which case you want one of each.

[EdK]

Sam...I agree with GreatDivide, in that it really doesn't matter. Personally, I find whether it's right, or left, they're equally irritating to access all the way up or down. I seached for a down bag with a center zip, which is very easy to access and use, and found some that CAMP makes with a 3/4 zip, and picked one up for a 3-season bag. Why more manufacturers don't make center zips is a mystery to me. Ed

[Vader]

Sam...I agree with GreatDivide, in that it really doesn't matter. Personally, I find whether it's right, or left, they're equally irritating to access all the way up or down. I seached for a down bag with a center zip, which is very easy to access and use, and found some that CAMP makes with a 3/4 zip, and picked one up for a 3-season bag. Why more manufacturers don't make center zips is a mystery to me. Ed


Because the zipper is the most inefficient spot on a sleeping bag for heat retention and the warmer air obviously migrates to the top. It is, therefore, a less efficient design by its very nature.

A draft tube cannot truly compensate for a fully sewn through top in extremely cold conditions.

[EdK]

Yeah, maybe in extreme cold conditions, but as mentioned, it's a 3-season bag inteneded for use in 3 season conditions. Besides, I think the draft tube does a good job in retaining warmth. The differences between this bag and my old Marmot Arroyo are unnoticable....except for the convenience of the zipper being in the center. Ed

[SamDC]

Thanks to everyone for their advice! I just got the sleeping bag.

Take care,
Sam

[wayne-o]

one thing where it might matter is if you decide to get a bivy cover to go with your bag, then you would want to match same side zipper, but as far as preference goes, i have none personally

[Hiker Boy]

I'm right handed and prefer a left hand zip when possible. However, I do own both right and left hadn zip sleeping bags. I wont let the zipper position be the deal breaker if the sleeping bag is a good one and at a good price.