Herbie Murray
When it comes to choosing the best and lightest sleeping bag, there are several factors to consider, including warmth, weight, compressibility, and price. Down sleeping bags are generally warmer, lighter, and more compressible than synthetic insulation bags, with goose down being a popular choice for its high fill power and warmth-to-weight ratio. For those seeking the lightest option, the Zpacks sleeping bag is a popular choice, weighing between 19.8 and 21.6 ounces, depending on the model. The Zpacks Classic is also a good option for three-season use and thru-hikes. The Feathered Friends brand is also well-known for its lightweight and high-quality sleeping bags, with the Swallow YF 20, Egret YF 20, and Hummingbird UL 20 being notable mentions. The Western Mountaineering HighLite is another ultralight option, weighing just 15 ounces. For a budget-friendly choice, the Marmot Helium 15 sleeping bag is a good option, providing warmth and lightweight at an affordable price.
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What You'll Learn
Sleeping bag shape and design
The shape and design of a sleeping bag are important factors to consider when choosing the best and lightest sleeping bag. The most common shapes are rectangular, double, and mummy bags. Rectangular sleeping bags are non-tapered, right-angled designs with full or half-length zips on one or both sides. They are ideal for restless sleepers as they allow for more movement, similar to a quilt or duvet. However, they are less thermally efficient than tapered bags due to the extra fabric and "dead air" space, making them heavier and less suitable for cool conditions.
Double sleeping bags are designed for couples, offering a spacious and cosy option. They can be zipped together, but it is important to ensure the bags are compatible, usually requiring them to be the same model and brand.
Mummy bags are the most popular type of sleeping bag due to their excellent warmth-to-weight ratio, low bulk, and draught-resistant design. They have a highly tapered, streamlined shape with a snug fit around the feet and more width at the hips and shoulders. The tapered design reduces fabric usage, making them lightweight and packable. Mummy bags often include a hood, maximising heat retention in cold temperatures. However, the tapered shape may be uncomfortable for those who prefer more legroom.
Backpacking sleeping bags, designed to minimise weight and bulk, often feature a mummy shape. Camping bags, on the other hand, typically offer more room and may be rectangular. The Alps OutdoorZ Redwood is a classic, spacious, and rectangular sleeping bag, ideal for car camping due to its warmth and comfort, although it is too heavy for backpacking.
When considering the design, features such as zippers, stash pockets, and hoods play a role in the overall functionality of the sleeping bag. Multiple zipper sliders allow for ventilation adjustment, while some bags include zipper guards or covers to prevent snagging. A snug-fitting hood can enhance warmth, especially in bags with lower temperature ratings. Additionally, stash pockets provide convenient storage for small items.
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Insulation and warmth
Down provides one of the best warmth-to-weight ratios, which is why it is the insulation of choice in the lightest products. High fill power goose down offers the highest warmth-to-weight ratio of any commonly available insulation. It is much more expensive than duck down, even at comparable fill powers. Down is also more expensive than synthetic fills, but it tends to be lighter, compresses well, lasts longer, and is extremely insulating for its weight.
Synthetic fills, on the other hand, retain their insulating power when wet (down does not), are easier to clean, tend to be less expensive, and are less allergenic. For this reason, synthetic bags would be a good choice for a basecamp scenario. For human-powered activities such as backpacking, sea kayaking, and mountaineering, a down-filled bag would be a better choice.
The design of the sleeping bag also affects its warmth. Backpacking sleeping bags are generally designed with a hood and a tapered sarcophagus shape, commonly referred to as a mummy bag, that minimises materials while maximising thermal efficiency. However, the tapered shape of a mummy bag reduces the space for your legs, so some people may find them uncomfortable. Bags with draft tubes, draft collars, and continuous baffles can also help to prevent cold air from getting inside the bag.
Some sleeping bags are also designed to be part of a sleep system, relying on an insulated pad and the warm clothing you'll already be carrying. For example, quilts are becoming an increasingly popular alternative to traditional sleeping bags. Quilts don't have a back or a hood and are generally not as warm as sleeping bags, but they can provide impressive warmth alongside great ventilation for hot sleepers. The idea is that any down or fabric underneath your body gets compressed and loses its loft, so why not eliminate it? However, think about the conditions you typically backpack in before deciding to go with a quilt if you've never tried one before.
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Venting and breathability
If you're backpacking, you'll need to adjust ventilation and your clothing to achieve layering. Getting some airflow through your tent can help you stay cool. If the air remains trapped for too long, your entire tent can feel warm and muggy. Opening a window while keeping the bug screen zipped up can help, as can removing the rainfly if it's not raining. You can then unzip your sleeping bag to cool off.
If you're a side or stomach sleeper, you might find that a breathable linen or silk liner can help reduce sweatiness. You can also try leaving your sleeping bag unzipped until the middle of the night when you get cold, and keep extra layers like a hat or vest nearby to put on if needed.
Some sleeping bags offer better venting options than others. For example, the Feathered Friends Flicker 40 UL has a full-length centre zip that allows you to use it as either a hoodless mummy bag or a flat quilt, giving you more control over ventilation. The Spark Ultralight 28 is another bag that features a zip for better ventilation.
When it comes to breathability, it's worth noting that synthetic insulation tends to breathe less than natural materials like down. So if you're sweating inside a down sleeping bag, you may need to adjust your clothing or bedding setup, but if you're sweating inside a synthetic bag, it might be time to consider a different option.
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Weight and pack size
When it comes to choosing a sleeping bag, weight and pack size are key considerations. If you're going to be carrying your sleeping bag in a backpack while hiking or travelling, you'll want to opt for a lightweight option that packs down small.
Down sleeping bags are generally lighter and more compressible than those with synthetic insulation. For example, the Feathered Friends Swallow YF 20 and Egret YF 20 are some of the highest-quality down bags for backpacking and are among the lightest and most compressible bags on the market. The women's medium Egret weighs 1 pound 13 ounces, while the Swallow is about 1 pound lighter than the Montbell Down Hugger. The Zpacks Classic hoodless sleeping bag is another lightweight option, weighing just 19.8 ounces.
If you're looking for an even lighter option, the Therm-a-Rest Vesper 32 quilt weighs only 15 ounces, although it may not be the warmest bag due to its lower fill weight. The Western Mountaineering HighLite sleeping bag is another ultralight option, weighing just 15 ounces. For a full-zip sleeping bag, the Zpacks Zip Around bag weighs 21.6 ounces in the standard width/medium length option, while the Feathered Friends Hummingbird weighs 24 ounces and is one of the lightest down bags rated at 20°F.
When considering weight and pack size, it's also important to keep in mind the temperature rating of the sleeping bag. Some bags may be lighter but may not provide sufficient warmth for colder climates. Additionally, some sleeping bags offer customizable parameters, such as overfilling the bag or adding draft tubes, which can increase warmth but may also add weight and bulk. Ultimately, the best lightweight sleeping bag will offer a good balance between weight, pack size, and warmth, depending on your specific needs and usage.
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Price and value
The Zpacks sleeping bag line provides excellent value for ultralight thru-hikers and backpackers. The Zpacks Classic hoodless sleeping bag, weighing 19.8 ounces, is an excellent choice for those seeking a warm and lightweight option for three-season use and thru-hikes. The Zpacks Zip Around Sleeping Bag is another versatile option, featuring a full-length zipper that allows it to be used as a quilt or sleeping bag. It has a standard width and medium length, with an overall weight of 21.6 ounces.
The Hummingbird UL 20 is a more affordable and lighter alternative to the Swallow UL 20, although it may be harder to find due to low stock. The Hummingbird is known for its high-quality 950+ down fill, providing an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio. It weighs 24 ounces, making it a good choice for those seeking the lightest option without compromising on quality.
The Marmot Helium 15 Sleeping Bag is another budget-friendly option for ultralight sleeping bags. It has a similar mummy style to the Feathered Friends, Western Mountaineering, and RAB sleeping bags, but at a more affordable price point. The Therm-a-Rest Vesper 32 quilt is a surprising front-runner for the lightest bag, weighing only 15 ounces, although it may not be the warmest option.
While some of the lightest sleeping bags come with a higher price tag, it's important to consider the features, quality, and durability that you're paying for. The Feathered Friends Flicker 40 UL, for example, uses only the best and lightest materials, offering unmatched versatility with its full-length center zip. The Western Mountaineering UltraLite is another premium option that offers a great warmth-to-weight ratio, although it carries a sizable price tag.
Ultimately, the value of a sleeping bag depends on your specific needs and budget. It's important to consider the features and quality that are most important to you, as well as the temperature ratings and weight to ensure you get the best value for your purchase.
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Frequently asked questions
The best and lightest sleeping bag depends on your requirements. The Feathered Friends Swallow UL 20 is a good option if you want a hood, while the Feathered Friends Flicker UL Quilt Sleeping Bag is a good option if you don't. The Zpacks Zip Around Sleeping Bag is another ultralight option without a hood.
The Feathered Friends Swallow UL 20 is the lightest sleeping bag with a hood, weighing 27 ounces.
The Therm-a-Rest Vesper 32 quilt is one of the lightest sleeping bags without a hood, weighing only 15 ounces.
The Sea to Summit Spark 45 is a good option for warm weather.
The Mountain Hardwear Phantom 0F is a good option for cold weather.
