Best Sleeping Bag Reviews 2018

Prices of sleeping bags depend on several factors such as design and insulation. For example, cheap sleeping bags will not be able to retain heat or may be bulkier and heavier than expensive, down insulated models. Synthetic sleeping bags often cost less than their down counterparts and are an extremely popular choice for camping enthusiasts because they can be ordered in a wide range of sizes, designs and bag ratings and offer strong overall performance. Down insulated sleeping bags generally come in with a higher price tag but are more durable and compressible compared to a synthetic fill. Other features that might affect the price of a sleeping bag include the bag shell and lining, hood (great if you’re camping in cooler temperatures), memory foam padding for superior comfort, dedicated pillow pocket, temperature ratings and stash pocket to store important items.

The general price range for a good-quality sleeping bag is anywhere between around $40 to $150, depending on the features you want.

Before you head out shopping for a sleeping bag, it is wise to consider the weather of the campsite you will be in to help determine the style of bag, features and accessories that best suits your needs.

That said, here are a few features to look for when determining the best sleeping bag for your outing.

• Temperature ratings – although these may seem meaningless to you, these are a useful guide in determining which sleeping bag will provide a good night’s rest in the conditions it will be used in
• Style – common shapes include barrel, mummy, rectangular and double sleeping bags
• Exterior material – synthetic insulation such as nylon and polyester are easy to clean, dry and maintain and offer a great level of water resistance
• Insulation – there are few different types to choose from such as cotton, goose down and synthetics
• Stitching – look for stitches that are close together
• Closures – high quality sleeping bags come with high quality, sometimes waterproof, zippers that won’t let you down in inclement weather
• Portability – if you’re going to be travelling on long trips, look for sleeping bags that can be easily tucked away into your bag, these sleeping bags are also referred to as malleable or mateable bags
• Storage aka stash pockets – these generally come standard with the best sleeping bags and allow you to store valuables such as cell phones and wallets

When shopping for a sleeping bag, the first big decision you will be faced with is which shape/style is best for you. Rectangular shaped sleeping bags are most common and they offer optimal comfort and roominess. Owing to their shape, it is easy to mate two bags with compatible zippers to create a rather large sleeping space. Mummy sleeping bags provide superior thermal efficiency most due to the tapered cut through the legs and feet. They are crafted of less material and insulation, making them lighter weight and easy to pack and a great choice if you think you’re going to be doing some backpacking, not just driving to the campsite.

Barrel shaped or semi-rectangular sleeping bags are a great happy medium between rectangular and mummy shapes and feature a tapered design for increased warmth and efficiency. They offer plenty of room and aren’t as restrictive as mummy sleeping bags, making them a great choice for restless sleepers who love their sleeping space or larger-frame backpackers.

Once you decide on the shape of the sleeping bag, you will have to choose the best insulation material for your outdoor adventurers, and you’ve got a few options to explore. Synthetic insulation such as polyester is highly durable, quick drying and insulates even when wet. Down filled sleeping bags offer the most efficient insulation, and are more compressible and lighter compared to synthetic filled sleeping bags.

Down filled sleeping bags are also more expensive than synthetic sleeping bags, but this also depends on the rating of the quality of the down aka fill power. This ranges between roughly 600 and 900, where the higher the number, the warmer you’re going to be. One of the major pitfalls of down is that it does not insulate well or at all when wet. As a solution, some manufacturers offer down insulation that has been treated with water resistant coating at a specific molecular level. Cotton filled sleeping bags aren’t a hit among campers for several reasons, most notably they are fairly heavy and do not dry fast should they become wet.

The temperature rating of a sleeping bag speaks volumes about the performance you can expect in the environment you will be sleeping in, and if the respective bag is suited for that environment. These ratings are generally expressed as seasons such as +35° and higher for summer season, +10° to +35° for 3-season and +10° and lower for winter. In order to enhance your sleep in the great outdoors, consider getting a sleeping bag liner to boost the warmth by a degree or two.