Sleeping bags: Survival meets comfort

In the wilderness, a sleeping bag is more than a simple piece of equipment, it’s a survival tool. Yet we know first-hand, weathering the night in comfort is paramount. 

All sleeping bags are not created equal, however. We analyzed 129 sleeping bags to reveal the critical factors that drive value. We looked at materials, user experience and price to guide outdoor enthusiasts toward the best bag for them. 

Backpacking Sleeping Bag Rankings 2025

Product Name	Analytica Index	Retail Price	Below Market*	Field Score*	Temp. Rating (°F)	Weight (lbs)	Insulation	Gender	Hip Girth (in)	Compressed Volume (L)	Shape	Sustainability
THE NORTH FACE INFERNO -20F	1	$685.00	$232.28	4.62	-20	3.22	Down	Unisex	61	8.9	Mummy	2
MARMOT SAWTOOTH 15 – MEN’S	2	$304.00	$121.40	4.66	15	2.95	Down	Men’s	59.5	8.9	Mummy	0
MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR BISHOP PASS 0 – MEN’S	3	$365.00	$216.24	4.6	0	3.22	Down	Men’s	54.5	11.4	Mummy	1
MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR BISHOP PASS 15 – WOMEN’S	4	$315.00	$198.83	4.59	15	2.67	Down	Women’s	54	8.7	Mummy	1
MARMOT TRESTLES ELITE ECO 20 – WOMEN’S	5	$179.00	$181.73	4.59	20	2.68	Synthetic	Women’s	59.1	8.9	Mummy	1
MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR BISHOP PASS 30 – MEN’S	6	$275.00	$122.92	4.6	30	1.83	Down	Unisex	54.5	7.9	Mummy	1
SEA TO SUMMIT TREK 0F	7	$444.00	$55.40	4.76	0	4.18	Down	Unisex	58.7	14.2	Semirectangular	2
SEA TO SUMMIT SPARK 15F DOWN – WOMEN’S	8	$564.00	$23.87	4.85	15	2.16	Down	Women’s	58	9	Mummy	1
MARMOT MAD RIVER 0	9	$339.00	$98.80	4.62	0	4.13	Down	Unisex	57.9	11.9	Mummy	1
SEA TO SUMMIT TANAMI 45F DOWN COMFORTER	10	$257.50	$27.77	4.79	45	1.68	Down	Unisex	57.8	4	Semirectangular	1
NEMO DISCO 30 ENDLESS PROMISE DOWN – MEN’S	11	$279.95	$27.70	4.78	30	2.03	Down	Men’s	58.5	8.9	Rectangular	3
THERM-A-REST BOOST 650 32F/0C	12	$292.45	$37.82	4.76	32	2.27	Down	Unisex	67	6.3	Semirectangular	2
MARMOT ALWAYS SUMMER 40 – MEN’S	13	$209.00	$49.78	4.71	40	1.85	Down	Men’s	59.5	8.9	Mummy	0
MARMOT MAD RIVER 15	14	$309.00	$81.06	4.62	15	3.06	Down	Unisex	59.8	9.1	Mummy	1
MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR BISHOP PASS -15 WINDSTOPPER	15	$602.50	$117.22	4.45	-15	4.02	Down	Unisex	56.5	16.3	Mummy	2
SEA TO SUMMIT HAMELIN SYNTHETIC 30F	16	$181.00	$87.13	4.51	30	2.63	Synthetic	Unisex	64.2	8.9	Semirectangular	1
SEA TO SUMMIT SPARK 30F DOWN – WOMEN’S	17	$464.00	($22.71)	4.85	30	1.29	Down	Women’s	55	4.7	Mummy	1
MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR BISHOP PASS 15	18	$315.00	$206.76	4.32	15	2.53	Down	Unisex	57	8.4	Mummy	1
NEMO DISCO 15 ENDLESS PROMISE DOWN – WOMEN’S	19	$314.95	$36.35	4.69	15	3.47	Down	Women’s	57.5	9		3
SEA TO SUMMIT SPARK 30F DOWN	20	$464.00	($2.31)	4.78	30	1.13	Down	Unisex	55.1	4.8	Mummy	1
MARMOT NEVER SUMMER – MEN’S	21	$339.00	$99.98	4.45	0	4.07	Down	Men’s	59.8	8.9	Mummy	1
BIG AGNES ANTHRACITE 20 – MEN’S	22	$139.95	$53.90	4.59	20	2.91	Synthetic	Men’s	55.5	9.2	Mummy	1
SEA TO SUMMIT HAMELIN SYNTHETIC 15F	23	$201.00	$77.98	4.51	15	3.82	Synthetic	Unisex	64.2	8.9	Semirectangular	1
SEA TO SUMMIT TRAVELLER 45F DOWN	24	$207.00	($36.88)	4.83	45	1.28	Down	Unisex	57.5	3.7	Mummy	2
MARMOT ANGEL FIRE 25 – WOMEN’S	25	$269.00	$92.23	4.43	25	2.87	Down	Women’s	58.5	8.9	Mummy	0
SEA TO SUMMIT SPARK 0F DOWN	26	$664.00	$47.62	4.59	0	2.56	Down	Unisex	55.1	10.3	Mummy	1
MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR BISHOP PASS 30 – WOMEN’S REGULAR	27	$245.00	$138.15	4.27	30	1.92	Down	Women’s	50	7.9	Mummy	1
BIG AGNES LOST RANGER 3N1 15	28	$409.95	$127.12	4.24	15	2.91	Down	Unisex	62.5	11	Semirectangular	3
KELTY COSMIC 20 – MEN’S	29	$184.95	$222.67	4	20	2.44	Down	Men’s	58	8.9	Mummy	1
NEMO DISCO 15 ENDLESS PROMISE DOWN – MEN’S	30	$314.95	$58.73	4.5	15	2.81	Down	Men’s	57.5	7	Rectangular	3
SEA TO SUMMIT SPARK 45F DOWN – WOMEN’S	31	$349.00	($56.86)	4.85	45	0.9	Down	Women’s	57	3	Mummy	1
SEA TO SUMMIT ASCENT 15F	32	$484.00	($9.41)	4.68	15	2.4	Down	Unisex	59.5	7.8	Mummy	2
SEA TO SUMMIT TREK 15F	33	$429.00	($16.26)	4.76	15	3.36	Down	Unisex	60.7	11.4	Semirectangular	2
MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR BISHOP PASS 30 – WOMEN’S – LONG – RIGHT ZIP	34	$265.00	$240.86	3.95	30	1.44	Down	Women’s	53	8.1	Mummy	1
SEA TO SUMMIT ASCENT 15F – WOMEN’S	35	$484.00	($52.36)	4.84	15	2.93	Down	Women’s	57.1	10.4	Mummy	2
SEA TO SUMMIT EMBER 30F DOWN QUILT	36	$429.00	$45.75	4.57	30	1.28	Down	Unisex	63	5.7	Mummy	1
ALPS MOUNTAINEERING ZENITH 0	37	$389.99	$261.41	3.95	0	3.28	Down	Unisex	63	8.9	Mummy	0
MARMOT TRESTLES ELITE ECO 30	38	$159.00	($14.74)	4.71	30	2.58	Synthetic	Unisex	57	7.6	Mummy	1
REI CO-OP MAGMA 15	39	$399.00	$52.61	4.5	15	2.34	Down	Unisex	56.4	7.8	Mummy	2
THERM-A-REST SAROS 20F/-6C	40	$219.95	$32.97	4.59	20	3.56	Synthetic	Unisex	64	12.2	Mummy	0
BIG AGNES GREYSTONE 20 – WOMEN’S	41	$269.95	$81.98	4.28	23	2.44	Down	Women’s	54.5	6.8	Mummy	2
NEMO SOUL 30/40 ENDLESS PROMISE SYNTHETIC MUMMY	42	$269.95	($41.03)	4.77	30	1.96	Synthetic	Unisex	55.3	6.1	Mummy	1
BIG AGNES GREYSTONE 20 – MEN’S	43	$269.95	$152.11	3.96	16	2.34	Down	Men’s	55.5	8.7	Mummy	2
SEA TO SUMMIT BOAB SYNTHETIC 15F	44	$165.00	($46.51)	4.77	15	4.71	Synthetic	Unisex	65.8	8.9	Semirectangular	1
MARMOT TRESTLES ELITE ECO 30 – MEN’S	45	$164.00	$82.96	4.24	30	1.96	Synthetic	Men’s	56.9	8.9	Mummy	1
SEA TO SUMMIT SPARK 45F DOWN	46	$364.00	($55.36)	4.79	45	0.83	Down	Unisex	63	2.7	Mummy	1
MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR BISHOP PASS 30 – WOMEN’S	47	$275.00	$228.91	0	30	1.37	Down	Women’s	51.5	8	Mummy	1
THERM-A-REST BOOST 650 20F/-6C	48	$337.45	$64.28	4.3	20	2.99	Down	Unisex	67	9	Semirectangular	2
BIG AGNES ANTHRACITE 30 – MEN’S	49	$129.95	$24.67	4.53	30	2.25	Synthetic	Men’s	55.5	7.9	Mummy	1
MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR LAMINA ECO AF 15F/-9C	50	$265.00	$109.62	4	15	2.42	Synthetic	Unisex	52	8.2	Mummy	1
NEMO RIFF 15 ENDLESS PROMISE DOWN – MEN’S	51	$424.95	($28.10)	4.68	15	2.53	Down	Men’s	54	6.7	Rectangular	3
NEMO RIFF 15 ENDLESS PROMISE DOWN – WOMEN’S	52	$424.95	($69.64)	4.81	15	3.38	Down	Women’s	53.5	9.9		3
SEA TO SUMMIT SPARK PRO 15F	53	$669.00	($79.21)	4.83	15	1.82	Down	Unisex	55.1	7.5	Mummy	1
ALPS MOUNTAINEERING ZENITH 30	54	$259.99	$154.40	0	30	2.16	Down	Unisex	63	8.9	Mummy	0
NEMO SONIC 0	55	$599.95	($71.29)	4.78	0	3.31	Down	Unisex	58	9.5	Mummy	2
BIG AGNES ANTHRACITE 20 – WOMEN’S	56	$139.95	$84.19	3.98	20	3.31	Synthetic	Women’s	54.5	11.2	Mummy	1
MARMOT TRESTLES ELITE ECO 30 – WOMEN’S	57	$169.00	$53.34	4.28	29.7	2.5	Synthetic	Women’s	58	8.9	Mummy	1
NEMO RIFF 30 ENDLESS PROMISE DOWN – WOMEN’S	58	$374.95	($88.91)	4.81	30	2.28	Down	Women’s	53.5	5.9		3
REI CO-OP RADIANT 20	59	$199.00	$47.60	4.34	19	2.62	Synthetic	Unisex	57.3	6.6	Mummy	2
MARMOT SAWTOOTH – MEN’S	60	$309.00	$93.88	3.95	15	3.09	Down	Men’s	61.5	10.4	Mummy	1
MAMMUT COMFORT DOWN 19F/-7C – WOMEN’S	61	$299.95	$116.94	0	19	2.5	Down	Women’s	51	7.1	Mummy	2
MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR SHASTA 15 – WOMEN’S LONG	62	$190.00	$22.60	4.45	15	3.91	Synthetic	Women’s	55	15.1	Mummy	1
SEA TO SUMMIT ASCENT 30F	63	$444.00	($111.56)	4.85	30	1.83	Down	Unisex	59.5	6	Mummy	2
MARMOT TETON 15 – WOMEN’S	64	$314.00	$36.91	4.39	15	3.77	Down	Women’s	58.5	8.9	Mummy	0
WESTERN MOUNTAINEERING VERSALITE 10	65	$735.00	($39.52)	4.62	10	2.06	Down	Unisex	53.5	9.4	Mummy	0
MARMOT LITHIUM 0	66	$599.00	($14.86)	4.58	0	3.31	Down	Unisex	55.9	8.9	Mummy	0
NEMO TEMPO 20 SYNTHETIC – MEN’S	67	$169.95	($49.13)	4.67	20	3.75	Synthetic	Men’s	58.5	9.7	Rectangular	1
SEA TO SUMMIT TREK 30F	68	$379.00	($88.23)	4.76	30	2.62	Down	Unisex	60.7	8.5	Semirectangular	2
SEA TO SUMMIT EMBER 45F DOWN QUILT	69	$364.00	($80.31)	4.75	45	1	Down	Unisex	63	4.4	Mummy	1
BIG AGNES LOST RANGER 3N1 0	70	$479.95	$82.00	0	0	3.94	Down	Unisex	62.5	8.9	Semirectangular	3
MARMOT TRESTLES ELITE ECO 20	71	$174.00	($64.89)	4.67	20	3.82	Synthetic	Unisex	60.7	9.6	Mummy	1
NEMO TEMPO 20 SYNTHETIC – WOMEN’S	72	$169.95	$4.02	4.43	20	3.84	Synthetic	Women’s	57	10.2		1
SEA TO SUMMIT SPARK PRO 30F	73	$564.00	($151.79)	4.81	30	1.42	Down	Unisex	55.1	5.4	Mummy	1
SEA TO SUMMIT VENTURE VTII 23 – WOMEN’S	74	$249.00	$47.40	4.18	23	3.06	Synthetic	Women’s	58	8.9		0
THE NORTH FACE INFERNO 0F	75	$625.00	$80.81	0	0	2.75	Down	Unisex	61	8.9	Mummy	2
NEMO DISCO 30 ENDLESS PROMISE DOWN – WOMEN’S	76	$279.95	$3.68	4.4	30	2.34	Down	Women’s	56.5	5.1		3
SEA TO SUMMIT SPARK 15F DOWN	77	$774.00	($115.49)	4.78	15	2.25	Down	Unisex	77	9.6	Mummy	1
MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR BISHOP PASS 0 WINDSTOPPER	78	$507.50	$67.77	0	0	3.35	Down	Unisex	53.7	12.9	Mummy	2
MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR SPECTER 15F/-9C	79	$655.00	($96.99)	4.75	15	2.36	Down	Unisex	53.5	6.7	Mummy	2
MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR BISHOP PASS 15 WINDSTOPPER	80	$417.50	$58.81	0	15	2.57	Down	Unisex	53	10.5	Mummy	2
REI CO-OP MAGMA 30	81	$349.00	($13.61)	4.43	30	1.55	Down	Unisex	55.3	4.3	Mummy	2
SEA TO SUMMIT HAMELIN SYNTHETIC 15F – WOMEN’S	82	$201.00	($68.22)	4.62	15	4.75	Synthetic	Women’s	59	8.9		1
THE NORTH FACE INFERNO 15F	83	$585.00	$55.77	0	15	1.91	Down	Unisex	61	8.9	Mummy	2
MARMOT TRESTLES ELITE ECO 0	84	$199.00	$55.62	0	0	5.08	Synthetic	Unisex	55.9	19.9	Mummy	1
NEMO PULSE 20/30 ENDLESS PROMISE ULTRALIGHT BACKPACKING QUILT	85	$564.95	($13.56)	4.34	20	1.22	Down	Unisex	57	2.7	Mummy	2
NEMO RIFF 30 ENDLESS PROMISE DOWN – MEN’S	86	$374.95	($117.26)	4.75	30	1.94	Down	Men’s	54	4.2	Rectangular	3
SEA TO SUMMIT TREK 15F – WOMEN’S	87	$429.00	($43.44)	4.51	15	3.76	Down	Women’s	59	13.6		2
WESTERN MOUNTAINEERING CLOUDLITE 15	88	$755.00	($86.79)	4.62	15	2.19	Down	Unisex	68	8.9	Mummy	0
REI CO-OP TRAILMADE 20	89	$119.00	$11.13	4.22	21	3.43	Synthetic	Unisex	61.3	10.3	Mummy	2
BIG AGNES TORCHLIGHT EXP 20	90	$379.95	$48.53	0	20	2.52	Down	Unisex	65	12.8	Mummy	3
MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR PHANTOM 15F/-9C	91	$620.00	($97.69)	4.66	15	2.07	Down	Unisex	52	5.8	Mummy	2
REI CO-OP MAGMA 30 DOWN TRAIL QUILT	92	$329.00	$42.18	3.91	30	1.4	Down	Unisex	56.8	3.7	Mummy	2
NEMO SOUL 15/25 ENDLESS PROMISE SYNTHETIC MUMMY	93	$299.95	$39.68	0	15	2.88	Synthetic	Unisex	55.3	11.2	Mummy	1
BIG AGNES FLY CREEK UL ZIP QUILT	94	$359.95	($241.00)	4.75	50	1	Down	Unisex	55.5	4.5	Mummy	3
MARMOT TETON – WOMEN’S	95	$314.00	$23.59	0	15	3.77	Down	Women’s	58.5	8.9	Mummy	1
NEMO FORTE 20 ENDLESS PROMISE – MEN’S	96	$209.95	($37.61)	4.27	20	3.56	Synthetic	Men’s	57	9.4	Rectangular	0
NEMO FORTE 35 ENDLESS PROMISE – WOMEN’S	97	$179.95	($36.55)	4.26	35	2.75	Synthetic	Women’s	54	7.1		0
BIG AGNES GREYSTONE 30 – MEN’S	98	$229.95	$14.42	0	30	1.88	Down	Men’s	55.5	7	Mummy	3
MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR PHANTOM 30F/-1C	99	$520.00	($96.93)	4.52	30	1.4	Down	Unisex	52	4.1	Mummy	2
BIG AGNES TORCHLIGHT EXP 0	100	$479.95	$14.28	0	0	3.64	Down	Unisex	65	9.2	Mummy	3
MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR LAMINA ECO AF 30F/-1C	101	$245.00	($14.29)	3.96	30	1.94	Synthetic	Unisex	52	7	Mummy	1
NEMO FORTE 35 ENDLESS PROMISE – MEN’S	102	$179.95	$1.07	3.88	35	2.16	Synthetic	Men’s	57	5.5	Rectangular	0
SEA TO SUMMIT VENTURE 23 F SYNTHETIC – WOMEN’S	103	$254.00	($33.59)	4.08	23	3.23	Synthetic	Women’s	58.5	10.2	Mummy	0
SEA TO SUMMIT TREK 30F – WOMEN’S	104	$379.00	($101.33)	4.51	30	2.93	Down	Women’s	59	10.3		2
THERM-A-REST PARSEC 32	105	$449.95	($71.92)	4.45	32	1.59	Down	Unisex	57.5	8.9	Mummy	2
BIG AGNES ROXY ANN 3N1 15 – WOMEN’S	106	$399.95	($11.03)	3.67	15	3.5	Down	Women’s	52.5	13.6		2
MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR PHANTOM WINDSTOPPER -40F/-40C	107	$1,365.00	($292.09)	4.62	-40	4.62	Down	Unisex	62	15.7	Mummy	1
BIG AGNES TORCHLIGHT EXP 30	108	$339.95	($12.75)	0	30	2.04	Down	Unisex	65	9.4	Mummy	3
NEMO FORTE 20 ENDLESS PROMISE – WOMEN’S	109	$209.95	($46.56)	4.2	20	4.09	Synthetic	Women’s	54	12.4		0
EXPED DEEPSLEEP 20F	110	$139.95	($99.35)	4.45	20	4.08	Synthetic	Unisex	57.8	12	Mummy	1
MAMMUT TYIN MTI 5-SEASON	111	$239.95	($19.69)	3.81	-13	6.47	Synthetic	Unisex	53	25.8	Mummy	0
MAMMUT COMFORT FIBER 30F/-1C	112	$139.95	($21.58)	0	30	2.63	Synthetic	Unisex	51	12	Mummy	2
MARMOT NANOWAVE 45 – MEN’S	113	$94.00	($129.63)	4.51	49	1.91	Synthetic	Men’s	59	5.3	Mummy	0
BIG AGNES TORCHLIGHT UL 20	114	$449.95	($50.87)	4.08	20	2.44	Down	Unisex	66	2.7	Mummy	2
WESTERN MOUNTAINEERING DREAMLITE 35	115	$552.50	($47.32)	3.95	35	1.44	Down	Unisex	68	8.9	Mummy	0
BIG AGNES ROXY ANN 3N1 30 – WOMEN’S	116	$349.95	($65.26)	4.08	30	2.63	Down	Women’s	52.5	9.7		2
MARMOT LOST COAST 40	117	$189.00	($38.36)	0	40	2.17	Down	Unisex	63.6	4	Mummy	1
NEMO TEMPO 35F SYNTHETIC – WOMEN’S	118	$149.95	($61.30)	0	35	2.94	Synthetic	Women’s	57	7.6		1
WESTERN MOUNTAINEERING ALPINLITE 20	119	$720.00	($155.35)	4.21	20	2	Down	Unisex	55.5	9	Mummy	0
WESTERN MOUNTAINEERING KODIAK 0	120	$862.50	($93.34)	0	0	2.84	Down	Unisex	57	14	Mummy	0
BIG AGNES FLY CREEK UL 25	121	$509.95	($106.29)	0	25	1.69	Down	Unisex	55.5	8	Mummy	3
REI CO-OP ON X BEAMS X REI CO-OP ZEPHYR 25	122	$199.95	($109.44)	0	25	3.13	Synthetic	Unisex	57.5	8.6	Mummy	2
RAB MYTHIC ULTRA 180	123	$650.00	($119.43)	0	30	1.06	Down	Unisex	53.5	8.9	Mummy	1
EXPED DEEPSLEEP 45F/5C	124	$99.95	($123.51)	0	45	2.09	Synthetic	Unisex	57.8	6	Mummy	1
MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR SPECTER 30F/-1C	125	$555.00	($133.93)	0	30	1.68	Down	Unisex	53.5	5.7	Mummy	2
WESTERN MOUNTAINEERING PUMA STS -25	126	$1,225.00	($191.46)	0	-25	3.78	Down	Unisex	56.5	20	Mummy	0
WESTERN MOUNTAINEERING BISON STS -40	127	$1,380.00	($199.50)	0	-40	4.47	Down	Unisex	55	25.2	Mummy	0
MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT SNOWLINE	128	$962.50	($206.91)	0	-9	3.34	Down	Unisex	55	8.9	Mummy	0
MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR PHANTOM WINDSTOPPER 0F/-18C	129	$1,105.00	($567.14)	0	0	3.73	Down	Unisex	58	8.9	Mummy	1

*Below Market: The dollar difference between a bag’s estimated market value and its retail price. Positive numbers mean you’re getting more value than you pay for; negative numbers mean you’re overpaying.
*Field Score /5: A statistically weighted average of user-star ratings out of 5 that adjusts for how many reviews a product has. This prevents items with only a few extremely high (or low) ratings from appearing more reliable (or not) than they actually are.

The champion: North Face Inferno

The best market value is a lightweight down bag that’s comfy even when the mercury plunges, our analysis found. 

The North Face Inferno ranked first on the Analytica Index and fits this mold snugly. The bag provides protection against -20 degree Fahrenheit temperatures, weights 3.2 pounds and uses 800 fill power down. It’s the coldest temperature bag in the top 10. 

Down fill power measures the quality and loft or fluffiness of down. The higher the number, the more warmth to weight ratio and greater compressibility.

The suggested retail price of $685 is about $230 below what you’d expect to pay for a bag that delivers exceptional cold weather performance, is lightweight and filled with down. A bag with these material specifications has an intrinsic value of $917, our analysis found. The listed price makes it a great value.

“This one is built for sub-zero conditions,” says Patrick McCluskey, Chief Technical Officer of Gear Analytica. “Whether you are backpacking in the winter or mountaineering in high-altitude places, the Inferno will serve you well.”

Marmot bags shine

Three Marmot bags appeared in the top ten. That includes the Marmot Sawtooth, a 15 degree down bag weighing just under 3 pounds. It placed second in the Gear Analytica rankings. 

The Sawtooth is priced approximately $121 below the market value of a similar bag with its features. 

“One interesting thing about the Sawtooth is the zipper at the bottom,” McCluskey says. “This can help if you want to cool down your feet at night or give a little extra space if you want to stuff your boots down there.”

The bag is composed of 650 fill power down, which, while less technical than the Inferno, still provides warmth in a variety of conditions. 

“It’s a nice all-around backpacking bag that’ll get you into the cooler temperatures in the fall and will function really well in the shoulder seasons and on big mountains during the summer,” McCluskey says. 

The versatile contender: Mountain Hardware Bishop Pass

The Mountain Hardware Bishop Pass zero-degree bag comes in at number 3 in the rankings. 

It’s a versatile option. Priced at $365, which is about $216 below market value, it’s about 3.2 pounds—a bit heavier than the Sawtooth. Yet, with a zero-degree rating, it’s useful deeper into the fall and winter and higher up into the mountains while maintaining safety and comfort. 

“It’ll get you deep into the shoulder seasons and cross over into winter,” McCluskey says. “Think of it as the utility player in your outdoor gear lineup. It’s ready for late fall, early spring, and those chilly mountain nights.”

The sheer number of reviews of the Bishop Pass stood out, the most of any bag in the top 10. With a Field Score of 4.6, consumers can be confident it passed the test for backcountry users.  

“This is a really good bag for the money,” McCluskey says. 

The Field Score is a weighted average out of 5 stars that we use to ensure we look at both how many stars something gets and how many people gave stars so we don’t get tricked by a few early reviews.

The lightweight specialist: Sea to Summit Tanami quilt

There is a significant trend for backpackers opting for down quilts because of the freedom of movement, temperature versatility and weight savings. 

The Sea to Summit Tanami is a down comforter rated at 45 degrees Fahrenheit. But, it only weighs 1.7 pounds, approximately half the weight of the mummy bags listed in the top 10. 

“This is a perfect blanket for summer, because you don’t need a bag for most nights, especially at lower elevations,” McCluskey says. 

The 650 fill power down will still keep you warm on chilly nights and its compressed volume is comparatively minuscule, meaning you save significant space in your pack. 

The quilt is priced competitively, representing a $28 saving over similar bags with a similar specification profile and its Field Score comes in at an impressive 4.8. 

“This is a great solution for someone who is going to be doing some extended backpacking and is confident the temperatures will not dip below 45 degrees,” McCluskey says. 

Budget champion: Marmot Trestle Eco

The Marmot Trestle Eco is the only synthetic sleeping bag that made the top 10. And, at $180, it’s the most affordable on the list. Consumers could expect to pay $181 more for a bag of similar stature. 

It’s a women’s bag, rated at 20 degrees, comes in at around 2.7 pounds and is the only bag in the top 10 made of synthetic material instead of down. 

“This is a great shoulder season bag, reasonably priced and pretty light,” McCluskey says. 

The trends

While North Face secured the top spot, representing the best all-around value for consumers, Marmot, Mountain Hardware and Sea To Summit secured three bags a piece in the top 10. 

The top 10 also confirms the highest value comes from finding a lightweight down bag with a low temperature rating priced below the market value for such specifications. There is only one quilt in the top 10, while the rest are mostly mummy bags intended to keep campers comfortable when lower temperatures strike. 

Nine out of the top ten and 19 out of the top 29 bags are made of down, with varying rates of fill power. Down is more expensive than synthetic fill, with an approximately $86 premium according to our model. But down provides for a better insulation to weight ratio, greater packability that makes it a greater value for backpackers. 

The price for the top 10 bags range from $180 to $685. Overall, the most expensive bag on the market was $962 while the cheapest was $129. The lightest bag in the top 10 comes in at 1.7 pounds while the heaviest is 4.1 pounds. Some quilts weigh under 1 pound, while the heaviest bag comes in just under 5 pounds.