Best Ultralight & Lightweight Sleeping Bags [2023] BikeHikeSafari

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This is a overview of the Best Ultralight Sleeping Bags for backpacking in 2023.

There are so many selections of backpacking sleeping baggage available on the market. I’ve researched, examined, and used sleeping baggage for 1000’s of nights. And I’ve narrowed the sector right down to solely the Best Lightweight Sleeping Bags.

All the sleeping baggage had been chosen for his or her high quality, light-weight, and small pack dimension. All the backpacking sleeping baggage on this overview will final you a few years and make a great funding.

If you might be in search of an excellent lighter choice then check out the Best Ultralight Backpacking Quilts.

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Best Lightweight Sleeping Bags for Backpacking 2023

The Best Lightweight Sleeping Bags for Backpacking in 2023 are:

At 21.4 oz / 606 g the Rab Mythic Ultra 360 was launched in 2022, changing the excellent Rab Mythic. The Rab Mythic Ultra is even lighter than the older Mythic 400 which I liked as an ultra-light sleeping bag. Like the Marmot Phase 20 and the Sea to Summit Spark, this bag is EN / ISO rated so relaxation assured that it’s going to positively hold you heat when the temperatures get chilly.

The Rab Mythic 360 is EN rated at a restrict score of 20F / -7C and a consolation score of 28F / -2C. It is filled with high-quality 900+ down for nice heat to weight ratio. It additionally makes use of a model new material that will increase the insulation capacity of the sleeping bag by trapping warmth the identical means an emergency area blanket will entice warmth.

The half zipper size can’t be fully unzipped. This choice makes it unsuitable for heat summer time nights however does an ideal job of weight saving.

This could be top-of-the-line sleeping baggage for thru-hiking a path such because the Continental Divide Trail. It would even be completely suited to decrease altitudes within the Himalayas and Andes or any non-summer climbing the place temperatures recurrently hover close to or beneath freezing.

The Sea to Summit Spark 3 was up to date in 2019 with a change to vertical baffles within the torso area to stop down shift when shifting round within the bag. And in 2022 they upgraded the DWR coating to a PFC free DWR on the freaky light-weight and virtually clear 10 Denier outer shell.

With these upgrades, mixed with a light-weight weight of solely 23.5 oz / 665 g this bag is tremendous light-weight and really top quality. With 15.2 oz / 430 g of Hyperdry 850+ loft down fill it has among the highest quantities of down fill on this Sleeping Bag overview. Which makes for an incredible warmth-to-weight ratio. And in order for you extra heat they even have the Spark 5F / -15C.

Another bonus is the sleeping bag has been independently examined to the EN / ISO requirements. The Sea to Summit Spark III is EN rated at a restrict score of 18F / -8C and a consolation score of 29F / -2C.

The Sea to Summit Spark III / 18F can also be one of many roomiest ultralight baggage on this overview and has a full-length zip, which provides slightly to the general weight of the bag compared to others on this overview. That small quantity of additional weight permits you to open the bag right into a quilt when the nights are hotter.

Overall, the Sea to Summit Spark has a really small pack dimension and fine quality the whole lot. With all of the upgrades over time, the Spark is among the greatest light-weight sleeping baggage for 2023. And it is available in totally different temperature scores so in order for you one thing barely hotter or one thing rather less heat, they have you ever coated. Did I point out, that it’s moderately priced compared to the opposite greatest backpacking sleeping baggage on this overview.

The Therm-a-Rest Hyperion 20F is the lightest and most compact sleeping bag on this overview. Weighing in at solely 19 oz / 550 grams and with a pack dimension just a bit greater than a water bottle it’s a formidable ultralight sleeping bag.

The Therm-a-Rest Hyperion 20F is EN rated at a restrict score of 20F / -6C and a consolation score of 32F / 0C. I discovered these temperature score to be spot on after I examined the bag. It is made out of skinny 10 Denier inside and outer material. And makes use of hydrophobic 900 fill down that’s responsibly sourced.

A considerable amount of weight financial savings comes from the slim inside dimensions of the bag. It is among the tightest becoming baggage on this overview. If you might be primarily a again sleeper it’s going to go well with you completely, however in case you are a aspect sleeper or prefer to toss and switch in the course of the night time it doesn’t supply a lot inside room. In reality, 70% of the down is positioned on the highest and sides of the bag with solely 30% on the underside. So rolling over in the course of the night time won’t be as thermally environment friendly as being a again sleeper. It additionally has a clip and strap to go below your sleeping pad to maintain the bag in place.

Overall, the Therm-a-Rest Hyperion 20F is the most effective ultralight backpacking sleeping bag for again sleepers. If you aren’t a again sleeper then this might not be your best option for you.

Zpacks is well-known for less than producing ultralight gear and the Zpacks 20F Hoodless Sleeping Bag retains with the ultralight ethos of the corporate. The bag options ultralight 7D material on each the inside and outer shell. It can also be coated with a DWR in and out in case you end up in damp situations. It additionally has a 3/4 zipper size so it may be opened and used as a quilt within the hotter summer time months.

The Zpacks 20F Hoodless Sleeping Bag is crammed with water resistant Downtek 900+ Goose Down which is handled to be immune to water. As a end result, the bag has an incredible warmth-to-weight ratio.

The bag comes with many dimension choices and a good selection of colours that few different firms can match. If you might be barely bigger or smaller than your common hiker then you’ll respect the dimensions selections. I like the colour choices too.

The bag comes and not using a hood so you will have a down hood or fleece balaclava or much like hold your head heat when it will get chilly. And the hoodless sleeping bag is just not ISO rated. The temperature score has been self-assessed.

Overall, the Zpacks sleeping bag is the most effective hoodless sleeping bag for ultralight thru-hikers and backpackers who need the most effective and lightest bag available on the market in 2023.

Part Sleeping Bag, half Quilt. That is how you may describe the brand-new Zpacks Zip Around Sleeping Bag. Like the Classic Sleeping Bag talked about above, it’s a hoodless sleeping bag. It is just not solely an ultra-lightweight sleeping bag, nevertheless it contains a full-length zipper that will increase the flexibility of the bag by permitting you to totally unzip the bag, thus turning it right into a quilt. Perfect if you end up on a backpacking journey that features each sizzling climate and chilly.

I examined the Zpacks Full Zip Sleeping Bag in heat climate. It was nice to have the ability to totally unzip the bag and use it as a backpacking quilt.

The full-length zipper will increase the load of the bag barely in comparison with different Zpacks sleeping bag fashions, however that improve in weight additionally will increase the flexibility of the bag. And in case you ever considered shopping for a backpacking quilt however by no means dared to strive, then that is for you.

The zip and neck space has a draft tube to maintain the warmth in when wanted and the zip has a strip of webbing to stop snagging. When I examined the bag I discovered the anti-snag zip labored nicely and as promised.

The Zpacks Zip Around Sleeping Bag is available in a Dyneema stuff sack that’s waterproof and barely outsized to make packing straightforward. Want to compress the stuff sack? Easy, simply sit on it after you packed it up.

It is available in 4 colour selections, 2 width selections, and is offered in a 10F, 20F, and 30F temperature vary.

Overall, the Zpacks Zip Around Sleeping Bag is the most effective full zip sleeping bag for 2023 and probably the most versatile sleeping baggage or sleeping quilts you should buy.

The Feathered Friends Hummingbird is among the lightest down baggage rated at 20F (-7C). It weighs 24oz (680g) and is filled with the very best high quality 950+ down which helps save weight and offers you the most effective warmth-to-weight ratio of any of the baggage within the overview.

This is a mummy bag that’s suited to somebody who needs the lightest bag doable and isn’t ready to compromise on high quality. The Hummingbird is roomy sufficient for most individuals however Feathered Friends has bigger fashions for these wanting extra inside room.

Triple Crown Hiker Rob “Stone” Sweeney has used the Feathered Friends Hummingbird on the Continental Divide Trail, Arizona Trail, Hayduke Trail, Finger Lakes Trail, Long Trail, Colorado Trail, John Muir Trail, and The Grand Enchantment Trail. He likes the light-weight, small pack dimension, excessive construct high quality, and has had no points with the zippers or cords.

Despite washing the bag on the finish of each climbing season it’s beginning to develop some clumping points. After a tremendous 5000+ miles / 8000km of use, it’s beginning to develop chilly spots. The down is getting pushed to the perimeters when he turns in it, resulting in chilly spots in a single day. Follow his journey on Instagram: @HikingStone

If you need extra room contained in the bag, take a look at the broader Swallow or Swift down baggage, and even check out the Feathered Friends Flicker which is a hybrid sleeping bag and quilt. They have the identical high-quality supplies with barely bigger inside dimensions and weight.

Although this again is just not EN Rated it has related specs to the Marmot Lithium 20 and RAB Mythic Ultra 380 that are each EN Rated. An amazing high-quality light-weight sleeping bag.

The Macpac Dragonfly 400 is a model new, totally up to date sleeping bag from Macpac. The mummy sleeping bag has 14.1 oz / 400 grams of 800 loft Hyperdry down stuffed inside a 15D Pertex outer material with a DWR end. It additionally makes use of a 1/3 size zip to assist scale back the load of this light-weight sleeping bag constructed for the moist situations of New Zealand.

I examined this bag and located it had beneficiant inside dimensions that labored nicely when aspect sleeping, sleeping on my again, or sleeping on my abdomen. It additionally had a great hood which mixed to maintain me heat contained in the bag. In reality, the hood on the Macpac Dragonfly is the most effective in school and the most effective hood out of all of the sleeping baggage on this overview. I additionally examined the outer material for water resistance and it was capable of hold water from coming into the bag. Any water which will have gotten into the bag made little distinction to the HyperDry down which stored its loft.

The sleeping bag comes with an excellent compression sack which is ready to compress the sleeping bag into a really small dimension. When not utilizing the bag there’s additionally a bigger lofting bag to maintain the down nicely lofted when not on the paths.

Overall, in case you are dwelling in Australia or New Zealand and in search of a light-weight sleeping bag for bushwalking or tramping then this is among the greatest.

The REI Co-Op Magma 15F is an effective light-weight sleeping bag for backpacking at an inexpensive worth.

The REI Co-Op Magma 15 makes use of a great high quality 15D Pertex shell with high-quality 850+ loft goose down that has been handled to withstand water. Add to that the small pack dimension and good warmth-to-weight ratio and this makes a great backpacking sleeping bag for somebody wanting good high quality however not prime greenback.

This is the heaviest backpacking sleeping bag on this overview. This helps justify the marginally lower cost compared to higher-priced baggage. It might be nicely suited to somebody on 3 season backpacking journeys wanting a great high quality sleeping bag.

Overall, the REI Magma is the most effective funds sleeping bag that also is light-weight, has a small pack dimension, and good warmth-to-weight ratio.

Western Mountaineering makes among the highest quality baggage however that comes at a excessive value. The 29 oz / 820 grams sleeping bag is among the most costly baggage on this overview. The reward for spending this a lot cash is a sleeping bag that may final a really very long time.

The Western Mountaineering Ultralite is a mummy bag with sufficient room for all however the widest of individuals. It makes use of 850+ down in contrast to among the different producers that use the very best rated 950+ down. The bag is rated to 20F (-7C) and Western Mountaineering has a big choice of baggage rated at totally different temperatures.

Overall, the Western Mountaineering Ultralite is among the highest quality sleeping baggage cash should buy proper now and top-of-the-line light-weight sleeping baggage for backpacking.

At 23oz / 660g the Marmot Phase 20 sleeping bag is among the lightest of all of the sleeping baggage reviewed and top-of-the-line funds ultralight sleeping baggage.

The Marmot Phase 20 Sleeping Bag is EN examined 20F / -7C rated sleeping bag, so relaxation assured it’s going to hold you heat.

The mummy fashion of most ultra-lightweight baggage might be constrictive for some individuals. It is a mummy bag with related inside specs to the Feathered Friends, Western Mountaineering, and RAB sleeping baggage.

This bag is available in at a bit cheaper than the opposite ultralight baggage with out compromising high quality or supplies. Be conscious that there usually are not many of those baggage out there as they’ve been discontinued. So for these wanting the very best quality at an inexpensive worth, that is the most suitable choice, if there are any left!

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Other Sleeping Bags to be examined quickly

• Nemo Disco: The Nemo Disco is among the roomiest sleeping baggage and is nice for aspect sleepers.
• Feathered Friends Tanger 20 Hoodless: The Feathered Friends Tanger 20 Hoodless is one other hoodless sleeping bag that’s gentle on weight, and compact.

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Buyers Guide

Here is all the knowledge you will have to make an knowledgeable choice about Quality down Sleeping Bags. Recent years have seen the load and pack dimension of luggage scale back and the standard rise. For anybody who nonetheless has a cumbersome, heavy, or poor-quality bag it’s time to contemplate throwing down some cash on an improve.

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Weight

All the Lightweight Sleeping Bags on this listing weigh lower than 2 lb / 900 grams with many fairly a bit lighter than that. For anybody heading out on a backpacking journey in temperatures round freezing or simply beneath will discover the baggage on the listing to be adequate. Gone are the times of needing to take a heavy and ponderous sleeping bag. Every yr firms are producing lighter sleeping baggage with the shell materials getting lighter and stronger, and the down fill energy getting larger and better. Suffice to say, sleeping baggage have improved so much lately with regard to their weight to heat.

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Fill Power

When you see a sleeping bag crammed with 900 loft down, it’s referring to the fill energy. The quantity is a particular measurement of the down high quality. It is measured by inserting 1 ounce of down in a container and inserting a small weight on prime to compress the down just a bit. How a lot the down expands inside the container is measured in cubic inches. Therefore 1 ounce of 900 loft down will broaden to 900 cubic inches.

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Hydrophobic Down

If down will get moist it’s going to take in the water and clump. If this occurs on a chilly night time it may be deadly. As a end result, hydrophobic down was invented.

Many however not all the sleeping baggage on this overview use some type of hydrophobic down. Most use some type of proprietary title for his or her down therapy however they’re successfully the identical.

The water-repellent down won’t take in as a lot water as regular down. This is a reassuring issue that provides to your security when heading into the backcountry.

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Sustainable Down

Most sleeping baggage use Responsible Down Standard (RDS) which is a worldwide certification program for down materials. It prescribes that the down utilized in your bag has been responsibly and ethically sourced. And the hurt to the animal has been stored to a minimal. But it is best to know that the down in your bag has come from both a duck or goose and is a by-product of the meat business. Some firms present certification with the sleeping bag which is able to inform you all about the place the down was sourced, what fill energy it’s, and extra.

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Shell Material

All the sleeping baggage on this overview use an outer shell materials of between 15 denier and seven denier. 15 Denier is extra sturdy and stronger than 7 Denier. This gentle material is simply one of many the explanation why baggage are so gentle. This compromise in materials power can imply that baggage can rip and tear in case you are not cautious.

I’ve spent 1000’s of nights in a sleeping bag in a tent, sleeping on the bottom, in hammocks, and all over the place in between. I’ve solely put a few holes in baggage, often my fault (don’t air out your sleeping bag close to a barbed wire fence!). A small quantity of duct tape or tenacious tape is adequate to restore the bag.

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DWR Coating

Most sleeping baggage are vulnerable to be uncovered to unhealthy climate so producers add a DWR coating to the surface of the shell. this chemical coating will trigger water to bead because it does on a automotive after you wax it. As it beads it runs off the outer floor. Just one other factor added to maintain you heat at night time.

I extensively examined the DWR Coating on lots of the Sleeping Bags on this overview and located the DWR Coating, together with a great high quality shell material and water-proof down, all mix for prefect all-weather efficiency.

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Down vs Synthetic Sleeping Bags

This overview is simply coping with the most effective Lightweight Down Sleeping Bags which are crammed with down. It could be unfair to not point out the opposite choice which is the artificial sleeping bag.

They are heavier and don’t pack in the identical compact dimension as down baggage. But they nonetheless insulate when moist and are cheaper, subsequently many individuals see their worth. A moist sleeping bag that makes use of down won’t hold you heat, but when it makes use of artificial you’ll nonetheless keep heat, even when it isn’t very snug.

As supplies proceed to develop there might come a time when artificial baggage are higher than down. That level has not been reached but.

That being mentioned, if you wish to get monetary savings or are heading to areas the place getting your sleeping bag moist could be life-threatening, contemplate an artificial bag. Overall, once you need the most effective warmth-to-weight, most baggage might be utilizing down fill.

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Warmth and Temperature Rating

A phrase of warning about temperature scores. Not all baggage are rated the identical. Some are self-assessed and a few use EN / ISO unbiased requirements. Keep in thoughts that the baggage on this overview which are rated at 20F won’t essentially give a great night time’s sleep at that temperature. They often hold you heat and offer you a great night time’s sleep at temperatures round or simply beneath freezing.

Most of those sleeping bag producers have self-determined the temperature scores of their baggage. As a end result, they don’t seem to be at all times the most effective information of what’s a snug score. The business used to acknowledge EN 13573 score normal nevertheless it has lately been changed by the improved ISO 23537 normal.

It might be costly for firms to acquire this score, few light-weight Sleeping Bag firms appear to hassle. I’ve used EN-rated baggage prior to now and discover them to be a really correct measure of temperature score. The fill weight or quantity of down fill contained in the sleeping bag or quilt varies fairly a bit between all of the producers.

This won’t appear to be a lot however it could actually make a distinction to the insulation of the bag. It could be straightforward to assert that the width or fashion of the interior baffling may lead one producer to have a aggressive benefit over one other, and which may be the case.

The means inside baffles are constructed additionally impacts the temperature score. In some baggage, the down might be moved inside the inside baffles to the place it’s wanted most. I discover this function very annoying.

I need to unzip my sleeping bag to manage the temperature, not get up in the midst of the night time and attempt to shuffle down inside the baffles.

The Mummy Bags within the overview are all rated at round 20F (-7C) which is an effective useful 3-season temperature vary that can be utilized in all however the coldest and warmest of climate. Down mummy baggage additionally supply the most effective heat to weight.

Also, bear in mind the temperature score and high quality of your Ultralight Sleeping Pad. A sleeping pad with little or no insulation will permit the chilly to suck by way of the sleeping bag making you very chilly. So be sure you have a great sleeping pad.

If it’s good to be slightly hotter you may use an insulated sleeping bag liner to extend the heat of the sleeping bag. If a sleeping bag liner is just not sufficient you might want to check out upgrading to a 4 season winter sleeping bag.

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Stuff Sacks

Keeping a sleeping bag dry whereas climbing is critically essential. Heavy rain, a leaking backpack, or a fall when crossing a river could make for an uncomfortable night time’s sleep at greatest and a life-threatening scenario at worst.

For a few years I’ve used a Thermarest fleece stuff sac. Since then I’ve taken a take a look at the Best Backpacking Pillows and like to make use of a Sea to Summit dry bag for my sleeping bag stuff sack.

Recent years have seen many ultralight hikers make the swap to Dyneema stuff sacks akin to these from Hyperlite Mountain Gear and Zpacks. These tremendous light-weight, sturdy, and waterproof stuff sacks are available a number of shapes and sizes to suit any sleeping bag and are a great funding to maintain your down bag dry.

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Women’s Sleeping Bags

All the sleeping baggage on this overview are unisex however there are additionally girls’s particular sleeping baggage. They typically are slightly smaller in size and have extra down fill across the chest space and ft. In basic, girls don’t sleep as heat as males and require a warmer-rated sleeping bag.

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Price

Most Ultra Light Sleeping Bags can value some huge cash however it’s cash nicely spent. It is just not uncommon to maintain a top quality sleeping bag for 10 years. I stored a top quality winter sleeping bag for 20 years earlier than I made a decision to promote it.

In most circumstances, it isn’t solely cash nicely spent, however top-of-the-line investments you can also make. All of the baggage listed will final 10 years or extra and vary in worth from US$280-$680.

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Warranty and Return Policy

Before buying a Sleeping Bag be sure you examine the return coverage. Make positive you possibly can return it in case you ordered the flawed dimension.

If it’s returned after getting used it could incur a ‘Cleaning Fee’.

Anything bought from REI provides the most effective shopper safety, intently adopted by Amazon with a 30 day return coverage. In all circumstances, purchaser beware, make your selection properly.

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How to scrub a Sleeping Bag

Once you’ve gotten bought an Ultralight Sleeping Bag listed above it’s time to take care of it.

There are a number of methods to scrub a down bag. The greatest strategies are at hand wash them in a bath or on a mild wash cycle in a front-loading washer. It is my choice to scrub my bag in a front-loading washer.

The first step is to buy a detergent that’s particular for laundry down, akin to Nikwax or Grangers. Be positive to learn my full info information on the way to wash down sleeping baggage.

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Storage

When you aren’t utilizing your bag it’s a good suggestion to retailer it lofted in a lofting bag. Although sleeping baggage might be saved of their compression stuff sack indefinitely they may loft up faster when not compressed for a protracted time period.

It is essential that they be dried previous to storing. And it goes with out saying that they need to be saved in a dry place away from critters which will chew by way of your funding.

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Sleep System

A Backpacking Sleeping Bag is simply a part of a great backpacking sleep system.

You want a top quality Sleeping Pad that has an applicable heat score to cut back the switch of chilly from the bottom to your physique.

A Backpacking Pillow was a luxurious merchandise however issues have modified within the final couple of years. They are actually light-weight and cozy. There is not any excuse to not take one with you.

If it’s good to improve the heat of your bag you may get a sleeping bag liner. If that doesn’t present sufficient heat for the areas you’re going then contemplate upgrading to a winter sleeping bag.

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Conclusion

Which is the most effective ultralight Sleeping Bag for thru-hiking and Backpacking? Any of the backpacking sleeping baggage listed on this overview would make an incredible choice for anybody desirous to loosen up the load they carry.

The following Ultralight Backpacking Sleeping Bags are extremely really useful:

Most of the Sleeping Bags are virtually an identical in high quality, weight, and pack dimension. They are all an incredible selection and I’d be blissful to purchase any of them. The solely factor separating them is the worth and the customer’s location.

Overall, I’d select the Rab Mystic Ultra 360, by the smallest of margins, and solely due to the marginally decrease weight, from the Sea to Summit Spark as the most effective sleeping bag in 2023.

For these dwelling in Europe, RAB may be the most affordable and most out there.

For these in Australia and New Zealand, you should purchase by way of Snowys.com or Macpac. With both the Macpac Dragonfly or Sea to Summit Spark being the most effective choices.

The ultralight sleeping baggage ought to at all times be used at the side of a high-quality, light-weight sleeping mat and backpacking pillow.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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