How to Select the Right Sleeping Bag Liner Material

 Getting a clean, comfortable night’s sleep is a high priority for any traveler – from rugged mountaineers to island-loving hostel surfers. Finding the right sleeping bag liner can make all the difference in the quality of your globetrotting rest. Still, how can you figure out the best material for sleeping bag liners?

COCOON is here with a comprehensive guide to choosing the right sleeping bag liner material for you. First, let’s talk about how a sleeping bag liner can enhance your adventures and what factors to have in mind when narrowing down the best sleeping bag liner material choice.

For starters, you may wonder if a sleeping bag liner is worth having. Would you use it enough to justify the purchase? Experienced travelers are surprised by how often a sleeping bag liner comes in handy.

Here are just a few key uses for a sleeping bag liner:

• Adding insulation to your sleeping bag on chilly nights.
• Giving you a cooler sleeping option in warmer environments.
• Boosting overall comfort in off-the-grid environments.
• Promoting hygiene in high-traffic locations, like hostels.
• Keeping your sleeping bag cleaner for longer.

Sleeping bag liners are super nice to have on hand, helping you pull off a cozy night of rest even in a harsh or less-than-hygienic environment.

Now that a sleeping bag liner is on your ‘must-have’ list, let’s highlight some key considerations before committing to any given material.

As with any purchase, it’s wise to establish some criteria when connecting with the right sleeping bag liner. There are several great material choices, so take time to define how you will use your liner to see which material best fits your needs. Here are a handful of factors you may want to consider:

Your ideal material choice for a sleeping bag liner largely depends on how warm or cool you want to be. For example, a medium-weight microfleece liner can add 14.3°F to your sleeping bag’s temperature rating. Meanwhile, an organic cotton sleeping bag liner will only add about 5.3°F. Many hikers are only interested in sleeping bag liners for warmth and therefore are searching only for cold-weather sleeping liners to add to existing sleeping bags. On the other hand, many people may be planning to sleep in warmer weather and may only need a liner without a sleeping bag, so choose the material that best suits the needs of your adventure.

Find a sleeping bag liner material that will be most convenient for you to keep clean as you travel. Some liners, like cotton, polyester, and fleece, allow for machine washing and tumble drying. Other materials, like merino wool, require hand washing.

Did you know? The founder of COCOON was almost swept away by a river in Bali while trying to wash a bulk, sewn-together cotton sheet. That’s when our story started, and that’s why we understand the importance of ensuring our products are designed for easy care.

At COCOON, we recommend different sleeping bag liner materials depending on what you plan to do. Our guide will help you pick your perfect liner, whether on a bike tour, camping, or hitting up youth hostels.

Some adventures demand that you keep a very low profile. Backpackers, for example, can’t justify packing anything too heavy or bulky. If you’re looking for an ultralight sleeping bag liner, opt for silk (4.7 oz.) or Thermolite Silkweight (5.6 oz.). Both of these options add over 9°F to your sleeping bag’s temperature rating without weighing down your pack.

On the other hand, if weight isn’t such an issue, spring for a microfleece medium-weight liner. It’s 2 lbs. (still very lightweight!) but will add 14.3°F to your sleeping bag’s temperature rating.

Making sustainable material choices is a huge priority for eco-conscious travelers. COCOON has been a member of the Business Social Compliance Initiative (amfori BSCI) since 2012. We have already made significant sustainable changes to our company and have more measures planned for 2023. Several of our liners are made from 100% recycled or organic materials.

For example, our organic cotton MummyLiners are made from 100% GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified organic cotton. Additionally, our COOLMAX and Thermolite products are made from 100% recycled materials, and our polyester fabrics are PFC-free. Beyond that, all of our packaging material is 100% recyclable.

Now that you have the above factors in mind, let’s dive into your sleeping bag liner material options.

Here are fourteen high-performance sleeping bag liner material choices:

Overview: High-quality silk is breathable, super soft, and can handle fluctuating temperatures. Silk is the optimum material choice for maintaining a lightweight pack without compromising on comfort. Silk can also handle environmental shifts, keeping you warm at high altitudes and helping you stay cool in the tropical heat.

Added temperature (to the temperature rating of your sleeping bag): Up to 9.5°F

Care: Hand or machine washable (30°C; gentle cycle) with mild detergent. Drip or tumble dry low.

Size: 95" x 35"  I 22"

Weight: 4.7 oz.

Packing size: 5.7" x 2.6" x 4"

Special note: We offer an Economy version of our silk sleeping bag liners which provides all the comfort of the regular version, just in a little smaller size.

Overview: Ripstop silk was developed and patented by COCOON. It’s designed to offer the luxurious comfort and temperature control of silk with the added boost of more durability and tear resistance. It features a grid-like structure of strong silk threads for longevity and strength.

Added temperature (to the temperature rating of your sleeping bag): Up to 9.5°F.

Care: Hand or machine washable (86°F; gentle cycle) with mild detergent. Drip or tumble dry low.

Size: 95" x 35" I 22"

Weight: 4.7 oz.

Packing size: 5.7" x 2.6" x 4"

Special note: We offer an Expedition version of our silk ripstop liners, designed to be the ultimate choice for alpinists and mountaineers, offering even higher performance in a lighter package.

Overview: At 55% silk and 45% Egyptian cotton, this sleeping bag liner combines two of the most luxurious fabrics for the sweet spot of comfort and durability. This exquisite blend creates a slightly heavier and stronger liner than silk alone while maintaining its softness and temperature responsiveness.

Added temperature (to the temperature rating of your sleeping bag): 8.6°F

Care: Hand or machine washable (86°F; gentle cycle) with mild detergent. Drip or tumble dry low.

Size: 95" x 35" I 22"

Weight: 6.3 oz.

Packing size: 5.5" x 2.8" x 4"

Overview: Egyptian cotton is the perfect mid-point between standard cotton and silk. Why? It’s super lightweight and cozy soft without compromising on durability. This type of cotton is a rare, long-fibered cotton spun into fine yarn, resulting in a lighter, more compact fabric than regular cotton.

Added temperature (to the temperature rating of your sleeping bag): 7.2°F

Care: Machine wash (40°C) and tumble dry.

Size: 95" x 35" I 22"

Weight: 7.4 oz.

Packing size: 5.9" x 3" x 4"

Overview: Microfiber is made from 100% polyester and is known for its softness to the touch. Its lightweight, breathable, and fast-drying qualities make it a sensible and cozy companion for any adventurer.

Added temperature (to the temperature rating of your sleeping bag): 5.5°F

Care: Machine wash (86°F) and tumble dry (low).

Size: 95" x 35" I 22"

Weight: 8.1 oz.

Packing size: 6.2" x 3.3" x 4"

Overview: COOLMAX® EcoMade fabric is made from 100% recycled polyester. This moisture-wicking fabric is specially engineered to keep you dry as it moves sweat away from your body. It’s sustainable, easy to clean, and lightweight.

Added temperature (to the temperature rating of your sleeping bag): 8.4°F

Care: Machine wash (86°F) and tumble dry (low).

Size: 86" x 32" I 22"

Weight: 9 oz.

Packing size: 5.9" x 3.7" x 4"

Overview: COCOON’s Thermolite EcoMade is made from 100% recycled materials. In this case, we’ve blended Thermolite EcoMade (70%) with ripstop silk (30%) to offer optimal warmth and moisture management at the lowest weight. This fast-drying, insulating fabric keeps you toasty without making you sweaty.

Added temperature (to the temperature rating of your sleeping bag): 12.6°F

Care: Hand or machine washable (86°'F; gentle cycle) with mild detergent. Drip or tumble dry low.

Size: 86" x 32" I 24"

Weight: 9.9 oz.

Packing size:  5.5" x 3.5" x 4"