From affordable synthetic sacks for music festivals to ultralight goose-down sleeping bags for long-distance trails, there are many different models and brands of sleeping bag out there.
Every sleeping bag is designed for the same, simple purpose—to keep you warm and comfortable when you are sleeping in the great outdoors. But the technology that goes into sleeping bags is anything but simple.
You can tell a lot about a sleeping bag by looking into the brand that makes it. Sleeping bag brands have become recognizable for using certain fabrics, proprietary insulation materials, shapes, or extra features, Each brand caters to a different section of the market.
To help you find the perfect sack for your next adventure, we’ll cover the best sleeping bag brands on the market.
Table of Contents
- 1 Best Sleeping Bag Brands
- 2 Western Mountaineering
- 2.1 Our Pick: Western Mountaineering UltraLite
- 3 Marmot
- 3.1 Our Pick: Marmot Phase 20
- 4 Rei Co-Op
- 4.1 Our Top Pick: REI Co-op Magma 30
- 5 Therm-a-Rest
- 5.1 Our Top Pick: Therm-a-Rest Hyperion 20
- 6 Nemo
- 6.1 Our Top Pick: Nemo Riff 30
- 7 Sea to Summit
- 7.1 Our Top Pick: Sea to Summit Spark SPII
- 7.2 Mountain Hardwear
- 7.3 Our Top Pick: Mountain Hardwear Phantom 30
- 7.4 Share the love:
Best Sleeping Bag Brands
- REI
- Western Mountaineering
- Marmot
- Therm-a-Rest
- Nemo
- Sea to Summit
- Mountain Hardwear
And here are the individual review.
Western Mountaineering
Western Mountaineering has become one of the most famous brands in the lightweight backpacking industry. The company has been around for over 30 years.
Down-filled garments and sleeping bags are the main product lines of the brand. Almost all Western Mountaineering sleeping bags use 850+ fill power down.
Moreover, the brand only uses high-quality goose down. All Western Mountaineering down products are 100% RDS certified. The RDS label guarantees that the down in your sleeping sack has been ethically sourced.
Most of the brand’s sleeping bags have a semi-rectangular or mummy shape. To ensure the highest possible quality, the brand still makes its sleeping bags in the US. All of the brand’s sleeping bags come with a lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.
Our Pick: Western Mountaineering UltraLite
- Total weight: 28.9 oz
- Fill weight: 16 oz
- Fill power: 850+
- Iso comfort rating: 25°F
Pros
- Warm
- Versatile
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Expensive
The UltraLite is one of the warmest 3-season bags on the market, so not so great as a summer sleeping bag. It’s a great choice for mid to high elevation environments as well as shoulder seasons.
To help with ventilation in the summer, the UltraLite features a two-way zipper. It also includes a cozy draft collar that helps seal out the cold.
The sleeping bag has continuous horizontal baffles. This means that you can put it underneath you if you want less warmth or on top of you for more warmth. If you think this model might be too warm for you, check out the MegaLite.
Marmot
High-quality tents, backpacks, outdoor clothing, and sleeping bags have been Marmot’s main product lines since 1974. Marmot is one of the go-to brands when it comes to lightweight backpacking. It was one of the very first brands to use Gore-Tex in its products.
Thanks to Marmot’s proprietary materials and innovative technology, the brand’s sleeping bags are considered to be very reliable. With proper care, Marmot gear can last for decades.
Aside from high-quality down, the brand uses a proprietary synthetic insulation material called the Eco Featherless. Compared to most outdoor brands, Marmot goes to greater lengths to ensure its means of sourcing and production are sustainable and environmentally friendly.
Our Pick: Marmot Phase 20
- Total weight: 23.3 oz
- Fill weight: 14.1 oz
- Fill power: 850+
- Iso comfort rating: 30°F
Pros
- Very warm
- DWR
- Adjustable hood
Cons
- The zipper is small
Phase 20 is a top-notch sack that features high-quality water-resistant down an ultralight shell fabric. Made out of 10D ripstop nylon, the sleeping bag’s shell provides a great balance of weight and durability.
The down insulation is treated with Marmot’s own DWR (durable water repellent) called the Down Defender. In case the sleeping bag gets wet, it won’t lose its loft and insulating properties immediately.
The adjustable hood also stands out. It fits snugly over your head while giving you more than enough room to breathe comfortably. When the temperature drops, the Phase 20 allows you to easily seal in the warmth.
Compared to other sleeping bags that weigh the same, the Phase 20 packs down really small.
Rei Co-Op
It may seem a bit unusual, but one of the biggest retail chains in the US is also one of the best sleeping bag brands. REI makes and designs some of the best camping and hiking gear on the market, and the brand’s sacks are no exception.
The gear that REI manufactures varies greatly in both quality and price. The brand’s higher-end quilts and sleeping bags are often praised by experienced backpackers and hikers.
Our Top Pick: REI Co-op Magma 30
- Total weight: 23 oz
- Fill weight: 9.7 oz
- Fill power: 850
- Iso comfort rating: 30°F
Check Price on Rei
Pros
- Cozy fabric
- Lightweight
- Quality down
Cons
- The down is not hydrophobic
The Magma 30 doesn’t compromise on versatility or comfort to achieve its low weight and respectable warmth.
And for a bag that features 850 high-quality down, it has a surprisingly reasonable price tag. If you are a weight-conscious backpacker looking for a great bargain, you needn’t look further.
Even though the bag weighs only 23 ounces, it has a full-length zipper and a 30°F temperature rating. The generous interior dimensions make the bag super comfortable. The 15D ripstop nylon lining is also pretty cozy.
Therm-a-Rest
This outdoor gear company became famous when it invented the self-inflating sleeping pad, way back in the ’70s. Therm-a-Rest’s innovative approach to camping and backpacking gear gave the competition a run for their money.
Today, most hikers and backpackers love Therm-a-Rest for its super comfortable hammocks, camping pillows, backpacking quilts, as well as sleeping bags. NeoAir pads are arguably the brand’s best-selling product line.
In terms of technical performance and warmth-to-weight ratio, Therm-a-Rest’s Fast & Light sleeping bags outperform most of the competition. Like most other high-quality outdoor brands, Therm-a-Rest only uses RDS certified down.
The brand’s sleeping bags feature patented elastic straps known as SynergyLink connections. They allow you to easily and securely attach your sack to your sleeping pad.
Our Top Pick: Therm-a-Rest Hyperion 20
- Total weight: 20.4 oz
- Fill weight: 12.7 oz
- Fill power: 900
- Iso comfort rating: 32°F
Pros
- Lightweight
- 900 fill hydrophobic down
- Impressive warmth to weight ratio
Cons
- The zipper runs half-length only
The Hyperion uses a 10Dripstop nylon shell and 900 fill power hydrophobic goose down. This makes it an awesome ultra-compressible and ultralight sleeping bag with an impressive warmth-to-weight ratio.
Thanks to its slim cut, the Hyperion is a nice and cozy bag for side sleepers. The sleeping bag also features an anti-snag zipper that runs half-length. Like most other Therma-Rest sleeping bags, the Hyperion also uses the aforementioned SynergyLink connectors.
Nemo
New England Mountain Equipment, or NEMO, was started only 19 years ago. But, even though the company has a short history, it made waves with its unique designs in backpacking pillows, hammocks, 4 person tents, sleeping bags, and more.
Nemo is all about making creative and thoughtfully designed outdoor gear. The brand’s sleeping bags often feature creative and experimental twists that you won’t see anywhere else.
For example, “thermo gills” is a trademark of the brand. Essentially, these “gills” are two zippered vents that allow you to easily regulate warmth. Many of Nemo sleeping bags also come with a “blanket fold.”
Nemo Riff and Jam sleeping bags are also particularly innovative. They are unique mummy bags that are designed for side sleepers who feel too cramped when sleeping in regular mummy bags.
Our Top Pick: Nemo Riff 30
- Total weight: 28.8 oz
- Fill weight: 15.5 oz
- Fill power: 800
- Iso comfort rating: 19°F
Pros:
- Spacious hourglass shape
- Waterproof and breathable footbox
- Innovative venting solutions
Cons
- Bulky packed size
If you are a side sleeper, the Riff 30 is undoubtedly one of the best sleeping bags you can go for.
The Riff is shaped like a broad hourglass, unlike traditional mummy bags that are tapered from the opening to the footbox.
When sleeping in the Riff, you can easily stretch your legs in any direction or rollover. Undoubtedly, comfort is the best attribute of this bag.
The inconspicuous stash pocket is also a nice touch. The footbox is quite breathable and the zipper allows you to get rid of excess warmth. All of this makes the RIff an excellent 3-season bag.
Sea to Summit
This brand was started in 1983 in Perth, Australia. From sleeping pads to collapsible silicone cooking pots, Sea to Summit makes unique and functional outdoor gear. Sea to Summit sleeping bags are designed to be compact, lightweight, and durable.
The brand’s gear is designed for adventures at every altitude. The brand proved this when it designed the gear for Tim Macartney-Snape’s audacious Mount Everest expedition. McCartney started his adventure at sea level, hence the name of the company.
Our Top Pick: Sea to Summit Spark SPII
- Total weight: 19 oz
- Fill weight: 12 oz
- Fill power: 850
- Iso comfort rating: 28°F
Pros
- Warm
- Ultralight
- Packs down small
Cons
- No draft collar
This summit bag features 12 oz of 850 fill power goose down. For a sleeping sack that weighs only 19 oz in total, this is more than impressive. It is among the lightest 3 season sleeping bags on the market.
Like most other Sea to Summit bags, the Spark II lives up to its comfort rating. The bag also compresses down exceptionally small, and it comes with a tiny compression sack.
Since the Spark II is an ultra lightweight jacket, it doesn’t include almost any other extra features.
Mountain Hardwear
The company has been focused on achieving the highest level of quality and performance in its gear since its foundation in 1993.
The brand teamed up with the legendary mountaineer, Ed Viesturs, soon after it was founded. Viesturs provided both the expert design consultation and the hands-on research needed to build Mountain Hardwear’s elite tents, clothing, sleeping bag, and other gear.
He also used the same equipment to successfully ascend Annapurna, Mount Everest, and other summits.
Even to this day, the brand continues to associate with elite alpine athletes. These athletes are the source of inspiration and feedback that leads to exceptional Mountain Hardwear gear, including sleeping bags.
Our Top Pick: Mountain Hardwear Phantom 30
- Total weight: 23 oz
- Fill weight: 11 oz
- Fill power: 850
- Iso comfort rating: 25°F
Pros
- Impressive warmth-to-weight ratio
- Comfortable
- Premium materials
Cons
- Lacks neck baffle
The Phantom 30 impresses with its petite packed size and ultralight weight. The bag boasts an impressive 12 ounces of high-quality 850 fill power down, even though the whole bag weighs 23 ounces.
On top of that, you can easily pack the Phantom 30 down to 6.7 liters. Backpackers and thru-hikers are sure to appreciate the bag’s lightweight and minimalist design.
The 10D nylon lining feels luxurious on the skin. Compared to the average ultralight bag, the Phantom 30 is surprisingly comfortable.
Leslie GilmourI love hiking. From the Camino de Santiago to the West Highland Way in Scotland or simply a great day hike on the weekend. Hiking refreshes me, my mind, and keeps my body reasonably fit. So far I have walked three Camino routes and many other long distance hikes in the UK, Canada, and around the rest of Europe. One of the best was my hike up Ben Nevis.
Share on Facebook Share on Pinterest Share on Twitter Share on Email Junyuan Bags
Ten articles before and after
What is Munro Bagging? Munro Bagging for Beginners
Backpacking Sleeping Bag Under $100 for 2022
15 Best Cold Weather Sleeping Bags for Winter Camping 2022
Best 3 Season Sleeping Bags for Camping & Hiking 2022
12 Best Ultralight Sleeping Bags for Hiking 2022
What is a Sleeping Bag Liner? Should I own One?
10 Best Summer Sleeping Bags for Backpacking & Camping 2022
Mobile/What's App/Wechat
E-Mail
ADD
