
In the event you’ve ever spent an evening within the backcountry shivering uncontrollably, tooth chattering, simply ready for the solar to return up, then you understand precisely how necessary carrying a high-quality sleeping bag is.
Nicely, concern not! We’re right here to assist ensure you’re snuggled up cozy in your toasty heat sleep sack and by no means should expertise an evening like that.
Under you’ll discover a ton of instructional data on how to decide on the most effective sleeping bag on your wants in addition to an in depth listing with evaluations of our favourite sleeping luggage. 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 unbelievable sleeping bag to maintain you heat and comfy in your backcountry adventures for a few years to return!
Fast Suggestions
Try this fast listing of our favourite sleeping luggage, or proceed scrolling to see our full listing with in-depth evaluations.
What’s New:
Simply in time for chilly climate adventures we’ve added the Mountain Hardwear Phantom 0 as our decide for the Finest Winter Sleeping Bag.
Sleeping Bag Comparability Desk

What’s Most Essential to You in a Backpacking Sleeping Bag?
PRICE
Sleeping luggage can get fairly dear, however we expect it’s value it to put money into a high-quality bag that may hold you heat and supply good relaxation after a tough day on the path. Funds choices will work properly in the event you don’t backpack a lot otherwise you’re simply stepping into it. However for individuals who exit usually, spending extra will seemingly be value it for increased high quality supplies, a superior warmth-to-weight ratio, and higher packability.

WARMTH-TO-WEIGHT:
Your sleeping bag might be one of many 4 heaviest objects in your backpack (tent, backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping pad), so it’s essential to strike a great stability between heat and weight. Ideally, you’d personal 2-3 sleeping luggage for various seasons, however most backpackers begin out by selecting one bag that may hold 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 season journeys to chilly shoulder seasons. If you understand you’ll do most of your mountaineering in hotter summer season months, a sleeping bag rated right down to 30 will seemingly work simply tremendous and can avoid wasting weight and bulk in your pack.

SLEEPING BAGS VS. QUILTS:
Mummy sleeping luggage work higher in chilly and windy situations as a result of they lure physique warmth extra effectively and so they’re much less drafty. Quilts present a greater warmth-to-weight ratio by chopping out the fabric and insulation that’s usually compressed beneath your physique in a mummy bag. If a quilt sounds extra like your fashion, you’ll love our Finest Backpacking Quilts information.
We often favor the flexibleness, weight, and luxury of quilts when nighttime temperatures are above freezing (32°F) and mummy luggage when temperatures dip beneath freezing.

DOWN VS. SYNTHETIC:
Down insulation is dearer however has a greater warmth-to-weight ratio and packs down smaller. Down sleeping luggage additionally last more than artificial luggage if taken care of correctly. Artificial sleeping luggage are sometimes heavier and bulkier than down luggage, however they have an inclination to price much less and retain warmth a bit higher when moist. Down luggage are sometimes higher performers, so that they make up the vast majority of our suggestions.

Finest Sleeping Baggage of 2023

REI Magma 15 / 30
Finest sleeping bag total for consolation, worth & high quality
Worth: MSRP: $399 / $349
Consolation Ranking: 28°F / 39°F
Weight: 1 lb. 12 oz. / 1 lb. 3.8 oz.
Professionals
- Very inexpensive for the standard
- Light-weight
- Heat
- No snag zipper
- Accountable Down Customary (RDS) licensed
Cons
- We see these as extra of 20° & 35° luggage
The REI Magma 15 and Magma 30 (girls’s Magma 15 and 30) sleeping luggage supply a mix of heat, weight, and price that few different backpacking sleeping luggage can match. The Magma will get it proper the place it issues essentially the most – high quality supplies, a strong warmth-to-weight ratio, and a well-shaped footbox and hood.
A part of what makes the Magma luggage so mild is their trimmed-down design. The true mummy form is extremely heat-efficient as a result of it eliminates useless area your physique must heat up earlier than the bag can do its job. However the Magma luggage are nonetheless lots roomy for aspect sleepers and hikers who shift round usually at night time.
Each fashions repeatedly 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 very reasonable worth, the Magma 15 is a superb selection. If most of your backpacking journeys are throughout summer season months otherwise you’re a heat sleeper, the Magma 30 is ideal for maintaining pack weight to an absolute minimal.
Try our full assessment of the Magma sleeping luggage right here.

Feathered Mates Swallow YF 20 / Egret YF 20
Finest warmth-to-weight ratio
Worth: $529 / $509
Consolation Ranking: N/A
Weight: 1 lb. 12.7 oz. / 1 lb. 13 oz.
Professionals
- Light-weight
- Excessive-quality supplies
- Glorious warmth-to-weight ratio
- Full-length draft tube
- RDS licensed
Feathered Mates makes a number of the absolute highest high quality down sleeping luggage in the marketplace, and the Swallow YF 20 and girls’s Egret YF 20 are not any exception.
The Swallow and Egret are very mild, really feel mushy in opposition to the pores and skin, and are stuffed with responsibly-sourced 900+ fill-power goose down – which is about as high-quality as down comes. Feathered Mates doesn’t listing EN temperature rankings, however we’ve discovered their rankings to be extra conservative than many of the competitors. In different phrases, this is without doubt one of the few situations the place we’d truly belief a 20-degree bag to round 20 levels.
Definitely the excessive worth is without doubt one of the first stuff you’ll discover concerning the Swallow and Egret, however we will guarantee you that they’re value each penny in the event you’ll use them usually.

Western Mountaineering Alpinlite 20
Exceptionally high-quality & heat sleeping bag
Worth: MSRP: $695
Consolation Ranking: 25°F
Weight: 1 lb. 15 oz.
Professionals
- Glorious warmth-to-weight ratio
- Excessive-quality supplies
- No-snag zipper
- Full-length draft tube
- 360° down collar
Western Mountaineering makes a number of the highest high quality, lightest, and warmest backpacking sleeping luggage 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 top-of-the-line warmth-to-weight ratios out there.
The Alpinlite comes with a large price ticket, however it can 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 strong gear that may be put by the wringer.
Whereas the Alpinlite is our favourite Western Mountaineering sleeping bag when it comes to warmth-to-weight and luxury, we expect a number of different luggage from their ExtremeLite sequence are value a glance. In the event you don’t thoughts a extra slender slot in favor of saving weight, you’ll most likely love the UltraLite. For chilly sleepers who want some further insulation, the Versalite 10 is a superb selection.

Enlightened Gear Revelation Quilt-20
Finest backpacking quilt total for weight, versatility, & worth
Worth: MSRP: $315
Consolation Ranking: N/A
Weight: 1 lb. 6.5 oz.
Fill Energy: 850 or 950
Professionals
- Ultralight
- Versatile
- Inexpensive for the standard
- Inventory & customizable choices out there
- Packable
- RDS licensed
Cons
- Not heat sufficient for sub-freezing journeys
The versatile design of the Enlightened Gear Revelation quilt has been a recreation changer for our backcountry journeys, and we adore it’s warmth-to-weight ratio. We are likely to favor quilts over sleeping luggage for many of our journeys the place we don’t count on temps to dip beneath freezing.
This quilt will 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 colour, measurement, and heat, so we bumped up a measurement 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 it will often set you again a fairly 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 top-of-the-line 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
Finest funds sleeping bag
Worth: MSRP: $165 / $215
Consolation Ranking: 32°F / 25°F
Weight: 2 lb. 10 oz. / 3 lbs. 7 oz.
Professionals
- 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 palms down the most suitable choice for these trying to save as a lot cash as attainable with out sacrificing heat. This budget-buy can 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 luggage 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 luggage we’ve examined due to its a lot increased denier outer shell material.
Remember that you get what you pay for, so don’t count on the identical high quality out of the Cosmic as the opposite luggage on this listing. That stated, this sleeping bag is purposeful and comfy sufficient to get the job performed properly. When price and performance are a very powerful issues, the Kelty Cosmic is hard to beat.

Sea to Summit Spark 18 / Flame 15
Finest ultralight sleeping bag
Worth: MSRP: $509 / $589
Consolation Ranking: 29°F / 15°F
Weight: 1 lb. 8 oz. / 1 lb. 15 oz.
Professionals
- 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 measurement and weight of a quilt? Look no additional than Sea to Summit’s Spark 18 and Flame 15 sleeping luggage. Full-length zippers with draft tubes, a down collar on the hood and neck, and field baffles remove chilly spots to make the Flame and Spark exceptionally heat for the burden.
The Spark and Flame are on the dear aspect resulting from their premium 850+ fill goose down, however that’s additionally what makes them so mild and packable. You might 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 keen to pay extra for fine 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 wonderful warmth-to-weight ratio
Worth: MSRP: $329
Consolation Ranking: N/A
Weight: 1 lb. 3 oz.
Professionals
- Ultralight
- Inexpensive
- Compact
- Large lower
- 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 certainly one of our go-to sleep sacks for journeys the place nighttime temperatures keep within the 40s or above. This pared-down design will hold your summer season base weight as little as attainable, and it compresses down small to go away room in your pack for different luxuries.
The Magma Path Quilt has a fully-sewn footbox, which implies it might probably’t open up just like the Enlightened Gear Revelation close to the highest of this listing. This design limits versatility a bit, nevertheless 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 season months.

Zpacks Basic 20 BP
Quilt/sleeping bag hybrid that’s about as ultralight as you will get
Worth: MSRP: $449 (worth varies relying on the choices chosen)
Consolation Ranking: N/A
Weight: 1 lb. 2.8 oz.
Professionals
- 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 once you’re out there for the lightest gear attainable, and their quilt-hybrid Basic Sleeping Bag isn’t any exception. The Basic gives 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 fashion is without doubt one of the finest for maintaining heat when temperatures dip. In the event you’re new to backpacking quilts, the design of the Basic can even really feel like a neater transition than a totally open quilt.
The Basic is a typical decide for thru-hikers and ultralight backpackers masking large distances. It’s a bit on the dear aspect for a quilt, but when saving weight is certainly one of your high priorities there’s no better option than the Zpacks Basic Sleeping Bag.

Marmot Trestles Elite Eco 20
Finest artificial sleeping bag
Worth: MSRP: $169
Consolation Ranking: 32°F
Weight: 2 lb. 6 oz.
Professionals
- Inexpensive
- Further-wide possibility out there
- Sturdy
- Stash pocket
- Blanket fold zipper
- Compression sack included
Cons
- A bit heavier/bulkier than some
- A bit of 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 luggage was once a lot heavier and bulkier than down luggage, however that’s not a lot the case anymore. The Trestles packs down decently small and is fairly mild regardless of its recycled artificial fill. Nonetheless, it’s one of many heaviest and bulkiest sleeping luggage on our listing, so that you’ll should resolve if saving weight/bulk or cash is extra necessary to you.
One of many largest causes to decide on a synthetic-fill sleeping bag is that it’s going to hold 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 superb selection with some nice advantages.

Mountain Hardwear Phantom 0
Finest winter sleeping bag
Worth: MSRP: $680
Consolation Ranking: 13°F
Weight: 2 lb. 10.6 oz. (42.6)
Professionals
- Very heat
- Glorious warmth-to-weight ratio
- Nicely-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 slender
- A bit cumbersome/heavy in comparison with colder luggage
The Mountain Hardwear Phantom 0 is our go-to sleeping bag for when temperatures dip properly beneath freezing. When taking a look at different 0° sleeping luggage, the Phantom is lighter and priced decrease than plenty of the main competitors.
Two necessary 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° luggage. So the Phantom will present extra heat than lots of the different 0° luggage out there. It’s necessary to remember the fact that the Phantom’s consolation ranking is 13°F, so most individuals will solely keep snug round that temperature. However you can moderately throw on some further heat layers to take this bag right down to 0° in the event 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 situations, or those who aren’t staying heat with the next 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 slightly wiggle room
Worth: MSRP: $320
Consolation Ranking: 25°F
Weight: 2 lb. 11 oz.
Professionals
- 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 singular form that’s roomier than typical mummy luggage, so it’s one of many comfiest choices out there for side-sleepers. On the flip aspect, roomy luggage 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 in the event you’re principally utilizing the Disco in temperatures that’re above-freezing, nevertheless it’s one thing to think about earlier than buying if further wiggle room isn’t your high precedence.
The spoon form isn’t the one factor that units the Disco aside. This bag can 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 luggage didn’t make our ultimate listing, however they’ve nonetheless received plenty of good issues going for them. You by no means know, certainly one of these backpacking sleeping luggage may be 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 so much to like, however its hefty price ticket and slender lower make it a troublesome promote in comparison with our different top-rated sleeping luggage.
- Patagonia Fitz Roy 20: This mummy sleeping bag has a center-zip which works properly for aspect sleepers. The Fitz Roy is high-quality, however at this worth level, we favor the lighter luggage on our essential listing.
Vital Backpacking Sleeping Bag Issues
CHOOSING A TEMPERATURE RATING
Choosing the proper temperature ranking isn’t a precise science. Many elements contribute to heat, like sleeping pad insulation, clothes, hydration, vitamin, and altitude. For this listing, we selected sleeping luggage with temperature rankings that we felt could be a great match for many 3-season journeys. A lot of the backpacking sleeping luggage on this listing will hold the typical consumer snug when temperatures dip to freezing or a number of levels beneath. If you understand you’re a scorching or chilly sleeper, you’ll wish to modify your temperature ranking selection accordingly.
TEMPERATURE RATING
European Norm (EN) and ISO are standardized temperature ranking programs that hold rankings constant throughout the business. The quantity listed with most backpacking sleeping luggage (instance: Magma 15) is the EN Decrease Restrict which is often 10-15 levels decrease than the EN Consolation Ranking. We discover that the EN Consolation Ranking provides a way more life like concept 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 luggage and 20-25° for quilts.

INCREASING TEMPERATURE RATING
One other factor to remember when selecting a sleeping bag is which you can at all times improve your heat by including layers. For instance, sporting 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 really frigid. Different methods embrace consuming a meal proper earlier than mattress, staying properly hydrated, placing a scorching water bottle inside your sleeping bag by your ft, and discovering pure insulators (like pine needles) to place beneath your sleeping pad.
STAYING WARM – Sleeping luggage don’t create heat, your physique creates heat. Your sleeping bag retains you heat by trapping physique warmth in an enclosed area. Sleeping luggage with extra insulation lure warmth higher, so that they’re hotter. Sleeping luggage with plenty of inside area are much less environment friendly as a result of they create a bigger space on your physique to heat up.
WARM WHEN WET
Artificial insulation luggage (and, to a lesser diploma, luggage handled with “dry down”) will maintain in heat higher than down when moist and so they dry faster. Nevertheless it’s necessary to keep in mind that no backpacking sleeping bag might be snug when moist. If you find yourself having to spend the night time 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 hold them heat even in frigid situations. Most down is a byproduct of the meat business: 70% of it comes from China.

AVOIDING INFERIOR QUALITY & POOR ETHICS
Generally inexpensive sleeping luggage are filled with supplies apart from down or comprise solely a small quantity of down that’s blended with feathers or filler. For the most effective insulating worth and warmth-to-weight ratio, search for backpacking sleeping luggage which can be made with 100% duck or goose down. If the fill energy isn’t marketed, it’s seemingly the bag isn’t fine quality and received’t compress very properly. Cheap down luggage are additionally generally made with supplies which can be unethically sourced. To make certain you aren’t supporting dangerous practices, like pressure feeding or reside plucking, examine whether or not an organization makes use of traceable down or complies with the Accountable Down Customary. Firms that use good practices are usually happy 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 luggage usually include completely different zipper lengths. Full-length zippers are splendid as a result of they provide the means to open the sleeping bag utterly for air flow. Some luggage scale back weight by chopping down on zipper size. In the event you often like having your ft 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 stuffed with. Larger fill energy down weighs much less and compresses greater than decrease fill energy down. As you may think, increased fill energy down can be dearer. Normally, 800 fill energy and up is taken into account prime quality down. Something decrease than that might be more economical, however received’t have pretty much as good warmth-to-weight.
BAG LENGTH& WIDTH
Examine with the producer to seek out the right size sleeping bag to suit your top. In the event you’re on the sting, the longer measurement will often be a greater match. With a quilt, take into account bumping up one measurement for the power to drag it over your head on actually chilly nights. Mummy sleeping luggage often don’t have width choices, so that you’ll most likely want to decide on a unique mannequin if the lower is simply too slim. Most quilts include the choice of selecting a width, and we discover that wider quilts are way more comfortable in the event you aspect sleep or shift round at night time.
DWR – Sturdy water repellent is a therapy that causes water to bead up on the outer shell of a backpacking sleeping bag reasonably than soak in. DWR will put on off and should be reapplied over time, nevertheless it’s a pleasant characteristic to have. It received’t make a bag wherever close to waterproof, nevertheless it does add slightly further safety.
WASHING – Down is a sturdy materials, nevertheless it loses a few of its effectivity when it will get oily or soiled over time. A very good 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 number 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 cling your down bag in the event 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 seemingly solely want to scrub it a few times per 12 months. For extra particulars on down care, go to The way to Restore, Wash, Retailer, & Care For Your Sleeping Bag.

Extra Info
We hope this information helps you discover the right gear on your wants. In case you have extra questions or a suggestion, we’d love to listen to from you! Join our e-newsletter to remain up to date on our newest posts then go to our Fb web page and Instagram to affix the group dialog.
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Thanks for studying and glad trails!
