The TOP sleeping bags of 2022 (and one you can afford) 

Just a little correction about the down from Western Mountaineering. It's not from dead birds, it's collected moulted down from egg laying geese. The mature birds produce the largest down clusters, hence the quality and probably the price! No birds died for the down!

I can vouch for the Kelty Cosmic Down 20. I got one back in 2018 and love it. I've taken it backpacking, and even done a fair amount of camping above the treeline on the Cascades and Wasatch in the late Fall and Spring. With clever layering I've taken it down to about 10'F. Not the most comfortable at that temperature, but I was safe and managed to get a few hours of sleep.

I have that Kelty Cosmic down bag. I agree with you totally. It's a great bag for what it is. You just have to accept you aren't going to get the same bag for $200 you would for close to $700. I'd be interested to see your thoughts on the Feathered Friends bags!

I love the Feathered Friends flicker ul 20 degree sleeping bag/quilt hybrid. Best part about it for me is that even though I’m allergic to down I am able to use this one because they clean the down so much that all the down in their products is certified hypoallergenic.

I haven't had many chances to use it but so far I'm loving my Big Agnes Anvil Horn 15. I have slept some well in it, better than any other sleeping bag I've used. Partnering it with one of their air mattresses makes a huge difference. I'm more of a sleep sleeper and this system works great for me.

Oh wow, awesome to see Cumulus for a change! I have some of their gear already, and I've got my eye on one of their hammock underquilts for next year

Bought a Western Mountaineering Antelope bag 28 years ago and now has over 2000 nights and still going strong. Big investment but the best bag and will last a lifetime.

Versalite is the bomb…2lbs even and toasty warm. Your description does this bag justice. The 2 velcro flaps are a little weird but make the collar work awesomely… I love mine.

Dan, I recently went on my first backpacking trip on a section of the florida trail. The things I leraned on your channel helped and inspired me to have a great trip. The first of many. Thank you so much!

I think when It comes to some of those higher prices, It's about waiting for the best deals. Once quilts came out, I made the switch just because I toss and turn a lot and like the extra room being a side sleeper. Like you said, It was not that type of video but I picked up the EE Revelation Quilt, 950 down,0 degree, Long, Xwide for around the same weight as the Versalite. $485 with Black Friday deal. That extra money saved allowed me to get a custom Hood, booties and mitts to get everything for the same price as a Western Mountaineering sleeping bag. Research is key.

Just got the big agnes anvil horn and can't wait to try it out! Great video Dan

I am in the market for a new sleeping bag so this video was extremely helpful. All your videos are. So keep 'em comin' cause they are always very enjoyable too.

Hello Dan, A budget option that I found being very worth the price was Decathlon's Forclaz MT900 O°C down sleeping bag, weighing in at less than a kilo. Managed to get one at around 130$ at the end of the trekking season and I feel this is a great "bang for your bucks" bag.

Great video Dan. I’m a side sleeper and the Nemo Forte 20 was a big upgrade over my mummy bag. A little big on the stuff sack volume but paired my Nemo Tensor Ultra light pad I didn’t lose any space. REI Labor Day sale $110!

My best friend and I did a 6 degree in an ice storm back in February this year. He had a hyke and byke 800 fill that he got for 120 and I had the big Agnes torchlight camp (synthetic 20 degree) which I got for 140. We were toasty the entire trip. The warmest it got was 12 degrees. It was awesome

Thanks a lot Dan for the video, very helpful !

We purchased the Kelty not having seen the video prior. We are getting ready for our first backpacking trip in Big Sur in April. Seems we got your approval on the sleeping bag, feeling proud. ;)

I’m a woman who does a ton of backpacking in the PNW. I really love my Feathered Friends Egret 20. A bit pricy, but it’s held up great for 5 years, and it’s much warmer and lighter than my old Marmot bag.

I just got the Big Agnes Torchlight 20 during the REI sale earlier this month for $85!! Great deal!

My friend and myself have had an awesome experience with Hyke And Byke down bags. Going on 5 years of moderate use on the 0degree bag in a hammock paired with a BA Insulated Q core slx in the bag works 4 season in the ADKs, and they also make an over quilt although I have not tried it. Oh and they come in under $200 when on sale and it looks like they have broadened there selection since I got mine. Best bag for the money in my opinion, especially for tall people.

I’d love to see what you could put together for winter camping for a $500 total (includes everything, even clothing).

Thanks for the review!

Thank you so much for showing tossing/turning on your side! The struggle is real. I’m looking for a great cold bag with no hood because without the hood I could just bring the bag around with me. If you find one lmk!

Another winning video. I'm usually doing summer temperature stuff, so I feel like I would cheat a bit there. Always looking for packability even though it's on a motorcycle instead of my backpack. Took my REI bag on the last trip and it made me very happy. It is wearing out, and I'm ready for a new one though.

I have a WM Versalite too. You got to try the WM bag extender with it. It adds another 6 inches to it’s circumference. Oh oh oh.

I have the excuistic 1500, Komforttemperatur -32celsium. It's massive light and I got it personalised. The construction is amazing.

good stuff man

I agree with Stoned Ape. From my experience the two best sleeping bags are Feathered Friends and Western Mountaineering. I don’t own either, mostly because I don’t have a RU-vid Video site so I can’t afford them, although I do have a Feathered Friends quilt, but have used them several times. Remember that they are also USA made.

You should check out the Helsport Spitsbergen X-Trem and the Helsport Svalbard sleeping bags. They're top end sleeping bags for really cold expeditions. They're comfort rated at -32 degrees and -29 degrees Celsius, respectively (-25.6 and -20.2 degrees Fahrenheit).

Nemo disco 15 has been a dream for me as a stomach sleeper!

I love my Outdoor Vitals Summit 15 deg F.

I use the REI Magna 15 for most of my trips in fall and spring. It's $400, but 850-down, comfort rated to 28 degrees F and only weighs 28 oz. Also has a great draft collar. I love it!

I'm trying out the Zenbivy sleep system and so far I'm liking it, but it's very bulky. Although it is very comfortable to sleep in, it's not ideal for much below 30 degrees.

You should check out Hang Tight quilts! Steve provides amazing value, his 0 degree quilt is super toasty and packs down small and light!

I think the Alpinlite is a bit wider than the Versalite. I upgraded from the Nemo Disco 15 to the Alpinlite and its great as a side sleeper.

Could you do some reviews on Kuiu and Stone Glacier sleeping bags?

thoughts on the stormloft down mummypod sleeping bag? was looking to get it for hammock camping.

Have you tried the new Outdoor Vitals bag? It’s pretty light and not as expensive as some on your list.

Hi Dan, I bought the Thermarest Parsec 0 degree bag online ($480), weighs (less than) 2 lbs and packs down to nothing. I heard that you shouldn’t buy a bag with way too much height so you aren’t trying to fill a 6’5” bag with a 5’5” person (dead air). I bought the “short” version, good to 5’6”. I took it into the Sierras last weekend, and I’m sad I have to return it bc I’m 5’5” and my feet are about to Hulk Smash out the bottom. More noticeable in a tent vs in my warm apartment. Other than that, folks that can spend almost $500 should really try out the Parsec Zero degree bag. If you’re cool with Green Bay Packers-level of yellow fabric, lol. Keep up the great work.

Good to know!!! Never realized how a good sleep mat was also to keep warm until last year we camped in Sedona AZ and got hit in a cold front! 🤣💯🏜️

Thanks for the video. After seeing your strong recommendation for the Panyam 600, I did some research on it and everybody I could find raved about it, including people who have backpacked with it in a variety of conditions. I was looking for a sleeping bag and car camping. I'm 6'2", which is at or a little bit over the upper limit for the standard size Cumulus, so I ordered a custom one in the long length direct from the manufacturer. Custom orders for their down products are supposed to filled pretty quickly and I should get the bag in 2-3 weeks.

Thanks for the video! I need a compact bag for backpacking a thruhike (Trans-Catalina Trail) in mid-late June when lows will be in the upper 50's to low 60's. Will I absolutely roast in a 20 degree Sidewinder even if I keep it unzipped? I would get the 35 degree bag, but I would like to get one with future 3-season hikes/camping in mind, but cold weather trips will be much fewer and far between. Thank you.

I just picked up a down 15 deg Mountain Hardware from BackCountry for $98 on their black Friday sale.

Thank you

Love your videos thank you! Do people find the down ones start to prick them over time if the feather quills poke you? Even down pillows good quality expensive ones nowadays seem to constantly have little quills poking through. Oh and in terms of family camping which type would you recommend for washability? Would you need to dry them in a dryer to repuff the fluffy filling? (obviously follow manufacturer’s recommendations but have to be practical for young kids). Thanks

.....Also REI Put out the Magma line. For a decent in-between bag those do an amazing job!

Thanks, Dan! I need to get on YOUR Christmas list! Heh, heh, heh! Cheers, Brother!

So I noticed something about my WM sleeping back, and I think its related to the physical properties of the canvas on the bag, when the heat increases above a certain level (like engine coolant or a pressure release valve) the kinetic energy of the molecules is released through the canvas keeping it from overheating (instead of the sleeping bag doesnt have the lattice necessary to keep the kinetic energy high with down feathers). I got the green one, it reminds me of how gas exchange works in a plant leaf which I studied at Cornell, and it goes perfectly with my Kajka. What is special about your favorite sleeping bag?

I tried a down sleeping bag two years ago, I know from experience with other peoples bags that they are super comfy and offer a much nicer climate. So when I won some money I bought one. A German Yeti, top of the line, best down on the market, a water repellent model. I did not keep it for long. I was constantly comparing it to my usual bag, a Snugpak Hawk (Softie 9) The Yeti was as warm as the Softie, but also: just as big, packing size was the number one reason I wanted one, and heavy, (I knew the weight when I bought it, but I thought it would keep me much warmer for the bulk). Since I bought it with a huge discount I was able to sell it with a profit. From all the hype I would have expected it to be way smaller. Bummer.

Dan, i suggest that you take a look at a Wiggys bag? Down is lighter, if that is the primary consideration. I camp from a motorcycle and canoe, For me, sleeping is my primary consideration for a sleeping bag. Keep up the good work. Courtesy of Half Vast Flying

Have you ever tried a stone glacier chilkoot? They are supposed to be excellent, definitely spendy though.

I'd love to see a budget bag comparison. Like the Kelty Cosmic down 20 vs the Hyke and Byke or something similar.

Hey Dan! In your opinion how durable is the WM Alpinlite? Can it survive just being stuffed into the bottom of a backpack or would you always have it in a stuff sack. Thanks so much!

Thoughts on the Enlightened Equipment Convert quilt.... I mean sleeping bag, since it has the full length zipper

Are you planning to review an Outdoor Vitals Sleeping bag? Their design looks really interesting and there isn't much out there in terms of good video reviews.

Inside scoop ? Kuiu. has the single best sleeping bag on the planet. 0, 15 and 30. 850+ down and coated "Quixdown" making each strand hydrophobic. I owned 2 Western Mountaineering bags and now my 2nd Kuiu bag. Dan, if you have tried one,....trust me.

Magellan Pro 20° or 0°. Both are synthetic, so heavier and bigger.... But, the 20° is $70, and the 0° is $90. You can't beat that. They are both very warm, light for synth, and they have a mesh foot zip. I have a Mountain Equipment Nova IV as my 'real' bag, and it weighs almost the exact same as the Magellan 20°. I swear by synthetic, since it takes more abuse and can get wet. Where I live it is exceptionally humid and I've seen down suffer.

AT hikers! Every LASH hike I've ever taken in the South was colder than 20 degrees. I promise. I've hiked springer to hot springs 5 times😊

I would love to see a video on the Thermarest Parsec 0.

I ordered a Xeros by Mountain Equipment at 50% off from back country on black Friday. It just arrived. I would say that for $300 it is the best value as long as it is on sale. It's definitely the nicest bag that I have owned and is on par with the alpinelite.

Keltyhas made a new cosmic down ultra with 800 fill down. There’s not much online about this in terms of reviews. It is still pretty reasonably priced. Any thoughts?

Any recommendations for a bag with a wide foot box? I can't sleep with my legs together. I've been using an Outdoor Vitals Arrie 20, but I want something warmer (with a hood)

just a quick one: Patizon G400 recently won the award here in EU .. I have it, ofc before it won .. awesome sleeping bag

i have an alpinlite.. amazing bag

I’ve always used a sleeping bag cuz I didn’t know there were other options. What else can I use especially for winter camping?

Do you have a review of the Western Mountaineering Flylite? I can’t seem to find many reviews on this bag. I know it’s not 20F so maybe you wouldn’t have a use for it but I would love to know your thoughts!

Hey Dan, It’s Dan again. You should check out the Nemo bags. I’ll admit, they are heavier than your average bag, but you get side sleeping, draft collar, thermo gills, and super roomy with the spoon shape, and warm. Check it out!

Western Mountaineering is the best. I own 7 of them, their booties, and their ultra-light jacket. They will last forever - a generational purchase.

I slept in a sleeping bag from 18-27 years old. Pretty much Exclusively. From crummy apartments with no heat to damp basement suites, RV’s to actual camping. Any night I wasn’t in a hotel. Buy a good quality bag and you can use it anywhere.

"Backcountry Blowout at 3 AM" is a hilarious phrase that I will be using later.

Dan, do you always keep your ball cap on in your sleeping bags

thank Dan!

Do you have any experience with Feathered Friends sleeping bags out of Seattle? I’m considering the 20 degree Swallow from them.

Feathered Friends makes a GREAT bag is well and is on par with Western Mountaineering in terms of quality. Also made in the US. I have both Western Mountaineering and Feathered Friends bags.

Review the Rab Mythic Ultra 360 sleeping bag please

I have two 0 degree klymit, made in America. Cost $180, got then on sale off season refurbished. My favorite style is all black with baffles other is green\yellow bag. Review klymit

hope to see how big when it is stored .

"Back Country Blowout" is officially my favorite term I learned in 2022.

I'm a down convert. I believed the old adages about it being useless when wet and very sensitive to sweating and humidity. I don't know what untreated down is like but treated down might as well be synthetic as far as moisture is concerned. I slept beside a river at 5°C and woke up with everything damp in my tent. I was toasty warm in my Thermarest Questar -6°C bag (comfort rated to 0°C/32°F). It lost no loft and the dwr treatment did its job on the face fabric. I chose that bag because I'm an active sleeper and mostly a side sleeper. I try not to take marketing too seriously but the things Thermarest says about the fit is accurate. Can toss and turn almost unrestricted but without excessive air space robbing warmth. The cringey "toe-asis" marketing term for the extra footbox warmer turned out to be a kickass feature. I always get cold feet in other bags and if i go to bed with cold feet... well I'm not used to my sleeping bag trapping heat around them and actually making a little hot box to warm them up. Then when they're warm it lays flat against the bottom of the bag and I have the generous foot box to enjoy. And at 2 lbs 3 oz IIRC and packing down to about the size of my ultra crappy +7c synthetic bag which is half a pound heavier, I don't think I'll be buying another bag any time soon.

What does everyone think of the klymit brand stuff? I bought one of their insulated V lite sleeping pads. Haven’t tried out camping yet but I blew it up and tried it on my hardwood floor and seemed relatively comfortable. It’s was only $50 so if it sucks not a huge loss. R value is allegedly just over 4

Western Mountaineering for the win!

Anyone looking for a great budget friendly bag should definitely look at the Forclaz MT900 (€170/$170). They sell 4 different sizes ranging from 160cm till 200cm body length. The biggest model has a fill weight of 560g (800cuin)! It's the best bang for your buck!

Would be great if you could tell where made.

Hi, can you convey the specifications of equipment in degree Celsius and meters (metric system) for the viewers other than in the USA. Thanks

Warmlite Triple bag, buy one sleeping bag that covers all temperature ranges have use this and it is perfect. It is made in the USA since 1959. It is lightweight. And it will go down to -60°F.

I´m in a situation where i´m gonna go backpacking in the mountains and forests in Norway in february, and we´ve heard that the temperature could go way beyond -15C and maybe down to -25C at night, which sleeping bag would you recommend for that? i really don´t know much about sleeping bags

What about sleeping bag liners? Have you reviewed the various ones (esp from S to S) as that is a seemingly hot topic judging from the amount of Insta and YT pings I am getting lately

Snowy Owl EX - 60 Sleeping Bag

Wow. These bags are expensive! I guess I'd use it if the manufacturer gave me one. Why are "the best of" always so expensive? I have a Cosmic Down 40 regular. Weighs about 2 pounds. It's good to about 45F. I'm 5'8" and I find it very tight. I can barely put my arms next to my sides (back sleeper). If the Cosmic 20 is the same, I wouldn't recommend it, especially for someone who moves around a lot or is a bigger size. I'm making a new down bag. It's my 4th based on packable down throw. I've learned a lot from previous builds and use on the trail. Previous bags use Climashield synthetic for the underside, footbox and hood and down on the top and sides. That was necessary because my pad was only about an R2.4. Probably very little Climashield in the next bag. Bought 8 ounces of bulk down online. Will add it to the chambers I make by ripping some of the seams. My goal is under 26 ounces and good to 35F. That temp assumes a base layer and Nemo Tensor R4.2 insulated pad. My all-in cost will be about $85 plus my time. I'll post a video on my channel in January. I know you're not a DIY guy... but there are a lot of people who can't afford $300+ for one piece of gear. DIY might be what works for them.

I have bought Western Mountaineering Ultralite, and the quality is top notch, BUT: I wonder about the rough stitching inside the bag, which clearly irritates if you put bare arms and legs in the bag. I really hope that this irritation diminishes significantly as the bag is used - Unpacking/unpacking, washing etc.?

There are so many different options available in the marketplace. Is this selection it? All others don't matter?

New option for a budget bag (especially for tall people - I'm 6'6"): Mountain Technology Bags. Small company, but the bag is 900fill and soooo great!! The long fits anyone up to 6'9". Well made and everything. Cheaper than the Kelty as well!

Kamperbox is a good one

So I tried chatting with a "gear head" today... I asked 2 or 3 times for input and suggestion on good towel for backpacking. crickets... they basically were like, which towel do you want me to add to your order? They provided great advice!

There are NO better bags than Western M. Nothing else even comes close... and they are hand made. The quality! Other bags I personally like: Feathered Friends, Rab, Fjällräven, Nemo, Sea to Summit.

Anyone have any opinions on the REI Magma 15? I'm thinking about grabbing one of those

How about the North Face Summit Series sleeping bags? I have their 0 degree and it’s solid.

Curious - did you make a editorial decision to stop including your intro theme song/video at the beginning of your videos? And why?

Do you purchase/buy all your equipment or does gear producers/suppliers give you equipment free?

I have a Synthetic bag -20 degrees, its a bit more bulky i guess, but i can still pack it up. It was around 100 dollars.