So winter is here again and for most people, this means varying degrees of extremely cold temperatures for the next couple of months-pun intended.
And don’t be deceived by the proverbial beauty of winter, for within this period are tales of wrenching experiences courtesy of the freezing cold conditions.
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If you’re planning a camp this season, my guess is that you will be seeking out the best sleeping bag for cold weather. No doubt, good sleeping bags could be a lifesaver at night and in outdoor conditions when one needs to sleep and when the temperatures get terribly low.
In this article, we will look at the various factors to consider when choosing the best sleeping bag that meets not just the functional requirements but also your personal preferences.
- CUSTOMIZABLE FIT & WARMTH – The Torchlight down mummy bags feature expandable panels for customizable fit with two zippered panels that run from shoulder to footbox adding 5 inches of additional girth to each side (10" total) when opened. Unzip for extra space where you want it; zip it closed to remove dead air space and retain heat.
- EXPANDABLE – Sleep how you want! Give yourself 60”-70” of shoulder room, 54”-64” of hip girth, and 36”-46” in the vaulted footbox. It’s up to you!
- TECHNICAL COMFORT – The contoured hood follows the shape of your head for a more comfortable fit and the insulated tube along the upper hood opening seals out drafts when cinched. The low-profile cord lock lets you un-cinch the hood with one hand. The no-draft collar and no-draft zipper will keep you cozy all night long.
- ►ULTRALIGHT WEIGHT: Premium selected 800 fill power (IDFL tested) down fills the backpacking sleeping bag and holds the highest warmth to weight ratio of any insulation type. Our down and down processes have been updated and are outside certified, and significantly reduce down product odor. We wrap the down in a baffled (not sewn threw) ultralight 10 denier ripstop shell to complete the ultralight sleeping bag and prevent down loss!
- ►WARMER FEET: We know warm feet are critical for a good night’s sleep so we removed some down from underneath your back (where it is compressed and not adding warmth) and moved it to your feet, giving you warmer feet in this light sleeping bag without extra weight!
- ►PACK LESS: Not only does down have the highest weight to warmth ratio of any insulation, but it also is the most compressible insulation available! With the FREE compression bag we include, easily compress your down sleeping bag to fit in any pack or space without needing to buy it separate! After purchase, we send you resources to help loft, compress, & store your down sleeping bag for backpacking correctly!
- Think Outside: A lightweight mummy with some tricks up its sleeve, the Cloud brings the classic mummy shape back at an impressively low weight, with incredible zipperless comfort. With a simple construction and lightweight materials, the Cloud comes in punching above its weight class, and still features our self sealing foot vent for comfort.
- Features: 800 Fill DriDown | 15D Nylon Ripstop Fabrics | Self-sealing footvent | Zipperless Design | Cinch cord hood | Draft dodger baffle | EN tested for performance|Sleeping Pad Sleeve
- Specs: Weight 2lbs 0oz | Fits 6’ 6” | Shoulder girth 62” | Hip girth 60” | Footbox girth 42” | Insulation 800 Fill Power DriDown| Storage bag and stuff sack included
- Updated Color
- Certified 650 Fill Power Down with Down Defender to Improve Water-Resistance in Wet Conditions
- Anatomical Wrap-Around Footbox Increases Insulation and Room for Your Feet, More Warmth and Co
- The NEW Diamond Park Series down bags feature the Flex Pad Sleeve to accommodate both 25 and 30-inch wide pads. Cut tall and wide for those who like a little more room to move around at night, or for campers of a larger stature who want a bag that sleeps just right. Ideal for base camps, car camping or an overnight on your friend’s floor, this is your go-to bag for a good night’s sleep.
- CRAZY COMFORT – The Diamond Park Wide Long Bag with Flex Pad Sleeve featuring stretch construction attaches to your pad just like a fitted bed sheet, creating a single, integrated sleep system to keep you and your bag on your pad all night. The pad sleeve accommodates multiple pad widths. Choose from a 20-30” wide x 78” long pad (sold separately).
- OPTIONS! – The unique quilt-like construction turns your bag into a backcountry bed PLUS use the zip-off option to create a comforter OR turn the bag into a mummy bag by using with the Park Series Wedgie. All Park Series Bags mate together easily so zipper up with your partner. Top and bottom zippers also allow for maximum venting.
- PERFECT FOR ACTIVE SLEEPERS - Echo Park Series synthetic bags are cut tall and wide for those who like a little more room to move around at night, or for campers of a larger stature who want a bag that sleeps just right. The Park bags’ unique quilt-like construction turns your bag into a backcountry bed so comfortable, you won’t want to go home!
- CRAZY COMFORT – The Echo Park Sleeping Bag with Flex Pad Sleeve attaches to your pad just like a fitted bed sheet, creating a single, integrated sleep system to keep you and your bag on your pad all night. The pad sleeve accommodates multiple pad widths. Choose from a 25-30” wide x 78” long pad (sold separately).
- OPTIONS! – The unique construction of the Echo Park series makes your bag feel more like your bed at home. Use the zip-off option to create a comforter OR turn it into a mummy bag using the Park Series Wedgie (sold separately). All Park Series Bags mate together easily, so zipper up with your partner. Top and bottom zips allow for maximum venting.
- ►FIRST OF IT’S KIND INSULATION: For year’s outdoor lovers have wanted the benefits of down insulation (lightweight, warm, compressible) without the downsides of down (fails when wet). Our new LoftTek Hybrid insulation utilizes cutting edge science to give you the benefits of down, without the downsides!
- ►ULTRALIGHT WEIGHT: 650+ fill power LoftTek Hybrid insulation fills the bag, which gives you best in class weight to warm ratios being a mainly synthetic insulation. We wrap the hybrid insulation in a baffled (not sewn threw) lightweight ripstop shell to complete the ultralight sleeping bag!
- ►PACK LESS: Not only does LoftTek Hybrid insulation have the highest weight to warmth ratio in its class, but it also is highly compressible! With the FREE compression bag we include, easily compress your sleeping bag to fit in any pack or space without needing to buy it separate!
- Filled and Finished in Rohnert Park, California
- Certified 850+ Fill Power Goose Down
- Down Defender to Improve Water-Resistance in Wet Conditions
- Designed to keep you warm during extreme weather, this -30 Degree bag is filled with our 7 denier TechLoft Silver Insulation
- Stay cozy in a heavy duty outer cotton canvas, paired with a 100% cotton flannel liner
- Features two-layer offset construction and insulated chest and zipper baffle, keeping cold spots and heat loss minimal
- ►5 USES IN 1: utilize this bag as a hammcok UNDERQUILT, a hammock POD SYSTEM, a TECHNICAL BLANKET, a SLEEPING BAG or buy two and make it into a DOUBLE SLEEPING BAG!
- ►LIGHTEST WEIGHT MATERIALS: featuring our lightest weight fabrics and highest quality down. Just imagine the warmth when temperatures drop without packing more weight or bulk!
- ►GRID BAFFLE DESIGN: the grid baffle design locks the down into place so that you never have colds spots!
- INNOVATIVE DESIGN – ONE BAG TO RULE THEM ALL: This 4 season ultra light hammock compatible 800 Fill Power Goose Down filled sleeping bag with ClusterLoft base (for added durability and moisture resistance) integrates with any hammock to serve as both an underquilt and a top quilt. It is also designed to be used on the ground while tent camping. Built for men and women’s cold weather camping, hiking, & bikepacking.
- EXTRA WIDE DESIGN – Our hammock compatible bags are designed to be 4 inches wider for ample room in a hammock and extra width while on a sleeping pad. This oversized design is perfect for those looking for more space to move, combining the benefits of a rectangular bag with those of a mummy bag.
- SAVE SPACE and SHAVE WEIGHT - Our new 2019 model is designed to maximize durability, warmth, and water resistance. Our quest for the perfect solution led us to utilize Hydrophobic 800 FP Goose Down with a revolutionary ClusterLoft base. ClusterLoft performs better than down for durability under compression and moisture resistance. It has been called “the closest synthetic insulation to natural down ever developed" due to its performance and its construction mimicking natural down clusters.
- Designed for those gram-counting backpackers searching for the lightest gear with comfort in mind, the Torchlight UL Mummy bags feature all of the bells and whistles found in our Torchlight series. Two expandable panels from shoulders to footbox, increasing sleep space up to 10 extra inches! Depending on your sleep style and body shape, you can adjust the bag for customized comfort.
- CUSTOMIZABLE FIT & WARMTH – The Torchlight Ultralight down mummy bags feature expandable panels for customizable fit – patent pending - with two zippered panels that run from shoulder to footbox adding 5 inches of additional girth to each side (10" total) when opened. Unzip for extra space where you want it; zip it closed to remove dead air space and retain heat.
- EXPANDABLE – Sleep how you want! Give yourself 60”-70” of shoulder room, 54”-64” of hip girth, and 36”-46” in the vaulted footbox. It’s up to you! The 3-D anti-snag draft tube prevents heat loss along the zipper and the internal mesh stash pocket will keep your phone or other little items warm and near to you all night long.
- Comfortable Sleeping bag: a bag you can trust to get you through single-digit nights.
- Winter weather capable: innovative dual fill system is rated for 0F temperatures, 650 power fill down on top side of bag, and double layer synthetic batting beneath ensures the best of warmth and comfort.
- Easy-to-use: anti-snag, two-way YKK zipper opens from the bottom or top to easily control the flow of air. Flexible stretch baffles and length locks at the bottom ensure the perfect fit with no loss heat.
- ►FIRST OF IT’S KIND INSULATION: For year’s outdoor lovers have wanted the benefits of down insulation (lightweight, warm, compressible) without the downsides of down (fails when wet). Our new LoftTek Hybrid insulation utilizes cutting edge science to give you the benefits of down, without the downsides!
- ►ULTRALIGHT WEIGHT: 650+ fill power LoftTek Hybrid insulation fills the bag, which gives you best in class weight to warm ratios being a mainly synthetic insulation. We wrap the hybrid insulation in a baffled (not sewn threw) lightweight ripstop shell to complete the ultralight sleeping bag!
- ►PACK LESS: Not only does LoftTek Hybrid insulation have the highest weight to warmth ratio in its class, but it also is highly compressible! With the FREE compression bag we include, easily compress your sleeping bag to fit in any pack or space without needing to buy it separate!
- The award-winning Questar down sleeping bag offers lightweight warmth, full of features for three-season comfort while camping and backpacking
- 650 fill Nikwax Hydrophobic Down absorbs 90% less water and dries 3 times faster without using dangerous PFCs
- With Additional Room for Multiple positions (W.A.R.M.) fit means it allows for various natural sleep positions while maintaining thermal efficiency
- Designed for those gram-counting backpackers searching for the lightest gear with comfort in mind, the Women’s Torchlight UL Mummy bags feature all of the bells and whistles found in our Torchlight series. An expandable panel increases bag space up to 10 extra inches! Depending on your sleep style and body shape, you can adjust the bag for a customized sleep experience.
- CUSTOMIZABLE FIT & WARMTH – The Women's Torchlight Ultralight down mummy bags feature expandable panels for customizable fit – patent pending - with two zippered panels that run from shoulder to footbox adding 5 inches of additional girth to each side (10" total) when opened. Unzip for extra space where you want it; zip it closed to remove dead air space and retain heat.
- EXPANDABLE – Sleep how you want! Give yourself 56”-66” of shoulder room, 54”-64” of hip girth, and 34”-44” in the vaulted footbox. It’s up to you! Our Women’s specific bags differ in shape and fill weight with a less drastic taper from shoulders, to hips, to feet - reducing cold spots and creating more warmth. The 3-D anti-snag draft tube prevents heat loss along the zipper and the internal mesh stash pocket will keep your phone or other little items warm and near to you all night long.
Last update on 2021-05-06 at 16:50 PST - Details
Why Sleeping Bags are important
Sleeping bags are basically lightweight beddings designed in a tube form usually with a zipper to provide warmth for a user staying outdoors. It is popular among outdoor campers’ and people into other outdoor activities like hiking and mountain climbing.
Physical conditions like the weather are part of the major determinants of health so sleeping bags do more than keep one comfy, they actually preserve one’s health.
They can save a user from dangers of frostbite and hypothermia associated with very cold weather. Hypothermia is an abnormally low body temperature caused by prolonged exposure to cold.
In principle, sleeping bags work pretty much the same as quilt beddings; they provide warmth and thermal insulation through multi-layered textile. The designs for sleeping bags varies depending on a wide range of factors including the anticipated temperature, size, and shape.
The Anatomy of a Sleeping Bag
There are just a few major functional parts of a regular sleeping bag which includes the shell, the insulation materials, and the zipper.
The shell the outer and internal surface fabric houses the inner isolation material and protect the user from external conditions. They can be breathable or waterproof or durable water repellent (DWR) coated shells.
Other parts include the baffles, which are the compartments within the bag that controls the heat transfer; the hood for covering the head; and the foot box which especially keeps the feet warm. Some manufacturers provide stuff sack and storage sack for packing.
How to Choose the Best Cold Weather Sleeping Bag
When choosing the best sleeping bag that it’s suitable for you, there are a few things you have to consider. Some are fundamental like the temperature ratings while some others like shape and color are a matter of personal preference.
Insulation
Probably the most debated aspect of sleeping bags is the type of insulation—that is, between the synthetic or down insulation. While down insulations, made from duck or goose feathers, are known to provide superior thermal insulation than synthetic, both have their pros and cons.
Down insulations have a superior warmth-to-weight ratio which means light bags can provide sufficient warmth whereas the synthetic insulations, usually made from polyester fibers, perform better in wet conditions.
They are designed to maintain a decent warmth-to-weight ratio and also be water resistant making them ideal for humid conditions.
Another factor here is the ‘effectiveness’ of the insulation measured by how many cubic inches one ounce of down can fill. This is known as the fill power.
Down insulation can have fill power ranging from 450 to 900; at the latter end of this spectrum, one can get more warmth from lighter insulation material.
Temperature Rating
Sleeping bags are often categorized by temperature conditions where it can be used. It is important to choose a sleeping bag with a suitable rating for your environment—one that does not make you too warm or leave you too cold.
This rating is similar to the rating for outdoor camping tents. It ranges from one-season sleeping bags to five-season sleeping bags where one-seasons are suitable for warmer climes and five-season sleeping bags are for the coldest and humid conditions.
One-season sleeping bags are suitable for typical night temperatures of 10 degrees Celsius or more. They are often used in warm summer seasons or late spring where one can anticipate coldest temperatures of about +4 to +5 degrees. They often come without a hood and can be completely unzipped.
Two-season sleeping bags are ideal from late spring, summer and early autumn periods usually with a night-time temperatures 5 degree Celsius or higher.
These are a bit more versatile than the one-season sleeping bags but are not ideal for temperatures below 0 degrees Celsius.
Three-season sleeping bags are best suited for spring and autumn seasons when nights can get very cold but not freezing. A night-time temperature of 0 degrees is normal.
However, three-season sleeping bags are the most common and versatile bags available as they can be used all year round, although one may have to leave it unzipped on the warmer nights.
Four-season sleeping bags are designed for the very cold conditions of winter and some really cold winter nights. As expected, this category of sleeping bag will get the user sweaty outside the winter season.
Five-season sleeping bags are like the SUVs of sleeping bags, designed to protect the user from adverse weather conditions in freezing cold and snowy nights. They are markedly more durable than other bags and are made with water-repellent fabrics.
You may find that some sleeping bags are not rated in the traditional ‘seasons’ ratings but by using a single temperature standard for normal sleepers.
This rating established under the European EN13537 standard rates sleeping bags based on comfort rating, extreme rating, uppers and sometimes lower limits of comfort.
The Comfort rating is based on the lower limit a 'standard' adult woman having a comfortable night's sleep.
The Lower Limit is the lowest temperature at which a standard man can have a comfortable night's sleep.
The Upper Limit is the highest temperature at which a 'standard' adult man is able to have a comfortable night's sleep.
Extreme rating is the minimum temperature at which a standard man can survive without risk of death from extreme cold. As an extreme survival rating, it is not recommended for general use sleeping bags. The best general guideline is usually between comfort rating and a lower limit.
Size
The length and widths of sleeping bags should be considered when making one’s choice. It is important you have just enough space to move around and not too much to affect the warmth of your bag.
Shape
Just like the size, the shape of a sleeping bag is important to ensure you are comfortable in it. The two common designs are the mummy style and the quilt style.
Like it is called, the mummy style allows user tuck one’s head in like a mummy and provides more insulation around one’s head whereas the quilt style looks like a down comforter with a zipper.
There is also women’s sleeping bag which has a different shape. These are slightly narrower around the shoulder and wider in the hips. They also have more insulation than men’s sleeping bags since women normally generate less warmth compared to men.
Weight
The weight of a sleeping bag is important for packing and for hikers who have to carry them along on their journey. While a heavier bag tends to provide more warmth, a lightweight bag of less than 1 pound which provides adequate insulation is preferable.
Our Review 3 Great Sleeping Bags
1. Outdoor Vitals Summit 0°F Premium Down Sleeping Bag
Size: varied
Weight: 2 lb 12 oz
Temperature Rating: 10 degree
Shape: mummy style
Fill: 800
Insulation: duck down
This sleeping bag from Outdoor Vitals is suitable for the harshest conditions of winter with an extreme rating of 0 degrees and a comfort rating of 10 degrees.
It has a duck down insulation with a fill power of 800 which makes it lightweight and durable. Not only is it lightweight, but the bag is also super-compressible and as such an easy packing for your hiking and outdoor activities.
When compressed, the bag can take up as little space 11 x 8 inches and it also comes with a 4 point compression bag.
The outer shell fabric is coated with water-resistant—part of the VitalDry DWR technology for warmer and drier outcomes.
If you’re up for a durable, lightweight sleeping bag which can withstand freezing cold and moist conditions, this might just be the ideal stuff for you. It’s affordable too; at less than $200 you get a budget sleeping bag with high fill power.
2. Cotopaxi Sueno Sleeping Bag
Size: unspecified
Weight: 2lb 13oz
Temperature Rating: 15 degree
Shape: mummy style
Fill: 800
Insulation: duck down
Cotopaxi Sueno Sleeping Bag is lightweight with a temperature rating of 15 degrees, versatile enough to be used through fall, spring, summer, and mild winter.
It comes in a classic mummy shape and ample foot space. It is made of water-resistant duck down with fill power of 800.
If you’re looking for a sleeping bag that is wide enough to turn over in at night, light enough to carry easily, and can keep you warm and comfortable in most seasons, this is the sleeping bag for you.
3. Hyke & Byke Antero Hammock Compatible Down Sleeping Bag
Size: varied
Weight: unspecified
Temperature Rating: 15 degree
Shape: mummy style
Fill: 800
Insulation: goose down
This sleeping bag a durable, lightweight and affordable four-season rated bag. It has an extreme limit of 15 degrees F and a lower limit of 30 degrees F which makes it suitable for very cold outdoor conditions.
Its insulation is made with goose down with a fill power of 800 and the shell is made of waterproof fabric treated with water repellent.
This is another great budget sleeping bag—well under $200—and it integrates so well with your hammock.
Conclusion
Choosing a can be a compromise between factors like weight and insulation but somewhere in-between you will get the right sleeping bag specifications that meet your needs.
Also, persons who camp around the year may have different sleeping; bags for the harsh winter conditions and for the warmer seasons.
Some Frequently Asked Questions
- What does the temperature rating mean on a sleeping bag?
The temperature rating specified on sleeping bags usually refer to the comfort temperature rating—that is the lowest temperature at which a standard man can sleep comfortably for a night in the bag.
- How do you stay warm in a sleeping bag?
A regular sleeping bag uses multiple layers of special cloth to keep the user warm. Also, special insulation made from duck feather, goose feather or synthetic fiber is locked in between the cloths to prevent you from losing body heat to the cold environment.
- What is the best winter sleeping bag?
The best sleeping bag will be one that provides sufficient warmth and still has a lightweight. For winter, the sleeping bag would be a four-season or five-season sleeping bag with a comfort temperature rating of 10 degrees. Preferably, it should have a duck down insulation with a fill of at least 800 and a water-repellent shell material.
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