Key Points
-
Quality sleeping bags are an essential tool for backpacking.
-
Weight is the difference between a suitable sleeping bag for camping and a suitable sleeping bag for backpacking.
-
Some lightweight sleeping bag options outweigh the rest — in a good way.
Regarding backpacking, the camping gear you carry on your back is all that's available, so being prepared is essential. Author of Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail, Cheryl Strayed, even noted this when she wrote, "I was amazed that what I needed to survive could be carried on my back. And, most surprising of all, that I could carry it."
Backpacking sleeping bags are easily one of the most important tools of the journey. It’s wise to consider your options carefully before acquiring one. Lightweight sleeping bags are always a must, regardless of whatever other features you’re looking for. A lighter sleeping bag requires less energy to carry, and conserving energy is vital for backpacking.
What Makes a Sleeping Bag for Backpacking Different?
Backpacking requires a reliable and easy bag to lug around, as opposed to camping, where any standard bag will do. The durability and weight of a camping sleeping bag don't matter as much because basic camping trips are a shorter process than backpacking. Ultralight sleeping bags that can handle wear and tear are the most realistic option when it comes to backpacking. Weight is the most significant differentiating factor between a sleeping bag for camping and a sleeping bag for backpacking.
Finding sleeping bags with features catered to specific environments and scenarios is easier as sleeping bags develop. There is a multitude of sleeping bags that focus on particular qualities, like being lightweight for backpacking. Some scenarios call for a focus on different qualities in sleeping bags, including warm sleeping bags, compressible sleeping bags, spoon-shaped sleeping bags, and zipperless sleeping bags. It is easier than ever to find the perfect sleeping bag for what you need.
What Makes the Perfect Lightweight Backpacking Sleeping Bag?
There are many things to consider about what you want from a bag before deciding which one to buy. Knowing where you'll be backpacking is the first step in considering what you want.
If you plan to backpack through an area with high rain, you need a waterproof or self-sealing sleeping bag. If you are backpacking during the winter or in a high-altitude area that tends to be cooler, you need cold-weather sleeping bags — warm sleeping bags — like down-insulated sleeping bags. In hot regions, you not only want an ultralight sleeping bag but also one that is breathable.
The length of your trip and how often you intend to use your bag are other points to consider before buying your sleeping bag. The price inevitably reflects the quality of a sleeping bag. It’s worthwhile for experienced or committed backpackers to invest in a reliable sleeping bag that will last a long time. The standard backpacking sleeping bag is lightweight, easy to pack up, appropriate for the climate you're exploring, and caters to all levels of backpackers.
There is no shortage of good options for sleeping bags, especially with how popular backpacking has become. You'll have to do some research to find the right sleeping bag fit for you, just like with all important outdoor equipment. Several outdoor brands offer quality sleeping bags, but a few, in particular, have a reputation for making reliable sleeping bags well-suited for backpacking
Therm-a-Rest Hyperion 20
The Therm-a-Rest Hyperion 20 is an ultralight, compressible sleeping bag with an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio. This is the ultimate cold-weather sleeping bag. It's ideal for backpacking and mountaineering because it's lightweight yet has reliable insulation to hold in warmth. Its tight-fitting shape ensures that this sleeping bag is cozy. The Therma-a-Rest is ideal for backpacking long distances in cold areas or during the cooler months.
NEMO Forte 20
The Nemo Forte is a lightweight and versatile sleeping bag with an innovative spoon shape, providing extra room for side sleeping and a comfortable night's sleep. This sleeping bag is a great option for side-sleepers or those who move around a lot in their sleep because it is very spacious for being so compact.
This spoon-shaped sleeping bag widens toward the bottom like a spoon instead of narrowing in or being straight, making it so roomy. Sleeping bags that focus on comfort, like this one, are a great option because being well-rested when backpacking is essential to ensure you have the proper amount of energy.
Western Mountaineering Ultralite
The Western Mountaineering Ultralite is a highly compressible and lightweight sleeping bag with excellent warmth retention, perfect for cold-weather backpacking and mountaineering. It is one of the plusher lightweight sleeping bags. Its thick, quilted material offers comfort and continual warmth as you sleep. What makes it impressive is how tightly it packs up, considering its dense material.
Marmot Hydrogen
The Marmot Hydrogen is an ultralight and compressible sleeping bag with high-quality down insulation and a durable shell, ideal for backpacking and thru-hiking. This sleeping bag is ideal for long-distance adventures. It’s perfect for backpacking in wet climates and keeps you warm along the way.
Sierra Designs Cloud 20
The Sierra Designs Cloud 20 is a lightweight and compressible sleeping bag with innovative features such as a zipperless design and patented self-sealing foot vent for added comfort and warmth. Zipperless sleeping bags like this one are a great way for you to prepare for the unexpected. This self-sealing sleeping bag's design allows you to enter and exit through a fold at the top. The fold allows you a quick and quiet escape from your sleeping bag.
Lightweight Sleeping Bags Just Outweigh Other Backpacking Options
The options are plentiful, but some sleeping bags stand out among the rest for their many features and reliable reputations. If you’re trekking through the mountains and need something lightweight yet well-insulated and tight-fitting, there’s no shortage of cold-weather, down-insulated sleeping bags. If you are planning to do a long-haul hike and want to ensure you get good sleep, many sleeping bags cater to comfort above all else. Wherever your adventures take you, and however you get there, there’s a lightweight option for it.
The options that help you fine-tune and narrow down just what you’re looking for in a sleeping bag are engineered to be specific. When you’re backpacking, you simply have what you brought on your back, so it must be dependable. You must be confident that you’ve made the right choice for your sleeping arrangement when you can’t easily swing by the store for a replacement. A good arrangement ensures good sleep, contributing to a great adventure.
With backpacking, you need all the energy you can get, so saving it any way you can is wise. Lightweight sleeping bags turn what’s usually the biggest item to carry into a lighter load. Once you have decided what additional features in a sleeping bag appeal to you, you have everything you need to pick the right one. There’s a reason that sleeping bags vary so much in their features — so you can find the perfect one! With the perfect lightweight sleeping bag, nothing can stop you from carrying your world on your back during the day and sleeping soundly at night.
For more on the best outdoor gear, subscribe to MyOutdoorGear.
