Finding the Right Sleeping Bag For Backpacking
When you finish up with a long day of backpacking, you’re going to be tired. I mean, really tired. You’ll be looking forward to zonking out in your tent and giving your body some much needed rest. Getting some good sleep is important for your body to recover from the day’s activity so you can feel energized the next day.
That being said, it is important you are comfortable when you go to bed so that you can get that rejuvenating sleep you crave. There are a lot of things that go into your backpacking sleeping space like your pillow and sleeping pad. However, the key item for nightly comfort is arguably your sleeping bag.
Having the best sleeping bag for backpacking means you can sleep easier at night. Better sleep means a more refreshed body, lighter spirits, and all around a more enjoyable experience for you and your hike-mates.
Don’t overlook the importance of a great sleeping bag.
It can be daunting to shop for a sleeping bag for backpacking, regardless of if you are a beginner or an expert. There are some technical terms, measurements, and features that you may not have heard of before. Don’t let it intimidate you. We’re here to help you navigate the waters of choosing important gear (like your backpack or boots). Below we are going to break down all you need to know to find the right sleeping bag for backpacking for your needs.
Hold up, I can’t just use whatever old sleeping bag I have in storage?
You certainly can if you want to, but I strongly advise against it.
A backpacking specific sleeping bag will be warmer, more compact, more lightweight and more efficient than the sleeping bag you used for sleepovers in second grade. If you rely on a sleeping bag that is not made for backpacking, you’ll be lugging around extra weight and bulk. Plus, that heavy sleeping bag might not even keep you warm enough at night.
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Sleeping Bag Insulation: Down vs Synthetic
There are two popular types of insulation for backpacking sleeping bags: down and synthetic. Which type you get is important to consider because it will impact other qualities of your bag. How light it is, how warm it is, and how small you can back it down are all factors that are impacted by your sleeping bag’s fill.
Here is the comparison:
Down Insulation
Down insulation is made from the plumage of geese and ducks. This is the soft, cloudlike fluff under the larger feathers of the bird. You may have a winter jacket, pillows or comforter that is filled with this material. This is a popular, high-end material that is sought after for it’s “warmth to weight” ratio. It is able to trap heat efficiently without much bulk, so you can create incredibly warm yet lightweight products from the material. Down is also incredibly durable and compactable. You can compress it down to a small size without damaging the material.
Down makes a great fill for backpacking sleeping bags because of these qualities. It is ideal for people who are really trying to limit the weight and bulk in their backpack without sacrificing warmth.
One of the drawbacks to down is that it is expensive, so be prepared to pay a premium for sleeping bags with this fill. Down also becomes significantly less effective at keeping you warm when it gets wet. Though many sleeping bags made with down are treated with a water repellant, this is something to keep in mind if you plan on traveling somewhere wet.
Synthetic Insulation
Synthetic insulation is designed to mock the benefits of down by using wispy polyester fibers to create a similar material. The fine fibers mimics down by containing pockets of warm air to keep you from getting cold.
Unfortunately, synthetic fill still isn’t quite as good as real down. It is not as efficient at trapping heat and tends to be heavier and bulkier than down. However that doesn’t mean backpacking sleeping bags made with synthetic fill are bad. Many brands create incredibly warm, light and compact sleeping bags without a single feather.
One advantage synthetic insulation has is that it can keep you warm and comfortable even if it gets wet. While down loses its insulating properties when it gets wet, synthetic fill continues to keep you cozy. Sleeping bags made with synthetic insulation are also more affordable. If you’re willing to carry a little extra weight in your pack to save some money, this is the fill for you.
Down Fill Power
If you opt for a down sleeping bag, you should also check out the fill power of that bag. Down fill power indicates the quality of down by measuring how much space an ounce of down takes up in a cylindrical tube. The higher the number, the higher quality it is. A sleeping bag with a high fill power will weigh less, retain heat better, and compress smaller.
Fill power ranges from 550 to 900. While a fill power of 900 indicates better insulation than a fill power of 600, that doesn’t mean you can ignore temperature ratings. Fill power just measures the loftiness of your bag, not how warm it is.
Sleeping Bag Temperature Ratings
When you’re shopping for a sleeping bag, you’re going to notice some form of temperature rating listed on the specs. This is to help you gauge how warm the sleeping bag is compared to others.
ISO or EN Ratings
These two ratings are commonly used to gauge at what temperatures people will feel comfortable in them. EN (European Norm) was created in 2002 with the goal to standardize sleeping bag temperature ratings. 15 years later, ISO (International Standards Organization) became the new standard.1
These are now both commonly used, providing similar results and often considered interchangeable. These ratings show a temperature range that is comfortable for most people, providing specific limits that allow you to better gauge where you’d fall within that range.
These ratings show the lowest temperature that the bag will keep the “average person” warm. This is based off of someone sleeping in the sleeping bag in that temperature while wearing long underwear, socks and using a sleeping pad. It is important to note that this rating is not required – some brands will not include an ISO or EN rating. They may use a different method to measure temperature ratings. This doesn’t necessarily mean it is a poor quality bag, but it does make it more difficult to compare the bag’s warmth to other brands using a standard rating.
Comfort Vs. Limit
Within these ratings, you will sometimes find comfort and limit ratings. These are helpful guidelines that allow you to be a little more personalized in reading the ratings. Since preferences and comfort levels for people vary widely when it comes to temperature, these guides help you better cater to your needs.
Comfort rating will show the lowest comfortable temperature for someone who typically “runs cold”.2 If you tend to get cold more easily than your friends do, this is the rating to follow. Women’s sleeping bags will typically use this for their temperature rating because the average woman will feel more comfortable in warmer temperatures compared to the average man.
The limit rating is the lowest comfortable temperature for the average person who typically “runs warm”. If air conditioning is your best friend, this is the rating for you. Limit is commonly used for men’s sleeping bag ratings.
How to Use Temperature Ratings
When buying a backpacking sleeping bag, get one with a rating lower than the lowest temperature you expect to experience. Lean on the safe side with this and overestimate how cold it might get. Be sure to keep elevation gain in mind. If you’re going to be spending a night or two on the side of a mountain, it is going to be far more chilly than what the forecast predicts in the valley below.
You are always better off with a sleeping bag that is too warm than you are with one that is not warm enough. If you get too hot during the night, you can unzip and stick a leg out to cool off. If you get too cold, you might have trouble getting any sleep.
Also, be sure to take these ratings with a grain of salt. These ratings are best used for comparing the warmth of different sleeping bags. When it comes to finding what fits your needs, you’ll need to use your own judgement on what you’d be comfortable in.
Sleeping Bag Weight and Bulk
When shopping for any backpacking gear, finding something that is light and compact is key. When you’re packing your backpack, each item’s size and weight becomes increasingly important. This is especially true for sleeping bags, which will be one of your larger items in your backpack. If you choose one that is bulky, you’re going to have a hard time finding a place for it.
There are two things that dictate your sleeping bag’s weight and size: insulation and shape.
Insulation
Typically sleeping bags with lower temperature ratings (meaning they will keep you warmer in colder temperatures) will be heavier and bulkier. That is because it needs more fill to provide that extra warmth. Sometimes you must choose between ideal weight and ideal temperature rating.
However, this also depends on the type of fill. Some materials such as down are more efficient, providing more warmth with less weight. These might come at a premium price point, but if you’re a serious backpacker it could be worth it.
Shape
The shape of your backpacking sleeping bag will determine just how compact it can get when rolled up. The more snugly the sleeping bag fits against your body, the less excess material it carries. This makes it lighter and smaller when you roll it up. There are a few different shapes to choose from when it comes to sleeping bags, let us break them down for you…
Sleeping Bag Shapes
Mummy
Look for a sleeping bag with a mummy shape for the lightest and most compact option. This shape contours to the body, being wide around the midsection and narrow around your legs and feet, wrapping around your head as well. These will also keep you warmer because there is less room for air pockets and fewer gaps for drafts to sneak in.
Semi-Rectangular
If you sleep on your side or move around a lot in your sleep, you might be better off with a semi rectangular sleeping bag. This shape wraps around your head and narrows slightly around your feet much like a mummy shape, but is far less snug to allow for tossing and turning. However, the extra fabric will cost you backpack space and weight
Rectangular
It’s best to avoid using rectangular sleeping bags for backpacking. They are not as thermally efficient, they’re far more bulky, and they’re difficult to pack. Their loose fit allows cold air to sneak in and creates pockets of air between you and the bag. Reserve these sleeping bags for children’s sleepovers and casual camping trips.
Special Sleeping Bag Features
If you are deciding between two sleeping bags that are the same in terms of fill, temperature rating, shape and weight, consider the special features they have. Some features may seem minor, but actually make a big difference in terms of comfort and warmth. Below are a few to take notice of.
- Sleeping Pad or Pillow Pockets: Some sleeping bags come equipped with a pillow pocket or sleeve that keeps your sleeping pad and pillow in place. This is a great feature for someone who moves in their sleep. You won’t have to readjust your pillow or pad throughout the night.
- Sleeping Bag Hood: Many backpacking sleeping bags will wrap around your head to trap in warmth, but not all of them have an adjustable hood. If you want to optimize the warmth of your sleeping bag, an adjustable hood can make a huge difference.It prevents warm air from drifting out of the bag, trapping your body heat more effectively.
- Draft Collar: Some sleeping bags feature a draft collar, a tube of insulated fabric right below the hood of your sleeping bag. It wraps around your shoulders and chest to prevent warm air from escaping the bag as you move throughout the night.
- Chest Pockets: Convenient pockets on a sleeping bag can really come in handy. You can keep items you need throughout the night within easy reach. This is great for your headlamp.
Which Sleeping Bag Should You Buy?
If you’re ready to start shopping for your new sleeping bag, check out our full evaluation of our favorite sleeping bags here. If you’re in a rush, these are a handful of our favorites that tend to be crowd-pleasers.
REI Co-op Magma 15
The REI Magma 15 backpacking sleeping bag offers excellent value with its lightweight design, warmth, and water-resistant goose down, all under $400. Its heat-maintaining features, like the insulated yoke and contoured hood, enhance its performance. However, it may feel snug for larger individuals, and the temperature rating is somewhat generous; it’s best suited for temperatures above 30 degrees, while the women’s version provides extra warmth.
Western Mountaineering Alpinlite Sleeping Bag
The Western Mountaineering’s AlpinLite 20 is a premium backpacking sleeping bag worth the investment. It features top-notch materials, including a durable, breathable, and waterproof shell and high-quality goose down fill. This bag offers ample shoulder room for larger individuals and incorporates heat-trapping features like a 360-degree down collar and full-length zipper with a draft tube. While the price may deter some buyers, it reflects the exceptional quality. Be sure to provide proper maintenance to maximize its lifespan.
NEMO Disco
The Nemo Disco 15 is a spacious and comfortable sleeping bag that caters to those who prefer extra room to move. It offers warmth, a pillow pocket, a waterproof footbox, and comes with a lifetime warranty from NEMO. However, the added space makes it bulkier and heavier, negating potential space and weight savings. Unfortunately, the looser fit also affects heat retention, as it doesn’t hug the body as closely, potentially leading to heat loss.
Conclusion
Finding the right backpacking sleeping bag can be tricky. Knowing what to look for takes a lot of the guessing out of it. As you shop, keep this article handy for reference. Your sleeping bag is one of the most important pieces of gear you’re going to carry (behind your backpack, of course!) make sure you get the right one!3
Cover photo by Nicole Giampietro on Unsplash
