- A sleeping bag not only acts as your bed in the backcountry, but it's also a shield against cold and damp weather.
- The best sleeping bags provide warmth when needed, a comfortable place to rest while camping or backpacking, and are made of either down or synthetic insulation.
- Our top pick, the REI Co-op Magma 30ºF, is the perfect companion for any outdoor adventure as it offers an excellent weight-to-warmth ratio and packs down small enough for easy transport.
Whether you're camping in the backyard or trekking across the Himalaya, your sleeping bag just might be the most important piece of gear you bring along. A proper sleeping bag keeps you comfortable throughout the night, ensuring you get a good night's sleep. Conversely, the wrong sleeping bag leaves you feeling tired and miserable, which makes for a long next day on the trail.
Because of their importance to not only your well-being but to the success of any camping trip, picking out the right sleeping bag is vital. Since many of the best options aren't exactly cheap, it's important to not go through much trial-and-error. To help, we did much of the legwork (i.e. real-life testing) for you. But before we get into our recommendations, there are a few things to keep in mind before buying.
What to look for when shopping for a sleeping bag
When it comes to selecting a sleeping bag, there are a number of factors to consider, including weight, size, and temperature rating. Most sleeping bags come in different sizes to accommodate different people. Generally speaking, those sizes are small, medium, and large, and most manufacturers charge different prices based on size.
For instance, if you're taller, there's a good chance you'd pay more for a tall-specific bag. Larger sleeping bags also tend to weigh a bit more, although in most cases the differences are negligible.
Temperature ratings
A sleeping bag's temperature rating is arguably more important than either size or weight when it comes to comfort. The rating is an indicator of the absolute lowest temperature the bag should be used in. In other words, if a sleeping bag has a rating of 35ºF/1.6ºC, it's generally safe and comfortable to use in weather conditions that drop to those temperatures. Anything below that and you run the risk of being too cold and uncomfortable.
Temperature ratings also have an impact on a sleeping bag's weight and size. The lower the temperature rating, the more insulation it needs to maintain comfort levels. As insulation is added, the bag gets heavier and thicker, adding bulk to a hiker's backpack at the same time. That's the trade-off that comes with having a warmer bag for use in more extreme conditions.
Insulation types
Down
Another consideration when searching for a sleeping bag is whether or not you want down feathers or synthetic insulation. Down is widely considered to be the warmest and lightest form of insulation, providing plenty of warmth while staying fairly light. It also compresses down to a relatively small size, which means it won't take up much space in your pack.
The downside, however, is that when down gets wet, it tends to lose its loft and much of its performance. The introduction of hydrophobic (aka water-resistant) down has changed this a bit but there are still plenty of traditional down options on the market.
Synthetic insulation
The other popular sleeping bag insulator is synthetic insulation. Bags with synthetic insulation don't perform as well in cold conditions but also don't lose any performance when they get wet. These types of insulations are also less expensive, though they do tend to be heavier and less compressible.
In our search for the best sleeping bags available today, we've spent countless nights in tents in some remote corners of the globe. This helped us find the highest quality bags to help keep you comfortable wherever your next adventure . takes you.
Here are the best sleeping bags you can buy:
- Best overall sleeping bag: REI Co-op Magma 30º
- Best sleeping bag for winter camping: Nemo Sonic 0
- Best ultralight sleeping bag: Therm-a-Rest Hyperion 32
- Best budget sleeping bag: Kelty Cosmic 20
- Best sleeping bag for casual comfort: Zenbivy Bed
- Best sleeping bag for women: Sea to Summit Flame Ultralight 15º
- Best sleeping bag for kids: Big Agnes Duster 15º
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