First, you should choose a sleeping bag whose rated temperature is lower than the lowest temperature you expect. When in doubt, it is advisable to choose a bag with a lower temperature class, as you can always open a bag to cool off in warmer conditions. For years, Nemo dominated the market for sleeping bags for side sleepers, but Big Agnes recently rose to the challenge with the Sidewinder. All in all, the tried and tested UltraLite is Western Mountaineering’s most popular 3-season backpack bag for off-season and alpine adventures under 48 years of age, and with
good reason.
The leg and foot space allows for a variety of sleeping positions and the hood is deep enough to provide secure protection. Since crappy sleep is the fastest way to ruin the trip of a lifetime, opt for one of the best thru-hiking sleeping bags for your next hike. Second, it doesn’t help that Nemo uses down with 650 fillings for this bag, which is clearly in the mid-price segment (check out the Riff 15 with 800 fillings for a lighter but more expensive alternative). Summer bags have lower limits of around 40 degrees and offer the least margin for error but keep the weight down for use at low altitudes in warm weather
.
The Tanager is designed to provide optimal warmth on cold nights in combination with a lightweight hoodie such as the Feathered Friends Eos. This can be a disadvantage for people who prefer not to sleep in their jackets. But for a roomy, plush, and versatile bag for use in three seasons, the Parsec 20 is still a high-quality option for a bit less than the competition. What’s more, most thru hikers and fastpackers won’t dare sub-freezing temperatures, so the tanager’s warmth is a bit overkill for most conditions (it doesn’t help that you can’t open the bag with a zipper for ventilation). Thanks to the temperature resistance of 21 degrees (32 degrees for comfort), the bag is comfortably within the target temperature range for most
high-altitude hikes.
For starters, if you’re looking for a cheap option or use your backpack in really wet conditions, synthetic bags are still a good choice. Cold environments call for a warm sleeping bag, and the Phantom 0F from Mountain Hardwear has long been a top choice for winter camping and high-altitude expeditions. And it’s a good picture of how much more insulation is required for a synthetic bag of down to keep up
.