A Beginners Guide to Choosing the Right Sleeping Bag
6 Months of Research and My Successful Buyer's Story
Ah, the sleeping bag. So warm. So cozy. So expensive.
A few years back I found myself in the needs-better-gear camp (pun intended). One item in particular was my sleeping bag. I had been using my mother's North Face hand me down. It was originally a quality sleeping bag, just heavily used and over 40 years old. After one cold, cold night, sleeping at 11,000 feet in the bed of a truck in every item of clothing I brought with me, I decided I could use an upgrade.
When it comes to expensive items, I am a researcher. I started down a sleeping bag rabbit hole. Looking at used versus new, the best brands, gender-specific (you'll want to read this section), what the heck is down fill power, and, of course, down versus synthetic. Here's what I found:
Used VS New: Is there a difference?
When it comes to used camp gear, there are items you can save a lot of money on. Roof racks, lanterns, tarps are items that I would suggest buying used. It's easy to see the damage, you can test if they work or fit, and (and here's the kicker) you don't have to worry about bodily fluids.
Ok, that's gross, but you know it's true.
When it comes to sleeping bags, I suggest buying new. Yes, you can clean a sleeping bag, but it's a pain, requires a specific type of detergent and large dryer, and most importantly there is the issue of sleeping bag care. You want to know if the previous owner took care of their bag. Did they store it in it's stuff sack year round? If so, the down may have lost its loft which means less distribution throughout the bag and less warmth.
Avoid the questions on this one and save up and buy new. You'll be happy when you're resting easy with your new purchase (dad joke). 😛
Best Brands: Recommendations Based on Quality
Determine which brands are quality in the niche world of camping can take up a lot of time and energy. There are a lot of brands out there that might not have a lot of name recognition but make solid gear. REI is a great place to start, but even they don't carry some of the better brands. During my research, I found that our local mountaineering shop, Neptune Mountaineering, was more knowledgeable and carried some niche brands in the realm of sleeping bags.
There are practices, such as live plucking, that is harmful to our feathery friends, and poor working conditions that are brutal for our non-feathery friends that we try to keep in mind when making recommendations. Here are a few brands that hold themselves to high standards, and are known for the quality of their gear.
*As a side note, I am in no way affiliated with these brands. That would be nice, but now you know that these are truly my recommendations.
Western Mountaineering
They are expensive, but damn they know their stuff. This is kind of their bread and butter, so they make sure to provide you with the best bag. It might not be fancy and they won't have any bells and whistles, but if you're looking for a bag that's sole purpose is to keep you cozy and last a long time, they are perfect. Few retailers carry these bags and their website is, well, not good. I recommend just visiting the Neptune site for more information.
Link: Western Mountaineering
Montbell
This is a Japanese brand that specializes in down gear. Whether it's a jacket or a sleeping bag, they make sure you stay warm. Like Western Mountaineering, they keep their bags simple. You won't find extra pockets or places to zip in your sleeping pad. However, they are known for keeping their prices reasonable and being upfront with their products. Their temperature levels are based on comfort rather than lowest-temperature limit like most companies show. Plus, they give multiple options with different levels of down. If you're wondering what "levels of down" means, keep reading. Knowing this can be key to your decision.
Link: Montbell
Sea to Summit
Sea to Summit is an Australian brand that is creating some really cool products. They are changing up the backpacking scene with lightweight and easily packable gear. If you're more of the carry-my-stuff-on-my-back adventurer, they have a lot of options for you. They offer a multitude of synthetic and down sleeping bags as well as gender-specific, which can be nice if you are a shorter woman and don't need or want that extra space at the foot of your bag. They also like to pair their bags with their sleeping pads (also a great product). If you do need both items, there are benefits of staying on brand.
Link: Sea to Summit
NEMO
Over on the east coast, NEMO is a brand which stemmed from a backpacker's frustration with subpar gear. They pride themselves in innovative designs that just make sense. NEMO can be on the expensive side if you want a down bag, but their bags come with some fun and thoughtful features. On the technical side, they focus on comfort, adding room in areas that sleepers like to stretch out and are happy to mix down with synthetic in areas that heat tends to escape. They've found a way to add places for your phone, a slot for your pillow, and a few other unconventional ideas in the antiquated world of camping.
Link: NEMO
Women VS Men: Does Gender Specificity Matter?
Sorry, ladies, but looks like you will be spending more on this one. There is a little piece of information that companies leave out when selling sleeping bags. Like a lot of other things in this world, the sleeping bag industry revolves around men and their comfort level.
While, it's most likely that a woman camper won't need to buy a "long" bag, which is an option that most companies offer for those over 6 foot tall, women will probably have to buy a warmer bag.
Once you start your search, you'll notice they each have a degree that is the lowest temperature rating. Unless you are looking at a women's specific bag, this lowest temperature if for a man's body.
Why does that matter, you ask?
Men's comfort temperatures tend to run around 10 degrees warmer than a woman's. While this isn't perfect science, my guess is you've noticed this in your life already. Packing an extra layer when hiking when your guy friend is wearing a t-shirt, or opting for that blanket on the couch while the guy next to you is comfortable.
If you've noticed this, like I have, then you'll want to add 10 degrees to the temperature of the bag and ask yourself if you'll be warm enough. For example: if the gender-neutral bag is rated to 15°, you'll know that this can mean you'll be comfortable at 25°.
Does this mean that women should just buy women-specific bags? No, I would not limit you to gender-specific bags. A lot of the best companies don't make these. Simply know that you'll have to buy a warmer temperature bag. This will keep your options open to buying whatever bag you want and getting the best bag for you!
So, if you're camping in cold areas or high-elevation where the temperature drops quickly, you'll want to spend more on a warmer bag. Trust me, it will be worth it when the temperature is actually 15° and you're sleeping soundly in the back of a truck bed.
Wonders of Down: What the Heck is Down Fill Power?
Down fill power or down loft, is that number you will see when looking at down-filled bags: 650, 800, 850, and sometimes even 900. This is a number to keep an eye on. And, while this number isn't in indicator of how warm the bag will be (there is also the amount of down used that needs to be considered), this number plus the warmth rating tells you a lot.
So what is the difference between a 650 filled bag and a 900? Honestly, this depends on what type of camper you are.
If you're looking to save space in your backpack, the 900 bag will compress to the size of a water bottle and still keep you warm. The loft will expand more, and therefore, allow for your bag to allow for more insulation.
If you're looking for a warm bag, are less concerned with space, and more concerned with money, buy a lower level of loft. I would not recommend going below 650 for quality reasons.
*If you're worried about down sourcing, look for things like Responsible Down Standard or RDS Certified companies.
Down VS Synthetic: What’s the difference?
In my own research, this was a decision that I went back and forth on.
When it comes to choosing to spend more, and quite a bit more for down, you may be wondering, why not just choose synthetic. Well, depending on how you camp, synthetic might be great for you.
Buy a synthetic bag if you:
Don't mind the packing size being larger. Synthetic bags don't pack down as much and are bulkier. This can be an issue if you ever want to camp in the backcountry.
Don't mind a heavier bag. Again, synthetic is bulkier and heavier. If you're strictly car camping, this probably doesn't matter as much.
Worry about sleeping in a wet bag. Synthetic will do a better job of keeping you warm if your bag tends to get wet. This might be common if you're camping out in the open or if you camp in a humid area.
Have crazy allergies. Synthetic is the answer (thank goodness) for all those outdoor-loving, but hyper-allergenic individuals.
Buy a down bag if you:
Want a bag that is lightweight.
Want something compressible.
Want a bag that will last longer. A 30+ year old bag can look brand new if you take care of it. Read our post on Winterizing Your Camp Gear to learn more about responsible ownership.
More companies, like NEMO and Western Mountaineering, are treating their down with Hydrophobic or DWR. This is a way to make the down water-resistant. It will add to the expense, but can solve the biggest issue with down losing its insulation properties when wet.
So, what did I buy?
After all was said and done, I decided to go with a Montbell Down Hugger 650 #0 (or 0°).
What went into my decision:
I wanted to option to go backpacking.
I usually camp in colder conditions at higher elevations. 10°-30° nights are normal.
I liked that Montebell sources their down from sustainable companies and cares about the human component of down factories.
I live in Colorado, an extremely dry state. Few moisture problems here.
And, I just love the feel and coziness of down. It's like wrapping yourself in a cloud.
Oh, and, I was on a budget.
I've now had the Montbell bag for about 4 years and still love it. I've never been cold, it breathes fairly well in warmer weather, and it still looks brand new. It does take up about 1/3 of my backpacking bag, but I'm not an avid backpacker, so this is not a big issue for me personally.
I hope all of this has helped in your decision. There are a lot of amazing brands out there and this doesn't cover everything.
If you want a few quick questions for when you go into a store ask:
Where does this company source its down?
What is the fill and what is the warmth rating?
Is this gender specific or is this warmth rating for a male or female body temperature?
What is the warranty on this brand?
How much does it weigh and what does it pack down to.
I also suggest trying to pack it down yourself. I hate when packing a sleeping bag takes a degree in math and the muscles of Arnold Schwarzenegger.
These questions should at least get you a good idea if the bag is right for you and, if nothing else, make it seem like you know your shit.
Additional Resources:
Seven Horizons: Buying advice: Buying the Right Sleeping Bag for Hiking or Travel
Outdoor Gear Lab: Expert Advice on Choosing the Right Backpacking Sleeping Bag