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The best sleeping bags for warmth on outdoor adventures
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Best 4 Season
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Keeps Heat In: OEX Leviathan EV 900 Sleeping Bag |
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Check Price |
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Best Double
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Roomy Size: Robens The Coulee II Sleeping Bag |
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Check Price |
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Best Down
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Choice Of Length: Hyke & Byke Snowmass |
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Check Price |
What everybody wants at the end of a long day of adventuring is a restful, warm and comfortable sleep.
Depending on the type of sleeper you are, and where you will be sleeping, choosing the perfect sleeping bag for you could get much more complicated than you’d imagine.
From the various shapes and materials to different togs and types of insulation, there are hundreds of sleeping bags out there, but finding the right one is very important to ensure you’re warm enough. You probably also don’t want to be too warm, which could lead to an uncomfortable night.
We have rounded up the best sleeping bags out there, whether you’re going on a week-long expedition up Snowdon or sleeping in a nice comfortable tent in summer after a day of fishing.
Lightweight yet able to give you enough warmth to last for 4 seasons, this sleeping bag will keep you comfortable in even the most extreme UK temperatures.
The limit is -9°C, but it will actually keep most people warm down to -16°C, and has an extreme temperature rating of -39°C. The duck down insulation has a hydrophobic coating which also makes it ideal for use in winter camping, retaining the heat even if it gets damp while keeping you dry.
You get a compression stuff sack which allows you to pack it down as compact as it will go, and there is also an inner pocket as well as internal wind/neck baffles and an anti-snag zipper band. The mid-yellow colour is bright, and there is also a hood.
Ultra comfort lining
Inner pocket to keep things safe
Foot box for extra warmth
Warm enough for spring, summer and autumn, as well as those slightly warmer winter days and nights if you have plenty of extra thermal protection.
The ultra-soft outer 100% brushed cotton lining covers the Isofill lining, and it is a really durable sleeping bag despite being so soft and luxurious to touch. It can also be fully unzipped in case you need to use it as two separate duvets, which is perfect for summer months.
There is enough room in the bag for two people, and while you will both have ample room, it is also fine if you like to stay close. It is one of the heavier models at 5kg, but as it is so practical it is worth it.
Unzips fully for a duvet-style covering
Plenty of room
Hundreds of 5* reviews state that this is one of the best sleeping bags for keeping people warm. Plus, the use of down means it shaves off both some weight and bulk.
The duck down insulation will keep you warm down to -15°C, which should be good for at least three seasons of use. When you’re on the move, it packs up small and is no bother to carry in its bag thanks to this too.
We love how you can buy it in Regular, Short or Long lengths, and the shoulder area is nice and wide too. The ultralight water repellent 400T 20 D ripstop nylon fabric liner means it will keep you dry and is easy to clean too, and snag-free velcro and drawstrings will wrap you up and ensure you are always snug as a bug.
Guaranteed for life
Secure closing
Choice of colours
This is a sleeping bag for spring and summer adventures and is even part of the Scout Association recommended kit and DofE recommended kit.
Off-set seams avoid cold spots and the horizontal stitching holds insulation in place. A zip guard with anti-catch piping will also help you avoid any nightmares when zipping or unzipping the bag on a camping trip.
There are also hanging loops which will allow you to hang it up and air it in-between sleep, and the temperature limit of -3C is surprisingly generous so it is good for anyone who feels the cold even when everyone else is nice and cosy.
Packs down small for easy carrying
Anti-catch piping
Award Expedition accredited
This sleeping bag has a total of four layers, allowing you to sleep with 1, 2, 3, or 4, both above and below you.
The 7 Core Hollow Fibre filling is silicone treated to help maintain shape, and a polyester lined base means it is easy for you to move around in the bag overnight if you’re a bit of a fidgeter, without compromising on coverage.
It is supplied in a compression stuff sack which is really great quality in comparison to come others on the list, and elasticated hoods at the foot and head ends mean no heat will be lost.
Total of 4 layers
Heavy duty crash zips
This sleeping bag may be a bit costly, but you cannot put a price on being safe when the temperatures dip.
It is safe down to the extreme temperature of -25C, which will be suitable for most UK expeditions, and the Mummy shape will prevent too much air circulation so you can trap the heat inside the bag better.
Down insulation is also used, so it manages to keep you warm yet not take up too much room when packed down. There is also a hood and a draught collar, as well as an inner pocket so you can keep all of your essentials safe and don’t need to remove your arms to access them.
Good storage sack
Internal YKK stash pocket
Packs down small
Weighing just 1.125g and ideal for just below freezing point, this bag is made from lightweight materials and is very compactable.
The compression stuff sack allows you to pack it down to just 42 x 21cm, making it carry-friendly if you will be on your feet for most of your trip. It doesn’t miss out on features though, with a draught collar, foot box, hood and double layer.
An internal security pocket will help you keep those essential items safe, and the lining has been made specifically to be comfortable so you don’t need to wear any protective layers.
Minimal weight, manageable bulk
Internal pocket
Anti-snag zipper
To buy a large sleeping bag, you don’t necessarily need to have someone going to be lying beside you. You may just like space yourself.
Perfect for 2-3-season use, the sleeping bed will keep you warm with hollow fibre fill, which seals in essential body heat, while the internal shaped collar and wind draft tube stops any valuable warmth from escaping.
The sleeping bag also benefits from a two-way anti-snag zip and has an interior security pocket, so you can feel safe in the knowledge that your valuables won’t go missing.
Convenient pillow pockets
Double layer hollow fibre fill with brushed polyester lining
Wind draft tube
A budget sleeping bag doesn’t scream warmth and protection at us, but with a 300GSM (2 x 150g/m2) double-layer filling, it can actually be used across three seasons.
The drawstring hood keeps your top half warm, and a wind-proof double zipper and insulated draught collar will stop the cold getting into any gaps and openings in the bag. All of Active Era’s bags are treated with a layer of invisible water repellent to ensure they remain water-resistant, and it also means the bag is easy to wipe clean.
The zipper design means it won’t get caught when you’re opening and closing it, and an internal pocket keeps all of your valuables safe – perfect for festivals. It isn’t the smallest or lightest when folded, but the price is very attractive indeed, especially if only for occasional use.
Double layer filling
Water resistant
Machine washable
Snugpak is one of the leading brands when it comes to making Army-quality sleeping bags, and while this one isn’t for the most extreme conditions, it still gives exceptional warmth to weight.
It can be packed down to 60% of its size, at just 30cm x 26cm, and it weighs just 2100g. It has a soft-touch finish meaning you don’t have to protect yourself from any rough materials, and we love how you can choose which side the zip is on.
One review says that it is even warmer than the British Army issued Bouncing Bomb sleeping bags, which is praise indeed.
Black, Olive or Terrain colours
Retains heat very well
Packs down small
For a full guide on how to choose the best sleeping bag, read our guide.
You can buy a sleeping bag which is for One Season (summer), Two Seasons (summer and autumn), Three (Spring, Summer, Autumn) or Four Seasons. Four+ Seasons is also available, but this is usually for non-UK conditions.
Temperature ratings will be expressed in comfort (lower and upper limits) and extreme ratings.
The comfort rating refers to the temperature you can use the bag in and still will feel warm and comfortable when in a rolled-up position. When the bag is used in any temperatures below this, you are likely to feel the cold. Most sleeping bags will just use the ‘lower’ limit here, but those which keep you very warm through 4 seasons will often have an ‘upper’ one too.
Extreme ratings are also used, which is the ‘survival’ temperature. It is essentially the temperature at which the sleeping bag will keep you alive without frostbite. However, you should not use the sleeping bag at this temperature if it can be avoided.
Men usually sleep at cooler temperatures to women as they are less likely to feel the cold, so there is usually a bit of leeway here, but they are only a guide.
You have two options here – down, or synthetic.
The former is usually duck down. The loft creates little air pockets which makes it more effective at trapping heat. Because they don’t need to be filled as much, they are lighter and pack up smaller. The warmth-to-weight ratio of a down sleeping bag cannot be beaten by a synthetic bag. But a big disadvantage is that it absorbs water when damp, ruining the heat properties and taking ages to dry.
Synthetic is the most common, and will also be cheaper and require the least attention in terms of care. They also perform better in wet conditions, retaining some of their heat. But they will usually be thicker and heavier, as they need more filling in order to work at the same temperature levels.
Snugpak, Duvaley, Sea to Summit, Alpkit, Active Era, OEX, Robens and Vango are some of the top names in the sleeping bag industry. Most make other similar products, whether this is bedding or other camping equipment, so know their stuff.
Always look for the brands you know and trust – you may have to pay a bit more but will get great quality and other benefits like lifetime guarantees in return.
If you avoid animal products, then you will probably want to opt for synthetic bags. However, most duck down used in sleeping bags today should be used to Responsible Down Standard (RDS), which safeguards the welfare of the geese and ducks used.
RDS means that plucking feathers from live birds is prohibited, as is force-feeding, and the ducks and geese must be treated with a holistic approach throughout their lives.
Usually, but always follow the particular instructions for your sleeping bag. The majority will need to be hand-washed, but you may find some are machine washable on a gentle wash with cold water and suitable soap.
Ideally, just spot wash in between uses, and never use fabric conditioners or similar. Never dry clean either, as it can get rid of the original DWR (durable water repellent) coating.
Keep in mind that a deep wash will take around 2-3 hours to dry at the very least. To care for your bag in between uses, ensure it is aired after each use, and store it safely in a stuff bag which is fully closed.
