When you’re getting ready for a camping trip or outdoor trek, it’s important to have a sleeping bag that’s ready for anything. While sleeping bags are usually made to protect you against cold temperatures and damp conditions, how do they hold up against fire?

Most Military and other modern sleeping bags and tents are treated with flame-retardant materials and coatings. Synthetic materials usually melt instead of burn, but they will still be damaged by fire.

A lot of camping will involve campfires and open flames. These create a great ambiance and provide warmth, light, and cooking options. They also pose a danger to your camping equipment though, so it’s important to keep your gear safe from fire damage. To learn more about sleeping bags, some best practices for using fire, and some top military sleeping bags, read below.

Synthetic Vs. Down Sleeping Bags

Sleeping bags come in many shapes and sizes and some are more flammable than others. The main two types of sleeping bags are synthetic and down sleeping bags.

Synthetic Sleeping Bags

These sleeping bags are stuffed with polyester, which is a plastic-based material. It’s lightweight and water-resistant, but it can easily melt and warp under the direct heat of fires.

I once had a pair of polyester gloves that I tried to dry near a heated camping stove. When I checked on them again, the gloves had melted and hardened into a plastic mess. Don’t let this happen to your synthetic sleeping bag!

Down Sleeping Bags

Down sleeping bags are stuffed with the soft under-feathers of birds. These are warm and fluffy and are usually best for cold weather camping. However, down is also quite flammable. Unless the feather stuffing has been treated with flame retardant chemicals, these are likely to catch fire easily.

Down sleeping bags are sometimes protected by a synthetic shell, which will protect the stuffing from heat damage. But still, be extra careful if you’re camping with a down sleeping bag.

Best Practices For Camping With Fire

At the end of the day, anything is flammable if you try hard enough! Accidents happen and it’s possible that your sleeping bag could be exposed to fire and begin to burn.

Most sleeping bags that are manufactured in the U.S. must comply with fireproofing regulations. This isn’t a catch-all though, and your supplies could still end up getting burned, melted, singed, or otherwise damaged by exposure to fire.

To prevent fires and the resulting fire damage, there are a few tips and best practices you can use to protect yourself and your camping gear.

1. Never Bring an Open Flame Into Your Tent

This might seem obvious, but sometimes the cold weather outside tempts campers to bring camping stoves, flame lanterns, cigarettes, and candles into their tents. After all, if you can’t light a fire outside, it might seem easier to bring one inside.

This is a historically bad idea though. Flames can easily spread inside an enclosed area, and the roof of the tent can be damaged by the direct heat source. Loose items can catch fire and spread it quickly, even if the majority of your gear is flame retardant.

2. Make Cooking Fires Away From Your Tent

Campfires often produce sparks and high temperatures. If the conditions are dry and windy enough, these sparks could land on your tent and cause a fire to break out on the campsite.

You also should not wrap up in sleeping bags when you sit around the fire. The same thing could happen here, and direct exposure to high heat can damage the outer materials of many sleeping bags.

3. Prepare an Escape Plan

Fires are usually unexpected disasters, so it can be hard to react appropriately in the moment of crisis. Because of this, it’s good to prepare an escape plan before anything happens.

Many tents have more than one exit, so make sure every door is easy to access and there’s a clear path of escape.

Best Military Sleeping Bags

Now that you know the ins and outs of camping with fire, let’s cover some of the best military sleeping bags on the market. Many of these are synthetic and will be less likely to catch fire.

GI Intermediate Cold Weather Sleeping Bag

This sleeping bag has been officially approved for use by the U.S. military. It’s insulated with waterproof materials that can withstand chilly and wet conditions.

This sleeping bag can be used in cold weather conditions, but it performs best in the 10-40 degree range. This makes it perfect for temperate trips in the spring and fall.

For more information on this sleeping bag including prices, product reviews, availability, and delivery options, visit this link.

Extreme Cold Weather Sleeping Bag

This mummy-style sleeping bag will hold up well against frigid temperatures. It’s even been successfully tested at -10 degrees Fahrenheit!

It’s warm and well-insulated with its cotton lining. The stuffing contains a mixture of polyester and down, which makes it warm, fluffy, and water-resistant.

For more information on this sleeping bag including prices, product reviews, availability, and delivery options, visit this link.

Commando Sleeping Bag

This commando sleeping bag is the lightest option on the list and is perfect for long treks. It’s made from 100% polyester, which makes it a very lightweight option. This composition means that it’s also highly waterproofed.

Because of its lightweight and minimal stuffing, this sleeping bag is best for temperate/warm weather camping. It’s designed for at least 50-degree weather, so don’t plan any winter trips with this model. If you’re looking for a light and waterproof sleeping bag this one could be the best choice for you.

For more information on this sleeping bag including prices, product reviews, availability, and delivery options, visit this link.

GI Casualty Evacuation Sleeping Bag

This model was actually designed for wounded soldiers in the Korean war. To save the lives of freezing and injured soldiers, it had to have a pretty reliable design. With its impressive heat-saving features, it can survive the harshest winter temperatures.

The sleeping bag is filled with several pounds of down feathers and it also includes a fur-lined hood to trap heat. It comes with a waterproof bag as well.

For more information on this sleeping bag including prices, product reviews, availability, and delivery options, visit this link.