When picking a sleeping bag, there are many factors to consider: use, weight/packability, fill material, temperature rating, comfort, cost. There is no perfect answer and becomes a balancing act of all the factors considered together. There are also an amazing number of manufacturers and sources of finding sleeping bags. Some will have multiple models and sizes within there offerings. Here are some things to consider.

Use: The first thing to consider when purchasing most gear is what will the item be used for. If car camping is the majority of the type of camping done with this gear, that has an impact. In sleeping bags, weight and packability might not be as much of a factor as they would be if used for backpacking or ultra-light backpacking. Many times, gear has to be used for more than one use, which makes this less of a consideration unless the last factor (cost) is not really a factor. Mummy vs rectangular or semi-rectangular is another consideration and often considered more for weight and packability, but also can be connected to use.

Another type of use considered more and more in the last few years is hammock vs. tent camping. Many hammockers are going with under-quilt designs that wrap on the outside and underneath of the hammock. Thinking is that laying in a hammock can crush the baffles and reduce the temperature ratings. This could also be said for general sleeping, and some manufacturers answer this with integrated sleeping pads that provide thermal barriers on the bottom and possibly less fill on the bottom for that purpose.

Weight/packability: Certainly, when replacing or upgrading gear, you want to improve on what you have. Weight and packability are one of the biggest opportunities for upgrade and likely a big driver for why consider new gear to begin with. When first starting out, these may not be as big a factor because cost is a big driver and you try to get as best as you can afford or want to invest until you are fully committed to camping/backpacking. As people get more into backpacking, they inevitably want to reduce weight and the Big Three is where you aim: backpack, tent, sleeping bag. The lower the weight, the more distance you can cover or the more comfort you achieve and the more ability to splurge on other items either for comfort or enjoyment. (ie: a more comfortable sleep pad or better meal with heavier ingredients!) With reduced weight also comes packability, usually, but also may depend on other factors like fill material and temp rating. You can also get a compression stuff sack, but that can add weight that could have been cut with a different choice.

Fill Material: Another factor that can be influenced by other factors is fill material. Basic choices are down vs. synthetic. Down is typically lighter and warmer than synthetics, but comes at a cost. There are different grades of down, but for the most part all can be compared as one to synthetics, which can also come in a variety of forms. Synthetics vary by manufacturers and can be really nuanced, but can be grouped in one group. Big disadvantage of down is that when it gets wet it does not keep you warm, but several manufacturers are coming out with new finishes on the outside to protect the warmth factor with waterproof materials. Jury is still out as results are mixed and could be base on cost and manufacturers. Synthetics are generally cheaper in cost and some are really warm and compressible. Cost is usually the biggest driver and as with most gear: you get what you pay for. As you collect multiple items of gear over the years, one might have both synthetic and down sleeping bags in different temperature ratings for different uses.

Temperature Ratings: This is a really subjective measurement that varies significantly from manufacturers and can only be used as a rough guide. Typically, you want a sleeping bag that will serve you for the most likely situations you will be in. If you never intend to be camping when it is below freezing, you can use that as your guide. Again, if you are able to have more than one sleeping bag, you may consider different temp ratings for your different bags. Speaking to the subjectivity, one also has to consider personal factors, like whether you’re a cold or warm sleeper. 2 different people could have the same bag in the same temperature in the same conditions and have two totally different experiences. Best case may be to get a sleeping bag with a couple degrees lower rating than you intend to camp and then see how it works. (Bonus: a way to “stretch” the rating may be to add a warmer sleeping liner. More on liners below but some can add 5-10 degrees or more to the temp rating, of course at a cost of weight and packability!)

Comfort: This is another very subjective measurement and can be defined in many different ways. For the purpose of this discussion, how much room is available is the comfort being discussed. Mostly referring to mummy bags when discussing comfort, how much shoulder, hip, or foot-box room can vary from style to style or manufacturer. You should always try you out a sleeping bag before buying it. Take it out of the package and climb in before leaving the store! Think about how much room you will need to be comfortable sleeping. Think about if you sleep in your back, side, or stomach and how easy it is to move around in the bag. Think about the length and whether you will want to cinch up around your face or bury in the bag. (Most will recommend not burying in a bag as that can add moisture into the rest of the bag and cause discomfort and changed temperature ratings!) Think about how much extra room is in the bag and if you normally put extra clothes or jackets in your sleeping bag to make it easier to get dressed in the morning. And, think about having too much extra space as this can effect temp rating since your body will have to provide warmth to that extra space. Many say don’t have too much extra space for this reason. Did we mention or have you realized there are a lot of factors to consider?

Cost: Often one of the biggest drivers, you have to figure out how much you are willing to pay for these different factors. Sleeping bags can range from sleep-over youth bags at $20 to super-expedition bags over $1,000. Most are probably in the $150-400 range and often a the mantra holds true: you get what you pay for. You also have to consider that this is an investment and something that can last you years and years if taken care of. You may have to decide on a cost range and then research within to find the best option with the most factors that meet your needs. It can also be said that the most expensive bag may also be overkill for what you need. Just because you can pay an arm and a leg doesn’t mean you have to!

Bonus: additional things to consider are liners, storing, and caring for sleeping bags. Many people now recommend liners for all sleeping bags to help take care of the bag and keep them clean. Liners come in all shapes and sizes and materials as well. They are now available in extremely lightweight materials. It makes sense to consider a liner when thinking about hiking outdoors all day and jumping into a sleeping bag. This can also impact caring for a sleeping bag, when this is not something that you just throw in the washing machine when you get home, like some of your other items. Washing a sleeping bag has very specialized instructions and often can shorten the life of the bag. Storing your bag is another aspect that can contribute to the life of your bag. Never store compressed in a stuff sack. Most good sleeping bags will come with an oversized 100% cotton storage bag. If not, a pillow case can also serve this purpose. Another way to store a sleeping bag could be hanging in a dry, safe space like a closet. Like all gear purchases, paying attention to the care of the item will enable the full enjoyment of the item.