Best Lightweight Sleeping Bags of 2024

BEST ULTRALIGHT SLEEPING BAG

The Feathered Friends Hummingbird UL 20 is a super light and packable three season sleeping bag. It’s our pick for the best ultralight backpacking sleeping bag.

What we loved the most about the Hummingbird is the conservative, even borderline generous temperature rating. This is not something we could say about a lot of other ultralight bags out there. The Hummingbird is stuffed with 950+ goose down which makes it extremely warm and light.

One drawback of the Hummingbird is the fit is pretty snug. If you’re a side sleeper or a bigger guy or gal, you might find the narrow dimensions claustrophobic. If you toss and turn a lot and would prefer a more spacious bag, check out the Feathered Friends Swallow and Swift. Another downside is since Feathered Friends is a cottage manufacturer, stock can sometimes be limited and wait times can be long. If you love the idea of owning a handmade sleeping bag that is tailored to your needs, be sure to order well ahead of your next trip.

The Hummingbird UL is in close competition with Western Mountaineering’s UltraLite. which is also featured on this list. While both are excellent choices for serious backpackers, the Hummingbird is 5 ounces lighter, making it a winner for those who are meticulous about cutting weight.

The Hummingbird UL is also available in a 30-degree version.

BEST ULTRALIGHT SLEEPING BAG FOR WOMEN

The Feathered Friends Egret UL 20 is a high quality three season sleeping bag that is specifically designed for female backpackers. 

What we love the most about this sleeping bag is its attention to detail and female tailored fit. There is extra fill around the chest and in the foot box, two areas where women lose more heat than men. Its 950+ fill is super fluffy and toasty, making it a great option for spring to fall camping. When it comes to quality, weight, packability and warmth, the Egret beats all the other female specific bags, which is why it’s our pick for the best women’s backpacking sleeping bag. 

The biggest drawback is the price, but for this level of comfort and quality, we believe it is worth it considering it has an excellent warmth to weight ratio. Another complaint is the sizing isn’t right for everyone. The Egret comes in two sizes: 5’3” and 5’9”, if you’re somewhere right in between, say 5’6”, you might find the 5’9” option too long. This extra space traps cold air, making the bag feel colder overall. And, the 5’3” option would be too tight to have the hood fit over your head comfortably. If this might be an issue for you, you can check out the unisex version of this bag, called the Swallow which has a 20-degree and 30-degree option. 

The Egret UL is also available in a 30-degree version.

BEST LIGHTWEIGHT & BUDGET-FRIENDLY SLEEPING BAG

The Therm-A-Rest Space Cowboy 45 is an awesome ultralight mummy-shaped sleeping bag. Its compressed volume of 2 liters makes it highly packable and lightweight. Because this sleeping bag only withstands 45°F, it is better suited for warmer weather and summer camping. However, you can layer it with other quilts using blanket loops on the bag, expanding its versatility. Additional removable connectors even let you fasten a sleeping pad to the bag. 

The Cowboy 45 uses water-resistant synthetic fill that retains its insulation abilities even when damp. It is strategically placed in certain areas to optimize warmth and weight. The ThermaCapture lining efficiently traps body heat. Additionally, a cinchable hood also guards against unwanted drafts. All these features make the Space Cowboy 45 a great companion for backcountry travels.

The Therm-a-Rest Hyperion 20 is a lightweight high quality bag that was designed to help long distance hikers shave pounds from their load.

What we love the most about this bag is its warmth to weight ratio. It’s filled with 900 down which makes it so warm and light. It also packs down quite small, making it great for saving room in your backpack. A little feature we liked was there are two straps underneath it which you can attach to your sleeping pads to keep the bag from slipping off. The Hyperion comes with a compression bag which helps get the bag down to about the size of a large water bottle. There is more insulation on top (70%) and less on the bottom (30%), this saves weight but it also means the design is optimized for sleeping on your back. 

What this bag gains in weight saving, it pays for in comfort. The cut is slim, very slim. So, if you’re a bigger dude or lady, you will probably feel constricted in this thing. The Hyperion is very narrow throughout and tapers down even more at the feet. The zipper only goes halfway down the bag, which does shave some ounces but it also means you can’t vent your feet. And, while we’re talking about the zipper, let’s just say it has some room for improvement. There’s a bit of fabric that runs along the zipper but it still snags from time to time. 

The Hyperion 20 is excellent value for money and is cheaper than other high end bags on this list, but it is lacking some features like a draft collar that lets you seal the bag around your face. Also, while it’s rated to 20 degrees, its comfort rating is 32 degrees. So we only recommend this  bag for above freezing conditions. If you’re the kind of hiker who doesn’t mind sacrificing some comfort in order to go fast and light, the Hyperion 20 could be the perfect bag for you. 

This bag also comes in a 32 degree version.

The Western Mountaineering UltraLite is an ultra light and ultra premium backpacking sleeping bag that is our pick as the best overall choice.

What we love the most about this bag is its balance between weight, quality, versatility and comfort. It is rated to 20-degree and only weighs 17oz making it an excellent choice for fast and lite colder weather trips. The UltraLite’s horizontal baffle design allows you to move the feathers to the back of the bag, making it less warm for spring and mild summer conditions. 

The biggest downside of the UltraLite is its price tag. At $525, it’s one of the priciest bags on our list. However, if you’re a true backpacking junkie who wants an all around awesome bag, it might be a worthy investment. 

A close contender to the UltraLite is the Feathered Friends Hummingbird YF20 (and similar bags within their range). If you’re having trouble deciding, one feature we loved about the UltraLite that we didn’t find on others is the full goose down draft collar. This lets you bunker down and seal your body heat, a much appreciated feature on chilly nights.

The insulating features of the Marmot Hydrogen Down Sleeping Bag will surely keep you warm even through colder nights. An insulated tube covers the 2-way anti-snag zipper to prevent any cold breeze from seeping in. A fold-down second zipper equips you with ventilation, so you won’t overheat on warmer nights. Moreover, an insulated hood will warmly cradle your head thanks to its multi-baffle design that keeps the down from moving by separating it into different compartments. And cinching drawcords at the top of this bag allow you to secure the hood around your face to prevent wind from chafing your face all night. 

Unlike a caterpillar cocoon, this mummy sleeping bag is durable and sure to live a long life. It has two hang loops for storing, drying, or just airing out the bag to help increase its lifespan with proper care. Another nifty feature includes an internal stash pocket perfect for keeping nighttime essentials and valuables nearby. Considering all these specs, the bag’s super light weight of 1 lb. 7 oz. is almost unbelievable.

If you are looking to go on a camping trip in the summer, spring, or fall, the Therm-a-rest Corus 32 is a safe bet. It is fairly affordable, able to endure 32°F, and lightweight enough to reduce stress on your shoulders. While these aren’t top notch characteristics, this product does provide a fantastic bag and pad connection system. With 8 snap loops, it is secure and easy to use, allowing you to layer other quilts with it. Plus, a loop kit includes 8 convenient stick-on patches to fasten a pad to the quilt. 

Draft tubes line the sides of the quilt, guarding against cold air. Corus 32 also features an elastic foot-box that holds together your feet and your pad, securing warmth. The quilt has cords at the top that further let you snap the quilt shut with only your head poking out.

The Zpacks Classic 20 is an ultralight high end sleeping bag that is a favorite among minimalist backpackers and thru-hikers. 

What we loved the most about this bag is its hybrid design. It’s like a quilt and a sleeping bag had a baby. It has a ¾ length zipper and no hood, so you can either zip it all the way up like a traditional bag or open it all the way up like a quilt. This design makes the Classic 20 super versatile which is great for people who want the best of both a bag and a quilt. Hammockers will also really appreciate this concept. This bag is made 950 hydrophobic down that repels water if it gets wet. This type of down is really puffy, so it uses less feathers to create loft, making it much lighter and packable than lower quality down options.

The biggest drawback with the Zpacks Classic is its shell is made of a 7 denier nylon which is very thin and delicate. It could easily get caught on something and rip. Of course this is the price to pay for a super light sleeping bag. Also, there’s no hood. Z packs make a hood you can buy separately or you could just use a beanie or wear a down jacket that has a hood on chilly nights. This is one of the more expensive options on our list, but if weight and versatility are your top priorities, it’s worth forking over the cash.  

If you want a true quilt, check out the Zpacks Solo Quilt. 

This sleeping bag is available in three different lengths (short, medium and long) and three lengths (broad, slim and standard). 

The Zpacks Classic also comes in a 10 degree and 30 degree option.

The REI Co-op Magma 15 is an ultralight three season backpacking sleeping bag. It is a part of REI’s premium line of gear which is a great choice for hikers who want a top-tier bag without the heart attack-inducing price tag. 

The Magma 15 offers a bit more mobility for those who tend to toss and turn at night. It is spacious in the knee and foot area, meaning that you can switch positions more easily than with other, slimmer bags. Even with its wider design, this bag will still keep you toasty, even on chillier nights. 

Rated at 28 degrees F (comfort level), the goose down filling will still keep you warm. Plus, its insulated yoke (the part of the bag that fits around your neck and shoulders) is designed specifically to prevent heat loss, keeping you comfortable and warm all through the night.

The Enlightened Equipment Enigma 20 is a minimalist ultralight quilt that is quickly becoming a favorite of long distance hikers.

What we love the most about the Enigma is its round foot box that is sewn shut. This design gives you more foot room while trapping in heat. This makes it a good option for backpackers who are transitioning from using a traditional sleeping bag to using a quilt. All of Enlightened Equipment’s quilts are hand sewn and the quality is top notch. They overfill their quilts by 30% so instead of stuffing them to the minimum amount needed to fill the bag, they pack in extra down to help with any loss in loft due to moisture or dirt. Thru hikers who plan to use this thing for weeks on end without washing it will appreciate this consideration.

Quilts do come with some drawbacks and the Enigma is no exception. Since it is just like a big blanket, it doesn’t have a hood so you’ll want to wear a beanie or down jacket on chilly nights. It also doesn’t have a back so it can be tricky to fully seal up the quilt in cold conditions. 

Enlightened Equipment is a cottage manufacturer based in Minnesota. All of their quilts are highly customizable, which is a great option for thru hikers who really want to have their gear dialed in. It can take over a month for a custom quilt to arrive but luckily, EE does have stock options for those who just want a standard option and don’t have time to wait for a custom quilt to arrive. 

The Enigma is available in 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 degree versions.