10 Reviews: Best Down Sleeping Bags for Backpacking (May 2023)

If you are tired of sleeping bags that promise warmth but make you freeze cold, then the same thing will not happen if you choose TETON Sports Altos Sleeping Bag. It has three temperature rating options: 20°F, 0°F, and -10°F. The added padding, a super comfy hood, and a built-out footbox guarantee that there won’t be a single chill touch you.

A great bag that will keep you warm to the rating. I took the 20 into fifteen degree winter camping and was okay. This was my first backpacking bag, I’ve used it for every camping trip since and a number of trails. It’s a touch heavy but an amazing first bag and it lasts. It’s also incredibly comfortable. I’m 6’5” and I’ve never felt too snug or tall in this bag. You can be tough and this bag will take it. Good compression sack too.

by Tavis Lemm

Marmot has long been in the world of outdoor gear, and Trestles is one product that you can rely on when backpacking. With a 100% polyester shell, this women’s mummy-style bag will keep you warm without losing its loft when wet, even though temperatures are as low as 15°F. To make sure you get the utmost comfort, the bottom portion retains a blanket-like feel.

Very light weight-wise, but warm, great for backpacking. Do not buy the regular size if you're above 5'7". Best sleeping bag at this price point for weight and warmth.

by Brandi

If you’re a down bag snob, Quandary is a must-have item. Hyke & Byke designed a lightweight and compressible sleeping bag that is perfect to accompany your adventure, no matter what the weather throws. It provides warmth for three seasons with the help of a Hydrophobic 650FP, a total of 640 grams of fill weight, and a DWR-coated 400T 20D ripstop nylon shell.

I wanted a lightweight bag that would keep me warm in three seasons, and I sleep cold. This bag is it. Light, compress-able, comfortable - it has all the features a backpacker needs. I slept in it four nights on a Thanksgiving trip that dipped below freezing at night, and I slept comfortably.

by OK Cards Fan

For anyone on a budget, Kelty Cosmic is a great pick. Rated at 20 degrees, this mummy-shaped bag is capable of three-season backpacking. Two colors are available: blue and vapor. This sleeping bag is a stuffed with 600-fill Drawdown that keeps you warm as if you were in your own room. Not to mention the pocket to keep your essentials handy.

Got this for my wife on a backpacking trip to CO. The weather turned cold for Sept., had i known we would be camping in 25 degrees i might have gotten her a lower temp rated bag (20 deg really means like 32 imo). but this one did really well. Warmer than my ALPS 35 deg bag for sure. compact, comfortable, and warm.

by Charles C

Do you want a sleeping bag that is more than just warm? This one can be integrated with any hammock to serve as both an underquilt and a top quilt. The Crestone is professionally designed to save space as well as shave weight. For the material, Hyke & Byke gave it to ripstop nylon fabric liner which is water-resistant and made to last. Put this into your top packing-list and see how it changes everything.

I love this bag! I went camping last weekend and it got a little cool out but I thought I would give this a go even-tough is was overkill for the night time temp. I left it unzipped but it still kept me toast warm. It was very easy to slide on my hammock without out any trouble what so ever. I was the envy of the group (They got cold in their hammocks.). I highly recommend this to anyone whom loves the outdoors. It's a must get!

by Joe

Despite being labeled a women’s sleeping bag, the Marmot Women’s Teton is a smart pick if you’re looking for an exceptional pick for three-season backpacking. All features are made thoughtfully, such as the material that does not allow cold air from seeping in into your toasty envelope, the compressible 650-fill power, a super cozy wrap-around footbox, and the small pack size.

Went camping in the UP in September and was expecting some cold nights. With this sleeping bag my girlfriend slept comfortably and was very toasty all night!

by Patrick

The ALPS Mountaineering Zenith is another right move if you are outdoor enthusiasts who travel a lot. It is rated 0 degrees, wrapped in a ripstop polyester shell, and is water-resistant with 600FP hydrophobic down. Your purchase comes with a compression stuff sack to make it much more compact so your backpack has more space for your essentials.

Used in 22 and 12 degrees at boy scout freezoree and kept warm with long johns and this sleeping bag. Remember sleeping pad makes all the difference thus the sleep system. Just a but bulky but stuffs down well with right compression bag.

by Jawbreaker

Ah, you’re right. This one is designed for women. NEMO Aya 30 Sleeping Bag comes with a minimalist design but also gives a feminine touch with pink accents. It won’t give you a wet feeling thanks to the durable water repellent which helps resist moisture, both in the shell and lining. What makes this one so special is that it weighs only 1 lb. 12 oz. That way your steps can be lighter and your shoulders no longer complain.

Need a hug on a cold night? Montbell’s Down Hugger will do it for you ecstatically. This down feather is designed with comfort in mind, ensuring there is no gap between your body and the bag without limiting your movement. Rather than giving you a wrap-around footbox, this hugger offers an adaptive stretch so there’s always room no matter how much you spread out at night.

Lastly, the Swallow YF Sleeping Bag by Feathered Friends makes you pay more but also gets everything you expect: water-resistant shell, comfortable fit, generous draft tube, and premium 900+ fill power down. Everything is designed without sacrificing weight, which is only 28.7 oz and packs down to 9 liters. Still not enough? This bag will keep you warm down to 30°F.

I bought this for my 12 year old as I encourage him to start carrying his own gear on backpacking trips. He was excited that it packed so small and is so light. We spent an unexpectedly cold night in the backcountry at Rainier NP and he said he was warm and comfortable all night. He likes to have some room to thrash around and thinks this medium width bag is really comfortable.

by Morgan