testing the best backpacking sleeping bags in the woods

Best Backpacking Sleeping Bag Comparison Table

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Sleeping Bag Price ($) Weight (oz) Fill Power (in³) Fill Weight (oz) Down Volume (in³) Down Vol/Total Weight (in³/oz)
Zpacks Classic 20 449 18.8 900 13.7 12330 656
Zpacks Mummy 20 539 23.2 900 15.6 14040 605
Zpacks Zip Around 20 479 21.6 900 14.5 13050 604
Therm-a-Rest Hyperion 20 549 20 900 12.5 11250 563
REI Co-op Magma 15 429 35.6 850 23.3 19805 556
OV Summit Down 15 375 29 800 19.4 15520 535
MH Bishop Pass 15 285 37.4 650 22 14300 382
Kelty Cosmic 20 165 42 550 16.4 9020 215

Full Reviews

Best Sleeping Bag for Backpacking

Zpacks Mummy Sleeping Bag 20

The Zpacks 20F Mummy Sleeping Bag is our pick for the singular best sleeping bag for backpacking with the highest performance, traditional-style chassis in terms of warmth-to-weight ratio. This is a true ultralight sleeping bag, and top notch materials keep the weight to only 23.2 oz. Read more in our full-length Zpacks Mummy Sleeping Bag Review.

  • Weight: 23.2
  • Price: $539
  • Down: 900 fill power RDS hydrophobic goose down
  • Fill Weight: 15.6 oz
  • Fabric: 7D Ventum Ripstop Nylon
  • Down Vol: 14040 in³ | Down Vol/oz: 605 in³
  • Estimated Comfort: +25 F
  • Pros: Ultralight. High warmth-to-weight. Converts to blanket.
  • Cons: Expensive. Slightly delicate.

Construction & Features

It’s constructed with 7D Ventum ripstop nylon which is comfortable, breathable, wind/water resistant.  We find it’s durable enough for most backcountry use. Its baffles are overstuffed (by 30%!) with 900 fill power RDS hydrophobic goose down. Overstuffing reduces cold spots due to down drift, and is a very desired feature that adds minimal weight.

It’s even protected from snagging on its own zipper by the full length zipper guard. But like most ultralight sleeping bags, it’s a bit more delicate than average. Handle with care and it will last many years.

On colder nights, we love cinching down the hood to stay cozy, and on warmer nights, we love how it can fully unzip and convert into a blanket for better ventilation. Or just zip open the footbox to add airflow. It is available in three lengths (short, medium, long) and two widths (standard, broad) to accommodate a wide variety of bodies.

We have zero major knocks against this excellent product and feel it raises the industry-wide bar for backpacking sleeping bag performance.

Verdict

It’s as simple as this. If you want the best sleeping bag for backpacking that money can buy, choose the Zpacks Mummy 20.

Second Best Sleeping Bag For Backpacking

Therm-a-Rest Hyperion 20

We value warmth-to-weight above all else in an ultralight sleeping bag for backpacking,  which is why we like the Therm-a-rest Hyperion 20. Based on our estimation, it has one of the highest warmth-to-weight ratio of any conventional 20F ultralight sleeping bag from a mainstream outdoor gear brand. It’s only bested by designs from ultralight cottage industry brands like Zpacks.

  • Weight: 20.0 oz
  • Price: $550
  • Down: 900 fill power hydrophobic goose down
  • Fill Weight: 12.5 oz
  • Fabric: 10D Nylon Ripstop
  • Down Vol: 11250 in³ | Down Vol/oz: 563 in³
  • ISO Tested Comfort: +32 F
  • Pros: Ultralight. High warmth-to-weight.
  • Cons: Expensive. Narrow. Slightly under-filled. Horizontal baffling on torso.

Construction & Features

This is achieved through the use of 900 fill power down, in conjunction with a relatively lightweight 10D shell fabric, and a snug fit. Additionally Therm-a-rest also states that they have intelligently distributed the down. In this ultralight sleeping bag, 70% of the plumes are in the top section where it works harder to insulate rising heat.

Prioritizing the top insulation and de-prioritizing the back is quilt-like in its design mentality, and we think it’s a cool and innovative choice. We believe that is at least part of what allows Thermarest Hyperion 20F to be lighter than almost all similarly comfort temp rated bags. But it likely requires a high R-Value sleeping pad, like the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT.

As you can see in the photo, Hyperion has a pretty slim design, and an exceptionally small footbox. While decreasing interior volume decreases comfort, it increases warmth. Heat radiating off one’s body is condensed throughout a smaller total space, rather being distributed and diluted.

In this case, our modeling agrees with ISO that this bag is comfortable down to 32 degrees and think it will handle most 3-season backpacking conditions with aplomb. However, if you run cold, you consider a bag with a slightly lower comfort rating.

Verdict

The Them-a-Rest Hyperion 20F is a narrow mummy, but otherwise an incredible backpacking sleeping bag, and will serve ultralight backpackers very well.

Best Value Backpacking Sleeping Bag

Outdoor Vitals Summit Down Sleeping Bag 15

Choose the Outdoor Vitals Summit Down 15 for a very generously filled, warmer-than-average, less-expensive-than average, premium lightweight sleeping bag.

  • Weight: 29.0
  • Price: $375
  • Down: 800 fill power hyperdry duck down
  • Fill Weight: 19.4 oz
  • Down Vol: 15520 in³ | Down Vol/oz: 535 in³
  • Fabric: 10D Toray Ripstop Nylon
  • Estimated Comfort: +25 F
  • Pros: Lightweight. Generously filled. Warmer than average. Horizontal/vertical baffle split. Draft collar.
  • Cons: Duck down is inferior to goose. Light not ultralight. Overfill increases bulk. Center creates minor cold spot issue.

Construction & Features

First thing first, this sleeping bag has more down stuffed into its baffles than you’ll find in most of its competitors at a similar temp rating And overfill is a good thing. It prolongs the ability of the baffles to loft as the plumes degrade over time with each compression cycle. Overfill adds only minimal weight, however, it definitely increases bulk.

Note, this is duck is duck down, not goose down. It doesn’t make a huge difference, 800 fill power is still 800 fill power. But duck down plumes are regarded as less durable, and smellier when wet. But generally speaking, it doesn’t matter much.

There are a few more notable features are worth calling out. The 3/4 length center zipper means lefties will never get hosed, but it may take some getting used to if you are coming from a side zipper. The obvious downside to center zippers is that they create a cold spot on the very top of the bag, not ideal. However, this comes with a boxed zipper baffle flap. This mostly reduces, but does not entirely eliminate the cold spot issue.

We also nod to the pillow-style draft collar baffles, which seal heat in at the face gap. You can get real cozy in this bag. They also note a differential cut, meaning the interior shell is smaller than the outer shell, which allows down to stay lofted as you move around inside and compress against the liner. Most premium sleeping bags have this, but it’s nice to see them spell it out for transparency.

Verdict

The value proposition on this lightweight sleeping bag is simply excellent. It’s warmer and less expensive than average, yet still lighter than most other options on the market.

Best Hoodless Ultralight Sleeping Bag For Backpacking

Zpacks Zip Around Sleeping Bag 20

If you’re willing to omit the hood, Zpacks Zip Around 20 will deliver the best backcountry performance in an ultralight sleeping bag. Without a hood, it is able to achieve the low low weight of only 21.6 oz, thus offering one of the highest warmth-to-weight ratios on the market. Read more in our full-length Zpacks Zip Around 20 Review.

  • Weight: 21.6
  • Price: $479
  • Down: 900 fill power RDS hydrophobic goose down
  • Fill Weight: 14.5
  • Fabric: 7D Ventum ripstop nylon
  • Down Vol: 13050 in³ | Down Vol/oz: 604 in³
  • Estimated comfort: +25F
  • Pros: Ultralight. High warmth-to-weight. Converts to blanket. Versatile.
  • Cons: Slightly delicate. Hoodless.

Construction & Features

But what makes this one so special is the full length 2-way, namesake “Zip Around” zipper venting feature. When it gets cold, zip up and cinch down the top for maximum warmth retention. But on warmer nights, you can also vent the footbox or fully unzip to convert the sleeping bag into a flat blanket.

Also great for use around camp! It’s like buying a 2-for-1, 20 and 40 degree sleeping bag. It’s just so practical for the wide array of temps a backpacker will face in one season.

This sleeping bag for backpacking is constructed with 7D Ventum ripstop nylon which is comfortable, breathable, wind/water resistant, and we find it’s durable enough for most backcountry use.

Its baffles are overstuffed (by 30%!) with 900 fill power RDS hydrophobic goose down. Overstuffing reduces cold spots due to down drift, and is a very desired feature that adds minimal weight.

It’s even protected from snagging on its own zipper by the full length zipper guard. But like most ultralight sleeping bags, it’s a bit more delicate than average. Handle with care and it will last many years.

If you’re unsure about going hoodless, consider this: You can always wear your hat, your mid-layer hood, and/or your puffy hood to bed, or buy a modular down hood to supplement. We’ve ditched sleeping bag hoods and haven’t looked back. Our head always stays plenty warm enough.

Verdict

As far as ultralight sleeping bags go, we feel that Zpacks singularly dominates the marketplace with three of the best options. Sure, it ain’t cheap, but the Zpacks Zip Around still outperforms sleeping bags from other brands that cost $100 more. This is a seriously excellent ultralight sleeping bag and we recommend it highly.

Highest Warmth-to-Weight Hoodless Ultralight Sleeping Bag

Zpacks Classic Sleeping Bag 20

For those who feel untethered by hoods, Zpacks Classic Sleeping Bag offers the single highest warmth-to-weight ratio among all zippered sleeping bag.

  • Weight: 18.8 oz
  • Price: $449
  • Down: 900 fill power RDS hydrophobic goose down
  • Fill Weight: 13.7 oz
  • Fabric: 7D Ventum ripstop nylon
  • Down Vol: 12330 in³ | Down Vol/oz: 656 in³
  • Estimated Comfort: +25F
  • Pros: Ultralight. Best warmth-to-weight. Great value.
  • Cons: Hoodless. Slightly delicate.

Construction & Features

The design is a best-of-both-worlds hybrid quilt-sleeping-bag. It has the weight of a quilt and can be used unzippered, just like a quilt. But when it gets cold, you can zip it up into a 100% draft-free sleeping bag mode and cinch down the neck to prevent any heat from escaping.

It’s constructed with 7D Ventum ripstop nylon which is comfortable, breathable, wind/water resistant, and we find it’s durable enough for most backcountry use. Its baffles are overstuffed (by 30%!) with 900 fill power RDS hydrophobic goose down. Overstuffing reduces cold spots due to down drift, and is a very desired feature that adds minimal weight.

But like most ultralight sleeping bags for backpacking, it’s a bit more delicate than average. Handle respectfully and it will last many years. The zipper runs along the bottom of the bag and isn’t very noticeable when slept on, but if it bothers you, you can always rotate the bag slightly to alleviate pressure points. This sleeping bag is so warm (relative to its weight) that you will probably use it unzipped more often than zipped.

Verdict

We love the Zpacks Classic for its incredible low weight and incredibly high, best-in-class warmth-to-weight ratio. This ultralight sleeping bag is the closest you will get to a true quilt without sacrificing the zipper-enclosure.

Best Co-op Brand Model

REI Co-op Magma 15 Sleeping Bag

Hold onto your geese, because a size medium REI Co-op Magma 15 Sleeping Bag is stuffed with 23.3 oz of 850 fill power down. That’s shockingly generous for a 15° bag, which is why it’s actually rated to 10°.

  • Weight: 35.6
  • Price: $429
  • Down: 850 fill power RDS hydrophobic goose down
  • Fill Weight: 23.3 oz
  • Fabric: 15D Ventum Ripstop Nylon
  • Down Vol: 19805 in³ | Down Vol/oz: 556 in³
  • Estimated Comfort: +20 F
  • Pros: Warmer than rating implies. Massive quantity of down fill. Decent value. Recycled materials. Interior pocket. Inclusive sizing. Larger sizes are not more expensive.
  • Cons: Midweight. Likely too warm to be your daily driver. 15d fabric is slightly overkill.

Construction & Features

While we’ve grouped the REI Co-op Magma 15 Sleeping Bag into the 20 degree class for consistency within this buyer’s guide based on its namesake number, it has almost 50% more down than average, and 25% more than the other 15° models. That’s because it’s rated to 9°. So why is it called the Magma 15, and is this helpful or confusing?

Traditionally, the number in the name of a sleeping bag is its ISO tested lower limit, which corresponds to the lowest temperature in which someone sleeping in it could reasonably fall asleep. For women’s specific bags, more insulation is required to achieve the same rating due to the fact that women sleep slightly colder. This is illustrated in how the Sea to Summit men’s Spark 18 has the same amount of down insulation as the Women’s Flame 25.

So it would appear that, despite this being a unisex design (which usually uses the unisex temp rating system), REI applied the women’s temp rating system to ensure everyone who uses it would be comfortable. Despite the unconventional approach, the extra down is very much welcome. At least nine out of 10 sleeping bag complaints are likely, “it’s too cold” and not, “it’s too hot.” So even if it’s confusing and bucks industry naming convention trends, the end result will likely please customers on the whole.

So we have a nice warm bag, but what else about it is noteworthy? We nod to the inclusive sizing, with every possible combination of short/medium/long X narrow/medium/wide. All bodies are welcome to soak in the Magma! We also note that they have not cranked up the price on longer/wider bags, which are much more expensive to manufacture, instead offering an average price across the board. This keeps things nice and simple, but it’s a bit of a bummer for smaller people who are paying for more materials than they’re not using.

Lastly, a few other features. The 15d recycled nylon shell fabric is fine, but would have offered superior ultralight performance at 10d. And speaking of getting cozy, that cinchable hood with insulated neck yoke is niiiice.

Verdict

View the REI Co-op Magma 15 as a 10° bag and you’ll have a better grasp on what it’s offering, why it’s as heavy as it is, and the overall appeal. As such, the combination of generously filled baffles and reasonable price point make this a pretty tempting offer, but likely a better bag for spring and fall than summer.

Best Sleeping Bag For Backpacking Under $300

Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass 15 Sleeping Bag

The Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass 15 is our favorite mid-tier backpacking sleeping bags, and a great pick up for under $300. This one will reliable keep campers warm, even when temps drop below freezing, and with 30 denier nylon, it’s basically indestructible. That makes it an excellent backpacking sleeping bag for hikers with dogs or kids.

  • Weight: 37 oz
  • Price: $285
  • Down: 650 fill power RDS down (80% down plumes, 20% feathers)
  • Fill Weight: 22.0 oz
  • Fabric: 30D nylon
  • Down Vol: 14300 in³ | Down Vol/oz: 382 in³
  • ISO tested comfort: +26 F
  • Pros: Fully-featured. Affordable. Good value. Durable.
  • Cons: Midweight. Bulky.

Construction & Features

All of that durability and cost savings add weight. and at 37 oz, This sleeping bag for backpacking isn’t pushing any performance boundaries. It is definitely not an ultralight sleeping, and just barely sneaks into the the midweight category. 650 fill power down (mixed with feathers) is another cost savings choice at the expense of adding weight.

One nice thing is that the Bishop Pass is a backpacking sleeping bag with all of the bells and wells. Mountain Hardwear gives us a draft collar, and internal stash pocket,  a full lenght 2-way zipper with anti snag guards, and glow-in-the-dark zipper pulls. It’s a classic mummy shape to conserve heat, and the women’s version is narrowed at the shoulders and widened at the hips which we love.

It comes with a stuff sack and a home-storage bag. We haven’t tried this, but the listing claims it can be zipped to another compatible Mountain Hardwear sleeping bag with a right zipper to create a bed for two. That’s pretty neat!

Mountain Hardwear uses 650 fill-power down and a 20D nylon shell, which are not the lightest weight materials but it helps cut costs and also makes the bag very resistant to tears and snags.

With a +26 comfort limit, this bag will perform in most three-season conditions or even a bit colder, especially with a warm sleeping pad and clothing. There’s a full length draft tube down the zipper to prevent heat loss in this area, as well as an internal stash pocket (a feature we don’t see often but love!).

Verdict

This is a pretty solid sleeping bag for a solid price. Our biggest complaint is that it’s just kind of heavy and bulk.

Best Sleeping Bag For Backpacking Under $200

Kelty Cosmic 20 Sleeping Bag

If you have no more than $200 to spend on a backpacking sleeping bag, grab the Kelty Cosmic 20. Everything about it is basic, but it will keep you comfortably warm down to freezing. And it does so without entirely taking over your backpack or breaking the bank.

  • Weight: 42 oz
  • Price: $165
  • Down: 550 fill power hydrophobic duck down
  • Fill Weight: 16.4
  • Fabric: 20D nylon outer, 50D polyester inner
  • Down Vol: 9020 in³ | Down Vol/oz: 215 in³
  • ISO tested comfort: 32
  • Pros: Very affordable. Good value. Durable. Lots of features.
  • Cons: Heavy. Bulky.

Construction & Features

First of all, the price! Just $165 in a men’s size regular is about all you can ask.

The Kelty Cosmic 20 Sleeping Bag for backpacking saves the buyer money by utilizing 550 fill power down. We’re glad they’ve treated it to be hydrophobic. And while it’s objectively low grade, you still get the long-lasting, lightweight compressibility benefits of down plumage.

At 42 oz, it ain’t no ultralight sleeping bag, and it costs about 1/3 as much so no complaints. As far as features go, you get double separating zippers and a snag guard, as well as an internal stash pocket and a draft tube. Not bad!

Kelty notes that the Cosmic’s baffles are designed in a trapezoidal configuration which increases thermal efficiency. We’re not sure exactly how or why, but maybe there’s something to it.

The biggest travesty with this recommendation, however, is that the women’s model costs $50 more. That’s because women sleep colder, so to earn the same 20 degree rating/32 degree comfort rating, it requires significantly more down insulation which adds cost. It’s also widened at the hips and narrowed at the shoulders for a better fit.

Verdict

All said and done, this is a popular, easily found sleeping bag for $200 or less that keep campers warm down to freezing. It’s the best budget down bag we know of.

Best Backpacking Sleeping Bag Accessories

Best Backpacking Sleeping Pad

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT Sleeping Pad

New for 2023, the Therm-a-rest NeoAir XLite NXT (shop now) is currently the undisputed best performance sleeping pad for backpacking that money can buy, and it has no equal. It is statistically superior in almost every way and across all measurements when compared to all other sleeping pads. Read more in our full-length Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT Review.

  • Price: $210
  • Weight: 13 oz
  • R-Value: 4.5 | R-Value/Weight: .35
  • Thickness: 3”
  • Fabric: 30d
  • Sizes: Regular Short, Regular, Regular Wide, Large
  • Pros: Comfy. Thick. Ultralight. Very High R-Value-to-weight.
  • Cons: Expensive.

Features

NXT’s R-Value of 4.5 is one of the highest among three season pads, and with a weight of only 13.0 oz, it’s also one of the very lightest. It’s so far ahead of the pack, that compared to the second best sleeping pad, its R-value-to-weight ratio is 24% higher.

XLite NXT is no slouch on comfort either. Now with an additional half inch of thickness compared to the original, XLite NXT is 3” thick, which means you can basically ignore small roots and divots in the ground, and side and back sleepers will be happier. And what’s more, compared to previous editions, it’s designed to be much quieter.

While it’s definitely still a bit crinkly, we’d describe the overall volume as average and acceptable. At time of publishing, Therm-a-Rest states it is six times quieter than the original XLite on their homepage. While it did get noticeably quieter, our experience did not indicate 6X.

Inflation with NXT can be a bit of a chore considering how thick the pad is. But the “winglock” valve is excellent, and you don’t have to constantly tighten it in between breaths or pumps. The 30D fabric is very durable, and you shouldn’t have any problems so long as you aren’t using it on scratchy surfaces.

Verdict

This is the best overall sleeping pad for backpacking that has ever been manufactured, and we can’t wait for you to try it out! Enjoy!

Best Backpacking Pillow

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Stuff Sack Pillow

We love the 9L Hyperlite Mountain Gear Stuff Sack Pillow for dry gear storage and improving quality of sleep.

  • Weight 1.7 oz
  • Price: $59
  • Size: 12×17″
  • Fabric: DCF 8, 100 weight-fleece lining
  • Pros: Comfy. Doubles as dry bag stuff sack. Ultralight.
  • Cons: Doesn’t work if you’re wearing all of your layers to bed.

Features and Verdict

A great 2-for-1. Constructed with waterproof durable Dyneema, zipper access, and a reversible fleece interior lining for pillow-mode. It gives a lot of utility for 1.7 ounces.

The large size fits a puffy jacket and/or some extra layers. We find it is comfier than inflatable pillows. Grab one of these, you will not regret it!

Best Ultralight Dry Bag

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Roll Top Stuff Sack

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Roll Top Stuff Sack is a classic dry bag made out of Dyneema. The DCF11 fabric is extremely durable, lightweight, long lasting, completely waterproof, and just feels indestructible and high quality.

  • Weight: 2.0 oz
  • Price: $79
  • Materials: DCF11
  • Volume: 43 L
  • Pros: Ultralight. Ultra durable. Best-in-class. Voluminous.
  • Cons: Expensive.

Sizes

The 25L size L is probably the most universal, but we love the 43L XL, which is . 4oz heavier and big enough to store a 4-season sleeping bag, puffy, and all extra clothes without over compressing.

If you’re going to spend that much on one dry bag, you might as well get the one size that fit’s all. And it’s compatible with winter camping bulk.

Verdict

This is an excellent ultralight dry bag fit for an ultralight backpack. For less expensive (but less durable) ultralight dry bags, turn to the Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Dry Bags.

Best Down Wash

Nikwax Down Wash Direct

When you notice your down sleeping bag or jacket starting to look a bit less puffy than it used to be, it’s time to use Nikwax Down Wash Direct. By cleaning the plumes, you reinvigorate the down’s loftiness, re-puff the baffles, and ultimately increase the warmth retention of the garment.

  • Weight: 0 oz | Price: $13
  • Technology: Down-safe soap.
  • Pros: Renews loft. Cleans. Safe. Biodegradable.
  • Cons: Never quite restores 100% of original loft.

Features and Verdict

We tend not to get our down pieces very dirty in the first place, but still like to wash them about once per year of heavy use, or every other year with moderate to light use. Down washing is an important and underrated aspect of gear maintenance and most people do it too infrequently.

Nikwax recommends using this detergent in the tub for large garments like sleeping bags, or a large professional-grade front loading washing machine. Dry it out afterwards by tubmle drying on low heat settings. It even works on DWR-treated hydrophobic down. The only bummer is that even a thorough washing and drying will only restore the down to about 90% of its original puffiness.

The wear and tear caused by bodyweight and compression storage will slowly degrades the plumes, and you will never quite get a full factory reset.

But that’s not Nikwax’s fault, and we highly recommend Nikwax Down Wash Direct to get the most out of your down products.

 

Best Repair Patch

Gear Aid Tenacious Tape Repair Patch

For small to mediums sized rips and tears, we prefer using a Gear Aid Tenacious Tape Repair Patch, precut in a hexagonal shape.

  • Weight: 0.1 oz (once applied)
  • Price: $5
  • Technology: Tenacious Tape
  • Cons: Long lasting. Works in backcountry. Very adhesive. Waterproof.
  • Cons: Requires smooth surfaces

About

When applied to a smooth, relatively clean surface, the repair patches are incredibly long lasting and durable. The adhesive is significantly stickier than duct tape. The patch itself is waterproof and will prevent leaks. We recommend the hex shaped patches because the corners are less sharp than rectangles, thus less prone to catching and peeling.

These repair patches work on tents, backpacks, rain jackets, hiking clothes, and pretty much any other fabric item that can be laid flat and smoothed out. However, they won’t work well on textured surfaces, like shoes or mesh.

Verdict

Nonetheless, Gear Aid makes a best in class product that should be a staple in every hikers repair kit, especially those who use ultralight tents with thin fabric. We always carry them and you should too.

 

Video Overview of the Best Ultralight Sleeping Bags

Ultralight Sleeping Bag Buyer Information

What makes it an ultralight sleeping bag

For the sake of this guide, we consider any sleeping bag for backpacking that is comfort-rated down to freezing and weighs less than 24 oz in standard/medium/regular sizing to be an ultralight sleeping bag. However, there is no technical definition, and weight benchmarking is also relative to the temperature rating that you are shopping.

For 30 degree bags, we might consider the cut off to be 20 oz since they require less materials. And for 10 degree bags, closer to 30 oz, since they require more down, more fabric to contain the down, and extra interior space to layer.

Why focus on 20 degree sleeping bags for backpacking

For ease of comparison, this buyer’s guide focuses exclusively on 3-season sleeping bags for backpacking with 15-20 degree ratings in their product name. This translates to a 25-30 degree lower comfort limit, which we feel is the most useful, all-purpose insulation level which provides a few degrees of buffer below the lowest temperatures most backpackers will experience in a season.

However just about any sleeping bag for backpacking can also be purchased in 0, 10, and 30 degree versions, and the same recommendation qualifiers apply when comparing models. Unsurprisingly, the best overall 20 degree backpacking sleeping bag is also the best overall 30 degree backpacking sleeping bag.

Warmth-to-weight ratio is key for ultralight sleeping bags

Sleeping bags for backpacking have one main job – keep us warm. And so long as they’re doing that, the next most important thing is not to weigh down the backpack when carried.

That’s why our guide focuses on warmth-to-weight ratio as the ultimate measure of performance for backpacking sleeping bags. We’ll pass on all of the bells and whistles, so long as you give us a high warmth-to-weight sleeping bag at a good price.

Most features are nice, but not necessary

While significantly less important than having a good warmth-to-weight ratio, other features are worth considering to evaluate the entire user experience. Zipper snag guards, and the ability to cinch down around your head or neck are the two most important. But beyond that, which are worth their weight is fairly subjective.

Convertible blankets are very nice, especially in summer. We usually prefer a sleeping bag for backpacking wit  a sewn footbox to ventilated ones for maximizing warmth-to-weight. But an exception would be made for 30 degree summer backpacking sleeping bags. Internal pockets are generally unnecessary, and we rarely go for draft collars except when winter camping.

a woman uses a therm-a-rest sleeping bag or quilt in the desert

Zpacks raises the bar for ultralight sleeping bags

And speaking of the very best, you will notice that three of our favorite ultralight sleeping bags, including our top pick, are manufactured by one brand – Zpacks. Applying strict ultralight design methodology, Zpacks has created a range of sleeping bags for backpacking with objectively higher warmth-to-weight ratios than their competitors and completely raised the bar when it comes to performance and versatility.

To rate any other ultralight sleeping bag above theirs would be dishonest gear reviewing, and we sing their praises loudly and proudly. Go Zpacks!

Down and fill power

High quality down plumes are the most important part of a backpacking sleeping bag’s ability to loft and insulate. Down plumes are rated according to the amount of square inch volume taken up by one ounce. 900+ fill power is considered the loftiest, highest quality, most expensive down.

A sleeping bag for backpacking with fill power ranging from 850-950 is considered good. Fill powers from 750-850 are mid-tier. 550-750 is now considered low grade.

We’ve even noticed 1,000 fill power down being used recently, and while this is a strict performance upgrade, we’re worried that the most voluminous plumes would also be most susceptible to damage with use over time, and quickly degrade to a 900 fill power level, thus making paying extra for it a poor long term investment.

Will higher fill powers continue to be offered as we get better at sifting the best plumes to the top? We will report back as we learn more.

Down vs synthetic insulation for backpacking sleeping bags

As of 2023, high fill power down (900+) still outperforms synthetic insulation in warmth-to-weight, which is why all of the best performing ultralight sleeping bags are still filled with plumes. But technology creeps forward, and every year brings us closer to the day when synthetics surpass down in terms of performance.

At time of posting, top tier synthetic insulation appears to be edging out low-to-mid-tier down fill power, and is creeping towards equalling 800 fill power. And when manufactured with recycled materials, synthetics are beginning to appear as the more ethical choice too. We’re keeping our eye on the development of synthetic insulation for backpacking sleeping bags, and will report back as developments occur in this niche.

Fabrics and ultralight sleeping bags for backpacking

The best ultralight sleeping bag fabrics are the lightest ones that reliably encase down, and are just durable enough for backcountry use. To maximize warmth-to-weight, it is important to minimize fabric, as it is a low contributor of insulation. Ripstop nylon still reigns supreme here, and we prefer it in 7 denier (7D). If you’re hard on gear, we recommend you find a sleeping bag for backpacking with a 10D+ Ripstop nylon.

Backpacking Sleeping Bag Baffles

From a performance perspective, it is preferable to sew vertical baffles (paralleling the body) along the chest and legs of a sleeping bag. This is compared to horizontal baffles (running perpendicular to the body) in which gravity will slowly cause down plumes to drift off the top center of the body and down to the lower sides. This exposes a cold spot directly on top of the sleeper and must be prevented. This is a particularly egregious problem for side sleepers, who should make sure their sleeping bag for backpacking has vertical baffles from the hips up.

Ultralight Quilt > Ultralight Sleeping Bag

It is our long-held belief that the best ultralight quilt will easily outperform the best ultralight sleeping bag for backpacking in terms of warmth-to-weight, value, and overall user experience. Quilts are composed only of the three hardest working parts of a sleeping bag (top, sides, footbox) and cut the three least hard working parts (zipper, hood, back).

Compared to down and nylon, zippers are relatively heavy and provide no insulation. Compared to fully lofted down on the top and sides of a sleeping bag, down that is compressed underneath the weight of your body and hood is relatively ineffective. By doing away with zippers, backs, and hoods, camp quilts reduce production cost, save weight, shave the least effective components, and increase warmth-to-weight ratio.

When not testing a sleeping bag for backpacking, we always choose a quilt. But we understand why people love sleeping bags. The sensation of fully zipping up and tucking into the hood is cozy and hits just right. That’s why we fully endorse the ultralight sleeping bags in this guide. But if you want to crank up performance even higher, check out our buyer’s guide for the best ultralight quilts.

Hoodless Backpacking Sleeping Bags > Hooded

Similar to quilts but not quite as minimalist, we also like a hoodless ultralight sleeping bag chassis over traditional models. Along with the zipper and back, the hood is one of the three least hard working parts of a backpacking sleeping bag, and by removing it, the warmth-to-weight ratio is improved.

Maintaining an Ultralight Sleeping Bag For Backpacking

While unpacking from your trip, make sure to dry out and re-fluff your backpacking sleeping bag. We recommend running it through a front loading dryer on low for 10 minutes, or until dry. Store it in the big cotton bag it came with rather than compressed in a dry bag. If you notice that your sleeping bag is slowly losing loft, try washing it with Nikwax downwash.

With use over time dirt and body oils will slowly start to penetrate the fabric and build up on the plumes. This degrades their loftiness, thus decreasing the insulating ability of your sleeping bag. We find that washing resuscitates down up to 90% of its original off-the-shelf performance, and we try to do it about once every other year for high-use backpacking sleeping bags.

a woman gazes onto a glacier while testing the best backpacking quilts and sleeping bags

Conclusion Ultralight Sleeping Bags For Backpacking 

The best sleeping bag for backpacking is such because it has a high warmth to ratio, and a low total weight. The ultralight sleeping bags in this buyer’s guide have the highest warmth-to-weight ratios according to our predictive model. Ultralight sleeping bags from Zpacks are a notch above the rest in this way, and they manufacture all three of the best performing sleeping bags available.

But great bags are produced by a variety of brands, and at a variety of price points, and any one on this list would make for your next great backpacking sleeping bag.

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