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[[File:Mummy bag.jpg|thumb|300px|A mummy bag, so named because it has an insulated hood which keeps the head warm. A foam sleeping pad can be seen underneath the sleeping bag.]]
A '''sleeping bag''' is an insulated covering for a person, essentially a lightweight quilt that can be closed with a [[zipper]] or similar means to form a tube, which functions as lightweight, portable [[bedding]] in situations where a person is sleeping outdoors (e.g. when [[camping]], [[hiking]], [[hill walking]] or [[climbing]]). Its primary purpose is to provide warmth and [[thermal insulation]] through its synthetic or down insulation. It also typically has a water-resistant or water-repellent cover that protects, to some extent, against [[wind chill]] and light [[precipitation]], but a [[tent]] is usually used in addition to a sleeping bag, as it performs those functions better. The bottom surface also provides some cushioning, but a [[sleeping pad]] or [[camp cot]] is usually used in addition for that purpose. The bottom surface of a sleeping bag may be moderately water repellent, but a plastic [[Tarpaulin|tarp]] or groundsheet is often used to protect against moist ground.
There are a range of sleeping bag models designed for different purposes. Very lightly insulated sleeping bags are designed for summer camping use or for indoor use by children during slumber parties. Well-insulated bags are designed for cold weather use. The most well-insulated and lightweight sleeping bags, which are designed for serious hikers and adventurers, are more expensive than lightly insulated sleeping bags. One subcategory of cold-weather sleeping bag, the mummy bag, is so named because it has an insulated hood for the head. A [[bivouac shelter|bivouac sack]] (''bivy'') is a [[waterproof]] cover for a sleeping bag that may be used in place of a tent by minimalist, experienced hikers. A bivy bag may also be carried by day hikers as a backup or emergency shelter, to be used if they cannot make it back to their starting point by nightfall due to inclement weather or getting lost.
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