Expert Advice for Purchasing a Backpacking Sleeping Bag
Choosing the perfect sleeping bag can be one of the most challenging gear decisions you’ll face. The right selection is essential for a comfortable night’s sleep in the wilderness—and in a survival situation, it might even be lifesaving. With so many options available, how do you distinguish between them beyond just temperature ratings and cost? This guide breaks down the critical factors to compare, making your decision far easier.
I’ve spent countless nights inside numerous sleeping bags over the years.allHaving tested equipment for over 25 years—including a decade as Backpacker magazine’s chief gear reviewer and even longer maintaining this blog—I’ve tried countless sleeping bags. I’ve used them in every season, enduring temperatures ranging from unbearably hot to -30° F. (Unbearably hot is far more manageable.)
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In this piece, I’ll explain what I’ve discovered about selecting a sleeping bag—or multiple bags—that will perfectly suit your needs and outdoor experiences.
I’d be thrilled to hear your thoughts on my suggestions or any tips you might have. Feel free to share them in the comments section located at the end of this article. I make an effort to reply to every comment. To check out a review, simply click on any bag image featured below.
Key Considerations When Purchasing a Sleeping Bag
• Understand your body’s tendencies. Do you often feel chilly, or do you run hot? Women generally feel cold more easily due to basic physiological differences: they typically have a greater body surface area relative to their mass, causing faster heat loss. These individuals may prefer a sleeping bag designed specifically for women, as it features a distinct shape and added insulation in key zones like the feet. Personal metabolism also plays a significant role in this preference.
• If you tend to feel cold quickly, choose a sleeping bag rated for temperatures 20 to 25 degrees lower than the lowest expected conditions you’ll encounter outdoors.
• If you tend to stay warm, you might prefer a sleeping bag rated roughly five to 15 degrees lower than the coldest expected temperatures—or even one rated close to the lowest temperature you’ll face, as long as you have additional layers for backup. (For example, I’ve slept comfortably near freezing in a 30-32° F bag.) Overheating can be just as unpleasant as feeling too cold, and an excessively warm bag adds unnecessary weight and bulk. (Refer to “A Practical Guide to Lightweight and Ultralight Backpacking.”)
Check out “10 Pro Tips for Staying Warm in a Sleeping Bag.”
Down vs. Synthetic Sleeping Bags
Historically, down has been known for its superior warmth, lighter weight, and better compressibility compared to synthetic insulation. However, when exposed to moisture, synthetics continued to provide reasonable warmth, whereas down lost nearly all its heat-retaining properties. In recent years, the distinction between down and synthetic has become less clear due to advancements such as premium, low-weight synthetic options like PrimaLoft, as well as hydrophobic down that maintains its thermal efficiency even in damp conditions.
Down is highly compressible and exceptionally long-lasting, maintaining its edge as the preferred insulation for bags when moisture exposure is unlikely. Water-resistant down further improves a bag’s functionality in typical damp conditions, like tent condensation. However, once fully soaked, even water-resistant down significantly diminishes in warmth retention, and drying a saturated bag becomes exceedingly challenging, often impractical, during persistent wet conditions. For extended excursions in rainy climates, synthetic insulation continues to be the superior option.
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Premium down (rated 800- to 900-fill or above) offers superior warmth, minimal weight, and excellent compressibility, though it comes at a higher cost. In contrast, lower-grade down (typically 600- to 700-fill) retains the benefits of down while reducing the price, though it adds more weight and bulk. Budget-friendly sleeping bags often use inferior synthetic insulation, resulting in significantly increased weight and bulk compared to higher-quality synthetic or down options—often making them impractical for backpacking unless you’re constrained by a tight budget and don’t mind the extra load.
The decision between down and synthetic still hinges on budget considerations and the chance of your gear getting soaked.
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Thermal Performance Rating
Historically, bag manufacturers determined temperature ratings independently, as the outdoor industry had no uniform way to assess them. However, in more recent times, the EN (European Norm) temperature rating system has become the globally accepted benchmark, recognized as the most accurate and impartial standard.
Most new bags feature an EN rating, which generally lists three temperature values:
• The comfort rating indicates the minimum temperature at which the sleeping bag can maintain warmth for an average woman, considering that women generally feel colder more quickly than men.
• The minimum temperature rating, indicating the lowest temperature at which the bag can maintain warmth for an average male user.
• The extreme rating refers to the minimum temperature at which the bag can sustain survival, though without comfort, during unforeseen and harsh circumstances.
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Explore my complete collection of reviews for sleeping bags, air mattresses, and sleeping pads that I recommend on The Big Outside.
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