Sleeping Bags

Types of sleeping bags

There are two basic shapes of sleeping bags. Rectangular bags are just that -- a big rectangle. They are very roomy, but there's a lot of wasted space, so these are generally heavier and bulkier than mummy bags. If you're car camping rather than backpacking, then weight doesn't matter. You might as well pick a rectangular sleeping bag so you can move around more freely.

Designed to keep in body heat, mummy bags hug the body closely. They have a trapezoidal footbox that rises in a slant so you can rest your feet in a natural position -- a very desirable feature. They also have draft tubes -- tubes of insulation that keep cold air from coming in along the zipper.

Mummy bags are designed for comfort while sleeping on your back. However, studies at Sierra Designs, one of the major sleeping bag manufacturers, show that fewer than 25% of all sleepers prefer sleeping on their backs, and most sleepers change position about 40 times a night. So the standard mummy bag sometimes isn't the most comfortable shape, even though it offers the most warmth for its weight. The majority of sleeping bags these days are mummy bags. We address rectangular sleeping bags near the end of this section.

Best summer sleeping bags

A summer sleeping bag offers the ultimate in light weight and flexibility. You can extend its use into spring or fall, or into higher elevations in a variety of ways. Many backpackers fill a Nalgene water bottle with hot water to put in the foot of the sleeping bag if needed. You can also add a sleeping bag liner or wear long underwear. Backpacking experts suggest choosing one of these options anyway, even in warm weather, in order to keep the sleeping bag clean. (A synthetic-fill bag can be tossed into a front-loading washer, but experts recommend having down sleeping bags cleaned professionally.)

The Marmot Pounder (*est. $160) is rated for temperatures as low as 40 degrees, so it's considered a summer sleeping bag. It uses synthetic Primaloft Sport fill, which is nearly as lightweight as goose down, so the bag weighs only one ounce over a pound. Primaloft uses a mix of short and long polyester fibers for maximum softness, so it drapes over the body almost as softly as down. Primaloft is even more water-resistant than other synthetic fills, absorbing only one percent of its weight in water. This makes the Marmot Pounder an excellent choice for canoe trips or ventures into very humid or rainy areas -- or any situation in which you're not sure you can keep your sleeping bag dry.

The Marmot Atom down sleeping bag (*est. $250) is also rated at 40 degrees, and it weighs an even pound. It uses 850-fill down (meaning that one ounce of this goose down will fill 850 cubic inches), so you get more loft and thus warmth, with less weight than down bags that use 800-fill or 725-fill down. The shell fabric is Pertex Quantum for wind resistance.

Backpacker Magazine calls the Marmot Atom the "top ultralight" sleeping bag, and Outside Magazine gives it the 2005 Gear of the Year award. Its main advantage over the Marmot Pounder is its compressibility. Down fill compresses into a smaller size than synthetic fill, and the Outside Magazine review says the Marmot Atom stuffs down to the size of a large coffee mug. Down sleeping bags also keep their loft longer over months and years, so reviews say they're a better long-term investment. A review at Trailspace.com says the Marmot Atom can feel warm well below its 40-degree rating if long underwear is worn. The Marmot Atom has zipper guards to keep the zipper from snagging -- one of the most annoying things that can happen, especially if you're trying to work the zipper in the dark.

The only advantage the Pounder has over the Atom, besides its lower price, is that it uses a full-length zipper, so you can unzip more of it for ventilation, to keep from getting too warm. This isn't quite as important for down sleeping bags, though, because reviews say the down adjusts by itself to temperatures, actually perking up in cold and settling down in heat. Both these sleeping bags are "mummy bags" that hug the body closely to keep in body heat.

According to reviews, Montbell is making some innovative sleeping bags that use elastic thread, which provides more freedom of movement in a mummy bag. The 37-degree Montbell UL Super Stretch Down #4 sleeping bag (*est. $245) uses 725-fill down and weighs only 1 pound 5 ounces. Like the entire Montbell Super Stretch series, it is designed for people who move around in their sleep.

These Montbell sleeping bags use elastic baffles that stretch up to six inches to allow for free movement. The baffles also keep the down in place, so that even when sleeping on your side, you have plenty of insulation around you. Two-way zippers make it easy to ventilate any part of the body that's too warm. An in-depth review at Backpacking Light.com says the 37-degree temperature rating is accurate. Wearing long underwear could also allow you to stay warm in the Super Stretch Down #4 bag even at 30 degrees without a tent. These down bags have a water-repellent shell.

Montbell also makes Super Stretch sleeping bags with a synthetic fill, which cost less but weigh more. The Super Stretch Burrow #4 sleeping bag (*est. $130) is similar to the down version, but it weighs 2.5 pounds. It uses ExcelSoft insulation, similar to Primaloft Sport, absorbing less than three percent of its weight in water. A warmer 32-degree Montbell Super Stretch Burrow Bag #3 (*est. $140) weighs 2.75 pounds. Despite the 32-degree rating, we include it here as a summer sleeping bag because some testers at Outside Magazine found the 32-degree rating optimistic.

As a budget choice for a summer sleeping bag, Backpacker Magazine recommends the 40-degree Lafuma Extreme 800 (*est. $75) , criticizing it only for a hood drawstring that's too long. This sleeping bag uses Thermolite Extreme synthetic fill. It has nice features for the price, including a two-way zipper and a chest pocket for an LED light or watch. A women's version is available too.

Three-season ultralight sleeping bags

Most backpackers like to travel beyond summer -- in the spring and fall -- as well as at higher elevations, so a bag with a lower temperature rating is often a good choice. The 30-degree Marmot Arroyo (*est. $250) wins Outside Magazines' 2005 Gear of the Year award and is top-ranked in more reviews than any other sleeping bag we found. The Marmot Arroyo uses 800-fill down, doubling the insulation in the foot area. The zipper comes only half-way down, keeping the weight down to 1 pound 11 ounces. The Arroyo is one of the few sleeping bags to get a unanimous 5-star rating from users at Trailspace.com. The Arroyo gets mixed reviews at BackpackGearTest.com, however, with one user saying he was too cold on a 30-degree night even while wearing insulated clothing. The nylon shell is siliconized for water repellence.

The similar 30-degree Marmot Hydrogen (*est. $310) uses 850-fill down (and a half-length zipper) to bring the weight down to only 1 pound 5 ounces. Users reviewing it at Trailquest.net confirm that it's warm even at 30 degrees. A review at Climbing.com praises the snag-free zipper and roominess, saying its only drawback is the high price.

Feathered Friends is another top-ranked company making ultralight sleeping bags; reviews say their temperature ratings are quite conservative, with many users saying they slept warm on even colder nights. You have your choice of shell fabrics, including nylon, Pertex Quantum, EPIC, or eVENT (in ascending order of price and waterproof ability). You can also order most models with 800-fill instead of 750-fill, for more warmth for about the same weight.

Of the Feathered Friends sleeping bags for which we found reviews, the lightest bag is the 30-degree Merlin (*est. $250 to $350), with a half-zipper and 850-fill down for a weight of 1 pound 6 ounces. The 35-degree Rock Wren (*est. $235 to $305) weighs 1 pound 11 ounces and gets 5-star ratings from users posting at OutdoorReview.com. It's also a favorite at BackpackingLight.com. These sleeping bags use a continuous baffle system, so you can move the down to where you want it most -- or away from areas that are too warm. They're made in Seattle, not overseas, so repairs can be made right at the factory, and users say they've experienced excellent customer service.

The 30-degree Lafuma Warm n Light 800 Down (*est. $135) sleeping bag has a water repellent shell (more on waterproof and water-repellent fabrics below). An in-depth review at BackpackGearTest.com praises this sleeping bag, and Backpacker Magazine names it a bargain, with zippers that don't snag. The Lafuma weighs 1 pound 12 ounces and uses two full-length zippers, so two bags can be zipped together to make a double bag. The women's version, the LaFuma Warm n Light 800 Lady (*est. $135) , weighs the same. Both use 650-fill down in a 90/10 mixture of 90 percent pure down and 10 percent feathers. The footbox is curved to make more room for the feet, but the warranty is for two years -- short for a sleeping bag. Even so, these sleeping bags are a great value among budget ultralight sleeping bags.

Lightweight four-season sleeping bags

Four-season campers will want a sleeping bag rated for temperatures down to about 15 degrees. Some bags go oven lower, and these are discussed in our Alternative Considerations section further below.

The Western Mountaineering Ultralite (*est. $315) weighs just 1 pound 10 ounces using 850-fill down, and it has received good reviews, especially for excellent quality of construction. One review says the careful construction is rivaled only by the Feathered Friends bags. The reviews at Backpacker magazine say the hood is too shallow for complete comfort and warmth, but we were unable to find other reviews that confirm this. Two in-depth reviews at BackpackGearTest.org give the Ultralite rave reviews after months or years of use, with no complaints about the hood. The three users reviewing the Ultralite sleeping bag at OutdoorReview.com give it a perfect 5-star rating, saying the hood is very comfortable, and the sleeping bag is warm at temperatures well below freezing.

The 15-degree (*est. $360) uses a half-zipper and 850-fill down for a weight of only 1 pound 13 ounces, still excellent for backpacking. A women's Marmot Helium (*est. $360) has more insulation in the foot and core body areas. All these Marmot down bags have nylon taffeta shells treated with silicon to repel water, but they aren't considered waterproof. Because Backpacker Magazine reviews so clearly criticize the hood on the less expensive Western Mountaineering Ultralite, we've instead included the Marmot Helium as the best cold-weather bag.

The stretchy 25-degree Montbell U.L. Down Hugger #2 (*est. $305) weighs 1 pound 13 ounces, and it stretches to offer more comfort to active sleepers. As with its other down sleeping bags, Montbell doesn't specify the chemicals used to make the shell water-repellent (more on water repellency issues below). A drawstring at the foot can be adjusted to shorten the bag if desired -- it's designed for people as tall as five feet ten. You can also use the drawstring to snug the bag around the feet for more warmth. A collar and baffle at the neck keep heat from escaping there. Montbell also makes the warmer U.L. Down Hugger #1 (*est. $365) rated down to 16 degrees. Its 2-pound 4-ounce weight disqualifies it as an ultralight sleeping bag, however.

Designed for women, the REI Sub Kilo +15 (*est. $230) costs less than most other ultralight sleeping bags. Weighing 1 pound 14 ounces, it uses 750-fill down with extra insulation in the footbox and hood. Reviewing the updated 2006 version, Outside Magazine finds no drawbacks to it at all. It has a full-length zipper and draft tube, a roomy foot box and soft lining. Since it costs quite a bit less than the women's version of the Marmot Helium, we've included it in Fast Answers as an ultralight women's sleeping bag.

Budget sleeping bags, down and synthetic

If you don't need the very lightest sleeping bag, you can save quite a bit of money by going with a heavier (over two pounds) sleeping bag. If you don't mind carrying an extra pound or more in your pack, or if you're car camping, you can get a 20-degree or even 15-degree down sleeping bag for $210 or less.

The Marmot Pinnacle (*est. $300) uses 800-fill down for a 15-degree rating, but weighs 2 pounds 12 ounces. It's gotten rave reviews at Trailspace.com, where most users say the zipper never snags (though one user managed to snag it anyway). An in-depth review at BackpackGearTest.com says the Pinnacle is fine at even colder temperatures (but every user experiences sleeping temperatures differently).

The 20-degree Lafuma Warm n Light 1000g Down sleeping bag (*est. $165) weighs just 2 pounds 3 ounces, not an ultralight but not too heavy for most backpackers. Like most sleeping bags rated for temperatures this low, the Warm n Light has a collar to keep heat from escaping at the neck area. Although the two-way zipper stops about twelve inches from the foot of the bag, two sleeping bags can still be zipped together. An in-depth review at BackpackGearTest.org says it's roomy and warm.

The Kelty Light Year 25 Down Bag (*est. $160) also weighs 2 pounds 3 ounces, but we found some reviews from women at TheBackpacker.com saying the 25-degree rating is overly optimistic -- one woman felt cold in it at 40 degrees. Male users expressed more satisfaction with it, but a male hiker reviewing it at BackpackGearTest.org also said he wouldn't use it below 30 degrees.

The Kelty Light Year 15 (*est. $180) is rated at 15 degrees, but weighs 2 pounds 11 ounces. Backpacker Magazine calls it a bargain in its 2006 Gear Guide issue. Both Kelty Light Year down bags come in a women's version at the same price. Though relatively inexpensive, the Kelty Light Year sleeping bags have nice features, like zippered foot vents, internal loops to hold a liner in place, and external loops for hanging it up to dry or air out.

If you're willing to carry over two pounds, you can also find good buys in synthetic-fill sleeping bags. Backpacker Magazine recommends the 20-degree The North Face Fission (*est. $210), which uses a half-length zipper and Polarguard Delta fill to keep the weight down to 2 pounds 4 ounces. Shingled construction keeps the fill in place. Reviews say that Polarguard Delta shares top rank with Primalof Sport among synthetic fills, offering great warmth for its weight, but it doesn't drape as softly as Primaloft Sport. An August, 2005 review in Backpacker calls The North Face Fission sleeping bag a "best buy," but says it may be too narrow for some people. Although the main zipper covers only a third of the bag's length, the footbox has its own zipper for extra ventilation. This also means you can walk around wearing the sleeping bag -- useful on cold mornings as well as at night.

One of the old standbys, The North Face Cat's Meow (*est. $140), costs less but weighs more at 2 pounds 12 ounces. This bag was an Editor's Choice at Backpacker Magazine in 1993, and the updated version (using Polarguard Delta fill) just received their 2006 Gold Editor's Choice Award. It carries a 20-degree rating, but many reviews say it's actually warm down to only about 35 degrees. The hood closes with Velcro rather than drawstrings, which some users find more convenient, although some women complain that it can snag on hair. Despite its age, this model has modern niceties like a watch pocket, and reviews praise its fat draft tube that seals drafts away from the zipper area. Some reviews at Trailspace.com say that other sleeping bags are better, and there are complaints there about cold spots and loss of loft over time.

The 24-degree Montbell Super Stretch Burrow #2 (*est. $160) weighs 3 pounds 7 ounces, but it stretches to allow full freedom of movement. It has a double draft tube plus a neck baffle to seal in heat. Montbell calls it a four-season bag, but we were unable to find reviews to confirm the temperature rating.

Sierra Designs has discontinued its 15-degree Flex series, but both the women's DreamWeaver Flex (*est. $150) and men's Sandman (*est. $150) are still available at some retailers. Like the Montbell Super Stretch sleeping bags, the Flex series was designed for active sleepers, using elastic thread so it stretches with the sleeper's movements. Using Polarguard 3D fill -- not quite as light as Polarguard Delta -- the DreamWeaver weighs 3 pounds 4 ounces, the Sandman 2 pounds 15 ounces. A review at National Geographic Traveler says the Sierra Designs Flex hood is especially comfortable and warm for side sleepers. The bag attaches to the sleeping pad, also a boon for active sleepers, who are otherwise apt to move the bag off the pad. We found mostly positive reviews for both Flex sleeping bags -- most users love them, while one user complains about cold spots.

Backpacker Magazine names the 20-degree Kelty Sonora 20 (*est. $110) a bargain in its 2005 review. The Sonora uses Polarguard fill, so it weighs 3 pounds 2 ounces, but it does have some nice features, including a foot pocket where you can stow a bottle of hot water as a warmer. It also has a draft tube and collar. The Sonora comes in a women's version (*est. $110) with extra insulation at the feet, as well as in a long size (*est. $120) .

Backpacker magazine also recommends the 20-degree Mountain Hardwear Switch 20 (*est. $120) . It uses Thermolite Extra insulation to minimize bulk and weighs three pounds. It comes with a full-length expander that lets you widen the bag for comfort on warm nights, while a face gasket keeps the hood snug in colder weather.

The 20-degree REI Polar Pod (*est. $80), another Backpacker Magazine bargain from 2005, costs even less, but weighs 3 pounds 6 ounces. REI doesn't specify the exact type of polyester fill, but the fit is a "relaxed mummy" shape for more freedom of movement. An in-depth review at BackpackGearTest.com finds it comfortable down to about 25 degrees. For car camping or for a backpacker who doesn't mind carrying more weight, the Polar Pod is definitely a bargain.

Columbia makes a similar bargain sleeping bag called The Zone (*est. $70) , with Thermal C synthetic fill, a double draft tube and a lifetime warranty. Three users give it a 4.5-star rating (out of a possible five) at Amazon.com. At four pounds, it weighs a little more than the REI Polar Pod.

Down sleeping bags with waterproof shells

Water-resistant fabrics look ideal for down sleeping bag shells, protecting the down from condensation or even rain. However, ultralight backpacking expert Ryan Jordan recommends choosing a plain nylon shell for a down sleeping bag to maximize its breathability. This is because quite a bit of the moisture that accumulates in a sleeping bag is from the sleeper's body, rather than from condensation inside the tent. If you want to sleep in the open or under a tarp, he recommends using a separate water-repellent cover or bivy sack. That way, you can dry out the sleeping bag faster during the day. The longer the backpacking trip, the more this matters, since down can build up moisture night after night, causing it to lose loft and warmth.

Another possible reason to avoid water-repellent shells is the current uncertainty over the safety of fabrics like Goretex, EPIC, and eVENT that use a chemical called PTFE in manufacture. This is the same chemical at the heart of the debate about Teflon. Scientists in Sweden recently concluded that fabrics using PTFE, including Gore-Tex, do contain residues of a toxic chemical used in their manufacture, PFOA or C-8. A panel of scientists concluded in January 2006 that PFOA is a probable carcinogen, and the EPA has called for a phase-out of its use. It's quite possible that PTFE fabrics are completely safe, either because no PFOA is absorbed by skin, or because future studies may find that PFOA doesn't build up to levels that are a real health hazard. However, no one knows for sure. For more information on the studies about PTFE and PFOA, see The Buzz section below.

Still, waterproof shells are ideal for people who prefer to sleep uncovered under the stars as much as possible, or who take only a tarp for shelter. (If you carry a bivy sack, that provides the waterproofing so you don't need it on your sleeping bag shell.)

Feathered Friends offers eVENT shells as their most durable and waterproof shell fabric. The 10-degree Feathered Friends Lark with eVENT shell (*est. $415) is expensive, but weighs just 2 pounds 2 ounces. Like other Feathered Friends sleeping bags, the Lark is also available with a water-resistant EPIC shell (*est. $385). Both fabrics use PTFE in different ways; EPIC encapsulates the waterproofing within the fabric itself.

The 32-degree Mountain Hardwear Spirit SL (*est. $335) weighs a little less than the Trade Wind, at 2 pounds 9 ounces. The breathable, waterproof shell is welded rather than stitched, and a waterproof flap keeps moisture from entering along the zipper. Backpacker Magazine calls it a "foul weather warrior," and Outside Magazine also gives it a positive review.

Rectangular sleeping bags

If you're not backpacking, rectangular sleeping bags offer a roomy fit, and a few down sleeping bags in this shape are light enough to carry in a pack. Most rectangular sleeping bags use synthetic fill, but if you'll be camping in very cold areas, down bags are also available in this shape. The big comparative reviews in backpacking magazines only cover mummy bags, but some of the major manufacturers and retailers do offer rectangular bags with down fill.

The 20-degree L.L. Bean Katahdin rectangular sleeping bag (*est. $170), for example, uses 600-fill down. The regular bag is 32 inches wide by 75 inches long (for people up to 5 feet 11 inches) and weighs 2 pounds 15 ounces -- not much heavier than some of the mummy bags discussed above. The long version (*est. $200) measures 82 inches and weighs 3 pounds 11 ounces. The 40-degree versions are even lighter. The Campmor Goose Down 20° Rectangular Sleeping Bag Regular (*est. $130) is even less expensive, but uses 550-fill down, so it probably isn't quite as warm.

Rectangular sleeping bags with synthetic fill make a leap into real budget territory. The 10-degree Coleman Magellan Oversized sleeping bag (*est. $50) is tapered a bit, but not as much as a mummy bag. Its 88-inch length is designed for people up to 6 feet, 3 inches tall, and it uses 60 ounce Hollofil 808 fill. The shipping weight is 8 pounds, so the sleeping bag itself weighs less than that, but Coleman doesn't specify the exact weight.

Coleman makes lots of full rectangular sleeping bags too, but we found reviews of only a few. The 30-degree Coleman Rimstone (*est. $25) uses four pounds of Hollofil and gets a perfect five-star rating from the one user reviewing it at Amazon.com, who says the zipper doesn't snag. You can zip two of these sleeping bags together to make a double bag, and although they're made in China, they carry a five-year warranty. Coleman also makes the 50-degree Stratus fleece liner (*est. $15) that can serve as a light summer cover or can be used to increase the warmth of any rectangular sleeping bag.

The 35-degree Columbia Falmouth Rectangular sleeping bag (*est. $50) has a lifetime warranty. It uses three pounds of Thermal C synthetic filling, for a total bag weight of 6 pounds. It gets an average 4.5-star rating (out of a possible five) from three users at Amazon.com, who say it's fine for the price.

The camping guide at About.com recommends the 30-degree Eureka Sandstone Rectangular sleeping bag (*est. $30) , with 3.1 pounds of Eureka Thermashield polyester fill. It has a self-repairing two-way zipper and a draft tube to keep cold from coming through the zipper area. The total weight is light for this type of sleeping bag -- 4.34 pounds. The Eureka bag is 80 inches long. We ran across a review at BackpackGearTest.org which mentioned that this sleeping bag had kept its loft for only one year. Probably none of these really inexpensive synthetic sleeping bags can reasonably be expected to last very long with full loft.

Important Features: Sleeping Bags

Reviews recommend considering the following features when choosing a sleeping bag:

• Goose down gives the most loft (and insulating power) for its weight, compresses the most for backpacking, and keeps its loft longest. It's also softer and adapts to temperature changes. Its drawbacks include price, the fact that it also loses insulating power when wet, and some people are allergic to down. Reviews say the two best synthetic fills are Polarguard Delta and the softer Primaloft Sport. Second best is Polarguard 3D, followed by less expensive synthetic fills like Hollofil and Quallofil. Reviews say that Themolite filling is only found in the cheapest sleeping bags and provides minimal warmth.

• Give the zipper a good workout. Nothing is worse, in the middle of the night, than struggling to unsnag a zipper in the dark. The best sleeping bags have stiffeners in the zipper draft tubes to minimize this problem.

• A two-way zipper is best for a three-season bag. This means that you can unzip just part of the bag -- at the legs, for example -- to ventilate areas that might get too warm otherwise.

• Choose a bag shape that fits your sleeping style. If you sleep on your back, a trapezoidal foot box allows your feet to stick up naturally. If you sleep on your side or move around a lot in your sleep, a stretch bag will be more comfortable, and one that secures to the sleeping pad will keep the sleeping bag securely on the pad. If you feel utterly claustrophic in a mummy bag, even one that stretches, then try a modified mummy bag. You may even decide that the extra weight of a rectangular bag is worth carrying.

• Look for fit that's close without being tight. For maximum warmth, a sleeping bag should drape comfortably close to all parts of your body, with no big air gaps to waste your body heat. On the other hand, if a sleeping bag is too tight somewhere, you won't be comfortable in it. Most sleeping bag specifications include the girth at the shoulders, hips, and feet, but experts say it's best to try different sleeping bags in person if at all possible. Women's sleeping bags are narrower in the shoulders than men's sleeping bags. They are also wider in the hips and usually have extra insulation at the feet and chest.

• The hood should fit comfortably. If you use a pillow, make sure there's room for it. Some bags have drawstrings that are too long and get in your face; others have Velcro that can catch in your hair. Be sure you can keep snug and warm without feeling claustrophobic.

• A watch pocket is handy. This little pocket for an LED light or watch is becoming a standard feature on the best sleeping bags. Both professional and user reviews say it seems indispensable once you've had one.

• A wearable bag adds versatility. This means that the foot area can be unzipped so you can walk around while wearing the bag. On a cold morning or evening, you can wear the bag sitting up, or to heat water for tea.

• Check the bag's loft. Press the bag down and see if it springs back up quickly. If not, you will probably have loft problems later.

• Gently pull the inside of the bag away from the outer covering. If you hear small tearing sounds, you can be sure the baffles are not going to hold up for long, and you'll end up with a bag that has all its insulation clumped into one place.

• A sleeping bag liner or special sleeping clothes keep a bag cleaner longer. This is more important for down sleeping bags than for bags with synthetic filling that can be washed in a front-loading washer. Down bags should be kept as clean as possible inside, because cleaning them is tricky -- best done professionally. Changing into a separate set of clean clothes, or using a silk or other lightweight sleeping bag liner, will delay the need for this.

Reviews can help in estimating the lowest temperature rating at which a sleeping bag will feel warm, but they're only a rough guide. Experts say that attempts to standardize ratings across brands have failed, so they're most useful in comparing sleeping bags from the same company. Some people "sleep cold" and shiver in sleeping bags which other people find quite warm. Women usually sleep colder than men, so many reviews suggest that women pick a sleeping bag rated about 10 degrees colder than the lowest temperature they think they'll encounter. Some sleeping bags are designed specifically for women, narrower in the shoulder area but roomy around the hips, with extra insulation especially at the feet.

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

All the sleeping bags listed above have been highly recommended in at least one credible review, providing a dizzying array of choices. There are so many sleeping bag brands and models that there's very little consensus in reviews. Some of the newer sleeping bags have features that surpass older models which have accumulated more top rankings over the years.