Best Winter Sleeping Bags    

If you are a constant camper who wishes to explore the world irrespective of the outside weather, then the winter sleeping bag should be on your priority list. It is perhaps the most important piece of equipment to sleep comfortably in the cold nights. It decreases conductive heat loss and helps to keep the person warm and comfortable during the night time.

The warmth and the comfort of this sleeping bag depending on the quality and the amount of insulation along with many other factors. Choosing the best sleeping bag can be a tricky process and we are here to simplify the process for you and have listed the top best sleeping bags for your perusal.

 

Best Winter Sleeping Bags

---

Quick Answer: The 5 Best Winter Sleeping Bags – [2023]

1. Marmot Lithium 0F Degree Down Sleeping Bag
2. Nemo Sonic 800-Fill Down Sleeping Bag
3. Browning Camping McKinley -30 Degree Sleeping Bag
4. Coleman 0°F Mummy Sleeping Bag | North Rim Cold-Weather Sleeping Bag
5. Hyke & Byke Katahdin 15 & 0F 625 Fill Power Hydrophobic Sleeping Bag

---

Best Winter Sleeping Bags Reviews

---

#1. Marmot Lithium 0F Degree Down Sleeping Bag

 

This is an exceptional down sleeping bag that delivers exceptional mountaineering performance at temperatures that are as less as zero degrees. These sleeping bags make use of ultra-light fabric and the highest quality of goose down.

The bag is filled and finished at Rohnert Park, California, and is certified to have 850+ Fill power goose down. It’s down defender helps to improve water resistance in wet conditions. This sleeping bag has EN testing certification and comprises of Microlight shell and lining fabric.

This sleeping bag makes use of an ultra-light fabric with the highest quality of down, combining a minimalist design. Mountaineers and backpackers can make use of this bag as it is extremely lightweight.

The bag has an anatomically designed foot box with wrap-around construction to enhance warmth. It’s down defender feature enhances water resistance in wet conditions. The bag has an internal stash pocket and a snag-less draft tube. The bag has features two-way zipper sliders and a zipper garage.

#2. Nemo Sonic 800-Fill Down Sleeping Bag

 

This is an excellent winter sleeping bag that is capable of withstanding temperatures which are around -20 degrees. This sleeping bag features a draft collar and a draft tube to create a secure seal against the cold air. The sleeping bag has stuffed with 800 FP hydrophobic down that has RDS certification.

This bag features the best profile and a well-shaped foot box to help the person stay with utmost comfort even at the coldest of temperatures. The hood of this bag features drawstring cords that help in creating maximum thermal efficiency.

The bag also features stretch construction at the knees to allow side sleeping. Its toaster foot box allows in rendering expert foot comfort. Its waterproof and breathable layers include a layer of synthetic insulation to reduce cold spots.

The sleeping bag features an award-winning design that helps with temperature regulation in different mountain climates. Its adjusting thermo-gills vent body helps to heat the core without allowing cold air from rushing in.  You can roll from side to side in this sleeping bag, thanks to the stretch construction at the knee area.

#3. Browning Camping McKinley -30 Degree Sleeping Bag

 

This is an excellent winter sleeping bag with its outer shell composed of durable 210 T nylon diamond ripstop fabric. This fabric is paired with a polyester liner that will keep the person warm during extremes of weather.

This bag can withstand temperature up to -30 degrees and is filled with Tech loft silver insulation. The bag has insulation at the chest and the zipper baffle. Its two-layer construction helps to trap the maximum heat and prevents unnecessary cold spots.

This is a must to have camping bags and ranks on top of the best sellers list. The weight of this bag is 12 lbs. and its fill weight is a 160-ounce compression stuff sack. This bag is ideal for camping and hiking.

This mummy bag has the best warmth without many constraints and it is about 36 inches wide and 90 inches long. The rectangular design of this bag renders ample wiggle room and comfort for a full night’s sleep.

#4. Coleman 0°F Mummy Sleeping Bag | North Rim Cold-Weather Sleeping Bag

 

Mummy style adult sleeping bag for camping in temperatures as low as 0 degrees Fahrenheit. This bag is capable of accommodating people who are up to 6 feet and 2 inches in height. Its semi-sculpted hood tightens with a drawstring to seal in heat. Users can unzip the bottoms of this bag for additional ventilation on warm nights.

Its quilting construction, thermolock draft tube, and insulating foot box help in rendering ample warmth and heat retention for the campers. The Zip-Plow system helps to plow away any fabric to prevent snagging during the zipping of this sleeping bag.

With the help of this sleeping bag, one could sleep comfortably even at 0 degrees in the outside temperature. This mummy sleeping bag comes with a polyester ripstop cover and a polyester lining.

The bag will keep the users warm from top to bottom and its drawstring adjusting hood offers tremendous protection for the head and keeps it warm. Its special quilting construction eliminated all cold spots and its full-length draft tube block heat loss through the zipper. The box shape of this bag renders extra room to move the feet.

#5. Hyke & Byke Katahdin 15 & 0F 625 Fill Power Hydrophobic Sleeping Bag

 

It is possible to save space and weight with this hydrophobic sleeping bag. It is filled with 625 fill power cluster loft microfiber insulation. This zero-degree bag is compact, super light, and packs in a 625 fill power bag with ambient durability and moisture resistance.

The microscopic air cluster that is present in the bag traps heat and keeps the person warm. The extreme heat limit is 10 degrees F, and the lower limit is 15 degrees F. These are compact bags that are good for carrying, and they also have enough room for carrying the fleece blanket, silk liner, and a sleeping pad.

This sleeping bag features long-lasting durability and it features an ultralight water repellent ripstop nylon fabric liner with double large zippers. The bag also has an anti-snag slider, wide shoulders and large foot-box, drawstring, horizontal baffles, and compression stuff sack case for storage.

This bag comes in different sizes and adapts even to the toughest of outdoor atmospheres. In short, this is an ultra-lightweight, extremely compact, and down-like warmth sleeping bag for the wild.

Buyer’s Guide For The Winter Sleeping Bags

How should you choose the winter sleeping bag

When it comes to shelter and comfort options during winter sports like hiking, choosing the best sleeping bag is of paramount importance. It helps in keeping the person safe and comfortable and also helps to reduce hypothermia and other relevant health hazards. It is important to choose the winter sleeping bag wisely, to serve the purpose. The following are the mandatory features that one should look for in their sleeping bag.

Level of Insulation:

Generally, the sleeping bags will be insulated either with down or other synthetic insulation. Both these insulation materials have their advantages and disadvantages. Bags with down insulation will render a better warmth to weight ratio, compared to bags with synthetic insulation.

Therefore, sleeping bags with down insulation are light and they also pack smaller. But these bags are expensive and will lose their insulation properties if they get moist or wet. Some manufacturers consider treating the down insulation with durable water repellent treatment so that it is capable of retaining the insulation even if they get moist. Those who are on a tight budget can go for synthetic sleeping bags, but they can be quite bulky to carry.

Temperature Rating:

The temperature rating of the sleeping bags will be listed as their EN 13537 standard. Choose bags that are capable of handling zero degrees as their baseline temperature. Such bags can also be used in warmer conditions, up to 20-30 degrees. Zero degree sleeping bags are also easy to carry and can be quite light on the backpack.

Style of The Sleeping Bag:

There are generally two styles of sleeping bags, namely mummy sleeping bag and quilt style sleeping bag. The mummy sleeping bag is warm and is more comfortable than the quilt style bag. Quilt bags are popular in warm weather places.

Mummy style bags are comfortable when the temperature drops below 20 degrees. They also render some space to keep water, filters, and even footwear overnight, to prevent them from freezing. This is not possible with quilt style bags, that are short and are narrow to save weight.

Dimensions and Size of The Sleeping Bag:

The sleeping bags generally come in two sizes, namely regular and long sizes. The general rule of thumb is to choose a bag that will fit you comfortably. It is also a common practice to sleep with water bottles, boot liners, and other items, to prevent them from freezing overnight.

Thus, it is important to have some extra space in the bag for these gear, to maintain personal comfort. Apart from considering the shoulder, foot, and hip-width, get a bag that has ample space below the feet. This helps the sleeper to sleep comfortably in the long winter nights.

Sleeping Bag Gender:

Almost all of the zero-degree winter sleeping bags are unisex. Very few manufacturers manufacture women’s specific winter sleeping bags.

Weight and Compressibility:

One major consideration while buying the winter sleeping bag is the weight and the compressibility. For those who are carrying their gear, it is important to choose accessories that pack down to the smallest size and weighs as little as possible. Down material satisfies both the weight and compression stakes.

It is also the warmest insulation material and its warmth to weight and warmth to volume ratio is excellent. The cut and shape of the bag can also influence the compressibility. Bags with mummy shape and taper cuts tend to compress to a smaller shape than the rectangular ones.

Durability:

Decent shell fabric with DWR treatment is more than enough to withstand extremes of temperatures for years to come. The more robust the shell material, the heavier is the sleeping bag. It is now possible to get highly durable high tech shells that are super light. But their cost can be on the higher end.

 

Winter Sleeping Bags – FAQ’s

Which is the best sleeping bag for winter camping?

For winter camping, the best sleeping bag will be the one that has a comfort temperature rating that matches the temperature of the place you are going to explore. For instance, if the hiking locality has a temperature of 16 F, choose a bag that has a comfort temperature rating of 16 F or even less.

What is the fill power of a sleeping bag?

For winter sleeping bags with down insulation, the fill power is the quantum of loft or the volume that the given weight of the down produces. Thus, an ounce of 800-fill down will produce more loft than an ounce of 600-fill down will. The lesser the fill power, the more will be the weight of down that will be required to produce the desired level of warmth.

What is hydrophobic down?

Hydrophobic down is something that undergoes treatment with a polymer to make it water-resistant to a certain extent. Hydrophobic down does not have waterproofing capabilities, but it can dry quickly and the feathers will not clump together quickly upon contact with moisture.

 

Features To Look For in The Winter Sleeping Bags:

Certain features should be present in the winter sleeping bag so that they serve as a cost-effective investment. These factors are discussed here,

Draft Collar:

Almost all of the winter sleeping bags have draft collars and it is an essential cold-weather accessory. A draft collar is an insulation tube that drapes over the chest and the neck and seals in the warmth of the bag. Without this feature, the warm air inside the bag will rush out around the neck when the person moves around inside.

Some bags have a simple draft collar that covers the front of the chest. High-end bags have a second draft collar at the back of the neck and shoulder to render additional controls to tighten or loosen it.

High-Quality Zippers:

It is important to have snag-free zippers so that they don’t tear the shell fabric of the bag and spills its insulation. These zippers are bordered generally by a stiff fabric of some sort, to avoid down baffles and to prevent it from getting snagged on the outer shell of the bag.

Zipper Draft Tubes:

The draft tubes are tubes of down that cover the side zippers of the bag so that the legs will not come in contact with it. This also helps to prevent the cold air from leaking into the bag, through the needle holes, which are the result of swing the zipper with the bag. Some bags have one zipper draft tube or two, one at the top and one at the bottom.

Water-resistant Down Insulation:

Water-resistant down insulation is an exceptional feature to have but is not a must to have in the winter sleeping bag. Most of us can’t keep the sleeping bags dry and thus it is good to go for treated down insulation. The moisture on the outside of the sleeping bag will dry in no time when left under the sun.

Baffles:

Baffles continuously run across the bag horizontally. They help to shake the down in the baffles and move them to a different location. Continuous baffles allow the user to customize the distribution of down for different needs.

Hood:

Choose sleeping bags with hoods, as a lot of heat can be lost through the head. They can help in creating additional room to move around in the sleep. The hood helps to turn the head from side to side.

Pockets:

Pockets in the sleeping bag help to keep the electronics items warm. Choose bags with accessible pockets that do not turn uncomfortable when they are full.

 

Final Words:

Sleeping bags are an absolute essential while touring in the wild. To get the best out of these sleeping bags, it is important to keep them dry and use a sleeping bag liner whenever possible. We hope our product recommendations and our buying guide helps you to choose the best winter sleeping bag.