Best Sleeping Bag
There are many factors that can make or break your decision when buying a sleeping bag. It depends on where it’s being used, what temperature is the environment, the type of filling that is inside, even whether or not is has a zipper. A lot of options are available in many different combinations. It can be kind of overwhelming. And of course you want it to be affordable, whatever that may mean to you.
Here is a list of the Best Sleeping Bag
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Spending a night sweating or shivering is not any way to enjoy a trip into the great outdoors. Trust me, I know. A good sleeping bag is essential and splurging a little was worth it. There are so many factors to consider that it was a little overwhelming to even remember them all.
I have allergies so I know how that can make a search a little more difficult. There are plenty of alternatives to down that I’ve found available that are just as good, if not better. Synthetic filled bags are not only down-free, but handle wet conditions a little better. They also end up a little heavier than their down filled counterparts.And you know, a heavier bag means more weight on my back. A lighter one helps when lugging around the nights’ shelter along with a huge backpack. And all the other supplies necessary for a successful trip.
A combination of all of the above both existed and almost existed to my needs and/or desires. Either way, it was easy to compromise by tailoring my needs and wants a little more.
My budget had the most money set aside for my sleeping bag. A high-end bag can cost up to $500 but a budget friendly one can be around $150. Either way, it was worth spending money to be comfortable during my sleep. Especially since I was sleeping outside with a tent, or even without.
I knew I wanted to keep an eye out for some main important features. The predicted weather of my destination helped me choose the right range of temperature for my sleeping bag. I’m a hot sleeper, always waking up to turn on the AC or shoving off a blanket. I knew this and kept it in mind during my search. Knowing and evaluating which would be the most comfortable for you is crucial for survival and your comfort. Also keep in mind that mother nature isn’t always predictable. Preparation is key.
Two more factors to consider are the size and weight. You’ll not only want to balance the weight with the temperature but with the size as well. I’ve found that carrying something warmer isn’t always better than carrying something lighter.
The type also affects how much room I have to move around. I like having a little room to move, so mummy bags weren’t high on my list. However, mummy bags are a little better with its insulation keeping in heat. There are rectangular and semi-rectangular sleeping bags, as well as the mummy, all pictured above. There’s an option for everybody who wants to explore the wilderness.
Something else I wanted to pay attention to since I was headed to a known rainy area, was the DWR treatment. Durable water repellent is a nice feature that pools water into tiny droplets instead of letting it soak in. It wears off after a while, but can be reapplied and is a really cool feature to have. Some water protection is better than none after all.
Down filling vs. synthetic is something that may not be as big of a deal to some than it is to others. I have a mild allergy as I mentioned but down was still an option for me.Regardless of that, they’re both pretty good at what they do.
Down has its benefits of having more compression and lasting a little longer than their synthetic counterparts. Synthetic fillings, however, dry faster and retain heat better when wet. They’re also cheaper but heavier with the type of filling used. I had to make some sacrifices in my pack to be able to carry mine.
Overall, there are a lot of really important things that affects my trips to the outdoors. Choosing something that fit my needs and comfort is difficult but not completely impossible now that I understand what I’m looking for.
These are the top 5 best sleeping bags that I think should definitely be considered in your search. They’re all really great in their own ways. There’s no particular order to this list so don’t let that sway you in any type of way. Price wasn’t something that I considered so most of these are on the higher side of things. Neither was fill type since I wanted to try everything.
Top 5 Best Sleeping Bag
1 - Nemo Tango Solo
I love this sleeping bag. Ignoring the fact that it’s down, it was versatile and spread out as large as a full sized bed. The rectangular style was perfect and gave me room to move my feet around. It’s 30 degrees and super lightweight. It has a backless design, though, which was a little weird at first. I got used to it though, and think it’s a very sensible feature. When down is compressed it loses warmth, so it’s much better to be where it needs to.
2 - Marmot ION
At 850+ fill power, this bag has hydrophobic down concentrated exactly where it needs to be. A body-mapped insulated sleeping bag that doesn’t add any extra weight sounded great. And it was, keeping the most important parts of my body extra warm. and has maximum efficiency. It also has an anatomically designed foot box to help keep your feet comfortable as possible. If you like them that way. It’s great in the rain, staying warm throughout.
3 - Therm-a Rest Ventana
The Therm-a Rest Ventana has amazing versatility. Drafts didn’t stand a chance and it was beautifully comfortable. The hollow microfiber polyester fill retains warm amazingly when wet. I know there’s always stuff said about warm when wet’ not being possible, but it was good for what it did do. It held up for some rainy warm weather that came out of nowhere.
4 - Sierra Designs Backcountry
This nylon 850-fill sleeping bag is zipper-less, cordless, and has no Velcro to bother with while trying to get in and out of your bag. It’s versatile and has these really cool hand/arm pockets that are insulated. I had a little too much fun with those. This one has a foot box too, but there was still no eerily loud zipper opening at 3 in the morning when I had to pee. That was a huge plus for me.
The duck down insulation keeps warmer and stays drier while being super comfy. The opening is catenary shaped, allowing you to exit by pushing out while drafts are sealed away. The width being small than the rest of the bag gives it that name.
5 - Sea to Summit Spark II
The Pertex Quantum shell of this sleeping bag has minimal bulk and a light weight. It has a 55/45 fill ratio. The draw cord around the hood is there to help keep out the cold and keep your head consistently warm. I didn’t like that very much since the cord felt a little unsafe. The bag itself has different fill concentration, focusing on core body warmth. This is a minimalist bag for colder temperatures and works beautifully. There are two other versions of this sleeping bag one for colder weather and the other for warmer. It really is versatile for all the possible situations as long as you find the right one.
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