TEMPERATURE RATINGS FOR BACKPACKING SLEEPING BAGS
Sleeping bags don’t create warmth, your body does. Your sleeping bag keeps you warm by trapping body heat in an enclosed space. Sleeping bags with more insulation trap heat better, so they’re warmer. Sleeping bags with lots of interior space are less efficient because they create a larger area for your body to warm up.
Your sleeping bag will be one of the four heaviest items in your backpack (tent, backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping pad), so it’s critical to strike a good balance between warmth and weight. Ideally, you’d own 2-3 sleeping bags for different seasons (but that’s expensive!). Most backpackers start out by choosing one bag that will keep them warm at the lowest temperatures they plan to hike in.
Many hikers opt for a sleeping bag with a lower limit in the 20s because that’ll be versatile enough for use in most seasons – from high elevation summer trips to chilly shoulder seasons. If you know you’ll do most of your hiking in warmer summer months, a sleeping bag rated down to 30 will likely work just fine and will save some weight and bulk in your pack.
Temperature Rating Systems
European Norm (EN) and ISOare standardized temperature rating systems that keep ratings consistent across the industry. The number listed with most backpacking sleeping bags (example: Magma 15) is the EN Lower Limit which is usually 10-15 degrees lower than the EN Comfort Rating. We find that the EN Comfort Rating gives a much more realistic idea of how a bag will perform. If no comfort rating is listed, we usually estimate an extra 10-15° to the lower limit for sleeping bags and 20-25° for quilts.
Choosing the right temperature rating isn’t an exact science. Many factors contribute to warmth, likesleeping padinsulation,clothing,hydration, nutrition, and altitude. For this list, we chose sleeping bags with temperature ratings that we felt would be a good fit for most 3-season trips. Most of the backpacking sleeping bags on this list will keep the average user comfortable when temperatures dip to freezing or a few degrees below. If you know you’re a hot or cold sleeper, you’ll want to adjust your temperature rating choice accordingly.
INSULATION TYPES FOR BACKPACKING SLEEPING BAGS
Down
Down insulation is more expensive but has a better warmth-to-weight ratio and packs down smaller. Down sleeping bags also last longer than synthetic bags if taken care of properly. We prefer the weight savings and packability of down bags so they make up the majority of our recommendations.
Synthetic
Though synthetic sleeping bags are often heavier and bulkier than down bags, they tend to cost less and retain heat better when wet. However, it’s important to remember that no backpacking sleeping bag will be comfortable when wet. If you end up having to spend the night in a wet sleeping bag, you’re probably going to be miserable any way you slice it. We recommend packing your sleeping bag in awaterproof stuff sackto keep it from getting wet while backpacking.
Down Fill Power & Fill Weight
The fill power (fp) of a down sleeping bag measures the quality of the down insulation it’s filled with. Higher fill power down weighs less and has more loft – but also compresses more when packed – than lower fill power down. As you might imagine, higher fill power down is also more expensive. In general, 800 fill power and up is considered high-quality down. Anything lower than that will be more cost effective, but won’t have as good warmth-to-weight.
Fill weight is the amount of down (regardless of fill power) in a sleeping bag. A higher fill weight typically translates to a warmer bag, all else equal.
BACKPACKING SLEEP SYSTEMS – MUMMY BAGS VS. QUILTS
Mummy sleeping bags are better in cold conditions because they conform more closely to the body, reducing the amount of dead space. Quilts provide a better warmth-to-weight ratio compared to sleeping bags. They achieve this by cutting out the material and insulation that’s normally compressed under your body in a mummy bag. If a quilt sounds more like your style, you’ll love our Best Backpacking Quilts guide.
We usually prefer the flexibility, weight, and comfort of quilts when nighttime temperatures are above freezing (32°F) and mummy bags when temperatures dip below freezing.
BACKPACKING SLEEPING BAG LENGTH & WIDTH
Check with the manufacturer to find the correct length sleeping bag to fit your height. If you’re on the edge, the longer size will usually be a better fit. With a quilt, consider bumping up one size for the ability to pull it over your head on really chilly nights. Mummy sleeping bags usually don’t have width options, so you’ll probably need to choose a different model if the cut is too slim. Most quilts come with the option of choosing a width, and we find that wider quilts are much more comfy if you side sleep or shift around at night.
WHERE DOES DOWN COME FROM?
Down is the fluffy, small plumage found underneath the outer feather layer on waterfowl birds – mostly ducks and geese. These tiny filament fibers insulate the birds and keep them warm even in frigid conditions. Most down is a byproduct of the meat industry: 70% of it comes from China.
AVOIDING INFERIOR QUALITY & POOR ETHICS
Sometimes affordable sleeping bags are stuffed with materials other than down or contain only a small amount of down that’s blended with feathers or filler. For the best insulating value and warmth-to-weight ratio, look for backpacking sleeping bags that are made with 100% duck or goose down. If the fill power isn’t advertised, it’s likely the bag isn’t top quality and won’t compress very well. Inexpensive down bags are also sometimes made with materials that are unethically sourced. To be sure you aren’t supporting bad practices, like force feeding or live plucking, check whether a company usestraceable downor complies with theResponsible Down Standard. Companies that use good practices are generally proud of it and clearly state it for their customers to see. It’s worth paying a bit more for the peace of mind.
WASHING & CARING FOR YOUR BACKPACKING SLEEPING BAG
Down is a durable material, but it loses some of its efficiency when it gets oily or dirty over time. A good wash will refresh your backpacking sleeping bag and make it like new. Use a special soap likeNikwax Down Washor a gentle non-detergent likeWooliteto wash your down bag by hand or in a front-loading washing machine. After it’s washed, take your time tumble-drying it on low heat in the dryer. Adding a few cleantennis ballsordryer ballsto the dryer will help break up clumps in the down and redistribute it evenly. You can also hang your down bag if you prefer to let it air dry, carefully shaking it to fluff it up several times throughout the process. Properly maintaining your down bag takes time, but you’ll likely only need to wash it once or twice per year. For more details on down care, visit .
