How to Choose the Right Sleeping Bag

by
posted on August 14, 2018
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
sleepingbag_lead.jpg

When I was younger, I learned buyer’s remorse the hard way. I bought a cheap, off-the-shelf sleeping bag and coldly realized the error of my ways while snowshoeing in Colorado. A sleeping bag is one more “you get what you pay for” item. Here are features to consider for quality sleep.

Temperature Rating: Nearly all sleeping bags list a temperature minimum. In cold weather, consider that number to be more of a “survivable” temperature than a “comfortable” one. To ensure you’ll stay warm, buy a bag rated for lower temps than what you think you’ll encounter. Companies like Slumberjack make bags rated for temps well below freezing; you can always vent the bag to cool off.

Weight: Also think about comfort when carrying the bag in your pack. Most of a bag’s weight comes from the insulation (more is heavier) and the outer shell material (canvas, for example, is much heavier than nylon). For backpack hunts and scouting trips in warm to cool weather, consider a thinly insulated bag such as Sea to Summit’s Spark, which weighs .75 pound yet has a temperature rating of 46 degrees Fahrenheit.

Size and Shape: If a bag is too big for your body, it won’t be as warm due to excess free space. If it’s too small, you’ll be exposed to the elements. Bag style plays a role, too. Mummy bags are usually warmer, as they hold heat close to the body. However, they don’t allow room for movement like rectangular bags, and some hunters don’t sleep well when they feel constricted. Hybrid bags have a mummy-like shape but add features to enhance freedom of movement.

Layers: If you don’t want to sleep in layers of clothing, you can layer your bags. A liner (often specific to the bag model) adds insulation. The downside comes at the expense of more weight and cost. Cabela’s offers bags with removable fleece blankets, providing temperature ratings of 44 to minus 20 degrees.

Water Resistance: Some sleeping bags have a water-resistant or waterproof shell. Others, such as those from Mountain Hardwear, have welded seams to prevent needle holes from inviting moisture into the bag. Another option is hydrophobic down insulation, such as DownTek and DriDown, used in bags from Brooks-Range Mountaineering and Big Agnes. These bags stay warm when wet thanks to waterproof insulation.

Latest

Ledetomm Knapp Memorial Scholarship 2025
Ledetomm Knapp Memorial Scholarship 2025

Federal Ammunition Awards 2025 Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarships

Federal Ammunition recently awarded the 2025 Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarships to two 4-H shooting sports teen ambassadors: Lucy Evans from Georgia and John Bruner from Pennsylvania.

Head to Head: 7x57mm Mauser vs. .30-06 Springfield

I’ve had more than a few requests for this Head to Head, so I figured it was high time to pit two of the early 20th century’s most popular military cartridges against one another. Let's dive into the 7x57mm Mauser vs. the .30-06 Springfield.

NRA Hunter Education FREE Online Course Now Available in Louisiana

The National Rifle Association of America’s award-winning free Hunter Education online course is now available in the State of Louisiana, the latest addition as NRA works to make the course available to hunters in all 50 states.

Moultrie Updates Line of Game Feeders

Moultrie has expanded the capacity of its line of feeders, and bettered the cameras' integration with the company's connected technology to streamline the feeding process.

Building the Ultimate Elk Bow

Elk are remarkable creatures that dwell in some of the most hellish landscapes on earth. An elk bow needs to be tough, light, and ultra-accurate. Here's how to build the right one for you.

First Look: Spandau S2 20-Gauge

Spandau Arms, a brand of SDS Arms, has announced that the  Spandau S2 Shotgun is now available in a 20-gauge model in both a Mossy Oak Bottomland and a traditional wood finish.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.