sleeping bags
With temps either through the roof or fluctuating all over the place, you need a sleeping bag that strikes a balance between weight, compactness and warmth.
A good three-season sleeping bag should be rated for temperatures between 40 and 50 degrees F (5 to10 C) depending on your destination and personal comfort level. You don't want to be too hot or cold, because a few nights of bad sleep can put a major damper on your trip. It's hard to trek on an empty sleep tank, trust me.
Since you'll be carrying your sleeping bag in your backpack, choose one that's lightweight and packs down small. Look for bags made of lightweight materials such as down or synthetic insulation, with a compact stuff sack.
Although it's lightweight, it still needs to be able to withstand wear and tear, including moisture, dirt, and abrasion. Look for bags made with high-quality materials, sturdy zippers, and reinforced stitching.
Your sleeping bag should be roomy enough for some movement and ventilation, but not so loose that it loses all of its warmth efficiency. Mummy-shaped bags are generally used for colder weather camping, so look for a sleeping quilt for summer temps. A nice feature for extra hot nights is a zipper that opens from both ends for ventilation.
sleeping bag reviews
Hyke & Byke Eolus
This is a lightweight, 3 season, down filled, mummy style sleeping bag that weighs around 2.5 pounds (1.2 kilograms) and compresses down to a nice compact size. Be aware, the sizing runs small/narrow, which might feel restrictive if you have wide shoulders or you like having room to move around while sleeping.
The ripstop nylon fabric shell provides breathability while retaining warmth. The 15/30 degree Fahrenheit (-9/-1 degree Celsius) temperature rating is great for both colder and milder nights.
Some folks commented that the temperature ratings are slightly optimistic. The bag was not as warm as they expected, especially in colder conditions, so they had to layer up or use extra insulation.
Overall, this bag is a good budget-friendly option compared to other down-filled sleeping bags on the market.
TETON Sports LEEF
The TETON Sports LEEF mummy style sleeping bag is rated for temps down to 0 degrees Fahrenheit (-18 degrees Celsius) although if you sleep cold I recommend a warmer bag or a liner/extra layers.
The synthetic PolarLite fill works well even in damp conditions. It has an adjustable hood for extra warmth, plus draft tubes along the zipper and at the shoulder area to keep out cold air.
For warmer nights, the zipper can be opened fully to use as a blanket. We found the zipper can sometimes be a little finicky but is generally pretty good.
The regular-sized sleeping bag weighs approximately 3.5 pounds (1.6 kilograms) and is 87 inches (221 cm) long and 34 inches (86 cm) wide at the shoulders, tapering down to 22 inches (56 cm) at the foot. It's pretty narrow if you have a larger frame or if you like to sprawl out in your sleep, so double check your sizing before you order.
This sleeping bag has good overall durability, with 40D ripstop nylon fabric for the outer shell.
Outdoor Vitals Summit
Temperature ratings vary depending on the model, so pay attention to that detail when you're doing your research. It's good for three seasons, not just summer camping.
While the mummy-style sleeping bag is comfortable to sleep in and has ample room for movement, the sizing runs small. Choose the appropriate size based on your sleep movements. Throw out an arm or leg in the night? Get a bigger size.
It has a durable shell made from 20D or 30D ripstop nylon fabric. The zipper is anti-snag. To be honest, we saw it lose some of it's anti-snagging quality with time and use.
Where the Outdoor Vitals Summit sleeping bag shines is in the packability. It can be compressed to an impressive 2.5 pounds and 10 x 8 inches. Ideal for back trail camping.
The Summit sleeping bag is a bit more expensive than some other bags, but the price reflects the quality of materials and design.
Kelty Cosmic
Kelty Cosmic 20-degree 550-down fill sleeping bag comes in multiple sizes. The regular-sized sleeping bag is 72 inches (183 cm) long and 62 inches (157 cm) wide at the shoulder. It tapers down to a foot girth of 40 inches (102 cm).
Size Fit
Short 5' 6"
Regular 6'
Long 6' 6"
Women 5' 8"
The polyester taffeta fabric is soft inside, and it has a nice durable nylon outer cover. A PFC-free water-repellent coating helps keep you dry in damp conditions.
It's trapezoid baffles retain heat (see the video if you like geometry ;) Luckily, you can partially unzip the bottom. And the zippered internal stash pocket is handy.
The Kelty Cosmic 20 offers good value for the price. It's a budget-friendly option compared to other down-filled sleeping bags on the market.
Coleman Brazos Cold Weather
This is the sleeping bag every kid started backyard camping in, or using as a picnic blanket, or an outdoor fort. Don't let the name "Cold Weather" fool you! This 100% polyester sleeping bag has decent heat retention for temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit (-6 degrees Celsius).
Fiberlock construction prevents insulation from shifting. Great for a machine washable bag while your kids grow. The fabric tends to lose its softness over time, but the versatility is worth it.
Coleman Brazos' rectangular shape is 33 inches (84 cm) wide by 75 inches (190 cm) long, so plenty of space to stretch out and change positions. Zip two together to make one huge bag.
Filled with 4 pounds (1.8 kilograms) of Coletherm insulation, it's relatively bulky in your gear and heavy for trekking. There are mixed reviews on whether the bag keeps you warm enough in colder weather so layer up if you sleep cold.
As a starter bag, a sleeping bag for tight budgets, or for numerous kids, the Coleman Brazos is a budget-friendly option well worth its lifespan.
GOT FEEDBACK?
If you've used one of the sleeping bags I reviewed and you have something to add that could help other campers, I'd love to hear it.
Same, if you have a bag you love (or hate) that's not reviewed here, tell me about it and I'll pass it on.
Your fellow campers thank you!
