In the event you’ve ever spent an evening within the backcountry shivering uncontrollably, enamel chattering, simply ready for the solar to come back up, then you recognize precisely how vital carrying a high-quality sleeping bag is.
Properly, worry not! We’re right here to assist be sure you’re snuggled up cozy in your toasty heat sleep sack and by no means need to expertise an evening like that.
Under you’ll discover a ton of educational info on how to decide on the perfect sleeping bag in your wants in addition to an in depth listing with opinions of our favourite sleeping baggage. Our suggestions are totally unbiased and also you’ll be hard-pressed to discover a staff with extra hands-on sleeping bag testing expertise.
We hope this information helps you discover a incredible sleeping bag to maintain you heat and comfy in your backcountry adventures for a few years to come back!
Fast Suggestions
Take a look at this fast listing of our favourite sleeping baggage, or proceed scrolling to see our full listing with in-depth opinions.
What’s New:
Simply in time for chilly climate adventures we’ve added the Mountain Hardwear Phantom 0 as our choose for the Greatest Winter Sleeping Bag.
Sleeping Bag Comparability Desk
What’s Most Vital to You in a Backpacking Sleeping Bag?
PRICE
Sleeping baggage can get fairly expensive, however we expect it’s value it to spend money on a high-quality bag that may maintain you heat and supply good relaxation after a tough day on the path. Finances choices will work properly should you don’t backpack a lot otherwise you’re simply stepping into it. However for individuals who exit usually, spending extra will doubtless be value it for increased high quality supplies, a superior warmth-to-weight ratio, and higher packability.
WARMTH-TO-WEIGHT:
Your sleeping bag will likely be one of many 4 heaviest objects in your backpack (tent, backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping pad), so it’s vital to strike stability between heat and weight. Ideally, you’d personal 2-3 sleeping baggage for various seasons, however most backpackers begin out by selecting one bag that may maintain them heat on the lowest temperatures they plan to hike in.
Many hikers go for a sleeping bag with a decrease restrict within the 20s as a result of that’ll be versatile sufficient to be used in most seasons – from excessive elevation summer time journeys to chilly shoulder seasons. If you recognize you’ll do most of your climbing in hotter summer time months, a sleeping bag rated right down to 30 will doubtless work simply tremendous and can avoid wasting weight and bulk in your pack.
SLEEPING BAGS VS. QUILTS:
Mummy sleeping baggage work higher in chilly and windy circumstances as a result of they entice physique warmth extra effectively and so they’re much less drafty. Quilts present a greater warmth-to-weight ratio by slicing out the fabric and insulation that’s usually compressed below your physique in a mummy bag. If a quilt sounds extra like your type, you’ll love our Greatest Backpacking Quilts information.
We often favor the flexibleness, weight, and luxury of quilts when nighttime temperatures are above freezing (32°F) and mummy baggage when temperatures dip beneath freezing.
DOWN VS. SYNTHETIC:
Down insulation is costlier however has a greater warmth-to-weight ratio and packs down smaller. Down sleeping baggage additionally last more than artificial baggage if taken care of correctly. Artificial sleeping baggage are sometimes heavier and bulkier than down baggage, however they have an inclination to price much less and retain warmth a bit higher when moist. Down baggage are sometimes higher performers, so that they make up nearly all of our suggestions.
Greatest Sleeping Baggage of 2023
REI Magma 15 / 30
Greatest sleeping bag general for consolation, worth & high quality
Value: MSRP: $399 / $349
Consolation Score: 28°F / 39°F
Weight: 1 lb. 12 oz. / 1 lb. 3.8 oz.
Execs
- Very inexpensive for the standard
- Light-weight
- Heat
- No snag zipper
- Accountable Down Normal (RDS) licensed
Cons
- We see these as extra of 20° & 35° baggage
The REI Magma 15 and Magma 30 (girls’s Magma 15 and 30) sleeping baggage provide a mix of heat, weight, and value that few different backpacking sleeping baggage can match. The Magma will get it proper the place it issues essentially the most – high quality supplies, a stable warmth-to-weight ratio, and a well-shaped footbox and hood.
A part of what makes the Magma baggage so gentle is their trimmed-down design. The true mummy form is very heat-efficient as a result of it eliminates lifeless area your physique must heat up earlier than the bag can do its job. However the Magma baggage are nonetheless a lot roomy for facet sleepers and hikers who shift round usually at evening.
Each fashions often discover their method into our backpacks relying on the season, however which Magma do you have to select? In the event you’re searching for one sleeping bag that may do all of it at a particularly reasonable worth, the Magma 15 is a wonderful selection. If most of your backpacking journeys are throughout summer time months otherwise you’re a heat sleeper, the Magma 30 is ideal for conserving pack weight to an absolute minimal.
Take a look at our full assessment of the Magma sleeping baggage right here.
Feathered Mates Swallow YF 20 / Egret YF 20
Greatest warmth-to-weight ratio
Value: $529 / $509
Consolation Score: N/A
Weight: 1 lb. 12.7 oz. / 1 lb. 13 oz.
Execs
- Light-weight
- Excessive-quality supplies
- Glorious warmth-to-weight ratio
- Full-length draft tube
- RDS licensed
Feathered Mates makes among the absolute highest high quality down sleeping baggage in the marketplace, and the Swallow YF 20 and girls’s Egret YF 20 aren’t any exception.
The Swallow and Egret are very gentle, really feel gentle towards the pores and skin, and are full of responsibly-sourced 900+ fill-power goose down – which is about as high-quality as down comes. Feathered Mates doesn’t listing EN temperature scores, however we’ve discovered their scores to be extra conservative than many of the competitors. In different phrases, this is among the few cases the place we might truly belief a 20-degree bag to round 20 levels.
Actually the excessive worth is among the first stuff you’ll discover concerning the Swallow and Egret, however we are able to guarantee you that they’re value each penny should you’ll use them usually.
Western Mountaineering Alpinlite 20
Exceptionally high-quality & heat sleeping bag
Value: MSRP: $695
Consolation Score: 25°F
Weight: 1 lb. 15 oz.
Execs
- Glorious warmth-to-weight ratio
- Excessive-quality supplies
- No-snag zipper
- Full-length draft tube
- 360° down collar
Western Mountaineering makes among the highest high quality, lightest, and warmest backpacking sleeping baggage we’ve ever examined. And the Alpinlite is the star of their lineup in our opinion. Each element on this bag is dialed in – no-snag zipper, draft collar, well-shaped footbox and hood, full-length draft tube – all of it comes collectively to offer this bag among the best warmth-to-weight ratios obtainable.
The Alpinlite comes with a large price ticket, however it’s going to final for many years if handled properly. We’ve trusted ours to maintain us heat on tons of journeys into the backcountry, and it’s nonetheless going robust. The backpacking group agrees – the Alpinlite is constantly named as a favourite amongst thru-hikers who want stable gear that may be put via the wringer.
Whereas the Alpinlite is our favourite Western Mountaineering sleeping bag by way of warmth-to-weight and luxury, we expect a number of different baggage from their ExtremeLite collection are value a glance. In the event you don’t thoughts a extra slim slot in favor of saving weight, you’ll most likely love the UltraLite. For chilly sleepers who want some additional insulation, the Versalite 10 is a wonderful selection.
Enlightened Tools Revelation Quilt-20
Greatest backpacking quilt general for weight, versatility, & worth
Value: MSRP: $315
Consolation Score: N/A
Weight: 1 lb. 6.5 oz.
Fill Energy: 850 or 950
Execs
- Ultralight
- Versatile
- Inexpensive for the standard
- Inventory & customizable choices obtainable
- Packable
- RDS licensed
Cons
- Not heat sufficient for sub-freezing journeys
The versatile design of the Enlightened Tools Revelation quilt has been a sport changer for our backcountry journeys, and we like it’s warmth-to-weight ratio. We are inclined to favor quilts over sleeping baggage for many of our journeys the place we don’t count on temps to dip beneath freezing.
This quilt might be left open like a blanket on heat nights or cinched up tight when the temperature drops. You possibly can select to customized order your Revelation to your required coloration, dimension, and heat, so we bumped up a dimension in size and width for full protection on chilly nights. We’ve discovered that the 20°F mannequin retains us heat to proper round freezing or just a bit beneath.
High quality like this can often set you again a reasonably penny, however the Revelation is available in at an incredible worth when in comparison with comparable quilts. We’ve been utilizing ours for years, and it’s nonetheless among the best investments we’ve made in our backpacking setup.
For more information, take a look at our full assessment of the Revelation right here.
Kelty Cosmic 20 / Ladies’s Cosmic 20
Greatest funds sleeping bag
Value: MSRP: $165 / $215
Consolation Score: 32°F / 25°F
Weight: 2 lb. 10 oz. / 3 lbs. 7 oz.
Execs
- Inexpensive
- Sturdy
- Heat
- Stash pocket
Cons
- Heavier/bulkier than some
- Decrease-quality supplies
- Zipper can snag
The Kelty Cosmic 20 (males’s) (girls’s) is fingers down the best choice for these trying to save as a lot cash as doable with out sacrificing heat. This budget-buy can also be good for rookies who wish to take a look at the waters earlier than spending a fortune on a lighter and extra compact backpacking setup.
Whereas the Cosmic is among the many heaviest and bulkiest sleeping baggage on our listing, you received’t discover a higher down sleeping bag wherever close to this worth. And – as is commonly the case with heavier gear – the Cosmic is extra sturdy than many different sleeping baggage we’ve examined due to its a lot increased denier outer shell cloth.
Understand that you get what you pay for, so don’t count on the identical high quality out of the Cosmic as the opposite baggage on this listing. That stated, this sleeping bag is useful and comfy sufficient to get the job executed properly. When price and performance are an important concerns, the Kelty Cosmic is hard to beat.
Sea to Summit Spark 18 / Flame 15
Greatest ultralight sleeping bag
Value: MSRP: $509 / $589
Consolation Score: 29°F / 15°F
Weight: 1 lb. 8 oz. / 1 lb. 15 oz.
Execs
- Ultralight
- Extremely packable
- Glorious warmth-to-weight
- Compression sack included
- Full-length draft tube
- 360° down collar
- RDS licensed
Cons
- Costly
- Skinny materials
- Zipper can snag
Searching for a full-featured sleeping bag, however dreaming concerning the tiny packed dimension and weight of a quilt? Look no additional than Sea to Summit’s Spark 18 and Flame 15 sleeping baggage. Full-length zippers with draft tubes, a down collar on the hood and neck, and field baffles eradicate chilly spots to make the Flame and Spark exceptionally heat for the burden.
The Spark and Flame are on the expensive facet attributable to their premium 850+ fill goose down, however that’s additionally what makes them so gentle and packable. Chances are you’ll be questioning what’s up with that “+”. The fill of every Sea to Summit bag is examined individually to make sure high quality, so it’s possible you’ll be getting a bag with a down loft grade even increased than 850.
We’re often prepared to pay extra for high quality, and that’s precisely what you’re getting with the Sea to Summit Spark and Flame.
REI Magma Quilt 30
Nice worth quilt with a superb warmth-to-weight ratio
Value: MSRP: $329
Consolation Score: N/A
Weight: 1 lb. 3 oz.
Execs
- Ultralight
- Inexpensive
- Compact
- Huge minimize
- Excessive-quality supplies
- RDS licensed
Cons
- Sewn footbox makes it barely much less versatile than different quilts
- Not heat sufficient for sub-freezing journeys
The REI Magma Quilt 30 is one in every of our go-to sleep sacks for journeys the place nighttime temperatures keep within the 40s or above. This pared-down design will maintain your summer time base weight as little as doable, and it compresses down small to depart room in your pack for different luxuries.
The Magma Path Quilt has a fully-sewn footbox, which suggests it could’t open up just like the Enlightened Tools Revelation close to the highest of this listing. This design limits versatility a bit, however it’s lighter, much less drafty, and far simpler to maintain tucked round you to seal within the warmth.
To high all of it off, the Magma comes at an amazing worth for the standard you get. With all of its benefits, REI Magma Path Quilt may be very powerful to beat for hikers who do most of their backpacking in heat summer time months.
Take a look at our full assessment of the Magma right here.
Zpacks Basic 20 BP
Quilt/sleeping bag hybrid that’s about as ultralight as you will get
Value: MSRP: $449 (worth varies relying on the choices chosen)
Consolation Score: N/A
Weight: 1 lb. 2.8 oz.
Execs
- Ultralight
- Glorious warmth-to-weight ratio
- Extremely packable
- Excessive-quality supplies
- RDS licensed
Cons
- Costly
- Not heat sufficient for sub-freezing journeys
- Sewn footbox limits versatility
Zpacks tends to be a frontrunner if you’re out there for the lightest gear doable, and their quilt-hybrid Basic Sleeping Bag is not any exception. The Basic offers ultralight heat utilizing high-quality and responsibly-sourced supplies.
The Basic’s ¾ size zipper and fully-sewn footbox barely restrict its versatility, however this quilt type is among the finest for conserving heat when temperatures dip. In the event you’re new to backpacking quilts, the design of the Basic may also really feel like a better transition than a completely open quilt.
The Basic is a standard choose for thru-hikers and ultralight backpackers protecting massive distances. It’s a bit on the expensive facet for a quilt, but when saving weight is one in every of your high priorities there’s no better option than the Zpacks Basic Sleeping Bag.
Take a look at our full assessment of the Zpacks Basic right here.
Marmot Trestles Elite Eco 20
Greatest artificial sleeping bag
Value: MSRP: $169
Consolation Score: 32°F
Weight: 2 lb. 6 oz.
Execs
- Inexpensive
- Further-wide possibility obtainable
- Sturdy
- Stash pocket
- Blanket fold zipper
- Compression sack included
Cons
- A bit heavier/bulkier than some
- A little bit tight within the leg
The Marmot Trestles Elite Eco 20 (view girls’s) is our favourite artificial sleeping bag for hikers on a funds. The Trestles has some surprisingly cool options for the way little it prices, like a blanket fold quarter zipper, inner stash pocket, and included compression sack.
Artificial baggage was a lot heavier and bulkier than down baggage, however that’s not a lot the case anymore. The Trestles packs down decently small and is fairly gentle regardless of its recycled artificial fill. Nonetheless, it’s one of many heaviest and bulkiest sleeping baggage on our listing, so that you’ll need to resolve if saving weight/bulk or cash is extra vital to you.
One of many largest causes to decide on a synthetic-fill sleeping bag is that it’ll maintain you hotter than a down bag when moist and it’ll additionally dry faster. So for hikers on a funds – and for individuals who aren’t down with down – the Marmot Trestles is a wonderful selection with some nice advantages.
Mountain Hardwear Phantom 0
Greatest winter sleeping bag
Value: MSRP: $680
Consolation Score: 13°F
Weight: 2 lb. 10.6 oz. (42.6)
Execs
- Very heat
- Glorious warmth-to-weight ratio
- Properly-priced for a 0° bag
- Compression sack included
- Excessive-quality supplies
- No-snag zipper
- Full-length draft tube
- 360° down collar
- RDS licensed
Cons
- Costly
- Match is a bit slim
- A bit cumbersome/heavy in comparison with chillier baggage
The Mountain Hardwear Phantom 0 is our go-to sleeping bag for when temperatures dip properly beneath freezing. When different 0° sleeping baggage, the Phantom is lighter and priced decrease than numerous the main competitors.
Two vital issues to have a look at when deciding if a sleeping bag goes to be as heat as its temperature ranking suggests are fill-power and fill weight. The Phantom is filled with 30 oz. of 850-fp down. 800-fp and above is usually thought-about very high-quality down, and 30 oz. of fill weight is increased than many different 0° baggage. So the Phantom will present extra heat than most of the different 0° baggage obtainable. It’s vital to remember the fact that the Phantom’s consolation ranking is 13°F, so most individuals will solely keep comfy round that temperature. However you might fairly throw on some additional heat layers to take this bag right down to 0° should you wanted to, and also you’d be okay – albeit a bit chilly.
To be frank, most individuals don’t want a 0° sleeping bag. However hikers heading into the backcountry in sub-freezing circumstances, or those who aren’t staying heat with a better temperature bag on a decently insulated sleeping pad, ought to look carefully at this distinctive winter sleeping bag.
NEMO Disco 15
Luxurious bag for individuals who like a bit wiggle room
Value: MSRP: $320
Consolation Score: 25°F
Weight: 2 lb. 11 oz.
Execs
- Roomy
- Cozy
- Sturdy
- Exterior draft collar
- Waterproof footbox
- Compression sack included
- Pillow pocket
- Full-length draft tube
- Stash pocket
- RDS licensed
Cons
- Heavy/cumbersome
- Not as warmth environment friendly as some
The NEMO Disco 15 (view girls’s) has a novel form that’s roomier than typical mummy baggage, so it’s one of many comfiest choices obtainable for side-sleepers. On the flip facet, roomy baggage just like the Disco are much less warmth environment friendly as a result of your physique has to heat up the additional area. This shouldn’t be a giant deal should you’re principally utilizing the Disco in temperatures that’re above-freezing, however it’s one thing to contemplate earlier than buying if additional wiggle room isn’t your high precedence.
The spoon form isn’t the one factor that units the Disco aside. This bag can also be full of distinctive options, like a pocket to carry your pillow in place and NEMO’s signature “thermo gills” that assist vent warmth on heat nights.
For hikers wanting essentially the most luxurious sleeping bag to assist them get some high quality backcountry Z’s, the NEMO Disco is a high contender.
Honorable Mentions
The next sleeping baggage didn’t make our ultimate listing, however they’ve nonetheless received numerous good issues going for them. You by no means know, one in every of these backpacking sleeping baggage is perhaps good for you:
- Therm-a-Relaxation Hyperion 20: The Hyperion is a really heat and compressible ultralight sleeping bag from one of many largest names in backcountry slumber. This bag has lots to like, however its hefty price ticket and slim minimize make it a tricky promote in comparison with our different top-rated sleeping baggage.
- Patagonia Fitz Roy 20: This mummy sleeping bag has a center-zip which works properly for facet sleepers. The Fitz Roy is high-quality, however at this worth level, we favor the lighter baggage on our principal listing.
Vital Backpacking Sleeping Bag Issues
CHOOSING A TEMPERATURE RATING
Choosing the proper temperature ranking isn’t an actual science. Many components contribute to heat, like sleeping pad insulation, clothes, hydration, vitamin, and altitude. For this listing, we selected sleeping baggage with temperature scores that we felt can be match for many 3-season journeys. Many of the backpacking sleeping baggage on this listing will maintain the common consumer comfy when temperatures dip to freezing or a couple of levels beneath. If you recognize you’re a scorching or chilly sleeper, you’ll wish to alter your temperature ranking selection accordingly.
TEMPERATURE RATING
European Norm (EN) and ISO are standardized temperature ranking techniques that maintain scores constant throughout the trade. The quantity listed with most backpacking sleeping baggage (instance: Magma 15) is the EN Decrease Restrict which is often 10-15 levels decrease than the EN Consolation Score. We discover that the EN Consolation Score offers a way more reasonable thought of how a bag will carry out. If no consolation ranking is listed, we often estimate an additional 10-15° to the decrease restrict for sleeping baggage and 20-25° for quilts.
INCREASING TEMPERATURE RATING
One other factor to bear in mind when selecting a sleeping bag is that you may at all times enhance your heat by including layers. For instance, carrying a down jacket with a hood inside your sleeping bag will considerably enhance your heat. It’s also possible to sleep in base layers, a heat hat, gloves, and even your rain jacket/rain pants if issues get actually frigid. Different tips embody consuming a meal proper earlier than mattress, staying properly hydrated, placing a scorching water bottle inside your sleeping bag by your toes, and discovering pure insulators (like pine needles) to place below your sleeping pad.
STAYING WARM – Sleeping baggage don’t create heat, your physique creates heat. Your sleeping bag retains you heat by trapping physique warmth in an enclosed area. Sleeping baggage with extra insulation entice warmth higher, so that they’re hotter. Sleeping baggage with a number of inside area are much less environment friendly as a result of they create a bigger space in your physique to heat up.
WARM WHEN WET
Artificial insulation baggage (and, to a lesser diploma, baggage handled with “dry down”) will maintain in heat higher than down when moist and so they dry faster. However it’s vital to do not forget that no backpacking sleeping bag will likely be comfy when moist. If you find yourself having to spend the evening in a moist sleeping bag, you’re most likely going to be depressing any method you slice it. We suggest packing your sleeping bag in a waterproof stuff sack to maintain it from getting moist whereas backpacking.
WHERE DOES DOWN COME FROM? – Down is the fluffy, small plumage discovered beneath the outer feather layer on waterfowl birds – principally geese and geese. These tiny filament fibers insulate the birds and maintain them heat even in frigid circumstances. Most down is a byproduct of the meat trade: 70% of it comes from China.
AVOIDING INFERIOR QUALITY & POOR ETHICS
Typically inexpensive sleeping baggage are filled with supplies aside from down or comprise solely a small quantity of down that’s blended with feathers or filler. For the perfect insulating worth and warmth-to-weight ratio, search for backpacking sleeping baggage which can be made with 100% duck or goose down. If the fill energy isn’t marketed, it’s doubtless the bag isn’t high quality and received’t compress very properly. Cheap down baggage are additionally generally made with supplies which can be unethically sourced. To make certain you aren’t supporting unhealthy practices, like pressure feeding or stay plucking, verify whether or not an organization makes use of traceable down or complies with the Accountable Down Normal. Firms that use good practices are typically pleased with it and clearly state it for his or her prospects to see. It’s value paying a bit extra for the peace of thoughts.
ZIPPER LENGTH
Mummy sleeping baggage usually include totally different zipper lengths. Full-length zippers are best as a result of they provide the capability to open the sleeping bag fully for air flow. Some baggage scale back weight by slicing down on zipper size. In the event you often like having your toes tucked in, a shorter zipper may not trouble you, however most individuals favor the flexibleness of full-length zippers.
DOWN FILL POWER
The fill energy (fp) of a down sleeping bag measures the standard of the down insulation it’s full of. Increased fill energy down weighs much less and compresses greater than decrease fill energy down. As you may think, increased fill energy down can also be costlier. Usually, 800 fill energy and up is taken into account prime quality down. Something decrease than that will likely be more economical, however received’t have nearly as good warmth-to-weight.
BAG LENGTH& WIDTH
Examine with the producer to seek out the right size sleeping bag to suit your peak. In the event you’re on the sting, the longer dimension will often be a greater match. With a quilt, take into account bumping up one dimension for the flexibility to drag it over your head on actually chilly nights. Mummy sleeping baggage often don’t have width choices, so that you’ll most likely want to decide on a unique mannequin if the minimize is just too slim. Most quilts include the choice of selecting a width, and we discover that wider quilts are rather more comfortable should you facet sleep or shift round at evening.
DWR – Sturdy water repellent is a therapy that causes water to bead up on the outer shell of a backpacking sleeping bag somewhat than soak in. DWR will put on off and must be reapplied over time, however it’s a pleasant function to have. It received’t make a bag wherever close to waterproof, however it does add a bit additional safety.
WASHING – Down is a sturdy materials, however it loses a few of its effectivity when it will get oily or soiled over time. wash will refresh your backpacking sleeping bag and make it like new. Use a particular cleaning soap like Nikwax Down Wash or a delicate non-detergent like Woolite to scrub your down bag by hand or in a front-loading washer. After it’s washed, take your time tumble-drying it on low warmth within the dryer. Including a couple of clear tennis balls or dryer balls to the dryer will assist break up clumps within the down and redistribute it evenly. It’s also possible to hold your down bag should you favor to let it air dry, fastidiously shaking it to fluff it up a number of occasions all through the method. Correctly sustaining your down bag takes time, however you’ll doubtless solely want to scrub it a couple of times per 12 months. For extra particulars on down care, go to Easy methods to Restore, Wash, Retailer, & Care For Your Sleeping Bag.
Extra Info
We hope this information helps you discover the proper gear in your wants. When you’ve got extra questions or a suggestion, we’d love to listen to from you! Join our publication to remain up to date on our newest posts then go to our Fb web page and Instagram to hitch the group dialog.
In the event you discovered this information useful, please share on social media and click on the little coronary heart button beneath to offer us a digital excessive 5! Additionally, remember to take a look at our CleverHiker Gear Information to see all of our high gear picks.
Thanks for studying and joyful trails!