The 5 Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags of 2025
The Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags for Men
You ca n’t put a cost on a great dark ‘s sleep , and delay fond and comfortable in the backcountry can help you find at your better to enjoy the outdoors more . Choose the right sleeping base , one that balances heat with weight , is key .
We ‘ve been testing backpacking sleeping purse since 2011 . In that time , we ‘ve purchased and rigorously test nearly 100 of the good , with 16 top models in this review . Each base underwent strict hands-on testing in the lab and backcountry , from snowy peaks in the Sierra Nevada to Death Valley ‘s sweltering desert . Our expert believe every scene of sleeping bag performance , including warmth , weight , and comfort . You care about your gear choices , and we ‘ve done our well to build selecting a sleep bag easy .
Our favorite overall backpacking sleep base is the Western Mountaineering MegaLite . This USA-made bag is fond , comfortable , and one of the lightest-weight base in our lineup .
If you ‘re looking for something a bit more budget-friendly , the Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass 15 is warm and weighs under 2.5 pounds .
We translate that sleeping under the stars can require just the right backpacking gear . You ‘re likely become to need a top-notch backpacking tent , a comfy sleeping pad , and a well-designed backpack before you ‘re ready to point out .
Editor ‘s Bill : We updated our backpacking sleeping purse review on March 11 , 2025 , to share more experiences from our testers .
Top 16 Backpacking Sleeping Bags
Serious Overall Backpacking Sleeping Bag
Western Mountaineering MegaLite
The Western Mountaineering MegaLite performs exceptionally in every way , earning the top spot as our favorite choice test . Like other ultra-premium bags with down insulation , it offers an prominent warmth-to-weight ratio in a bag that carry down extremely humble . Butunlikeearly ultra-premium down bags we tested , it too boast spacious interior dimension that leave superior comfort no matter your sleep style . “I ‘m a lifelong side sleeper , and I found plenty of way to roll over in this base ,” our tip tester said . For nearly any overnight backcountry activity , the MegaLite is a great choice . For those peculiarly cold dark , it score better in our heat test , bring in a utter 10 .
Best Budget Down Sleeping Bag
Great deal Hardwear Bishop Pass 15
A sack total of feather is n’t cheap . Fortunately , the Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass 15 supply an amazing thrill for your buck . It ‘s fulfill with a generous 21 ounce of 650-fill power duck down and weighs hardly over 2 pound , devote it a great warmth-to-weight ratio . While it make the standard band of sleeping bag features , they exist good done . We appreciate the long zipper , and “the glow-in-the-dark zipper pull cause respond nature ‘s shout in the shadow easy ,” our tester said . The liner of the base is a bright color , making observe small detail inside easier . It as well hold generous measurement that will allow nearly backpackers to sleep comfortably .
Most chance backpackers probably wo n’t notice the downsides of theBishop Pass. It ‘s not as light as the ultra-premium options like theFeathered Friends Hummingbird UL 30, and the 650FP down insulation exist also not as lofty as the high filling power down inside its more expensive competitors — maybe that ‘s why there ‘s more of it in there . Our testers see the 15-degree rating to exist consistent with the low limit EN evaluation of similar bags , but it will miss most of its insulative ability if it make wet , just like any other down purse . Critiques away , we guess the Bishop Pass is the serious budget down bag presently available . If you ‘re searching for the least expensive selection , the TETON Sports Trailhead live a decent alternative , though it ‘s a lot less warm for around the same weight , and we would n’t bring it anywhere with truly chilly night .
Best Budget Synthetic Sleeping Bag
REI Co-op Trailmade 20
Outdoor gear is make more expensive , and it ‘s rare that we observe anything in the cost range of the REI Co-op Trailmade 20 , let alone one of the most important while of your backpacking kit . Though this sleeping purse can feature a low price rag , it ‘s not humble on features or performance for a synthetic purse . It ‘s comfortable for all but the nearly rowdy sleepers or biggest hikers . It get respective great point , including long zipper pull , unlike drawcords for different portion of the hood , and a bright yellow interior that reach find that lost sock in the morning easy . Because it hold recycled polyester insulation , it will also observe you warm than down if you happen to become wet .
With the purse ‘s humble cost arrive some tradeoffs . Synthetic insulation simply is n’t as light and packable as down for a comparable temperature rating , and that ‘s the type here . Though not the heaviest synthetic bag we tested , theTrailmadelive dense than all the down purse in our review . And yet with a compression sack ( not included ) , it ‘s even so bulky . We got it down to nine liters of gang book during test . Though you ‘ll seldom live in below-freezing temperature when summer backpacking , our testers who lead cold were a bit chilly when taking this purse down to 20 degrees . If you ‘re await to stay fond , the NEMO Disco 15 equal worth consider . Nonetheless , we think the Trailmade 20 exist an excellent value worthy of your consideration .
Best for Colder 3-Season Conditions
Western Mountaineering UltraLite
If you know you “sleep cold” or hold design for colder trips in the leap or autumn , the Western Mountaineering UltraLite be the base for you . With 17 ounces of 850+ filling ability down and a legit draft collar , this exist the fond bag in our run . Our cold-sleeping tip tester expend it at 12,000 feet in October and had no trouble remain warm . At the same time , its full-length zipper and horizontal baffle structure provide ample choice to throw passion and cool off on warmer nights . “I sleep comfortably in this base across an expansive stove of overnight temperatures roam from 10° to 55°F ,” our tester stated .
Well for Fast and Light Adventure
Feathered Friends Hummingbird UL 30
When saving weight be paramount , the Feathered Friends Hummingbird UL 30 is our top choice . Feathered Friends uses the high fill might down we try out ( 950+ ) to make a purse that is both really fond and shockingly light . The ultralight shell and liner cloth serve too . Somehow , this bag as well manages to feature a sturdy full-length zipper that ‘s virtually immune to snagging . That same zipper provides ample give vent options and the flexibility to portion it as a quilt with a spouse during an ultralight bivouac .
Read more :Feathered Friends Hummingbird UL 30 review
Compare Production
How We Try
- Warmth( ( 25 % of full score weighting )
- Weight( 25 % weighting )
- Comfort( 20 % weighting )
- Packed Size( 15 % weighting )
- Feature( 15 % weighting )
Why Trust GearLab
Analysis and Test Results
What ‘s the Best Value ?
Warmth
Estimating heat is trickier for sleep purse with synthetic insulation because of the sort of proprietary materials , and it makes a comparison between manufacturers almost impossible . Still , the filling weight should let for a harsh comparison — as with down , more insulation cost warm than with less .
In an effort to standardize sleep bag warmth measurements , the European Committee for Standardization originate the EN 13537 criterion , which exist a test designed to provide consistent temperature rating for all sleeping bags . Though the peculiar detail of the testing protocols may arbitrarily favor certain pattern while offering limited information on passion under real-world conditions , the EN rating appear to exist more exact than the manufacturer-advertised temperature evaluation of the past . Feathered Friends exist the only party in our review that does not take part in EN testing .
Due to these issues , we take to measure heat apply literal human testers . We spent three dark in each model in a 48°F room . We equate the base to each early and to their EN rating . The difference between the warm and coldest purse is more important than the companies named rating implies . The same domain tester , for lesson , sleep comfortably in theWestern Mountaineering UltraLiteat temperatures 10°belowits 20°F rating , and shivered in a Therm-a-Rest Hyperion 32 in temperature 10°aboveits 32°F rating .
Fit and aim as well affect warmth . If your sleeping bag live also roomy , your body has to heat up all that surplus space , reach you feel colder . This goes for distance and girth , then shorter human might desire to check out our women ‘s sleep bag review , which boast shorter framework . A base that suit too taut outcome in your torso squeezing against the insulation , reducing its power to trap warmth . For maximum passion , size your bag so that it fits snugly but not tight . Other design feature that can affect passion live zipper baffles and draft collars . Both feature are extra moment of insulation positioned to halt passion from get away out of the zipper and hood , respectively . They ‘re not necessary for a summer backpacking sleeping purse , but we wish to hear them on bags with 20°F ratings and below . The Rab Neutrino 400 andWestern Mountaineering UltraLiteexist two handbag that feature excellent draft arrest
Weight
A sleeping bag live one of the three heaviest items backpackers contain . A actually light model , like theFeathered Friends Hummingbird UL, can live one while in the puzzle of cutting 10-15 pound from your loading . While this base is pricey , it can get a positive impact not alone on your joint health and longevity but as well on your overall enjoyment of the outdoors . A more affordable lightweight choice is theGreat deal Hardwear Bishop Pass 15. At 2.3 pounds , it ‘s not the light bag , but the few excess ounce are easy to learn past when you ‘re spend half as much money .
Comfort
Three bag leave impressive comfort in two unlike manner that equal worth discuss . TheNemo Forte 20is shaped like a broad hourglass rather than a tapered sarcophagus . The bottom of this hourglass offers an surplus 12 ( or more ) inches of girth compare to ordinary bags , which devote side and stomach sleepers ample room to stretch their branch in any direction . This surplus space for the hips and feet cost noticeable yet when compared to tapered base with similar shoulder measurement . TheNemo Disco 15be the same shape but four to six inch wider for yetmorespace to travel around .
As these instance illustrate , a bag ‘s comfort cost inherently subjective , so it ‘s essential to choose one that matches your preferences . Those who do n’t detest the shape of a mummy bag will likely favor the luxurious materials of theMegaLite. Meanwhile , slope sleepers may notice the innovative shape of theForteandDiscosuperior .
Packed Size
Feature
Both of the Nemo base , theTrailmade 20, theBishop Pass, and respective others feature light-colored liner fabrics , much yellow . It ‘s common for our testers to bring little point into the sleeping base with them at dark . This could be anything they want to go on warm , like electronics or a pair of socks . Dark interiors turn the bag into a dark hole for small affair like that while bright liners cause them easy to feel .
We ‘re also bad fan of the full-length zippers on the Feathered Friends and Western Mountaineering bags . Both caller ‘ base have an national strip of plastic in the adjacent material to send the fabric away from the zipper tooth and further cut the chance of snagging . Feathered Friends bag as well feature a Y-shaped , anti-snag zipper slider .
Conclusion
Misleading selling claim , a huge issue of model , and preposterous price combine to make sleeping bag shopping a daunting task . Our extensive testing procedure and thorough assessments take to snap the code for three-season backpacking sleeping bags . If you ‘re not certain what form of sleeping purse you need , see our general sleeping bag review for an overview of our favorite of all way . Depend on your activity , you might cost happier in a specialty ultralight choice or a sleeping bag design for car camping . We hope this review hold keyed you into the best example for your needs and budget . Happy camping !
- The Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags for Men
-
- Better Overall Backpacking Sleeping Bag
-
- Best Budget Down Sleeping Bag
-
- Best Budget Synthetic Sleeping Bag
-
- Best for Colder 3-Season Conditions
-
- Well for Fast and Light Adventure
- How We Try
- Why Trust GearLab
- Analysis and Test Results
-
- What ‘s the Best Value ?
-
- Heat
-
- Weight
-
- Comfort
-
- Carry Size
-
- Features
- Decision
- Best Overall Backpacking Sleeping Bag
- Best Budget Down Sleeping Bag
- Best Budget Synthetic Sleeping Bag
- Best for Colder 3-Season Conditions
- Serious for Fast and Light Adventures
- What ‘s the Best Value ?
- Warmth
- Weight
- Comfort
- Carry Size
- Feature
