Top 10 Best Sleeping Bags [2022 Reviews]

Quick Comparison: Top Sleeping Bags

1. ​Marmot Phase 20 (5.0 / 5.0)
2. Western Mountaineering UltraLite 20 Degree Sleeping Bag (4.8 / 5.0)
3. REI Co-op Magma 10 Sleeping Bag - Men's (4.5 / 5.0)
4. Revelation (5.0 / 5.0)
5. Marmot Trestles 20 Elite Sleeping Bag - Men's (4.8 / 5.0)

**Below, you'll find our expert's reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.

Elements to Consider While Choosing best backpacking sleeping bag

Temperature Rating

Always try to get the one which is rated for a typical temperature. You can unzip the sleeping bag if it is too warm or you can include additional liner for providing more warmth.

 The makers of the bags will list the ratings by EN 13537 standard, which includes four ratings like lower limit, maximum temperature, comfort temperature as well as extreme temperature.

Type of Insulation 

There are options like you can choose either synthetic or down or even a combination of both.

Down insulation type is expensive when compared to the other models. It compresses more and has got a good warmth-to-weight ratio. It last longer than the synthetic material.

On the other hand, synthetic insulation bags will help to retain the heat inside the tent better when wet. They weigh more and look much bulkier.

Weight and Roominess

While in a plan to hike, make sure that you keep the weight factor at minimal ratio. For a few, low weight will dominate roominess.

On the other hand, for some others, a roomy bag is worth a good choice as they wanted a good night’s sleep.

Sleeping Bag Features

Check for the additional factors which keep your bag at its best like the draft collars, hood styles, zippers and so on.

Bag Length

Check with the maker to know about the exact length of the sleeping bag which you are going to purchase for fitting your height. If the hiker is taller, then try getting a longer size as it may fit them correctly.

In a quilt model, choose the next size to pull the bag over your head for escaping yourself from the snowy nights.

Bag Width

Buy slim cut sleeping bags as they are really light weight and provides more warmth. Nowadays, sleeping bags comes with an option of choosing the width.

Having a little extra width will ensure that there won’t be any light breeze shifting around at night. This would be more helpful during more chilly nights.

Zipper Length

Choosing full length zippers are a good choice since they offer better ventilation when opened completely. By cutting down the length of the zippers, certain sleeping bags will lower their weight factor.

However, if you like your feet to be tucked inside, then shorter length zippers are also a good choice for you.

Face Fabric

The face fabric should be water-resistant, sturdy as well as breathable. Choosing a breathable fabric will prevent the formation of condensation within bag.

The water resistance feature is required for protecting the down fabric from the wetness. Make sure that the bag is abrasion-resistant as the durability of the sleeping bags depends on the permanence of face fabric

Style

There are different styles to choose from like quilt, mummy, envelope and wearable. Among these, mummy bags are rated as the most versatile ones owing to its top features.

They help to tightly enclose your body for the lower temperatures at night and have got zippers for providing ventilation during the extreme hot climates.

Size

The sleeping bags are available in two different sizes – long and regular size. Get L size if you are taller, say 6 ft.

Price

Even though sleeping bags are your most favorite piece of gear, it is the most expensive item in the backpack. Less expensive bags come around $150 range, while the high end ones cost approximately $500.

DWR

DWR or Durable water repellent is a feature which let the water content to bead-up on the outer portion of the bags instead of soaking in. The DWR will subside in due course and needs to be applied again. It does add an additional water protection to your sleeping bags.

How to Clean Sleeping Bags?

Regardless of the fibers used for the making of the sleeping bags, the dirt and your body oil will certainly affect the insulation of your bags. Ensure that you clean up the bag carefully once you are back to home after the trip.

Things to Consider While Hand-Washing Sleeping Bag!!!

In a bath with cold water, stir mild fabric soap until it is completely dissolved. Now place the bag as flat as possible into the solution being fully zipped.

In bare feet, step slowly into the bath tub and walk on it to ensure that it is fully sunken into the soapy solution. Unfilled the soapy bathwater and then pour cold water to it.

Step on the bag with your bare feet and walk over it to ensure that the soapy water is being emptied. Repeat this until all the soapy effect has been removed from the bag.

Once it is done, drain the bath and then roll the bag from the bottom portion. This will help you to squeeze the water content as much as possible from the bag and make it ready to dry.

Remember not to twist or wring the bag as cause damage to it. This is the simple manual version for those who are planning to hand wash.

Things to Consider While Machine Washing Sleeping Bag!!!

First and foremost, make sure that your bag can be machine washed. Now, turn on the machine and set to delicate wash under cold water option.

Now load the machine with the bag after unzipping it with a zip puller. Don’t use any kind of fabric softener, as there are chances to damage your sleeping bag.

You can keep tennis balls to avoid the clump formation. Once the machine wash is over, run it through yet another wash cycle to make sure that the soap content has been perfectly removed.

 Once this is over, take it out from the machine and place it on a flat table and roll it up from the down side. Keep in mind not to wring or scrunch up the bag as this may damage the filling and leads to cause clumping

Drying Your Sleeping Bag

It is always best to go for air-drying when you want to dry your sleeping bag. Even though it takes more time, it helps to protect the insulation as well as the outer shell from overheating.

On the other hand, if you are planning to tumble dry the bags then choose a very low heat setting and check whether they are having enough space to tumble freely.

While the bag is almost dried up, add a few clean tennis balls to remove the insulation clumps, if any.

 After washing, you can either hang it out, unzipped, on to a washing line or you can pop it into a large tumble dryer after setting low heat. Now again add some tennis balls to remove the clumps that may form during the drying cycle.

Review of some of the best Sleeping Bags

1. Marmot Phase 20 (5.0 / 5.0)
2. Western Mountaineering UltraLite 20 Degree Sleeping Bag (4.8 / 5.0)
3. REI Co-op Magma 10 Sleeping Bag - Men's (4.5 / 5.0)
4. Revelation (5.0 / 5.0)
5. Marmot Trestles 20 Elite Sleeping Bag - Men's (4.8 / 5.0)
6. Sawatch 15°F (5.0 / 5.0)
7. Patagonia 850 Down Sleeping Bag 19°F / -7°C – Regular (4.4 / 5.0)
8. NEMO Disco 15 Sleeping Bag (4.4 / 5.0)
9. Mountain Hardwear Lamina Z Flame Sleeping Bag (4.4 / 5.0)
10. The North Face Furnace 20 Sleeping Bag (4.5 / 5.0)

Our Recommendation

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Marmot Phase 20                    

​The Marmot Phase 20 sleeping bag is well noted for its exceptional temperature rating. Apart from being low in weight, the bag offers the best comfort as well as thermal efficiency. It offers more warmth than any other similar rated bags. The internal fabric used is silky and so provides a comfy feeling for your skin. The product comes with full length zipper.