Everybody knows getting a good night sleep is important—especially when you’re backpacking or camping. More than any other piece of gear, your sleeping bag affects how well you sleep. Follow our guide to find the perfect sleeping bag for you.
First we’ll learn about the three main sleeping bag characteristics: Temperature rating, shape, and insulation type.
Second, we’ll consider secondary characteristics: weight, size, and compressibility.
Third, we look into additional features and accessories.
Finally, we give our top picks for these popular use categories: 1. Summer/car camping, 2. Three-season backpacking, and 3. Winter camping.
Choosing a Sleeping Bag
The very first thing to ask yourself is “What will I use this for?” Buy a sleeping bag you can use most frequently, not for that trip you might take someday. Start by picking your sleeping bag’s temperature rating, shape, and insulation type.
1. Pick your temperature rating
Picking the right sleeping bag for the weather is a critical first step. Temperature ratings break down into three broad categories:
| Temperature Rating (°F) | Bag Type |
| 35+° | Summer (aka car camping) |
| 10° to 35° | 3-Season (general backpacking) |
| Less than 10° | Winter (snow camping or backpacking) |
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Most sleeping bags come with an “EN rating,” which stands for “European Norm 13537 testing protocol,” the most widely recognized international standard. There are usually three EN rating numbers on a sleeping bag, the Comfort Rating, the Lower Limit Rating, and the Extreme Limit Rating. The comfort rating is the lowest temperature at which the sleeping bag will keep an average woman (or cold sleeper) comfortable. The lower limit rating is the lowest temperature at which the sleeping bag will keep an average man (or warm sleeper) comfortable. The extreme limit rating is the lowest temperature at which the sleeping bag will keep the average woman (or cold sleeper) warm enough to survive a night. EN ratings assume the sleeper is wearing long underwear, a hat, and sleeping on a one-inch thick sleeping pad.
Of course every person is different and “comfortable” is subjective. But you should always plan for the coldest possible temperature since you can always unzip the bag if you get too hot. One way to do this is to look at the area(s) you plan to visit and find the coldest temperature during the season you plan on visiting. For example, if you were planning on going to Joshua Tree in November, you’d check weather.com and find the average November temperature at night is 46°F, but can get colder (record low is 14°F). Depending on how warm you sleep, you’d want to buy a bag with a temperature rating between 30-45°F, and get familiar with our 10 tips for sleeping warm in case it gets unusually cold.
2. Pick your shape
Sleeping bags come in three main shapes: Rectangular, mummy, and semi-rectangular (also called barrel). Here’s some info to help you choose the right shape.
Rectangular
Roomy, comfortable, and inexpensive. Rectangular sleeping bags are perfect in moderate weather when weight and packing size don’t matter. Think summer car camping or cabin sleepovers.
Mummy
Designed to fit snugly around your body, mummy bags are lightweight, compressible, and warm. They include a hood to keep your head warm and are the best choice for any type of backpacking or winter camping.
Semi-rectangular (barrel)
Barrell is a hybrid style that’s popular with larger people or those who move around in their sleep. They’re perfect if you want a little bit more room but also need the weight and compressibility advantages of a mummy bag.
Read More: How to Choose A Sleeping Pad
Finding the right fit
A rectangular sleeping bag really just needs to be comfortable and long enough to cover your whole body. But finding the best mummy or barrel bag for you takes a little more work. A sleeping bag should be snug but not too tight. If any part of your body is pressing against a too-small sleeping bag (usually your feet, shoulders, or hips), the bag won’t be as warm because the insulation is compressed, decreasing its loft and ability to trap heat.
Many bags come in both regular and long version (some even come in a wide version) so make sure to find a bag that fits your body. There are also women’s versions that are narrower in the shoulders, shorter, and wider in the hips. And they often add extra insulation to the upper body and feet. Pro Tip: Lots of empty space around your feet makes them colder. If your sleeping bag is too long or wide at the bottom, stuff a puffy jacket or other insulating clothing down at your feet to help keep them warm. For other tips on sleeping warm, check out 10 Tips for Sleeping Warm Outside.
3. Pick your insulation type
The insulation, or filling, of a sleeping bag is what keeps you warm. Insulation traps the heat that your body produces, so the more insulation a bag has, the warmer you’ll be inside it. There are two main types of insulation: Down and synthetic. They both have strengths and weaknesses.
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Down
Down’s greatest strengths are that it’s lightweight, highly compressible, and lasts a very long time. However, it’s also expensive, takes a long time to dry, and doesn’t insulate when it’s wet. New water-resistant down is more effective, but still not as effective as synthetic insulation when wet. Down is rated by “fill-power,” a measurement of how well the down “lofts” (traps heat). Higher fill power (750-900) is lighter weight and warmer than lower fill power (500-750). Bags with higher fill-power down are more expensive.
Synthetic
Usually made from a form of polyester, synthetic insulation’s greatest benefits are that it insulates even while wet, dries very quickly, and is cheaper than down. But it’s also heavier, less compressible, and doesn’t last as long.
| Feature | Down | Synthetic |
| Insulates while wet | No | Yes |
| Drying Time | Slow | Fast |
| Weight | 30%-50% lighter | 50%-100% heavier |
| Compressibility | Very compressible | Not very compressible |
| Longevity | ~20+ years | ~5-10 years |
| Cost | More expensive | Less expensive |
How to decide between down and synthetic?
If you’re only car camping, there’s not really a reason to get a down bag. But for backpacking the decision is more difficult. A down bag can last you 20+ years if properly cared for, so it’s a great investment despite the high upfront cost. Keeping a sleeping bag dry isn’t that hard and most down sleeping bags come with a hydrophobic coating to make them water-resistant. But for the casual backpacker on a budget or those living in very wet environments, synthetic is your best option.
Want to learn more? Check out our other How-to guides
Additional Features
Once you’ve got the main factors dialed in, think about these additional features.
Stash Pocket
It’s easy to lose small items in a sleeping bag. Stash pockets solve this problem—phones, keys, chapstick, headlamps, etc.—can all be stored in the pocket, which is usually located near the top of the bag. Some pockets are even insulated so your items don’t freeze on especially cold nights.
Draft tube/collar
The most common places that heat escapes from is the zipper and through the head opening. If you’re serious about keeping your bag warm, get a draft tube or a draft collar–insulated linings that cover the entire zipper or the area around your neck and shoulders, minimizing heat loss.
Read more: How to fit a backpack
Pad sleeve
A critical part of sleeping warm is having a good sleeping pad, but staying on that sleeping pad can be difficult for active sleepers. Some sleeping bags have a dedicated sleeve on the bottom into which your sleeping pad fits to ensure you can’t fall off. Just make sure your sleeping pad will fit inside the sleeve before you buy it!
Pillow pocket
Similar to the pad sleeve but for a pillow. Pro tip: save the weight and just stuff this pocket with soft clothing, like a puffy jacket.
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Zipper
Consider the location of your bag’s zipper—zippers come on the left side, right side, and sometimes even across the middle. Where the zipper is located is mostly a matter of preference, but if you want to zip two sleeping bags together for a romantic double bag, make sure you get sleeping bags with zippers on the opposite sides (and that the zippers are compatible). Likewise, consider the zipper’s length—some bags unzip all the way to the feet while others only go ½ or ¾ of the way, which saves weight and heat loss, but minimizes the ability to quickly cool down if you’re overheated.
Footbox
The bottom of a sleeping bag can be sewn to create a “footbox” that gives space for your feet to rest in a more natural position, especially if you sleep on your back. The added space also decreases the amount your feet press against the insulation.
Read more: How to choose a backpack
Accessories
Lastly, to perfect your sleep system, consider these accessories.
Stuff sack/compression bag
Most sleeping bags come with some sort of stuff sack, but if space matters, invest in a compression bag with straps that you can tighten to make the bag smaller. And if keeping your sleeping bag dry is a concern, get one that’s waterproof like the Sea-to-Summit Compression sack.
Storage Sack
One way to increase the longevity of your sleeping bag’s insulation (and its ability to loft) is by storing your bag loosely when it’s not in use. Store it in a large storage sack (similar to a big laundry bag), or hang it in a closet if you have space. Some sleeping bags come with a storage sack, but if not, they’re cheap to purchase separately, like the REI Sleeping Bag Storage Sack.
Sleeping bag liner
Basically just a really thin sleeping bag, a liner goes inside your sleeping bag and can add up to 25 degrees of warmth. Or if you’re sleeping in really warm weather, leave the sleeping bag at home and just use a great liner. They’re an inexpensive way to add warmth or save weight/space during warm summer trips. Our top choice is the Sea to Summit Reactor Extreme, which packs down really small and feels like silk against your skin.
Bivy sack (shell)
A bivy sack (or shell) is a waterproof layer that goes around your sleeping bag and pad. It adds a small amount of warmth, but mostly just keeps your bag dry in wet weather—which is important if you’ve got a down bag and you’re sleeping outdoors. Some bivy sacks can even be used as ultralight shelters in lieu of a tent. Our favorite is the Outdoor Research Alpine Bivy, which is surprisingly spacious, can withstand the worst weather, and weighs only 2lbs.
Our Top Picks
Here are our top picks for car camping, 3-season (both down and synthetic), and winter. For a complete list and more info about our picks, see Best Sleeping Bags 2019.
| Category | Sleeping Bag | Insulation | Weight | Cost |
| Car Camping | REI Trail Pod 30 | Synthetic | 3lbs | $90 |
| 3-season (down) | Marmot Phase 20 | 850-fill down | 1lb 7oz | $459 |
| 3-season (syn.) | The North Face Hyper Cat 20 | Synthetic | 1lb 14oz | $240 |
| Winter (down) | Mountain Hardwear Phantom Torch 3 | 800-fill down | 2lbs 12oz | $600 |
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