Alpin Loacker Outdoor Online Shop from Austria. Everything for your mountain friends

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Everything (really everything) you need to know about hut sleeping bags and sleeping bag liners!

This blog post will answer the following questions: 

  • What is a hut sleeping bag and what is it used for
    ?
  • Which hut sleeping bags are available?
    What features characterize them
    and how are they cared for?
  • Overview of heat output
  • Which hut sleeping bag is the right one
    (for me)?
  • Conclusion

 1) What is a hut sleeping bag and what is it used for?

The hut sleeping bag, also known as a travel sleeping bag or sleeping bag liner, is a small and lightweight sleeping bag that is available in different materials. In the Alps, it is mainly used for sleeping in accommodation such as mountain huts or youth hostels.

There is no bedding in the dormitories in the mountain huts. As your own comforter cover is heavy and also takes up extra space in your luggage or rucksack, it is more practical to have a hut sleeping bag with you. A hut sleeping bag should be small and light and weigh no more than 700 grams.

On the one hand, the hut sleeping bag has a hygienic function, on the other hand it fulfills the function of keeping you warm in the sleeping bag.
As the name of the sleeping bag liner suggests, it is used as a liner, i.e. as an inner sleeping bag in a conventional sleeping bag.

The main reason for this is to wash the sleeping bag. Many people find it easier to wash the small sleeping bag instead of the thicker down or synthetic fiber sleeping bag. However, this is only easier at first glance, as it always depends on what material the inner sleeping bag is made of and how much care your conventional sleeping bag requires. Bear in mind that down sleeping bags should only be washed after 60 to 80 uses. You can find more information on this in our blog post Care recommendations for down sleeping bags and ultralight down sleeping bags.

Hut sleeping bag Sleeping bag ticking Lightweight sleeping bag

 2) Which hut sleeping bags are available and what are their characteristics?

Hut sleeping bag with ticking

 3) Overview of heat output

This section is short and to the point so that you have an idea at first glance of how the individual sleeping bags insulate. In addition, guide values here are often very abstract.

As already described, the down hut sleeping bag is the warmest. The difference in weight between the other models is rather small, with the merino wool and microfleece hut sleeping bag providing the greatest warmth after the down. The guide values for the other models are close together. Insulation is not a key feature here, which is why the figures remain theoretical and do not represent a significant characteristic. The actual thermal performance also always depends on the processing and fabric of the material.

The respective materials provide an additional heat output of:

  • Cotton: approx. + 2.9 °C
  • Silk: approx. + 5 °C
  • Down: comfort zone at approx. 12 to 17 °C 
  • Microfleece: approx. + 8 °C
  • Microfiber: approx. + 3 °C
  • Merino wool: approx. + 8 °C 
  • Egyptian cotton: approx. + 3.9 °C
Sleeping bag 3-year sleeping bag warm sleeping bag down sleeping bag Sleeping bag made of down

 4) Which hut sleeping bag is the right one (for me)?

To answer this question, you should ask yourself the following questions:

  • Where exactly would I like to stay overnight?
  • In which climate zone is this
    location located, and what are the prevailing temperatures and
    humidity?
  • Are there additional blankets on site?
  • How much space do I have in my luggage?
  • Do I have to cover longer distances with it
    ?
  • Which material do I feel comfortable with?
  • Is ease of care a criterion for me
    ?


Unfortunately, I can't answer these questions for you, but they should help you make your decision. In principle, it is always advisable to use silk, microfiber or Egyptian cotton in high temperatures and high humidity.

These materials dry quickly, are pleasant on the skin and very light, which makes them a good travel companion. You can wash them quickly and easily by hand with conventional soap.

The down hut sleeping bag is recommended if you are staying in a mountain hut and there are no additional options to keep you warm. It is light, warm and suitable for longer distances and on summer nights you can even sleep outside. So you kill two birds with one stone.

If you want to use the hut sleeping bag as a sleeping bag liner and also want to be cozy and increase the thermal insulation, it is advisable to use a hut sleeping bag made of merino wool or fleece.

If the reasons for this are purely hygienic, a hut sleeping bag made of cotton or microfiber will suffice.

Depending on which material is more comfortable for you personally. In principle, you can also use silk if you want to save weight and space in your luggage.

 5) Conclusion

As you can see, there are very different options and combinations for using a hut sleeping bag. It's not just a question of functionality and price, but also of personal preference. If you are still unsure, you can always contact the customer service department where you would like to buy a sleeping bag.  

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