Sleeping Bags

Get a Good Night’s Sleep with the Best Sleeping Bags

A good night’s rest while camping begins with a good sleeping bag.  There are many different types and styles of sleeping bags available that provide a soft, comfortable place to rest.  You don’t need a fancy or expensive bag.  Many brands make a good sleeping bag for a reasonable price.

The best sleeping bag for you depends on what type of camper you are.   Are you a warm weather car camper?  Then a basic sleeping bag will be fine.  If you camp in cold weather then you will need more features to make sure you stay warm.  The temperature rating of the bag will help you identify the best choice for the climate in which you will be in.  If it was too warm and muggy or if it was cool and you were cold all night then you probably won’t be the happiest camper in the morning.

To pick the best one for you, look at the choices you have for several features.

• The temperature rating determines how cold it can be outside and the bag will still keep you warm.
• The most common choices for insulation are synthetic or down.
• The common shapes are rectangular, semi-rectangular or barrel, and mummy.  These can be with our without a hood.
• Additional features all add to the ease and convenience of your sleeping bag.

What Does the Temperature Rating Tell Me?

The temperature rating of a sleeping bag indicates the coldest temperature in which that sleeping bag will keep you warm.  The temperature rating provided for a sleeping bag is only a suggested guideline to use as a starting point. There are many factors that will affect how warm you will be in that sleeping bag.  Click here or on the image below to see a short video on selecting the right sleeping bag temperature.

Many factors will play a part in determining what will be the best temperature rating for you.  Do you tend to be hot or cold when you sleep?  How does the bag fit?  Do you have minimal air space to keep warm?  What type of tent are you using?  Will it keep you warm, or is it a summer tent with the temps cooling off outside?

Three Season sleeping bags are a good investment if you camp often and want a bag that is versatile and functional.  Visit our page  ‘The Sleeping Bag’s Temperature Rating‘ for more considerations on determining the best temperature rating for you.

What Type of Insulation is Best?

Down and synthetic are the two choices for insulation.

Down provides the most warmth.  It is very durable and lightweight. With proper care and cleaning it will last a lifetime.

The synthetic sleeping bags are easy to care for, as most can be machine washed. They are resistant to moisture, but if they do get wet will dry quickly, just put it out in the sun for a while.  

See our page on “Sleeping Bag Insulation” for more details to consider in making your selection for the best bag.

What Shape is Best?

The common shapes for sleeping bags are rectangular, semi-rectangular or barrel, and mummy.

The rectangular bags give you the most room to toss and turn. With the extra space they are also the most comfortable, so are great for summer camping when you don’t need to worry about keeping warm.

The semi-rectangular or barrel falls between the rectangular and the mummy. These bags are tapered at the feet and expand at the shoulders to give you more upper body room. 

The mummy bags are designed for and are the best for keeping you warm! The narrow taper at the feet expands to the shoulders, and then it narrows around your neck and head, where the hood will keep your head warm.

Kid sleeping bags can also be found with each of these shapes.  Visit our page ‘Sleeping Bags — The Best Shape‘ for more things to consider when selecting the best shape for your new bag.

What Other Features Do I Look For?

Check the zipper, it must be strong and durable.  It should have large teeth and include an anti-snag strip behind it.   Based on if you are left-handed or right-handed, look for a bag where the zipper is on the opposite side of your dominant hand as you naturally reach across to open and close the bag.  If you want to zip two bags together to have one large bag for two of you then get two bags that will fit together with one that opens on the left and one that opens on the right.

Stuff bags are great for carrying your bag.  The stuff bag can be used as a pillowcase by filling it with extra clothes.  But do not store the sleeping bag in the stuff bag.  Remove it to preserve the insulation fluff.

Definitely get a sleeping bag with a water-resistant outer shell.   Accessory pockets are also a nice feature to have and allow you to keep personal things close while sleeping.

Many bags include a sleeve on the back to insert a pad for added comfort.   Pads are usually available made to fit the specific bag.

Check the warranty to see what the manufacturer will cover and for how long.  Be sure to keep this information in a safe place. 

How Should I  Care for and Store My Sleeping Bag?

Store your sleeping bags un-stuffed.  Hang it up or fold it loosely.  This will allow the down clusters to stay puffed so they will keep their loft.  If they are compressed for any length of time they will not expand back to their fullest.  If you need to wrap or cover the bag, use a loose breathable fabric like cotton.  Do not store in plastic bags.

The safest and best way to clean your down bag is dry cleaning.  Follow the manufactures recommendations carefully.  If you must wash the bag it is important to use a loft soap or detergent especially designed for use with down.  Place in the dryer and use only a very low heat setting or use the air fluff setting.  Then lay it out in the open for a few days to allow it to get completely dry.  Hanging or laying it out outside on a dry, breezy day works very well.

The synthetic bags are machine washable, so easy to care for.  Like the down bags, make sure it is completely dry before putting in storage.  Leave out in the open for a few days before packing it away.  Again, check the manufacturers recommendations and follow exactly.

A sleep sheet will protect your sleeping bag if you use it often, and it is also easier to wash!

Select the BEST Sleeping Bag for You!

There are many brands of quality sleeping bags available.   Below are just a few of the excellent sleeping bags available today.  Click on the image or link for each to learn more about each bag pictured.   Agnes makes a great sleeping bag, as we haven’t met anyone who didn’t love their Agnes sleeping bag!  Eureka, Marmot and Kelty also make a quality product. 

Rectangular Sleeping Bags
Gander Mountain Rifle River Duck Canvas Sleeping Bag, 20F This bag is rugged and comfortable with a soft flannel lining.  This large rectangular bag gives you extra space for a roomier fit.  The canvas shell is extremely durable and prepares you for all your outdoor adventures while the synthetic fill keeps you warm!  This bag has a full-sized hood, and it has draw cords so you can cinch up the top and hood to retain more heat.
The North Face Dolomite 40F/4C Sleeping Bag, Regular, RH The North Face Dolomite is a very lightweight sleeping bag with synthetic fill that will keep you warm as it has a great warmth-to-weight ratio.  It includes an internal zippered pocket to keep small things close by.  The bag also comes with a roll-top stuff sack.
GM Eagle Lake Sleeping Bag, 40F   Cover up in comfort with the Gander Mountain Eagle Lake Sleeping Bag. This bag offers the protective, lightweight warmth of TechLoft+ insulation, and has an adjustable drawcord to cinch up the top for added heat retention. The separating zipper allows two like bags to be zipped together for larger coverage.

 

Barrel and Mummy Sleeping Bags

The Nemo Rhumba follows your body’s contours to give you the most comfort and keep you warm and toasty. Nemo Rhumba 30 Regular  The Nemo Rhumba™ features the Spoon™ shape design that is perfect for side sleepers.  It provides a more comfortable night’s sleep for those who don’t want the constraints of a traditional mummy bag… [More]  Watch a brief video demonstrating the great features of the Nemo Rhumba by clicking here. Price: $259.95  Buy Now

The Big Agnes Big Creek has an integrated pad sleeve. Never roll off your pad again! Big Agnes Big Creek 30 Degree  This Big Agnes double wide is perfect for two people who enjoy 3-season camping!  Each person has a no-draft collar to seal around the neck and keep the cold air out.  With Big Agnes, the pad slides into an integrated sleeve on the bottom of the bag,… [More] Price: $239.95 Buy Now

Women love the Big Agnes Roxy Ann women’s mummy bag! It gives you an extra 2″ of girth in the hip area. Big Agnes Roxy Ann 15 Degree  The Roxy Ann 15 Degree Petite Sleeping Bag is for adventurous women who aren’t willing to compromise on comfort or performance … [More] Price: $269.95 Buy Now

The Big Agnes Whiskey Park Zero Degree bag will keep you warm in even the coldest conditions! Big Agnes Whiskey Park  Zero Degree Long The Big Agnes Whiskey Park is an oversized rectangular bag designed for big guys or those that just want more space…. [More] Price: $199.95 Buy Now

Good for 3 seasons, it’s got smart features like a thermal comfort hood and top draft collar that will keep every woman on the trail cozier (and happier) than ever. Kelty Women’s Cosmic 20 Degree DriDown Built for women by women, the Kelty Women’s Cosmic 20 DriDown Mummy Sleeping Bag ups the hot factor. Toastier and dryer than ever, it includes the added warmth of 600-fill hydrophobic DriDown™ to defend against moisture in conditions that are cold and wet. … [More] Price: $159.95 Buy Now

The synthetic fill makes this mummy bag a good option even in damp or humid conditions. Marmot Trestles 15 Degree Mummy The Marmot Trestles 15 Degree Down Mummy Sleeping Bag is an affordable, no-frills offering for three-season camping… [More] Price: $99.98 Buy Now

 

^{We have created this website, and it includes input from friends who love to camp.  Send any questions about this website toinfo@thebestcampingtips.com.  There are no sponsorships or paid topic insertions included on this website.  However, if you purchase something from the merchants featured on this website we may receive a commission for traffic directed from our site.  These commissions are also compensation for our opinion and analysis on products and services offered by these merchants.  We give our honest opinions and findings based on our research and experiences.  All views expressed are our own.  All product claim, stats, or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider.}