Camping Panda
A good night’s sleep is crucial if you want to enjoy your camping experience to the fullest. If you have ever experienced a cold night while camping, you know how long a night can be before the sun rises. And you don’t want that more than one night. Believe me… That’s why a comfortable sleeping bag should be part of your standard camping equipment.
Nowadays the market is flooded with choice and it might seem confusing. What filling to choose? For what temperature? Mummy or rectangle? A lot of things to ask yourself. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you. Have a look at our rundown to see the best sleeping bags of 2021.
Warmth
Is it well insulated?
Comfort
Is it designed for comfort?
Material
Is it breathable?
Space
Is it roomy?
Washing
Is it machine washable?
Portability
Is it easy to carry?
Lifespan
Is it build for years to come?
Durability
Is it sturdy enough?
12
Hours Researched
22
Products Evaluated
13k
Reviews Considered
2
Sources Researched
If you’re looking for a quality brand in camping gear, Coleman is always a good option. Their Coleman North Rim Sleeping Bag is a mummy model sleeping bag, which means it’s narrower at the feet and is equipped with a hood and insulated collar.
The hollow fiber, synthetic filling prevents precious heat from escaping, and the integrated hood is easily closed with the draw cord for extra insulation when the temperature plummets way below freezing.
The zipper is operable from both inside and outside, making opening and closing even more comfortable. All these outstanding features make this model perfect for your adventures in the colder months.
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This budget sleeping bag will keep you comfortably warm on spring and summer nights. You can zip it all the way open to use it as a blanket on warmer nights. When the temperature unexpectedly drops you can always close the hood to keep in the warmth with the adjustable draw cord.
The toe box is wider than in normal mummy models, giving you a lot more freedom to move your feet around and with its 86.6 length, even the tallest campers have a comfortable night. The outer material is made of quality nylon which repels humidity without obstructing the overall breathability.
It comes in a variety of colors so every member in your camping party can have his or her own color.
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This sleeping bag got awarded our Premium badge and with good reason. It has a patented 3-in-1 sleep system, which can be customized for comfort in any conditions, making this one of the most versatile sleeping bags on the market today. Having to purchase multiple sleeping bags for different temperature is a thing of the past.
Their 30% recycled Heatseeker synthetic insulation provides you with a great warmth to weight ratio and can be easily compressed into the provided stuff sack. Lightweight yet warm insulation makes this sleeping bag an excellent choice for all your future hiking adventures.
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This sleeping bag is similar to Oaskys but it differs in the compressible stuff sack and overall weight. Thanks to the ultra lightweight filling you save precious space and weight in your backpack, making your summer hikes even more enjoyable.
The double zipper allows it to fold completely open and use it as a blanket on warmer nights or when you’re out with your buddy or partner. Or when you’d like some fresh air inside you simply zip open the bottom. The Velcro closure on the top prevents the zipper from opening by itself. The inner liner is a mix of cotton and polyester, feeling very comfortable on the skin while at the same time saving weight.
This is the perfect item for your next summer outing. Happy trails!
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Another promising sleeping bag comes from Kelty. The Keltic Cosmic 20 impresses with a 600 fillpower, treated down, which keeps you comfortable easily into the lower 20’s. The outer liner is made of high-quality, densely woven nylon with a Durable Water Repellency finish (DWR), which shields moisture from reaching the down and thus lose insulation.
If this first barrier doesn’t do it, the down itself is treated with Dridown technology to make sure that any humidity that did get through the first layer doesn’t end up collapsing the down feather. The inner fabric is made of ultra soft Taffetta polyester, giving you premium comfort while saving a lot of weight compared to cotton liner.
All in all a high quality sleeping bag which excels in cold climates.
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Another comfortable rectangular sleeping bag from Coleman is the Sun Ridge. It’s filled with their famous ThermoTech insulation and has an inner soft tricot liner, which isn’t as soft as the name makes you believe. Having said that, there’s always the option of wearing some pajamas.
The inside of the full length zipper is extra well stitched to prevent from snagging while operating. You can open it fully to use as a blanket or even zip two together for when you’re out with your better half.
It’s a budget sleeping bag from a renowned brand which is well worth the investment.
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Although it looks a lot like the Bessport and the Oaskys, the Cohome fits right in between if we look at temperature rating. Their quality insulation fiber entraps heat better thanks to a higher loft rate, thus creating a more lightweight sleeping bag for the same temperature. So if weight to warmth ratio is important to you, this is a good option to consider.
For storing you’d best open the zipper completely and insert the foot end into the provided compression sack and start stuffing. Don’t bother folding and rolling since this can decrease the loft around the part where you fold it, increasing the chance of heat loss at that point.
This sleeping bag is a good option compared to its peers, especially when you consider the value.
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The fact that Bessport made it again to our Top 10 list should say a lot about the quality of their products. This winter edition has a high-loft filling which will shield you from the icy nights in early spring or late fall. So there is no reason anymore to postpone your camping trip until the night temperature is back above freezing.
With the Bessport Winter you’ll sleep comfortably through the whole night, waking up full of energy, ready for another day out in nature. It’s quite a bit heavier than the Marmot Trestles, but that’s because this one has a synthetic filling rather than down. But obviously it won’t break your bank account in half either.
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On summer hiking trips, where the temperatures at night stay well above the low 60’s, and when weight and pack size are crucial factors on your wish list, this sleeping is an excellent choice. With its 1.76 lbs, it’s one of the lightest sleeping bags in our list and the formidable pack size puts a smile on your face.
lthough it’s less suitable for campers that are around 6ft tall and enjoy snuggling the blanket up above your shoulders, since it won’t be long enough. All in all this bag performs great for fast and light summer hiking and camping trips or when you want a back up liner for your regular sleeping bag when nights get a little chilly.
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The full-featured Trestles 15 is a reliable, all-purpose synthetic bag that insulates even in sustained cold and damp conditions while backpacking or trekking. Perfect for when you’re camping out and you’re using a tarp or a hammock and the morning dew settles down on your gear.
They added improved liner fabric and style lines for increased comfort. The zippers can be a little sticky when trying to close while inside the bag, but when you are gentle with them they work fine.
For an excellent value to cost ratio you’ll get a sleeping bag that will keep you warm on frigid nights!
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The right sleeping bag often is the key to a good night sleep while outdoors. Whether you’re out in the summer nights or planning a winter adventure, the best sleeping bag should be able to provide you comfort and warmth. In this sleeping bag buying guide we will go through all the considerations and important features you should be taking into account before you purchase yours.
The table below shows the temperature rating per season rating of sleeping bags. However it is worth noting that these are based on an average sleeper. There are other factors that may affect this rating like the composition of your tent, your cloth layer if camping during the winter are some factors that may affect your sleeping bag rating.
Sleeping Bag Rating | Temperature Rating (℉) |
Summer Season | +30° and higher |
3-Season | Between +15° to +30° |
Winter Season | +15° and lower |
Make sure to plan on how often you will be using your sleeping bag and consider this in choosing the best sleeping bag for you based on season rating. If you feel you’ll be out camping more on summer nights than in winter, you can opt to choose a summer season sleeping bag. We like the ECOOPRO Warm Weather Sleeping Bag which is specifically made for warm weather camping with supported temperatures between 55-70 degree F. But if you’ll be more of a year round camper, then a 3-season sleeping bag is your best choice.
The table below explains that based on the temperature rating of your sleeping bag. Use the “lower limit” rating if you are a warm sleeper; use the “comfort” rating or the upper limit if you are a cold sleeper.
CONDITIONS | WARM | COOL | COLD | EXTREME |
Temperature Rating | 30°F or lower | 20°F or lower | 15°F or lower | 0°F or lower |
There are two key types of sleeping bags based on the insulation fills they are made from. Synthetic insulation is the most common insulation used in sleeping bags, they are made from poly-fibers which are man-made. Down insulation uses natural fibers from feathers.
Sleeping bag that uses synthetic insulation continues to provide warmth even when wet, hence it is the preferred choice when camping in damp weather. They are relatively cheaper and are easy to maintain with little to no after-care. The downside is they are heavier and bulkier. The North Face Dolomite One Bag is made of 30% recycled Heastseeker synthetic polyester that can provide insulation between the ranges of 15-50 degree F.
Sleeping bags that use down insulation maintains heat effectively due to the air pockets created by the loft of the sleeping bag. They are also much lighter than synthetically filled bags and packs down to a much smaller size. The downside is they absorb moisture easily and lose its heat insulating properties when wet. The Oaskys 3 Season Sleeping Bag is made from 100% hollow cotton that provides good insulation however will be quite a problem when it suddenly rains during the night.
Here is a table for a quick reference of the pros and cons between down and synthetic sleeping bags.
PROS | CONS | |
Down |
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You can choose between a mummy-shaped sleeping bag or the more common rectangular shaped.
Rectangular: is the most common sleeping bag shape; like the mention item here it has a zipper around the two sides. This type offers maximum roominess and can be fully unzipped to be used as a blanket. Although this is roomy, they offer less heat retention than a mummy type because of all the free space. The Coleman Sun Ridge, has 75×33 inches that can be opened to be used as a blanket but can be used only on temperature between 40-60 degree F unlike the mummy-shaped counterpart below that can used even on freezing temperatures.
Mummy-shaped: tapers down the feet and is therefore more fitted than a rectangular sleeping bag like the mention item here. Due to its fitted shape it offers better heat retention plus the added hood keeps head to toe protection from the cold. Mummy sleeping bags weight less than most rectangular sleeping bags. Our top choice the Coleman North Rim Mummy is narrower at the feet and is equipped with a hood and insulated collar. Because of its mummy-shaped design in can be used between 0-10 degree F without having to worry of you freezing to death.
The following features add to the comfort of the sleeping bag. Make sure to check them out if your chosen sleeping bag has any of these.
Baffles
They are the compartments in the sleeping bag that holds the fillings to keep them evenly distributed. They key feature is essential in keeping the filling of your sleeping bag in place even when in storage.
Left and Right hand Zips
This is an extra feature that can allow you to combine two sleeping bags to make a bigger sleeping mat. This feature may come in handy for couples who travel together or for families with kids.
It would also be good if the zippers have anti-snag feature to keep the fabric from being caught up in the zipper when opening and closing the sleeping bag. If this happens repeatedly, it can damage or even rip the fabric.
Inner and Outer linings
Fine nylon or polyester are commonly used as sleeping bag linings. Also look for sleeping bags that have a draft-blocking feature to keep warm air from escaping. The draft-lock feature are draft tubes that run the length of the bag behind the zipper. The Marmot Trestles 15 have snagless insulated draft tube to keep in more warmth
Outer linings are commonly heavy duty ripstop nylon. Like the Kelty Cosmic 20 Down Sleeping Bag, its outer liner is made of high-quality DWR which shield moisture and prevents it from losing insulation. There are some that use dryloft for its water resistant ability.
Draft Collar
A draft collar is placed at the base of the hood and helps to stop body heat from escaping from the bag and keeps out the cold around the neck and shoulders.
There are many shapes and materials being used in sleeping bag designs. Basically, there are 3 different shapes available, being; mummy, rectangular and semi-rectangular. With the advantage of being smaller to pack and more lightweight, mummy shapes have a tapered cut all the way to the feet, which creates maximum thermal efficiency. After all, a sleeping bag’s first job is to preserve your body heat, and with less space inside, it can do a better job.
Rectangular shapes are more comfortable for people that appreciate legroom or restless sleepers. Semi-rectangular is a good compromise between the both. This shape is an excellent choice for people who dislike the lack of space in a mummy but still need the warmth. They’re more heavy and bulky than mummies, but provide more legroom. Then there are the different fillings.
You can choose either between synthetic or down filling, with down being the premium choice because of its unmatched weight-warmth ratio. The downside is that down filling usually is quite a bit more expensive than synthetic, although with proper care will last you a lifetime, making the initial investment more than worthwhile.
Sleeping bags vary greatly in warmth, weight, packed size and price. Therefore, it is important that you consider your needs before buying a new sleeping bag. You should consider the lowest night temperatures you can expect, and choose accordingly. Some people are never cold whereas others are always cold. You know best in which category you fall.
Keep this in mind when choosing your sleeping bag and opt for a warmer one if you need to. The little extra weight is worth the comfortable night. That being said, the Coleman North Rim delivers an outstanding performance for its price. The most versatile sleeping bag we found is definitely the TNF Dolomites One Bag. If you want an affordable choice for your summer camping trips than the Oaskys 3 Season Sleeping Bag or the Bessport Lightweight Sleeping Bag are your best options.
The best sleeping bag for cold weather would be undoubtedly a mummy shape. These sleeping bags have a snug fit all around your body. They always have a hood and an extra insulated collar to retain your body heat even better. Like the Marmot Trestles 15 or the Kelty Cosmic. Both being extremely warm sleeping bags, they keep you warm even on the coldest nights.
Besides that, it’s wise to opt for down filling since this has the best warmth to weight ratio. Make sure that you keep down from getting wet though to maintain its loft. If this shouldn’t do it, it’s always a good idea to wear a dry base layer, either synthetic or wool to improve insulation. A warm hat also adds to less heat loss through your head.
Which temperature rating you should choose can indeed be a challenging decision. Generally speaking, 30° F and higher ratings are for summer sleeping bags. 3 season sleeping bags are designed to withstand temperatures between 15° to 30° F and lastly winter sleeping bags should keep you warm and comfy with 15° and lower.
Remember that every person is different and that a sleeping bag which is comfortable for one person, isn’t automatically warm enough for another. Always build in a margin of safety when defining your temperature rating.
On today’s market there are many high-quality brands offering an array of sleeping bags. The best brands include; Kelty, Marmot and The North Face. Other good brands are Mountain Hardwear and Sierra Designs. They all use high quality fabrics and manufacture products that are built to last for years to come. In the end it comes down to what you pay is what you get.
