Domestic technical textiles Industry Segment-wise consumption of ...

Sleeping bags
A sleeping bag is a protective "bag" for a person to sleep in, similar to a blanket that can be closed
with a zipper (allowing it to be folded in half and secured in that position) and functions as a bed
while camping, hiking, hill-walking or climbing. Its primary purpose is to provide warmth and
thermal insulation. Sleeping bags are used at high altitudes in extremely cold weather. It also protects
against wind chill, precipitation, etc.
The basic design sleeping bags work well for most camping needs but are inadequate under more
demanding circumstances. The second major type of sleeping bags is mummy bags (because of its
shape). Most modern sleeping bags are of a ‘mummy’ shape as it is the most thermally efficient
design. A sleeping bag with little or no ‘dead space’ around the user is warmer as there is less air to
warm up with heat from the body.
Market dynamics and key growth drivers
The major consumption of sleeping bags is by armed forces and para-military forces. The demand
from these sectors accounts for close to 90 % of the total demand of sleeping bags. The sleeping bags
used in these segments are of superior quality as compared to the bags used for leisure activities.
The demand for sleeping bags for camping/adventure sports is less than 10 % of the total market for
sleeping bag. The awareness of the criterion required for a good sleeping bag is very low. The
customers are very price conscious as well.
The manufacturers need to upgrade their products to superior sleeping bags which could be used for
extreme cold climate conditions (also known as Arctic bags) which will help them to tap the export
market.
Market size and future forecast of sleeping bags
The Directorate General of Supplies & Disposals (DGSND) finalises the rate contracts for the various
government bodies. The DGSND estimates the demand of sleeping bags for government agencies to
be Rs 8.09 crore in 2008-09.
The favorable demography with more and more people going for activities like camping / Trekking is
likely to result in the industry growing at 10% per annum.
The current and future forecast of sleeping bags industry size is given below:-
Sleeping bags 2007-08 2012-13
Sleeping bags Quantity
Around 1.5
lakh nos.
Around 2.5
lakh nos.