Buying guide for Best backpacking sleeping bags
You need a sleeping bag for an upcoming hiking trip. You find yourself scrolling through pages and pages of similar-looking bags. Your head starts to fill with all of the possibilities, prompting a flow of questions. How much should the bag weigh? Are there different insulation options? What’s the difference between a backpacking sleeping bag and a regular sleeping bag? Do I need to purchase both? How do I know?
A little more research shows that backpacking sleeping bags differ in several ways from camping sleeping bags, and a backpacking sleeping bag is what you’re looking for. They are made to be more lightweight, to pack down smaller, and to be more efficient, providing a greater amount of warmth in a smaller size.
Now you’ve narrowed your search to backpacking sleeping bags in particular. And yet, you still have hundreds of options. It could be that you’re looking for specific features or certain colors. Whatever your situation, we’ve got a shortlist of great backpacking sleeping bags for you, and we provide the information you need to navigate your shopping experience.
Considerations
Temperature rating
Each backpacking sleeping bag has a temperature rating that reflects the minimum temperature in which the bag will keep you warm. It’s recommended that you choose a temperature rating slightly lower than what you expect to experience. That way, you’re prepared if the weather suddenly turns colder on you.
The average backpacking sleeping bag will keep you warm in temperatures ranging from 20°F to 30°F. However, a backpacking sleeping bag designed for extreme cold will work in temperatures as low as 0°F.
Insulation
There are two types of insulation to know about: down and synthetic. Down insulation is a pricier option, but it also provides more warmth and weighs less. For those who don’t know, down comes from underneath the outer feathers of geese or ducks. Its purpose is to keep the birds warm and insulate their bodies from the cold. Humans adopted the use of down for keeping themselves warm.
Synthetic insulation runs a little cheaper than down insulation, and for the most part, it accomplishes the same purpose. Synthetic insulation will keep you warm, but it weighs more than down. A positive feature of synthetic bags is that they keep you drier in wet conditions.
If you prefer to sleep in a hammock instead of a tent, opt for a warmer sleeping bag as sleeping with the air around you is colder than sleeping on the ground.
Weight
Most backpackers think the lighter the sleeping bag, the better. The weight of the sleeping bag depends on the amount of insulation as well as what the rest of the bag is made of. It’s recommended to shoot for a backpacking sleeping bag that weighs three pounds or less. It will state somewhere on the sleeping bag packaging how much the entire bag weighs.
If you’re looking for greater warmth and comfort in a down bag, consider reducing the weight of other pack items so you can comfortably carry a slightly heavier sleeping bag.
Backpacking vs. camping bags
Sometimes folks don’t know if they are going to go camping more or backpacking more. They want to purchase a sleeping bag that would work for both types of excursions. Here’s the trick: a camping sleeping bag will not always work for backpacking, but a backpacking sleeping bag will always work for camping.
The key is how much the bag weighs and its bulkiness. Backpacking bags are made to be lightweight. Camping sleeping bags aren’t made to be light or compact because they aren’t meant to be carried for long distances.
Did you know?
A sleeping bag is one of the four heaviest items a backpacker will carry. The other three are the pack itself, the sleeping pad, and the tent.
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Backpack sleeping bag prices
On the lower end of the price spectrum, a backpacking sleeping bag will cost between $20 and $30. These will definitely support you in temperatures between 20°F and 30°F. There won’t be many other features or pockets because this price point is the most basic.
Between $40 and $60, you’ll find an array of mid-range backpacking sleeping bags. These bags can help you withstand temperatures as low as 15°F and tend to have more features.
If you’re willing to pay over $60, you’ll find many choices that are larger — some that are designed for multiple people. You will also find sleeping bags that are able to keep you warm in below-freezing temperatures.
Tips
- Think of who you are purchasing the bag for. Some backpacking sleeping bags are catered to people of certain heights. Match the bag length with the height of the person who will be using it the most — or the tallest person, if that’s more practical.
- To test a backpacking sleeping bag, try creating a mock scenario in the backyard. During colder temperatures, sleep in the bag in a tent. If it’s not warm enough, you will know.
- Purchase different backpacking sleeping bags for different climates. Choose a down bag for colder climates and a lighter synthetic bag for warmer weather.
- Be aware of your own allergies. There are hypoallergenic versions of many sleeping bags.
- Down sleeping bags will last longer than their synthetic counterparts. It may be worth spending the extra money to ensure you won’t have to purchase a replacement in a few years.
FAQ
Q. Can multiple people sleep in one sleeping bag?
A. There are specific sleeping bags made for more than one occupant. For example, queen-size double sleeping bags are comfortable for a pair of people. If a sleeping bag was created for only one occupant, it’s recommended to not try to stretch it for a second person.
Q. Can I store my sleeping bag in a bag different than the one it came in?
A. Yes, but it will most likely increase the weight of the sleeping bag. The carrier the sleeping bag comes in is lightweight and waterproof to protect the sleeping bag. If you use a bag of your own, keep in mind that you might be losing those qualities.
Q. Will a sleeping bag keep me warmer if I bundle up while sleeping in it?
A. It depends on what you’re wearing and how many layers. A sleeping bag keeps your body heat inside of it to keep you warm. If you’re wearing so many layers that your body heat isn’t released inside the bag, it’s possible for you to actually be less warm than you could be.
