The Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags of 2025

We’ve established the best backpacking homes (tents!), beds (sleeping pads!) how to carry them (packs!) and now it’s time to choose your comforter (sleeping bag) for the next five to six months of your life. It’s a crucial piece of gear because it 1) weighs a lot, 2) usually costs a lot, and 3) without it, you’re in danger of a cold, miserable night at best or life-threatening exposure at worst.

Because a crappy night’s sleep is the fastest way to ruin the trip of a lifetime, you should opt for one of the best possible backpacking sleeping bags for your next hike. In assembling this list, we considered factors like weight, warmth, price, materials, and features to identify top-performing bags for every type of backpacker.

Looking for a quilt? Check out the Best Backpacking Quilts instead.

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Best backpacking sleeping bags for thru-hiking this year:

• Feathered Friends Tanager (Highest Fill Power)
• Zpacks Mummy Sleeping Bag (Lightest Sleeping Bag)
• Western Mountaineering UltraLite (Best All-Around)
• NEMO Riff 15 Endless Promise (Best Sleeping Bag for Side Sleepers)
• REI Magma 15 (AT Thru-Hikers’ Favorite)
• NEMO Forte 35 Endless Promise (Best Synthetic Backpacking Sleeping Bag)
• Kelty Cosmic Ultra 20 (Best Budget Down Sleeping Bag)

Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags for Thru-Hiking: FAQs

Sleeping bags are expensive and weirdly complex. Before we get into our picks for the best backpacking sleeping bags for thru-hiking, here are a few pointers to help make the decision easier.

What Temperature Rating Should I Use for Thru-Hiking?

Most Triple Crown trail thru-hikers should be fine with a bag rated between 15 and 30 degrees. You know yourself, though. If you tend to sleep cold, opt for something rated to a lower temperature. When in doubt, the rule of thumb is to go with a bag rated at least 10 degrees lower than the lowest temperature you expect to encounter on your hike. Alternatively, carry a lighter bag supplemented with a liner.

Sleeping bags

It’s important to keep in mind that for men’s and unisex bags, the temperature ratings listed in the product name (Nemo Forte 35, Kelty Cosmic 20, etc.) usually denote the lowest temperature at which an average warm sleeper might still feel comfortable (“limit”). Sleeping bags also have a secondary temperature rating (“comfort”) that indicates the lowest temperature at which an average cold sleeper might stay comfortable.

Check the label — the comfort temperature might be 10-plus degrees warmer than the number given in the model name.

For instance, the men’s Nemo Riff advertises the limit rating (15 degrees), but the comfort rating is 28 degrees. Big difference.

In contrast, women’s bags tend to advertise the comfort rating in the product name. This is because women generally run colder than men, so the comfort rating is more relevant.

Learn more about temperature ratings in The Ultimate Guide to Backpacking Sleeping Bags and Quilts for All Budgets.

Sleeping Bag or Quilt?

Quilts are essentially sleeping bags without the underside, saving the weight of a hood and a full-length zipper and part of the bulk. The idea is that when you lie on a down-insulated sleeping bag, the down compresses enough that it doesn’t work to insulate, and users do just as well with a sleeping pad for insulation from the ground.

The general consensus for most quilt models is that they are not quite as warm as a mummy bag with the same rating because they tend to let in more drafts. Even so, quilts are growing in popularity compared to fully enclosed bags, with just 40 percent of respondents to our annual Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker Survey using bags during their thru-hike.

Quilt aficionados appreciate the weight savings and freedom of movement their sleep system affords them. If you opt for a quilt, be sure to get an adequate width to avoid drafts. If you tend to sleep colder and prefer a snug, tucked-in feel, go for a traditional mummy bag.

What’s the Difference Between Men’s and Women’s Sleeping Bags?

There are a few differences in women’s-specific vs. general sleeping bags, though nothing critical. Women’s bags have a different down distribution based on a general understanding of heat loss — for instance, a women’s-specific bag might have a higher concentration of down around the torso and in the footbox as opposed to a generic bag.

Women’s-specific bags are also wider in the hips and narrower through the shoulder, and are often smaller in width and length. This means less empty space to heat up and keep warm.

As mentioned above, women’s bags are more likely to advertise comfort temperature ratings in their branding. For instance, the women’s Nemo Riff 15 bag is rated to keep an average cold sleeper comfortable at 18 degrees, while the men’s Riff 15 is only rated to keep an average cold sleeper comfortable down to 28 degrees. It’s worth noting that both of these sleeping bags cost the same — just saying.

Moral of the story: if you want the warmest possible version of a sleeping bag and your proportions allow it, opt for the women’s model.

Wait, I’m Confused About Fill Power Vs. Fill Weight

So are most people.

Fill power refers to the space one ounce of down occupies in a cylindrical container when allowed to loft to full capacity. High-quality down has a higher loft than lower-quality down, which means you get more warmth for less weight. i.e., 900 fill has a better warmth-to-weight ratio than 700 fill. Look for sleeping bags between 650 and 950 fill power. Anything more than that is just fluff.

Down or Synthetic?

Down is more compressible and has a better warmth-to-weight ratio than synthetic, making it the ultralight insulation of choice. On the other hand, it’s also much more expensive and won’t provide much warmth if it gets wet.

Goose vs. duck down: Duck down is less expensive than goose down, but you won’t find duck down loftier than about 650-fill. It also has more of a smell when it gets damp. In contrast, goose down is available in 850, 950, and even 1000-fill.

Hydrophobic down: Some down has a hydrophobic treatment that allows it to retain some loft (and by extension, warmth) if it gets wet, bringing it more in line with synthetic fill’s superior performance in wet conditions.

Synthetic fill: Synthetic (polyester) insulation goes by branded names like PrimaLoft and Polartec. It’s bulkier and heavier than down, but this might be a worthy tradeoff for budget-conscious hikers since it costs a fraction of what down costs. And technologies are continuing to evolve, with some synthetic fills like Climashield Apex feeling almost as warm and compressible as real down.

Can I Relax if My Down Has a Water-Resistant Treatment?

You can sort of chill out. We recommend you opt for a sleeping bag with a treated down to give yourself some leeway if the bag gets damp or comes in contact with condensation on the walls of your tent. Treated down will retain its loft and insulating abilities for significantly longer than untreated down, but you should still protect your bag from getting saturated. There are a few varieties of treated down on the market — keep an eye out for Nikwax, DriDown, DownTek, and HyperDry.

If you’re really concerned about your down getting wet, a synthetic bag is another option, but those models tend to be bulkier. Synthetic fill has come a long way in the past few years, but down still has a higher warmth-to-weight ratio overall.

Features to Look For in the Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags

More features typically translate to more weight. If you’re planning a long-distance trek, you may want to forgo some of the below features in favor of weight savings.

Fill weight: The amount of insulation in a sleeping bag determines how warm it will be. Different insulation types (synthetic, down of varying fill powers) all have different weights for the same amount of loft, but looking at the fill weight is a good starting point when researching a bag’s warmth.

Fill ratio: This is the fill weight divided by the overall weight of the bag (including shell fabric and zippers). A bag with a lower ratio can still be warm — it might just mean it has more zippers or thicker fabric. However, the higher the fill ratio, the more efficient the bag’s design.

Two-way zipper: Half zippers save weight, but they’re not versatile. With two-way full-length zippers, you can open up the bottom to vent heat on warm nights.

Draft collar: The best backpacking sleeping bag in the world won’t do you much good if cold air can seep in through the giant hole at the top of the bag. So make sure you get an insulated draft collar that hangs around your neck and shoulders to cut airflow.

Stash pocket: In cold weather, you’ll want to sleep with your electronics, water filter, and maybe a few other things. An internal pocket goes a long way toward maintaining order in your bag once you move all your random shit inside.

Water resistance: DWR shell fabrics, water-resistant down, waterproof footboxes… you get the picture. Anything you can do to avoid a sodden sleep system is a win. And on that note…

Dark colors: Despite your best efforts, your sleeping bag is going to get wet at some point. When it does, you’ll need to find a sunny patch of trail and dry that sucker out ASAP. That’s why the best backpacking sleeping bags for thru-hiking are dark-colored.

Black/dark-colored bags absorb heat and dry faster than lighter colors. This one simple feature will save you time and help keep your bag in decent shape.

Pad sleeve: Some models from Big Agnes swap the bottom insulation for a stretchy fabric sleeve designed to hold an inflatable pad. This is great if you’re sick of sleeping on what feels like the world’s most boring Slip ‘N Slide.

Pro tip: The low-budget solution to the slippery pad problem is a few strategically placed dots of silicone seam sealer on your pad to create extra friction.

Responsible manufacturing processes: If you opt for a down bag, make sure the insulation was ethically sourced by checking for Responsible Down Standard accreditation.

If it has a durable water repellent (DWR) coating, check that the brand is using PFC-free DWR, a more environmentally conscious choice that is quickly becoming the industry standard.

Other things to look for in this category include the use of recycled and/or Bluesign-approved materials, emissions-reducing manufacturing processes, and fair labor practices.

Caring for Your Sleeping Bag

No matter what you choose, remember to treat your sack-o’-fluff with care. A sleeping bag is a big and important investment. It can mean the difference between a comfortable night’s sleep and sheer misery, keeping you safe in plummeting temperatures.

During sunny breaks, shake out your sleeping bag and let it dry in the sun. As often as possible, remove it from the compression sack to allow a full loft, and never store it compressed when you’re not hiking.

After a season of heavy use, wash your sleeping bag to keep it fresh and lofty for years to come. (Both down and synthetic sleeping bags require special care at the laundromat: read this article and maybe watch a few videos to ensure you don’t accidentally ruin your bag by washing it wrong.)

About Our 2025 Picks

Sleeping bags are simpler than tents and packs. They’re essentially bags of feathers, and the biggest variable will be choosing between a quilt or mummy bag (see above). There’s sufficient diversity in the sleeping bag/quilt market that we’ve chosen to break traditional sleeping bags and quilts into separate listings. For this review, we’ll focus on traditional mummies.

We’ve chosen a selection of bags that are lightweight, durable, and highly customizable — thru-hiker centric models with good warmth-to-weight ratios. Be sure to check out all of the customization options for each model to fit your particular needs — many brands (especially cottage industry) have build-your-own options for fill power, temperature rating (all listings are in Fahrenheit), width/length, and even color.

Since so many of these models have an array of customization options, we’ve based our specs (price, weight, fill, dimensions, etc.) on the stock model.

The following sleeping bags are listed in no particular order.

The Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags for Thru-Hiking in 2025

Feathered Friends Tanager (Best Warmth-to-Weight Ratio)

MSRP: $469
Weight: 18.6 ounces
Fill Weight: 12.6 ounces
Fill Ratio: 0.68
Temperature Rating: 20 degrees but FF’s ratings are generally considered accurate for comfort
Insulation: 12.6 ounces of  950-plus-fill down

Details

Made in Seattle, Feathered Friends bags come with a hefty price tag, but the craftsmanship, customer service, and overall quality make their bags a worthy investment. The Tanager weighs scarcely more than a pound — less than many 20-degree quilts — but has many of the draft control benefits of a traditional sleeping bag.

The Tanager saves weight over a traditional mummy by using ultralight materials and eliminating not just the bulky hood, but also the zipper. You enter and exit by shimmying through the top opening.

A full 68 percent of this bag’s 19-ounce weight is devoted to down feathers, earning it the Best Warmth-to-Weight Ratio award.

Materials and Features

Insanely floofy 950-fill down is sandwiched between a Pertex Endurance 7D water-resistant shell and a 15D ripstop nylon liner. The collar has a drawcord so you can cinch it around your neck during cold weather.

Nobody’s Perfect

The Tanager’s hoodless, zipperless design isn’t for everyone: scooching in and out the sleeping bag’s narrow top opening can be tough. Some users also find it quite narrow. The difficulty of getting in and out or moving around inside the bag may lend itself to sleeping bag claustrophobia, even though it lacks a constricting hood. If you find yourself overheating, you also can’t unzip to dump heat.

The Tanager is designed to be paired with a lightweight, hooded puffy like the Feathered Friends Eos for optimal warmth on cold nights, which could be a drawback for folks who prefer not to sleep in their jackets. For a more traditional mummy design from Feathered Friends, check out their Hummingbird model.

Shop the Feathered Friends Tanager

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Zpacks Mummy Sleeping Bag (Lightest Mummy)

MSRP: $579*
Weight: 23.2 ounces
Fill Weight: 15.6 ounces
Fill Ratio: 0.67
Temperature Rating: 20 degrees
Comfort Rating: n/a (not ISO tested)
Insulation: 15.6 ounces of 900-fill Muscovy down

*Price and weight/fill weight for the standard-medium size

Details

At 23 ounces, the Zpacks Mummy Sleeping Bag is taking our prize for the lightest mummy bag this year, although it just missed out on the Most Imaginative Name award. Maybe next year.

Zpacks sleeping bags aren’t rated according to ISO standards, but the brand says the 20-degree temperature rating roughly aligns with the ISO “transition” range, meaning it falls somewhere between Comfort and Limit. Our reviewer, Kate, agrees and recommencds that you upgrade to the 10-degree mummy if you’re looking for true comfort around 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

Materials and Features

The Zpacks Mummy’s scant weight penalty is all the more impressive considering that this is far from the most minimal design on the list. It has a two-way, full-length zipper that wraps around the bottom of the footbox, a design carryover from the brand’s hoodless Zip Around sleeping bag, and a draft collar that pairs with cinchable cords in the hood and around the collar to lock out cold air. The baffles are even 30% overstuffed in anticipation of eventual down compression.

Sow how did Zpacks make the mummy so light? The bag’s ultralight materials account for much of the weight savings, namely the high fill-power down and ultra-thin 7 denier Ventum ripstop nylon fabric. The fabric is treated with PFAS-free C0 DWR.

Nobody’s Perfect

Would be nice to see this actually ISO rated so that meaningful temperature comparisons to other brands would be possible. Zpacks sleeping bags have honestly caught a lot of flak in the UL backpacking forums over the years, with some users saying the bags don’t live up to their temperature ratings and that they don’t trust the construction quality and ultralight materials. Our reviewer observed an unusually high rate of down leakage from her bag, which could be due to the thin 7D fabric. Finally, it costs $579, which is … a lot.

Shop the Zpacks Mummy Sleeping Bag

Read our review of the Zpacks Mummy Sleeping Bag.

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Western Mountaineering UltraLite (Comfiest Premium Sleeping Bag)

MSRP: $610 – $630
Weight: 29 ounces
Fill Weight: 16 ounces
Fill Ratio: 0.55
Temperature Rating: 20 degrees
Comfort Rating: 25 degrees
Insulation: 16 ounces of 850+ fill down

Details

A slim design and high-quality, made-in-the-US construction define this classic Western Mountaineering bag. The temperature rating is accurate thanks to smart down distribution, multiple shock cord cinches to protect against drafts, and a thick draft collar. The zipper stays blessedly snag-free, and the hood is deep enough to feel secure while moving around.

For ultralighters looking for a Western Mountaineering quilt (and who don’t sleep cold), the NanoLite weighs 11 ounces, retails for $380, and is rated to 38 degrees — about as high a thru-hike temperature rating as you should go for.

The UltraLite is very similar to the Feathered Friends Hummingbird in terms of weight and price, but the cut of the Western Mountaineering bag isn’t quite as narrow, resulting in a comfier fit.

Materials and Features

The UltraLite has 16 ounces of 850-fill down and a beefy draft collar to seal the heat in and the drafts out. The shell is a tough yet breathable ExtremeLite technical fabric. The hood and collar both have shock cord cinches to seal you off from the elements. Plus, this is another brand made in the US.

Nobody’s Perfect

Like the Feathered Friends Hummingbird, the shoulders are on the narrow side, which is beneficial for heat retention, but some people might find confining. It also boasts the same soul-crushing pricetag as the Hummingbird despite weighing a quarter-pound more (or, looked at another way, it weighs the same as the REI Magma below, costs $180 more, and is only a couple degrees warmer).

Shop the Western Mountaineering UltraLite

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NEMO Riff 15 Endless Promise Men’s | Women’s (Best For Side Sleepers)

MSRP: $400
Weight (Riff 15): 39 ounces (women’s: 52 ounces)
Fill Weight: 19 ounces (women’s: 30 ounces)
Fill Ratio: 0.49 (women’s: 0.57)
Temperature Rating: 15 degrees (30 degree also available)
Comfort Rating (Riff 15): 28 degrees (women’s: 18 degrees)
Insulation: 19 ounces of 800-fill duck down (women’s: 30 ounces)

Details

Nemo’s signature spoon-shaped (or hourglass-shaped) cut was designed with side sleepers in mind. It leaves more room at the knees and elbows so you can roll, shift, and generally flop around unencumbered throughout the night. An integrated pillow pocket accommodates a spare puffy or hiking clothes just as well as an actual camp pillow, while the two Thermo Gill vents on the top of the bag can be easily unzipped to dump heat on warmer nights.

Read our review of the NEMO Riff.

Materials and Features

The Riff is one of Nemo’s classic sleeping bags, but the 2024 model got a big update with its addition to Nemo’s Endless Promise collection. Essentially, the bag was redesigned with streamlined materials, rendering the entire sleeping bag fully recyclable. When your Riff is worn out, you can ship it back to Nemo on the company’s dime and they’ll make arrangements to have it recycled. Which is pretty awesome. Worth noting: another Nemo sleeping bag on this list, the synthetic Forte, is also now fully recyclable. More on that later in the article.

A generous 19 ounces* of high-quality 800-fill, Responsible Down Standard-certified down ensures that the Riff is plenty warm, and the PFC-free hydrophobic treatment on the insulation helps it to retain that warmth when wet. A DWR-treated 20D nylon ripstop shell provides an additional line of defense against moisture.

*Or, for the same price but significantly more weight, you could get a women’s bag with a whopping 30 ounces of insulation.

Nobody’s Perfect

The Riff is on the narrow side for a Nemo bag, streamlined for weight savings rather than luxury. For a roomier (and more affordable) bag that’s still friendly to side sleepers, check out the Disco (men’s/women’s). At 39 ounces it’s the heaviest down sleeping bag on the list.

Shop the Men’s Nemo Riff

Shop the Women’s Nemo Riff

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REI Magma 15 (AT Thru-Hikers’ Favorite)

MSRP: $429
Weight: 34.9 ounces (medium)
Fill Weight: 23.3 ounces
Fill Ratio: 0.67
Temperature Rating: 15 degrees (30-degree also available)
Comfort Rating: 21 degrees
Insulation: 23 ounces of 850-fill water-resistant duck down

Details

Long-distance hikers skew heavily pro-quilt these days, and the AT is no exception, but as far as traditional mummies go the Magma has been a clear favorite in our AT thru-hiker survey over the years. The Magma used to come in men’s and women’s versions but is now a unisex bag. However, it comes in nine different sizes ranging from Short Narrow to Long Wide, a reflection of REI’s push toward size inclusivity in their gear.

Comparing the unisex Magma’s specs to those of the men’s and women’s Magma of old, it appears that the new version falls somewhere in between the old men’s and women’s versions in weight, fill weight, and comfort rating, skewing closer to the specs of the former women’s version. For reference, the former women’s version weighed 36 ounces, had a fill ratio of 0.65, and had a tested comfort rating of 18 degrees.

Materials and Features

In addition to the new size range, the updated Magma also features a three-quarter length zipper that wraps over the chest a bit rather than going straight up to the shoulder, which is supposed to make it easier to get in and out of. It also has a small stash pocket for small items like a headlamp, which call me crazy but I don’t think it ever had that before.

The fabric is now recycled ripstop nylon instead of name-brand Pertex Quantum.

Nobody’s Perfect

The Magma has a great warmth-to-weight ratio, but you pay for that coziness with a hefty 36-ounce weight penalty. While not a deal breaker, that does put this bag near the top of our list in terms of weight. Also, people appear to hate the stuff sack it comes with.

Shop the REI Magma 15

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Nemo Forte 35 Endless Promise Men’s | Women’s (Best Synthetic Backpacking Sleeping Bag)

MSRP: $169 (reg. length)
Weight: 32 ounces (women’s: 42 ounces)
Fill Weight: 18 ounces (women’s: 28)
Fill Ratio: 0.56 (women’s: 0.67)
Temperature Rating: 35 degrees (20-degree also available)
Comfort Rating: 44 degrees (women’s: 35 degrees)
Insulation: 17 ounces of Zerofiber PCR (women’s: 25 ounces)

Details

Although synthetic sleeping bags can’t yet compete with down for weight and packability, they wipe the floor with their feather-filled competitors when it comes to budget. The Forte actually went down in price by about $10 compared to last year, which is nice (the bag itself hasn’t been updated in that time). And for a warm-weather bag like the 35-degree Forte, there’s little enough insulation that a synthetic bag still remains feasible in terms of weight and bulk.

Nemo’s signature Thermo Gills (the orange slash thingies in the picture above) can be opened to dump heat on warm nights or zipped up to trap heat when the mercury drops.

The Forte is significantly lighter than many other synthetic bags in a similar temperature range and is comparable in weight to many 650-fill down bags in a similar temperature range.

The latest version of this sleeping bag also gives it a huge boost in the sustainability department. Keep reading to find out how.

Materials and Features

In 2023 the Forte became the first product in Nemo’s new Endless Promise collection. Basically, the Forte is Nemo’s first fully recyclable sleeping bag (the Disco and Riff have since joined the collection and are also now recyclable).

Rather than making the sleeping bag out of a bunch of different types of polymers, 90 percent of the Forte (other Endless Promise products) is made from a single material family — in this case, polyester — making it far easier to recycle.

Many components of the bag are made with recycled materials to begin with, too, keeping the whole resource stream nice and circular. The outer shell and inner lining are both made with 100 percent recycled polyester (ripstop and taffeta, respectively), while the insulation itself is Nemo’s new proprietary 100 percent recycled polyester fill, Zerofiber PCR.

When your Forte eventually crosses the rainbow bridge, you can request a return shipping label from Nemo and send the bag back to the company to be recycled.

Nobody’s Perfect

Although the Forte is competitive among 35-degree bags, many cold sleepers and thru-hikers whose journeys will span colder months will find this temperature rating inadequate. Remember, 35 degrees is the tested lower limit beyond which an average warm sleeper might experience hypothermia; the limit for a comfy night’s sleep in the men’s version is a balmy 44 degrees. (It’s also worth noting that the Forte has actually gotten less warm in the most recent update; the comfort rating of last year’s bag was 40 degrees.)

If you want a warmer bag, the 20-degree Forte (men’s/women’s) costs $200 and weighs 55 ounces.

Shop the Men’s Nemo Forte 35

Shop the Women’s Nemo Forte 35

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Kelty Cosmic 20 Men’s | Women’s (Best Budget Down Sleeping Bag)

MSRP: $245 ($270 women’s)
Weight (Cosmic 20): 34 ounces (women’s: 47 ounces)
Fill Weight: 15 ounces (women’s: 25 ounces)
Fill Ratio: 0.44 (women’s: 0.53)
Temperature Rating: 20 degrees (0-degree also available)
Comfort Rating (Cosmic 20): 31 degrees (women’s: 25 degrees)
Insulation: 15 ounces of 800-fill Dridown (women’s: 25 ounces)

Details

Is the Kelty Cosmic THE cheapest sleeping bag on the planet? No, and it’s not even the cheapest sleeping bag in the Kelty Cosmic line (see the Kelty Cosmic 20 (men’s/women’s for that honor). But does it really make sense for us to pitch you guys a dirt-cheap bag with a backbreaking weight penalty, and/or one made with cheap materials that will underperform and wear out within one season? Nah. Also, incidentally, the men’s and women’s Cosmic Ultra are both available for less than MSRP on Kelty’s website as of this publication.

We think the Cosmic does the best job balancing affordability and quality, making it an actual, realistic choice for budget backpackers. Seriously, why isn’t anyone talking about this sleeping bag? The price is almost half that of most down sleeping bags, and at 34 ounces for the men’s regular, the weight is quite competitive.

The bag’s 20-degree temperature rating (31 degrees for comfort) puts it well within the target temperature range for most thru-hikes. The Cosmic features trapezoidal box baffles, which allow down to pile up under the seams to minimize heat loss, and a trapezoidal footbox that allows your tootsies to lay more naturally.

Materials and Features

In the Cosmic Ultra 20, you get quality materials — 800-fill water-resistant down insulation and a 20d nylon shell/liner — for a true bargain price.

The Cosmic Ultra weighs dramatically less than the classic Cosmic 20, which kept prices down by using not-so-premium 550-fill down. It’s pricier than the classic Cosmic too, but $220 is still a pretty gosh dang good deal for a 34-ounce sleeping bag. The shell fabric still features C0 and PFC-free DWR treatment, which helps to keep harmful and persistent chemicals out of the environment.

Nobody’s Perfect

Some people are going to see “budget sleeping bag” followed immediately by “$245 – $270” and scoff. Is this really the best we can do for non-rich people who are trying to get into backpacking? That’s still a lot of money. Hikers for whom cost is a primary concern can spend a lot less if they opt instead for an inexpensive synthetic model, but again, it’s going to weigh more.

Shop the Men’s Kelty Cosmic Ultra 20

Shop the Women’s Kelty Cosmic 20

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More of the Best Backpacking Gear of 2025

• Best Backpacking Tents
• Best Backpacking Backpacks

Why should you trust us?

Because we’re so incredibly intelligent! Attractive, too. (Not to mention extremely humble).

But if that isn’t enough to impress you, there’s also the fact that everyone who contributed to this article is an experienced thru-hiker with thousands of on-trail miles under their belt. We’re gear nerds who love putting our equipment to the test on trails long and short, and we’ve tested dozens of sleeping bags in pursuit of a better night’s sleep in the backcountry.

Moreover, we survey hundreds of Appalachian Trail thru-hikers every year to learn about their behaviors, demographics, and—you guessed it—gear preferences. That means our picks for the best backpacking sleeping bags for thru-hiking aren’t just our opinions: they’re based on years of feedback from the thru-hiking community.

Check out AT hikers’ favorite backpacking sleeping bags for thru-hiking according to the 2021, 2022, and 2023 thru-hiker surveys.

Original article by Maggie Slepian. Alex “GPS” Brown, Rachel Shoemaker, and Owen Eigenbrot contributed to this list.

Featured image: Graphic design by Chris Helm.