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11 Best Down Sleeping Bags to Buy in 2022 - Down Sleeping Bag Reviews
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# 11 Best Down Sleeping Bags That Guarantee Great Sleep on Your Outdoor Adventures

They're like a luxurious hotel comforter for the backcountry.

woman in green down sleeping bag looking out of tent at mountains

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Backpacking and camping require quite a bit of preparation, like planning a route, knowing where camping is permitted, shopping for trail-ready foods, and packing all the right gear. Your bedtime gear — tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad — is arguably the most vital part of your backpacking setup. This trifecta is often heavy, expensive, and consumes the most space.

While some people will buy the lightest, most minimalist gear possible, we’re firm believers that if you’re going to skimp anywhere to save some weight or money, your sleeping setup is not the place to do it. Because if you’re going to truly enjoy all of nature’s beauty and get any sort of recovery sleep after a brutal hike (or four), you’ll need a tent, pad, and sleeping bag that are up for the challenge.

Sleeping bags, like all other outdoor gear, span an unbelievable range of price and quality. Whether you’re a novice backpacker or an occasional camper, the basics in the build are roughly the same. We almost always use down bags, because they are lighter, warmer, and compress smaller. But since it’s a big investment, finding the down sleeping bag that meets all your needs is important.

### The Best Down Sleeping Bags

### Best for Cold-Weather Backpacking

### Best Value

### Best Ultralight Bag

### What to Consider

There are several things to take into account when purchasing a down sleeping bag:

Insulation Type

Sleeping bags are either stuffed with down feathers or synthetic fibers — and some bags even have a blend of the two. Synthetic bags are cheaper and perform better when wet, but they’re heavier and don’t compress down nearly as small. Down sleeping bags are more expensive but they’re the gold standard for most backpackers. Down bags also weigh less, compress smaller, are more durable, and can keep you pretty darn toasty in freezing temps. Since we pretty much always recommend down over synthetic, this review will focus on down sleeping bags only.

Temperature Ratings

Every bag has a number in the title that refers to its temperature rating (in Fahrenheit). This rating system can get pretty complex, so we’ll keep it simple: Choose a bag that is rated slightly below the lowest temperatures that you will most commonly encounter.

Fill Power

Every sleeping bag also has a number called “fill power,” ranging from lows around 600 to highs around 950. Higher fill power is a higher quality down, which in turn affects the warmth-to-weight ratio: more warmth and less weight are obviously better. Insulating more efficiently with less size and weight makes a higher fill power more desirable, and thus more expensive. Clear as mud?

Shape

Mummy bags are the most common sleeping bag shape. They have a tapered shape with less wasted space and fabric, mimicking the contours of your body, which makes them smaller, lighter, and more thermally efficient than other shapes. Semi rectangular bags have more space to wiggle, which also means more fabric and — you guessed it — a heavier product. Quilts are a third option, especially for minimalist backpackers, as they minimize bulk, like the large hood that many campers rarely use.

#### Weight

Sleeping bags can get pretty darn heavy, so the “overall bag weight” is essential. We’d recommend staying around 3 pounds or less if your budget allows (lighter = more expensive). You can get a solid bag that compresses well, keeps you warm, and will last you quite some time for around $300.

Care

Just like a down jacket or vest, down sleeping bags need occasional washing. But they require special care: We’ve tried many a detergent, but Nikwax has proven most effective for safely cleaning delicate, technical fabrics.

### How We Chose

Our editors thoroughly examined a large variety of down sleeping bags for camping and backpacking, considering things like fill power, warmth-to-weight ratio, durability, and, of course, price. Many of these down sleeping bags were chosen based on positive firsthand testing experiences in the backcountry, while others were selected based on hours of research and surveys of user reviews.

In this review, we combined our passion for nature with our knowledge of the outdoor industry to help you make an educated decision and choose the best down sleeping bag for you, so you, too, will consider quitting your day job and disappearing indefinitely. Careful there!

1

Best for Cold-Weather Backpacking

## Therm-a-Rest Parsec 0 Ultralight Down Mummy Sleeping Bag

###### Pros

- ProImpressive warmth-to-weight ratio
- ProDown filling is high quality and hydrophic

###### Cons

- ConExpensive

Key Features

- Temperature Rating : 0 degrees
- Fill Power: 800
- Weight: 38 ounces

If you need ultimate warmth from a sleeping bag that won't occupy your entire overnight backpack, Therm-a-Rest has you covered. It's capable of cold-weather adventures like snowshoeing hut trips or winter camping. Personally, I love it for high alpine backpacking above treeline, when rain quickly becomes blowing snow when you least expect it (even in August!).

The Parsec is rated for comfort to 0 degrees. It's stuffed with 800-fill hydrophobic down that's treated with Nikwax to absorb less moisture and dry faster. It weighs 38 ounces (regular size) and compresses down to 8x9 inches, which is pretty darn impressive for a bag this warm. Its warmth-to-weight ratio is top-notch, which helps justify the price.

This year's Parsec has been updated from previous years, using an ultralight nylon shell made from recycled materials, updated SynergyLink connectors to strap your sleeping pad in place, new anti-snag zippers, and slightly more space in the shoulders to accommodate extra layers.

Bottom Line: As someone who runs cold, especially in the high country, this is my go-to sleeping bag when temperatures might rapidly change, even if it's overkill on warmer nights.

2

Best Value

## Sierra Designs Indy Pass 30 Degree Down Sleeping Bag

Now 15% Off

###### Pros

- ProDown filling for the price of synthetic
- ProLightweight and compressible
- ProRelaxed shape is roomier

###### Cons

- Con550-fill down is on the lower end of the spectrum

Key Features

- Temperature Rating: 30 degrees
- Fill Power: 550
- Weight: 36 ounces

Sierra Designs is one of the few outdoor gear companies that makes high-quality sleeping bags at an affordable price point. And their new Indy Pass 30 is the perfect example.

This mummy-shaped bag packs a lot of punch for the price, undercutting most other down-filled, 30-degree sleeping bags. The Indy Pass is stuffed with 550-fill down that is water-resistant (hydrophobic) and responsibly sourced. It weighs just 36 ounces and packs down small to fit in your overnight backpack, yet has a relaxed shape with room to wiggle.

One of our favorite features of this bag is that it's made from durable recycled fabrics and it's treated with a PFC-free water repellent, which are both impressive moves to minimize environmental impact.

The Indy Pass surely is not the smallest or lightest down sleeping bag, but it's a great entry-level option for occasional backpackers who can't afford to shell out over $300.

Bottom Line: This bag offers incredible value for occasional backpacking or frequent car-based camping.

3

Best Ultralight Bag

## Sea to Summit Spark SpII 28 Sleeping Bag

###### Pros

- ProWeighs just over 1 pound (13 ounces)
- ProCompresses incredibly small

###### Cons

- ConCould be cold at higher altitudes
- ConThin fabrics are more delicate

Key Features

- Temperature Rating: 28 degrees
- Fill Power: 850
- Weight: 13 ounces

A review of the best down sleeping bags would be incomplete without mention of Sea to Summit. This brand gets its name from its cofounder, Tim Macartney-Snape, who was one of a few hundred people to summit Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen in 1984. And now, Sea to Summit has become a household name for backpackers and mountaineers.

Weighing in at just 13 ounces (yes, just over 1 pound!), this is the lightest sleeping bag on our list. And while it's toward the top of our price range, it's Sea to Summit's most beloved and reasonably priced bag. The Spark has a mummy shape, 850-fill Ultra-Dry goose down, and a lightweight nylon shell that compresses super small, as well as horizontal baffles on the lower half that minimize weight while retaining warmth.

This bag is available in multiple temperature options, but we like the 28-degree model best. This temperature rating makes it capable of backpacking in three seasons, so if you frequent warmer temperatures, having this incredibly small and lightweight bag as part of your arsenal will free up tons of space in your pack. What you choose to do with that space — fill it with hoppy beverages, or leave it vacant for efficiency — is totally up to you.

Bottom Line: If minimalism is your jam, this incredibly lightweight bag could be the start of your trek down the ultra light path.

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4

The Plushest Comfort

## Big Agnes Lost Ranger 3N1 15 Sleeping Bag

###### Pros

- ProSuper roomy
- ProThree size options offers versatility
- ProSleeping pad sleeve is a must-have (for us)

###### Cons

- ConOn the heavier side

Key Features

- Temperature Rating: 15 degrees
- Fill Power: 650
- Weight: 40 ounces

If you’ve never tried a Big Agnes System bag, it's time to catch up. They have an integrated sleeve on the underside that holds most inflatable sleeping pads, which is the perfect solution to keeping restless sleepers from slipping and sliding off their pad. We swear by this design and pretty much always favor it when camping.

This rectangular bag has much more wiggle room than a mummy bag with a Free Range Footbox, giving you space to spread out a bit. It features DownTek's 650-fill hydrophobic down, is temperature rated at 15 degrees, weighs 40 ounces, and packs down into the 8x17.5-inch stuff sack (regular size). It comes in regular, long, and wide-long versions, so there's something for people of all sizes.

If comfort takes precedence over weight-saving and you're working on a fixed income, this bag should be a serious contender. We've used it on wet, multinight trips with lower mileage, where a few extra ounces is tolerable and rain is prevalent, and we're always happy to have a roomier bag with extra features when we bed down.

Bottom Line: High quality with comfort-enhancing features for the budget-conscious.

5

Most Comfortable 30-Degree Bag

## Patagonia Fitz Roy Down Sleeping Bag 30°F

###### Pros

- ProWarm and comfy without being bulky
- ProCenter zip allows more even ventilation
- ProSculpted footbox keeps down evenly distributed

###### Cons

- ConHeavier than some 30-degree bags

Key Features

- Temperature Rating: 30 degrees
- Fill Power: 800
- Weight: 29 ounces

Named after an awe-inspiring peak in Chilean Patagonia, the Fitz Roy is built for high performance in chilly, windy mountain environments. It's roomier than minimalist bags, with a sculpted foot box that prevents the down from shifting, while also allowing for some wiggle room. And the center zip is a unique feature we love, allowing you to air out both sides of your body instead of just one.

This bag is rated for comfort at 30 degrees and weighs just 29 ounces, thanks to a high-quality 800-fill down with a solid warmth-to-weight ratio.

And true to Patagonia form, environmental conservation is at the forefront of this bag's production — it's made from 100% recycled solution-dyed fabrics, with traceable down, and in a Fair Trade-certified factory.

Bottom Line: It's the perfect amount of warmth, comfort, and packability for warmer nights deep in the backcountry.

6

Best for Side Sleepers

## NEMO Disco 15 Sleeping Bag

###### Pros

- ProSpoon shape is a game-changer for side sleepers
- ProEasy to regulate temperature with “Thermo Gills”

###### Cons

- ConExtra features can turn off minimalists who might want less weight, and bulk can be unnecessary for back sleepers

Key Features

- Temperature Rating: 15 degrees
- Fill Power: 650
- Weight: 43 ounces

Side sleepers, delight: The Disco is one of Nemo's beloved, longtime favorites. It features Nemo's unique “spoon shape,” with more space at the elbows, hips, and knees, so you can move freely within the bag as you roll from side to side. Being constricted is a feeling that can really affect sleep quality for side sleepers (that's us!), and this bag nearly eliminates those troubles.

The Disco 15 weighs 43 ounces and compresses down to 7.2 liters, which is pretty darn lightweight and packable, considering the plush comfort you'll get. It's by no means bulky or heavy, and the added comfort is 100% worth leaving behind an extra pair of underwear or two (personal opinion).

True to Nemo form, the Disco has plenty of unique, well-thought (if not overbuilt) features that distinguish it from the competition and proved worthwhile to us on a few cold, rainy nights off the grid. “Thermo Gills” can be unzipped to let hot air out without allowing cool drafts in, a waterproof footbox prevents cold toes when your bag is pressed up against the tent wall, an integrated sleeve keeps your pillow in place, and a blanket folded by your chin leaves you with a “tucked in ready for bed” feeling.

Bottom Line: Side sleepers have met their match, and a host of additional features really maximize comfort.

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7

Most Affordable Zero-Degree Bag

## Kelty Cosmic 0 Down Sleeping Bag

###### Pros

- ProCompetitive price
- ProPretty darn warm
- ProSuper soft nylon material

###### Cons

- ConMuch heavier than most down bags
- ConToo big for backpacking

Key Features

- Temperature Rating: 0 degrees
- Fill Power: 550
- Weight: 73 ounces

For around $200, Kelty's Cosmic 0-Degree Down sleeping bag is a lot of bag for your buck. It's definitely not the lightest or most compressible bag around for backpacking, but it's easily one of the most affordable zero-degree bags around and comes from a well-respected brand in Kelty. For the budget-wise car-camper who frequents below-freezing temps, Kelty delivers trusted warmth.

Rated at 0 degrees, this mummy-shaped bag is capable of three-season car camping. It's stuffed with water-resistant 550-fill down, so you won't have a soggy bag all weekend if some moisture sneaks through the seams of your tent. It weighs a hefty 73 ounces, packs down into a 16x10-inch stuff sack, and fits nicely on the floor behind your driver's seat.

Perhaps our favorite quality is this bag's fabric — it's a nylon taffeta that is buttery-soft on your skin. We've had some cozy nights in this bag and will definitely keep it in rotation well into the fall.

Bottom Line: If you're always cold, this will keep your body warm and your pockets full.

8

Honorable Mention

## REI Co-op Magma 15 Down Sleeping Bag

###### Pros

- ProHigh-quality 850-fill goose down
- ProPretty lightweight
- ProBuilt to last

###### Cons

- ConRuns colder than most 15-degree bags

Key Features

- Temperature Rating: 15 degrees

- Fill Power: 850

- Weight: 28.2 ounces

For frequent backpackers who want the best warmth-to-weight ratio and can't shell out $500, REI’s Magma 15 should be a serious contender. It's a premium cold-weather bag catering to budget-conscious backpackers.

The Magma's shining star is its down filling. This high-quality 850-fill goose down is water-resistant, temperature-rated at 15 degrees, and Bluesign-approved for environmental and occupational safety. With a weight of 28 ounces and a compressed size of fewer than 6 liters, it's an impressive combination for enthusiastic backpackers in colder climates.

Best of all? It's built to last. The Downproof Pertex shell fabric resists wear and tear, and the new zipper cover with an internal anti-snag strip prevents jams when you're half-awake, stepping out for a wee.

Bottom Line: This bag competes in the sub-$400 range with a killer combo of weight, warmth, durability, and packability.

9

Most Versatile

## The North Face One Bag Sleeping Bag

###### Pros

- ProThree bags for the price of one

###### Cons

- ConThe heaviest on this list at 3.75 pounds

Key Features

- Temperature Rating: 5, 20, or 40 degrees
- Fill Power: 800
- Weight: 60 ounces

Three bags for the price of one? Sign us up! The North Face's One Bag is a three-part system that may seem like a gimmick, but it's a pretty strong competitor for car-camping when you take a deeper dive.

It all starts with a base bag that can be combined with either or both of the other two layers, depending on the weather, to deliver comfort at three different temperature ranges: 5, 20, and 40 degrees.

While this bag has a mummy silhouette, it's much roomier than a traditional mummy sleeping bag. It's loaded with a combo of 800-fill down and synthetic fibers, weighs a total of 3.75 pounds, and stuffs down to 17.5x13.5 inches. This makes it one of the heaviest and largest options we reviewed. But the comfort is top-notch, and having options for variable temperatures is a nice feature that is hard to overlook, especially when you can't afford two separate bags.

Bottom Line: For right around $300, this bag's versatility and comfort are ideal for car camping.

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10

Best American-Made Bag

## Feathered Friends Egret YF 20/30 Sleeping Bag

###### Pros

- ProMade in Seattle
- ProResponsibly sourced, high-quality down

###### Cons

- ConExpensive for a 30-degree bag

Key Features

- Temperature Rating: 20 or 30 degrees
- Fill Power: 900
- Weight: 27 or 29 ounces

Feathered Friends' gear has been handmade in Seattle's industrial district since 1972 with 100% responsibly sourced down. Most of their gear is pricey, but they make some attainable options like this, too.

The Egret is one of their best-selling bags. The 30-degree option features 900-fill down that weighs 27 ounces (medium) and packs down to 8 liters. The full-length zip can be opened on warmer nights or closed up for full, toasty coverage. It's offered with multiple temperature ratings (20 and 30 degrees), lengths (small or medium), and colors (Marine and Iris).

It's a bit heavier and less packable than most comparably-priced bags, but for anyone who values American-made quality and responsibly sourced down, Feathered Friends is worth a look.

Bottom Line: A quality American-made sleeping bag from a well-respected brand.

11

Best Gateway to Quilts

## Sierra Designs Nitro Quilt 800 35-Degree

###### Pros

- ProVery lightweight
- ProInnovative hand pockets and hideaway hood
- ProReasonably priced

###### Cons

- ConRuns colder
- ConCan be draftier than a sleeping bag

Key Features

- Temperature Rating: 35 degrees
- Fill Power: 800
- Weight: 22 ounces

Quilts are all the hype nowadays for backpackers, and it just makes sense: Less bulk where it's less effective (underneath) for weight savings. And Sierra Designs has really nailed it with their Nitro Series quilts.

Weighing in at just 1 pound and 6 ounces, this 35-degree quilt has 800-fill down that packs down super small into the 13x7-inch stuff sack. Its unique shape means that your upper body will rest directly on the sleeping pad, but by stuffing your mitts in the insulated hand pockets, you can wrap yourself up however snugly (or loosely) you choose.

This quilt also has a “hideaway hood” for those occasional sub-zero nights, so you can peek your face out and keep the rest of your head wrapped up.

We took the Nitro Quilt backpacking, hoping to save weight and space, but anticipating that we may sacrifice some warmth or comfort. Boy, were we wrong! As a side sleeper, having the extra space up top is clutch, while being able to reposition easily without letting heat out was a game-changer. It might just be time for you to consider a quilt, too.

Bottom Line: With less material, this quilter is lighter and more efficient than a mummy bag.

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