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When it comes to snoozing under the stars, the right down sleeping bag goes a very long way. Sure, you might be able to get away with a thinner model during the summer, but winter demands a quality down sleeping bag, especially out in the backcounty. Even when car camping, which arguably provides more shelter and warmth, the wrong sleeping bag can turn a dreamy night of sleep into a nightmare.
Below, we break down what to look for in a camp-friendly down sleeping bag, one that will keep you warm on even the coldest nights—be it at your local campground or totally off the grid.
What to look for when shopping for a down sleeping bag
Sussing through the avalanche of down sleeping bags on the market can be daunting. Before you start shopping, here are four key factors to consider:
- Temperature rating: When shopping for a sleeping bag, look out for the temperature rating, which is a standard of warmth that’s measured in Fahrenheit. In warmer climates and lower elevations, a 32°F bag should do the trick. In cold-weather, however, you’re going to want to aim for 20°F and below, which are snugger on colder nights. Most of the bags on this list are 20°F, ideal for winter camping.
- Insulation type: Sleeping bags are stuffed with either down, AKA bird feathers, or synthetic down, AKA fake bird feathers. Both have pros and cons. For example, real down is considerably warmer and way more packable, thanks to its (literally) featherlight features. It’s considerably more expensive though, and doesn’t perform well if it gets wet. Synthetic down is more sustainable and vegan-friendly, not to mention fast-drying when it gets wet. It’s a bit heavier, though, and some blends aren’t as warm as the real deal.
- Fill power: Besides temperature rating, most sleeping bags are marked with a number between 600-950. This is the fill power, which refers to the fluffiness, or the loft, of the fill. It’s a bit confusing, but a higher fill power doesn’t necessarily mean the product is warmer—it indicates how lofty the fill is, and how well it compresses. Read more on fill power, here.
- Shape and weight: Finally, the shape and weight of your sleeping bag are worth your attention, too. As for shape, more space isn’t exactly better—extra room to roll around in doesn’t store body heat quite as well. If thermal efficiency is your goal, aim for a mummy shape with a hood, which is designed to keep heat in and cold air out. As for weight, the lower you go in temperature rating, the heavier the product will likely be (more down = more warmth). Depending on your hiking and camping preferences, you’ll want to take this into consideration, too.
Ready to get shopping? Here are our picks below, designed to keep you warm and cozy on and off the trail.
Marmot, Phase 20 Sleeping Bag: 20°F — $506.00
The Phase 20 Sleeping Bag by Marmot is a surefire bet for staying snuggly on cold, winter’s nights. It’s rated for 20-degrees Fahrenheit, so it’s still warm without being bulky or too heavy to carry. It’s insulated with 850-fill power down that’s designed to fend off moisture, while the mummy shape (complete with a wraparound hood and footbox) minimize heat loss. It’s a bit pricey, but worth every penny.
What customers say:We bought this sleeping bag and the women’s Phase 20° sleeping bag and are so happy with them. We live in Alaska and are able to use them for Spring, summer and fall camping. We love the hood feature and are warm from our head to our toes.”
Pros
- Super lightweight and packable
- 850+ fill goose down
- Abrasion-resistant
- Temperature rating of 20°F
Cons
- Expensive
Kelty, Cosmic Ultra 800 DriDown Sleeping Bag: 20°F — $200.00
Similarly, this Kelty version offers a premium quality at more than half the price of the Marmot model. This sleeping bag is filled with 800-fill duck down that’s also hydrophobic and fast-drying. It’s shaped similarly, complete with trapezoidal baffles (the horizontal stripes that keep the down in place) to retain body heat. Just note, the regular size is fitted for people 5’8″ or below, so if you’re taller, size up.
What customers say: “This sleeping bag is everything I expected and more… When packing up, it’s extremely compressible, and takes up very little room in my backpack. I would definitely purchase this again.”
- 800 fill
- Temperature rating of 20°F
- Two locking zippers, including one at the bottom of the sleeping bag
- Zippered internal stash pocket
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