One of the hardest factors of camping is trying to stay warm at night. As temperatures start to drop this can get even harder.
To combat this, you can try all kinds of things, from thermal wear to multiple layers, but if you don’t have a good sleeping bag, it can be almost impossible.
To help you solve this problem, here are some of the best sleeping bags for cold weather!
A Tip on Choosing the Best Sleeping Bags: Check the Temperature Rating!
You can find more information about this, as well as an informative video at the end of this list so slide or scroll to learn more!
10. Teton Sports Altos Ultralight Mummy Sleeping Bag
Temperature ratings: 0°F /-18°C
The Sports Altos Ultralight from TETON is one of the lightest bags on this list, at only 3.5 lbs.
As it is Mummy Style, it measures 84″ x 32″ at the top and tapers down to 17″ at the base.
This TETON bag is insulated using Spectrum S natural fibers to keep you warm all the way and even down to 0°F /-18°C.
The only complaints surrounding this bag were regarding its build quality in that the stitching could sometimes be a little lackluster in comparison with other bags.
The zipper could often snag on the fabric too.
Heights:
- Interior pocket for keeping your essentials safe
- Adjustable mummy bags with hood and drawstring
- Draft tubes to keep the heat locked in
Plains:
- Stitching isn’t as high quality as expected from a brand as big as TETON
9. TETON Sports Deer Hunter Sleeping Bag
Temperature ratings: -35°F /-37°C
If you’re looking for something that can keep you warm in 0°F /-18°C temperatures then it’s good to look at this Sports Deer Hunter sleeping Bag from TETON.
The bag is insulated using SuperLoft Elite 4-Channel Hollow Fiber to keep a temperature rating of -35°F /-37°C.
It may weigh around 17.5 lbs, so it’s not designed for constant transportation.
This sleeping bag is more useful for long term camping use, from this point of view.
At 90″ x 39″ it can fit people of most any height.
It’s stated to have a Cotton flannel interior, but reports claim that it’s actually polyester.
Because it seems to actually have synthetic fill, it might not be as comfortable as advertised.
Heights:
- Can keep you warm at 0°F temperatures
- It can also keep you alive well into negative temperatures
- Very big bag and it’s possible to connect two together – just ensure you get a left and a right side zipper to make them comfortable side sleepers
Plains:
- Very heavy
- Hand wash only – not machine washable
- Can connect two bags together but the zipper will be in the middle and it doesn’t connect at the base
Suggested: Pair that brand new sleeping bag of yours with the best sleeping pad!
8. TETON Sports Celsius XL Sleeping Bag
Temperature ratings: -25°F /-32°C
With a temperature rating of -25°F, this Sports Celsius XL sleeping bag from TETON will keep you comfortable at around 0°F.
It measures 90″ x 36″ (229 x 92 cm) so it can easily fit taller people and keep them snug too.
It has a mummy-style hood but doesn’t taper down to the feet like other mummy-style sleeping bags.
This means you’ll be able to move your feet around.
At 9.5 pounds (4.3 kg) it’s pretty heavy, so it’s not the ideal backpack sleeping bag.
Instead, it’s more useful as a long term camping solution or a camping in a vehicle sleeping bag.
One of this TETON bag’s best features are its Airflow zips (on both sides).
Thanks to them, you can easily release heat if it gets too warm inside.
This sleeping bag is not machine washable, but it does have a stain-resistant shell to keep it clean.
Also, its zipper isn’t of the highest quality so be sure to check this when it arrives to make sure the zipper works.
Heights:
- Airflow zips on either side
- Stain-resistant shell
- Interior pocket
- You can attach a secondary bag
Plains:
- Not machine washable
- The zipper can sometimes be faulty
7. Grizzly by Black Pine Sleeping Bag
Temperature ratings: -25°F /-32°C
The Grizzly sleeping bag from Black Pine measures around 7.1 ft. so it’s more than suitable for taller people.
Also, the base is not like most other cold-weather bags in that it doesn’t taper off down towards the feet – instead, it keeps its width of 36” throughout the bag.
Thereby, it gives you a bit more space to wiggle around in.
The advertised measurements are a little longer, but reports state that it is, in fact, smaller.
At 9.5 lbs., it’s one of the heavier styles of sleeping bags, so in a similar way to some of these other bags, it’s better suited for anyone camping in one spot for a longer period of time.
Grizzly’s insulation is made from Microfiber and has draft tubes to keep air from seeping in.
Heights:
- Reported to be very bulky and hard to roll up
- Measures over 7ft
Plains:
- The zipper has been reported to be a little unreliable
- Some of the stitching has been known to be a little inferior and could maybe do with some extra quality control
6. Cedar Ridge Wolf Creek 0° Sleeping Bag
Temperature ratings: 0°F /-18°C
This Wolf Creek sleeping bag from Cedar Ridge is insulated using PolyLoft.
This is a synthetic polyester filler meaning that it doesn’t use animal down to keep you warm.
Weighing in at 6 lbs., it’s on the heavier side.
It’s also incredibly bulky with reports stating that it’s rather hard to roll up.
This sleeping bag is pretty narrow (at least when compared with some of the others on this list).
It measures 33″ by 84″, but this increases its comfort rating in colder temperatures in that it can be good to maintain your body heat and keep you warm.
Heights:
- Adjustable drawstring hood
- Completely synthetic insulation
- Can easily fit people with heights of around 6 foot
Plains:
- Heavy and bulky
- This would be more suitable for camping in a vehicle
5. Coleman 0°F Mummy Sleeping Bag for Big and Tall Adults
Temperature rating: 0°F /-18°C
People of a certain stature might find it more difficult to pick a sleeping bag to accommodate them.
Well, they can now rest assured as this 0°F Mummy Sleeping Bag from Coleman is the answer.
It can fit people with heights of up to 6’2” and of widths of up to 30”.
With a pack weight of just over 4lbs., it’s ideal for backpackers and hikers alike.
The interior of the bag is lined with nylon to keep you comfortable and the bag is insulated using a quilted thermal layer.
Reports indicate that, like most other bags, the stitching can oftentimes be substandard.
Also, the zip tends to fail – but the manufacturer tries to combat this by using ZipPlow systems.
Heights:
- Adjustable mummy hood
- Optional ventilation at the base
- ZipPlow system to stop the zip snagging on the fabric
Plains:
- Zipper tends to snag
- Hard to get back into the compression sack
Suggested: How to Choose a Sleeping Pad for Backpacking: Types & Tips
4. TETON Sports Camper Sleeping Bag
Temperature rating: -10°F /-23°C
Most cold weather sleeping bags have a mummy-style hood to keep the head warm.
But for people who sleep on their sides, this can be slightly awkward as a hood doesn’t really allow for side sleeping.
This Sports Camper from TETON can be the perfect solution as it doesn’t have a hood.
This makes it possible to move around at night. Still, cold sleepers don’t need to worry: this doesn’t mean you’ll need to wear a hat to keep heat enclosed.
The sleeping bag measures 82″ x 40″ so it’s pretty spacious. But at 10 lbs., it’s also pretty heavy.
Just as the TETON Deer Hunter sleeping bag, it is insulated with SuperLoft Elite 4-Channel Hollow Fiber.
Still, this sleeping system doesn’t trap heat in though as it is not possible to close, or even adjust the top of the bag.
Heights:
- Oversized for more wiggle and moving room
- Can unzip all the way to create a large blanket out of it
- Not hooded – makes it possible to sleep on your side
Plains:
- Very heavy
- Unable to cinch close at the top of the bag
- Not machine washable
3. Outdoor Vitals Summit 0°F Down Sleeping Bag
Temperature rating: 0°F /-18°C
With a pack weight of less than 3 lbs., this Summit 0°F sleeping bag from Outdoor Vitals is the lightest sleeping bag on this list.
There are three sizes available: short (5’-5’6”), regular (5’6”-6’), and long (6’-6’6”) – so make sure you get the correct fit for your height!
All the sizes have down insulation that’s graded at 800 fill to keep you alive at temperatures of 0°F /-18°C. Provided you choose the right size, it should provide a good warmth to weight ratio.
Unlike other sleeping bags, Outdoor Vitals removed some of the insulation from the back and added it to the footbox.
This will help keep your lower extremities warmer.
The only negatives I found were that some bags were of a lower quality than expected or that a few of these sleeping bags came with a strong odor to them.
Heights:
- Water-resistant
- Extra insulation in the footbox
- Adjustable mummy hood
Plains:
- Might have a strong odor
2. TETON Sports Celsius XXL Sleeping Bag; Great for Family Camping + Free Compression Sack
Temperature rating: 0°F /-18°C
Measuring in at 90″ x 39″ (229×99 cm), this Celsius XXL sleeping bag from TETON is one of the largest on this list.
At 7 lbs., it’s an average weight in comparison with some of the others.
This bag uses a synthetic polyester insulation known as SuperLoft Elite Hollow Fiber, just as the TETON Sports Celsius XL bag.
It’s advertised that it is possible to connect two of these bags together to create a double sized bed.
However, reports state that it’s not feasible as the zip in then is on the middle and creates an inconvenience.
As probably expected by now, the zip itself has also been known to be unreliable, to easily get stuck in the fabric, or just not work at all. Do check this as soon as it arrives!
Heights:
- Adjustable mummy-style hood
- Draft tubes
- Possible to connect two of these bags together
- Interior pocket for safekeeping your possesions
Plains:
- Not machine washable
- Inconvenient to connect two bags together – according to some
- Problems with the zipper
Suggested: The Best Camping Tents to Take with You
1. Hyke & Byke Snowmass 0 Degree F 650 Fill Power Hydrophobic Down Sleeping Bag with Allied LofTech Base
Temperature rating: 0°F /-18°C
If you’re hiking, or backpacking, and need a cold weather bag, most of them are usually fairly weighty.
But at less than 4 lbs., this model is one of the lightest bags you could get.
This Snowmass 0 Degree bag from Hyke & Byke is available in 3 different sizes: short, regular, and long.
Do check the sizing to get the correct fit for you.
This bag uses a combination of Duck down and LofTech to keep you insulated and it’s also stated to be 650 fill.
The only negative points raised regarding this bag were the zipper and the stitching.
However, Hyke & Byke seems to have improved its production and this does not seem to be an issue anymore.
Heights:
- Adjustable mummy-style hood
- Three sizes for people of different heights
- Duck down insulation
Plains:
- Some issues with the zipper getting stuck
- Some have reported stitching of inferior quality
Pro Tip: Also consider a stuff sack to protect your sleeping bag!
Checking the Temp Rating Before Deciding on the Best Sleeping Bags:
As I pointed out at the beginning of this article, there is one main matter to consider when comparing sleeping bags: the EN rating.
This appeared out of the need for independent tests and the ensuing comfort and limit rating information they provide.
The EN Rating is the degree to which the sleeping bag will keep you alive.
- So if the temperature rating states 0 degrees F, then the sleeping bag will keep you alive at that temperature – you won’t be warm and comfortable, but you’ll survive.
- To be comfortable, you should look for a bag that’s rated 20 degrees F to 30 degrees F lower than what you’re expecting the temperature to get down to.
- If you’re going to be sleeping in 10 degrees F weather, look for a sleeping bag that can handle lower than -10 degrees F and then you should be cozy and warm.”
Conclusion
Choosing a sleeping bag for your next adventure greatly depends on how cold it will get at night in the places you’re planning on seeing.
But any of these sleeping bags can be the perfect piece of gear for your next trip as they are among the best sleeping bags for staying warm and comfortable in cold weather!
Recommended Read: The Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags for Your Next Adventure!