To better make sense of it all, we highlight some of our favorite bags that span different materials, weights, warmth ratings, and applications. We tested these bags on family camping trips, ozark trail chair fast and light backpacking adventures, and remote winter expeditions. We present them here in the hope that you can find the best sleeping bag for you, no matter your needs or budget.
These include insulation type, temperature, weight, packed size, and comfort. We’ll break down these factors below to ensure you can be confident in your selection. In this review, we highlight our favorite sleeping bags from a range of sleeping bag categories. We sent bags on trips to Nepal, Bolivia, Argentina, and Tajikistan, as well as plenty of less exotic locales closer to home. All in all, our team of reviewers spent more than a thousand nights testing different sleeping bags so you can be sure the knowledge shared here is thorough, informed, and unbiased.
Please note, a stock image is included to provide you with a visual snapshot of this item that we could not capture otherwise. I think the expensive bags are just marketing and overengineering, unless you are going to the arctic. You can buy an expensive ozark trail chair bag if you think it will make you more hardcore, but I will gladly tell everyone how hardcore you are if you pay me to do so. We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.
The length of a sleeping bag is unquestionably important, but the horizontal measurements should also be considered. Women’s sleeping bags incorporate design features to meet women’s unique anatomy. Often, women’s bags are designed with wider hip dimensions and narrower shoulder dimensions. Women typically sleep colder than men, so sleeping bags marketed toward women usually have more conservative temperature ratings. This can also translate into a bargain when women’s bags incorporate extra insulation but are sold at the same price. See the Best Sleeping Bags for Women review to read more about our top sleeping bags in this category.
You can find a more thorough discussion of our favorite down models in our best backpacking sleeping bag review. The biggest differentiating factor for sleeping bag selection is the location you plan to camp and, more specifically, how far you will be from motorized transportation. If your camping plans will keep you close to your car, we recommend shopping for a ‘car camping’ sleeping bag. This type of bag usually prioritizes comfort and cost savings. For human-powered adventures further afield, weight and packed size become paramount. Models that exhibit these characteristics we label as ‘backpacking’ sleeping bags.