The Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags of 2024

Last year, Kelty reduced the loft of the down used in this bag to a rating of 550. That has helped keep the price down, but it also reduces packability, raising it to 10 L.

The key features and feel of the updated Kelty Cosmic 20 keep it on our best-of list again — and we expect that will be the case for a while to come. This is a great purchase for those looking for an affordable down sleeping bag that’s applicable for moderate to cold temperatures in the backcountry.

For the price, we think it’s the best-budget backpacking sleeping bag on the market.

Its 650 fill-down lofts to 5.5 inches and is protected by a DWR (durable water-repellent) ripstop nylon shell. The 20-denier shell holds up well to abuse, and the 30-denier liner is soft against the skin. At two and a quarter pounds, this bag is an average weight for its class.

We also loved that it can be zipped together with other Mountain Hardwear bags with the opposite side zipper for a larger shared bed for two. While this bag might not be the warmest or lightest in the lineup, it proves to be more durable than some of its thin-skinned competitors. The materials are a bit sturdier, which does keep this bag above two pounds.

One minor complaint is that we prefer a bigger, circumferential draft tube at the neck, but the collar baffle does a decent job keeping the cold air out. Also, it doesn’t pack as small as other bags with higher down fill power.

If you’re on a budget and looking for a bag that performs well, the Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass checks all the boxes without compromising too much in terms of quality. It’s a great choice for folks who want the warmth and packability of a down sleeping bag without the high price tag of top-tier models.

It achieves this in three ways. First, Rab utilizes a unique trapezoidal baffle construction that it claims prevents down migration and promotes more loft. Second, and more importantly, Rab coats thin fibers within the bag with titanium. This helps reflect radiant body heat back toward the sleeper, keeping the inside of the bag warmer without adding more down. Lastly, it uses 950-fill down, one of the best warmth-to-weight insulators you can get in a sleeping bag.

Available in a 180 (32-degree) and 360 (20-degree) model, you can customize depending on the weather extremes you want to be prepared for. And while this bag is on the upper end of the price range, we believe the construction and materials justify the cost. Our only complaint in testing was that it was very tight to get in and out of. This is par for the course for a lightweight mummy bag, but it is worth considering if you are larger or prefer side sleeping.

Staying light on all features, there’s just a single 1/8-length zipper. Overall, the Rab Mythic Ultra 180 proved to be the lightest and most packable option we tested. For the ultralight enthusiast, this might be the best backpacking sleeping bag available right now.

The user can custom fit the bag depending on the style of sleeping with a 10-inch zippered side panel along the length of the bag. Slide the zipper and the bag expands for side sleepers or those who just want a little more room. It’s plenty light enough to carry for a long hike or ride (2 pounds, 4 ounces for regular size), and our testers found it luxurious enough for car camping trips.

The interior loops allow for a bag liner and the interior mesh pockets hold gadgets and other small things to keep close (and warm) at night. On top of all that, it’s filled with water-repellent DownTek down, keeping you warm and cozy across a wide range of temps.

The drawback to these extra elements is that this bag is heavier than many others tested. Worse still, it doesn’t pack down nearly as small as we would prefer. For the right person, though, that won’t matter and is an easy trade for all the extra room gained from the side panels.

The Big Agnes Women’s Torchlight UL is perfect for those who place comfort above all. It can both expand and cinch around your body. Yet with all these features, it still packs down easily and is small enough to take out in the wilderness.

Merging the quilt template of their wildly popular Revelation with a completely sewn-closed footbox, the Enigma is designed for the dedicated, weight-conscious backpacker wanting the most dialed, no-frills ultralight setup. While the Revelation offers an adjustable foot box for splaying the quilt out like a blanket, the Enigma eschews the function in search of shaving off some ounces and trapping precious heat.

Having taken both the Revelation and Enigma on extended thru-hikes, we feel like the Enigma does a better job of reducing drafts, packs into your bag more easily, and is just a better quilt for backpacking in general.

Enlightened Equipment is known for the high level of customization it offers for its quilts, allowing the weight, warmth, size, durability, and style to be perfectly dialed for whatever adventure lies ahead. Check out the fully custom Enigma to find your perfect style. Just beware, these have some long lead times.

You can also choose between 7D, 10D, or 20D fabrics for the outside, and 7D and 10D for the inside to adjust the durability of the quilt. We found that a 10D outside and 7D inside held up just fine over months of abuse. The baffles are thoughtfully designed into a continuous U shape which reduces feather shifting, and the stitching between the baffles doesn’t go all the way through the quilt, eliminating cold spots.

The quilt also comes with an elastic strap attachment system for securing it to sleeping pads, and a cinch cord at the neck to further eliminate drafts. We wish they had put the pull cord on the side of the quilt, however, as opposed to right in the middle above your face, as it often gets annoying while trying to sleep — really one of our only complaints.

In short, the Enlightened Equipment Enigma is a reliable, ultralight, and super warm alternative to traditional sleeping bags while backpacking. For long thru-hikes spanning months, or fast and light forays in the mountains, this thing will keep you toasty without weighing you down.

Thankfully, REI retained all that we loved about the previous version of the Magma: the 850-fill power down, the lightweight 15-denier Pertex nylon shell, and excellent packability are all still standouts, but those added sizings are what really won us over in the new version. Our testers put in evenings in the Medium-Medium and Medium-Long cuts and found them to be sized perfectly.

Abandoning the gendered style of sizing sleeping bags will be a little confusing for some, which is why we highly recommend trying out the Magma in person before pulling the trigger on one. To be sure, the Magma is still a mummy bag through and through, which makes it ideal for backpacking, but accurate sizing is still important for proper fit. Thankfully, an ample vaulted foot box keeps things roomy for your feet.

One of our bigger gripes with the previous iteration of this 15-degree sleeping bag was a decided lack of warmth for such a rated bag — but no longer. REI added an average of 7 extra ounces of down across the size range, and this is now a toasty warm bag. Now if they can overhaul the included stuff sack (which, unfortunately, has no compression system), we’ll be square.

If finding the perfect fitting sleeping bag has you tossing and turning, the REI Co-op Magma 15 offers up a new way. With a recently boosted warmth, trim backpacking mummy cut, and overall light weight, this bag has backpacking chops, and it doesn’t ask you to cram yourself into it to take advantage.

Read Review: Sleeping Bag for All Has 9 Different Sizes: REI Magma 15 Review

The large foot box and 58 inches of shoulder girth allow for comfortable sleeping, with enough room to stuff a hot Nalgene at your feet to keep your toes warm. We found the 20-denier nylon fabric is tougher than most bags in its class. On cold nights, six inches of 850-fill down and large baffles keep the draft and cold air out.

We really liked that the neck baffle encircles the entire circumference of the bag, offering protection to keep your body heat sealed in. This bag is offered in short, regular, long, and left or right zip. It also comes with its own compression sack.

Unfortunately, all of this bag’s warmth comes at a high price. The biggest complaint we have is that this bag is not in the budget for many shoppers. We really don’t have much to complain about with this product, but we will continue to use and abuse, and critique it.

Overall, the Mountain Hardwear Phantom is a must for any serious backpacker looking for a lightweight adventure bag that doesn’t skimp on warmth or quality.

We found the design of this bag to be thoughtfully made. It eliminated some issues we’ve had with sleeping bags in the past. One of the first things that struck us was the locking sliders on the two-way zipper. This pretty much completely eliminates the annoyance of the zipper snagging on overlapping fabric and getting stuck. A constant frustration we have with traditional bags.

We tested the 20-degree model in similar temps, and found that to be an appropriate rating, keeping us toasty at 20 or a little below. The voluminous draft collar prevents cold air from slipping through the zippers, and we loved cowboy camping in windy conditions with it. The continuous baffles allow you to shuffle the insulation around easily, minimizing cold spots.

At 1 pound, 8 ounces for the 20-degree, this is one of the lighter three-season mummy bags out there. The superior warmth and wind resistance match that of heavier models, but the minimal weight is achieved by a pretty slim, simple design, which we found does cut down on overall comfort. This wasn’t too much of an issue for us, as we actually like the close-cut feel of a down coffin, but some may want more room to stretch out or splay their legs.

As a true 3-season lightweight sleeping bag, the Hummingbird UL 20 stands out as one of the best backpacking sleeping bag choices for those looking to go the distance with as light a base weight as possible. For a more neutral balance between weight and space, be sure to check out Feathered Friend’s wildly popular Swallow UL bag.

As an update to the previous model, Montbell managed to shave a few more ounces and fractions of a liter off the weight and pack size. Thankfully, the Japanese backcountry brand kept all the goodies that made the Down Hugger line a true standout. Montbell’s seamless design helps promote more loft space for the down within the bag.

Rather than utilizing the traditional baffle, the company has what it calls “spider yarn,” throughout the bag that holds the down in place in a web-style construction. You get a highly packable bag with an exceptional warmth-to-weight ratio.

In our testing, that’s exactly what Montbell achieved. Not only is the Down Hugger plush and warm, but it also provides a surprising amount of shoulder room. The GORE-TEX INFINIUM shell blocks drafts and wind. It also helps repel moisture like the condensation that often accumulates inside tents. It uses incredibly high-quality 900-fill down, which certainly adds to the high price.

The high price is a big drawback. The unique design and high-quality construction warrant the price tag but mostly only for serious enthusiasts. Another complaint is that the Montbell Down Hugger does not have many venting options, but it is offered in temperature ratings ranging from 15 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

This bag is perfect for the serious hiker who wants a bag that packs as small as can be, yet still offers outstanding warmth.

We were skeptical of this design, but the more we used it the more we began turning our noses up at traditional sleeping bags. The ability to easily slide your arms out to grab your phone or Nalgene at night, or transition seamlessly from campfire hangs to your Therm-a-Rest does give you a certain elite feeling. The addition of a two-way zipper also makes crawling into and out of the sleeping bag a cinch.

Its allure doesn’t stop at its unique design, though. 20-denier ripstop fabric boosts durability, and 800-fill power PFC-free DriDown keeps you cozy on wild adventures. We brought this bag on a handful of long backpacking trips, and even a five-day big wall ascent of the Nose on El Cap to test its merit — and it passed with flying colors. 

While this is an extremely niche use, we found the Mobile Mummy to be an exceptionally perfect bag for big wall climbing. It allows you to stay wrapped up while shuffling around on the portaledge, cooking meals, and organizing gear. You can also route a personal anchor system through the arm holes at night and clip it to your harness, without having it run awkwardly through the top. A treasured feature we didn’t realize we loved so much until we got on the wall. 

To save weight, it has a bit of a narrow design which may be constricting for some. We like a tighter mummy design, but it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. It’s also not the lightest, or most compact 15° bag we’ve tested, but the extra features and unique construction make these penalties worth it.

While this isn’t the most streamlined, technical sleeping bag on the market, the Sierra Designs Mobile Mummy does provide a noticeable boost in camp comfort and is just downright fun to travel with. The ability to walk around and access your arms without taking your sleeping bag off makes this one of our favorite picks for casual camping trips — or the occasional assault on El Cap. 

The 30-denier ripstop shell feels sturdy and held up well in testing on rough terrain. The nylon liner is also super soft and pleasant to sleep against. A final touch we appreciated is the breathable waterproof foot. Down loses warming power when wet and our feet are the first place to get saturated from condensation in the tent. It also touts one of our favorite bonuses: it comes with a compression sack.

Heavier fabric and plenty of fill mean that the Disco weighs in at a hefty two pounds and eleven ounces in the regular. This is still way lighter than a lot of bags but a full pound more than some of the ultralight bags tested.

If you sleep on your side and loathe sleeping on your back, try the NEMO Disco 15. This bag is well suited to the side sleeper or anyone who wants a little more room to stretch out or move around.

Our complaint is that side sleeping is not easy in this bag. But to have room to side sleep means more dead air space to heat up, which equals less warmth. So being that it is snug, this bag is warm. It’s a give-and-take.

This bag hits the mark for backpacking with a good weight-to-warmth ratio. Unfortunately, the fabric isn’t the most durable we’ve seen. The zipper caught on the fabric and ripped it slightly during use, and a couple of small feathers came out. This could be stitched easily enough; just something to think about.

If you sleep cold and need a light bag that packs down small, the Sea to Summit Flame 25 is a good purchase.

Nobody in the game does plush and cozy quite like Therm-a-Rest. Coming in just over a single pound, the Hyperion saves weight with 900-fill hydrophobic down.

We also liked the svelte SynergyLink sleeping pad connectors to keep you from slipping off your mattress at night. As light as it is, it still has big, easy-to-grip zippers and a pillowy, cinchable hood.

The drawback to this product is that this snug-fitting bag is difficult to move around in. The taper from the shoulder to the feet is sharp and does not allow for wiggling or much movement. That does make it warmer with less dead space, but if you tend to toss and turn, look elsewhere.

If you find yourself in the bottom of the tent in the morning nowhere near your pad, consider the Hyperion 32 for your next ultralight purchase.

The brand also designed the 12D shell fabric to be extra breathable, promoting as much loft as possible. And a jumbo, 3D-insulated collar helps seal in as much heat as possible for alpinists and serious backpackers.

This is one of the most expensive bags on our list but deserves consideration for those committed to quality. The high loft and down rating justifies this expense. The overstuffed draft tube and collar make for a cozy night’s sleep.

Consider this top-of-the-line bag if you are ready to spend the money on a quality product from a leader in the industry. Also be sure that you are someone who is very careful to take care of lightweight, sensitive gear. If that’s you, it’s one of the best backpacking sleeping bags money can buy.

Though not the most flashy design, a quick peak under the hood reveals some unique flairs that bump the comfort and useability of this bed-on-the-go above a lot of its competition. We immediately loved the chevron-shaped baffles and trapezoid box-wall construction, which seem to stabilize its insulation better than traditional horizontal baffles and allow the bag to employ less fabric, fully loft quicker, and reduce cold spots. This gives it a solid warmth-to-weight ratio but does make for a narrow, somewhat constricting design. Shifting around inside isn’t near as easy as with other models, and this isn’t the best choice for side-sleepers.

Anti-snag zipper guards afford a silky smooth closure and baffles along the zipper and at the neck seal in precious heat. The stellar neck baffle design is among our favorites, with a contoured, yoke-shaped slot on the front that nestles perfectly just under your chin. Cinch cords help with the full cocooning process. Trust us — you’ll bemoan having to crawl out of this cushy capsule when nature calls at midnight.

While we appreciate the included waterproof stuff sack, we feel it is much too big for how small the bag packs down, and it’s hard to compress it to its full potential. At just over two pounds, the Neutrino 600 isn’t the lightest on this list but has an impressive weight for a 10-degree F model. The 800-fill down thwarts chilly shoulder-season temps (or biting winter cold with its -10F option), and its hydrophobic finish shielded by the DWR-coated fabric fends off condensation or light precipitation.

This is a fantastic, high-end down bag at more of an approachable price point than others in its class. Technical alpinists and serious backpackers on a budget will appreciate what the Neutrino brings to the table. Considering its premium construction, thoughtful feature set, and streamlined silhouette, we’d say it punches well above its weight.