At the end of a long trek, few things are as rewarding as kicking off your hiking boots and snuggling into a comfy down sleeping bag. However, your good night’s rest is completely dependent upon just how good your down sleeping bag is. Poorly insulated, balled up, or wet down is a recipe for disaster so you want to make sure you have one of the best down sleeping bags around. But with so many options, how do you choose?
That’s where we come in. To guide you through the decision making process, we put together this helpful guide as well as our top picks for the best down sleeping bags.
For more of our top backpacking gear recommendations, check out the Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags.
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Quick Answer - The Best Down Sleeping Bags
- Western Mountaineering UltraLite
- NEMO Disco 15
- Feathered Friends Hummingbird UL 20
- Kelty Cosmic 20
- Marmot Hydrogen 30
Comparison Table - Best Down Sleeping Bag
For the best experience turn your device horizontally| Name | Weight | Temp Rating | Shape | Price | Rating | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Mountaineering UltraLite | 1.8 lbs | 20 F | Mummy | $525 | 4.9 | Read Review |
| NEMO Disco 15 | 2.7 lbs | 25 F | Semirectangular | $300 | 4.6 | Read Review |
| Feathered Friends Hummingbird UL 20 | 1.5 lbs | 20 F | Mummy | $539 | 4.9 | Read Review |
| Kelty Cosmic 20 | 2.6 lbs | 32 F | Mummy | $170 | 4.3 | Read Review |
| Marmot Hydrogen 30 | 1.4 lbs | 33 F | Mummy | $399 | 4.4 | Read Review |
| Name | Weight | Temp Rating | Shape | Price | Rating | Review |
Temp ratings refer to the EN or ISO Comfort rating.
Weight and price are shown for the regular size.
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Reviews - The Best Down Sleeping Bags for Backpacking
Western Mountaineering UltraLite
Specs
- Material: Nylon Taffeta
- Fill Weight: 17.0 oz
- Insulation: Down
- Length: 6’6”/6’0”/5’6”
- Weight: 1.8 lbs
- Shape: Mummy
- Volume: 08.7 L
- Temp Rating: 20 F
- Fill Power: 850
- Compressed Volume: Approximately 8.5 Liters
- Shoulder Girth: 60/59/59in
Features
- Very Lofty Down Fill For Comfort
- Lightweight Design
- Made In The U.S.A
BEST BACKPACKING SLEEPING BAG OVERALL
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.
NEMO Disco 15
Specs
- Fill Weight: 22.0 oz
- Insulation: Down
- Length: 72 inches
- Weight: 2.7 lbs
- Shape: Semirectangular
- Volume: 07.2 L
- Temp Rating: 25 F
- Stuff Sack Size: 9 x 12 inches
- Fill Power: 650
Features
- 650-fill-power down
- Full-length, 2-way zipper
- External draft collar
BEST SLEEPING BAG FOR BIG GUYS AND TALL PEOPLE
The Nemo Disco 15 is a roomy backpacking sleeping bag that was designed for comfort. The Disco is our top choice for big and tall guys (and ladies) who might feel claustrophobic in a typical mummy bag. It’s also another great option for side sleepers.
What we loved the most about the Disco is its spacious dimensions. This is thanks to what Nemo calls their Classic Spoon shape, which makes the bag wider in the elbows and knees. We also loved the Therma-gills which are vents that allow you to fine-tune the temperature without having to unzip the bag. This feature makes it a more versatile bag that could be comfortable to use in warmer temps.
The biggest drawbacks of the Nemo Disco are it’s on the heavier, bulkier end when it comes to backpacking sleeping bags. The weight and packsize penalty come with the extra fabric needed to make this roomy bag. So, if you are a bigger guy or gal or you just like to sprawl, and you don’t mind hauling extra weight, the Disco 15 might be the best option for you. If the weight is a big concern for you, check out the Nemo Riff 15, it’s not only lighter but also more packable. One more downside is the wider design is that cold pockets of air can form in the empty spaces, something to consider if you are a cold sleeper.
This sleeping bag also comes in a 30 degree model.
The Nemo Disco also comes in a women’s version which is available in 15 degree and 30 degree options.
Feathered Friends Hummingbird UL 20
Specs
- Fill Weight: 14.6 oz
- Insulation: Down
- Length: 72 inches
- Weight: 1.5 lbs
- Shape: Mummy
- Volume: 09.0 L
- Temp Rating: 20 F
- Fill Power: 950
Features
- Trapezoidal footbox
- Continuous baffles
- 3D contoured hood
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.
Kelty Cosmic 20
Specs
- Fill Weight: 16.0 oz
- Insulation: Down
- Length: 72 inches
- Weight: 2.6 lbs
- Shape: Mummy
- Volume: 09.2 L
- Temp Rating: 32 F
- Stuff Sack Size: 8 x 13 inches
- Fill Power: 550
Features
- 550-fill down
- C0 and PFC-free durable water repellent (DWR) coating
- Internal zippered stash pocket
The Kelty Cosmic 20 is a budget minded down sleeping back that is a great option for new backpackers who don’t mind carrying a bit of extra weight and bulk to save some cash.
What we love the most about this bag is its overall value. The Cosmic’s quality and warmth are great considering how inexpensive it is. Of course, you can’t compare the build and material quality of the Cosmic to the top of the line bags on this list but it is practical and comfortable enough, making it tough competition for other budget options.
The biggest downside of the Cosmic is it is much more heavy and bulky than other backpacking sleeping bags, but hey, it’s one of the cheapest down bags around. If you’re just starting out, you could always go for the Cosmic and if you end up becoming a hiking junkie, you could upgrade and retire this bag to car camping adventures.
This bag is also offered in 40-degree and 0-degree versions.
Marmot Hydrogen 30
Specs
- Fill Weight: 10.9 oz
- Insulation: Down
- Weight: 1.4 lbs
- Shape: Mummy
- Volume: 06.8 L
- Temp Rating: 33 F
- Fill Power: 800
Features
- Strong And Durable
- Broad, Long, And Roomy
- Extra Zipper On The Side
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.
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THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A DOWN SLEEPING BAG
COST
While there are many factors to consider when choosing the best down sleeping bag, your budget will be the big kicker. Down doesn’t come cheap. That said, you can still get a quality down sleeping bag at an affordable price. The cost will parallel the quality so it’s all a matter of the type of camping you’ll be doing and what you can squeeze into your budget. If you’re on a tight budget, check out these budget sleeping bags.
WEIGHT
When it comes to weight versus warmth, here’s an important piece of advice: don’t skimp on warmth merely for a lighter weight! Down sleeping bags will vary from ultralight to heavy. And while a lighter sleeping bag helps you achieve a lighter pack weight, it may not be doing you any favors when you’re shivering at night. Be sure to compare weights with temperature ratings so they balance out rather than cause you to trade off one for the other.
WARMTH
Down is one of the warmest materials you can stuff inside a sleeping bag. It achieves this warmth by trapping your body heat inside the sleeping bag. This means a well insulated bag with less wiggle room will keep you warmer and vice versa. If you tend to run cold or will be sleeping in colder weather, you may want to consider maxing out the warmth of your bag.
TEMPERATURE RATINGS
The warmth of your sleeping bag is a major factor you’ll need to consider when choosing a down sleeping bag. To determine how warm a down sleeping bag is, you’ll want to take into account both the temperature rating and the comfort rating.
Temperature rating is the average lowest temperature the manufacturer claims will keep you warm.
Comfort rating is the lowest temperature a person can sleep comfortably and is also the temperature used to rate women’s sleeping bags. This rating is more so based on a real world comfort.
Keep in mind, without a proper sleeping pad to provide insulation from the cold ground, your sleeping bag rating won’t be able to operate at its full potential. Check out our guide on How to Get a Good Night’s Sleep Outdoors.
INSULATION TYPE
There are two types of insulations you’ll encounter when searching for the right sleeping bag: down and synthetic. Here’s what you need to know about both:
Down is a natural material that typically comes from the plumage of either ducks or geese. It has an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio and is highly compressible. The bad news is, it doesn’t insulate when wet and it has a higher price point than synthetic.
Synthetic insulation is made from synthetic materials – polyester being the most common. This material is quick-drying, water-resistant, durable, and less expensive than down. However, it’s bulkier, heavier, and not as warm.
SHAPE
Down sleeping bags are offered in a few different shapes.
- Mummy bags feature a tapered shape to optimize insulation while also reducing weight.
- Semi-rectangular bags have a similar shape to a mummy bag except they offer more space.
- Rectangular bags are common in car camping. They offer a ton of room but don’t insulate as well as other shapes.
- Quilts fully unzip allowing you to sleep as if you would under your comforter. They’re great at insulating and reduce weight.
The thing to keep in mind is the snugger the fit, the better the insulation. Keep in mind that the snugger the fit, the more constricted you are inside. Choosing shape is all about what is more comfortable for you.
DOWN CERTIFIED
If you’re looking to buy responsibly sourced down, look for a down certified label. For more information, head over to the Responsible Down Standard website.
FEATURES EXPLAINED
Baffles
Baffles are stitching used on down products to keep the down in place. This helps prevent the down from clumping into one space and causing cold spots.
Draft collar
A draft collar is essentially a large baffle or tube filled with down that blocks the cold from seeping in around the opening.
Fill-power
Fill-power is a measurement outdoor manufacturers use to tell you how lofty the down is inside the sleeping bag. The higher the number, the better the sleeping bag is at insulating.
Durable water-repellent (DWR)
Durable water-repellent is a finish applied to outdoor gear and apparel to prevent it from becoming saturated.
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Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags
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