As Scoutmaster, I am always asked "How do I choose the right sleeping bag for my son?", "How much should I spend?", "What is the right brand?" Well I came accross this article which may be helpful: Choosing The Right Sleeping Bag "Happy dreams!" Sixty years ago, that was the advice of the first Scout Fieldbook. Boys in those days wrapped up in blankets and made the best of it. Dreams were a bonus. Today, sleeping well in the woods is easy when you plan ahead and build your bed around a good sleeping bag. Put together a sleeping system that includes a ground cloth, a sleeping pad, and a sleeping bag just right for the time of year. Ground Cloth A plastic sheet cut to size protects your bed from moisture. If you're pitching a tent, a ground cloth beneath the tent can shield the tent floor from damage and add a waterproof barrier against damp soil.
Sleeping pad A foam pad makes a perfect outdoors mattress. You'll have comfort for your hips and shoulders, and insulation between you and chilly ground.
Sleeping bag Match your sleeping bag to the weather you expect. Most bags have an advertised temperature range that gives an idea of the warmth they can provide. A bag rated down to 40 degrees could be perfect during summer, autumn, and springtime adventures. For cold-weather camping and summer trips high in the mountains, look for bags with a rating that's below freezing. Modern sleeping bags are made of a nylon shell that contains fill material. The fluffy fill traps body warmth and keeps you cozy. If your bag has a built-in hood, draw it snug around your head and face. Synthetic fibers insulate well and can keep you warm even if your bag becomes damp. For maximum warmth at minimum weight, consider a bag filled with goose down. Down that becomes wet loses its insulating power, so guard your bag against rain, dew, and melting snow.
Putting It All Together Ready to set up your sleeping system for the night? Take time to do it right. "Choose a campsite with a durable surface where you won't harm the land. (For guidance, check the principles of Leave No Trace in the BSA Handbook and Fieldbook. "Rolling down a slope all night is no way to sleep, so find someplace flat. "Roots and rocks poking your back won't add to the pleasure of your slumber, so find someplace smooth. "Warm nights under a starry sky are an invitation to sleep in the open that's hard to resist. Spread your ground cloth and put the sleeping pad on it. Protect your sleeping bag from moisture by waiting until bedtime before unrolling it on top of your pad. Then crawl into bed and watch for meteorites streaking across the heavens. "A tent can be another important part of your sleeping system. By blocking the wind, it increases the warmth of a sleeping bag ten degrees or more. Your tent will also shield you from insects, rain, and snow. "Add more warmth to your sleeping system by pulling on layers of clothing. A stocking hat reduces heat loss from your head. Dry socks, mittens, long underwear, a fleece vest, and even a down jacket can all help you get comfortably through a night when the temperature drops further than you had expected. Put together a sleeping system that fits the weather you expect to find in the field. Then you can rest easy-and be sure of happy dreams-knowing you're prepared for any conditions that come your way. For further information on sleeping systems, consult your Scoutmaster, Boy Scouts of America Fieldbook, Fourth Edition, Chapter Eleven, "Gearing Up." and your Boy Scout Handbook.