For a full explanation of the two insulation types, see our article on down vs. synthetics. With the return of the colder weather, it is time to pull out our winter sleeping bags. Of course, I wanted something that would keep us warm. Mummy bags are very effective for keeping warm, but I am not comfortable in a confining bag. If you’ve ever had a pad deflate or slept directly on the ground in cold weather, you know firsthand the importance of an insulated pad beneath you.
Then, as the temperature drops, zip on the 800-fill goose down midlayer (to 20°F) or add the third section on top for winter camping (5°F rating). At less than 4 pounds with all layers connected, the One Bag is streamlined, lightweight, and reasonably packable. The rest of the design is equally Ozark Trail Canopies premium, including a water-resistant YKK main zipper, roomier-than-average hood, and fleece-lined compression sack that can pull double duty as a pillow. No matter where your travels take you, from national parks to backwoods to back porches, a camping sleeping bag remains a trusty companion.
It is important to consider the temperature rating, especially when camping in cold weather. It is advisable to understand what the temperature ratings mean for each. Trailspace’s community of gear reviewers has field-tested and rated the top warm weather synthetic sleeping bags.
Rated for 30-degrees, we have slept in it down to 13. The bag, by itself, is not very warm at that temperature. We layer a blanket between the sleeping pads and the sleeping bags for some extra insulation.
Put simply, the in-and-out convenience and ability to use the bag as a blanket with a full-zip sleeping bag is the better answer for most campers. Kelty’s popular Cosmic Down 20 has been a mainstay in their lineup for years and remains a popular choice among campers and backpackers alike. For starters, you get a respectable weight of 2 pounds 10 ounces, which is the lightest three-season option on our list (Kelty’s own Galactic 30 below weighs around the same but is far less versatile).
You do pay a premium compared with our top picks at $200, but we think the Forte hits a great middle ground for mixed car camping and backpacking use. In the end, the temperature rating does have value and you should use it as a basic guideline. In choosing the proper approximate rating, try to get an idea of the very coldest temperature you’ll be experiencing overnight.
Weather camping in a tent or roughing it under the stars, this bag features a quilted outer shell and an attractive inner liner made of soft comfortable materials. Also great for overnight guests, slumber parties or opening it up to use as a blanket or comforter. A third type is the no-zip style, which is limited to a couple designs (none of which made our list), including a handful Ozark Trail Canopies from Sierra Designs. The large oval opening requires some modest flexibility and patience to get out of, but going zipper-less can be nice. There’s no fumbling in the night for the zipper pull, and you don’t have to worry about snags or heat loss (if the bag lacks a good draft tube). But in the end, we don’t see the zipper-less concept completely taking over the market.
Further, when you lay on a sleeping bag, you compress the insulation, which impacts its ability to warm you (this is particularly true for down fill, but does impact synthetic as well). As a result, it’s important to choose a sleeping mattress or pad that will protect you from the ground if you’ll be camping in cooler temperatures (typically under degrees). That said, we still recommend checking the weight and stuffed Ozark Trail Sleeping Bags size that will be listed in the product specifications to get an idea of just how large and heavy the bags are. Synthetic bags are typically made with thicker fabrics and require more insulation to provide sufficient warmth, which can add up to a surprising amount of bulk. And if you’re considering a double bag (covered in more detail below), you’re talking about packed dimensions listed in feet rather than inches.