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Nov 25, 2023

4 Ultralight Sleeping Bags to Help Take the Load Off Your Back

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Laugh all you want, we're firm believers that a sleeping bag is the number one priority when you're camping. We're serious about sleep around here. We love a cushy sleeping pad, an investment mattress, a pillowy mattress topper, a fluffy duvet insert. Sleep is crucial for good health, so no matter where you are, it's important! And when we're camping underneath the stars, we still prioritize our eight hours.

Because bad sleep can ruin a camping trip—no matter how good your coffee is—don't skimp on the right sleeping bag. So along with our review of best sleeping pads, we decided to give you the definitive review of the best ultralight sleeping bags. Because the lighter they are, the more places you can take them. Sleep easy and save room for cool shit like coolers and portable grills.

The price is steep, but this is everything—absolutely everything—you could want from an ultralight sleeping bag. Honestly, it's a bit overbuilt for the average camper or backpacker.

In terms of weight, it's comfortably in the ultralight category at 1lb 13oz. For warmth, it's got 850 fill down and is rated to 20 °F (honestly a bit extreme for most needs, but it's there). The shell is tough, but the taffeta interior is nice and soft. Add to that a down-filled draft collar and Western Mountaineering's dedication to American manufacturing, and you've got it all. Truly best in class.

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UltraLite Sleeping Bag

$525.00

backcountry.com

For something a bit more affordable, we've found the Big Agnes Torchlight UL to be a great ultralight bag.

It's got the same 850 down fill as that Western Mountaineering bag, though this one is only rated to 30 °F (which is plenty for most people). The hydrophobic coating is surprisingly consistent, and though it's not a necessity, it's a nice touch considering the down fill. The interior is comfortable, and the draft tubes along the hood and zipper make sure you don't lose any of that retained heat.

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Torchlight UL Sleeping Bag

$369.95

backcountry.com

If you just want to go ultralight for the warm season (this is what we'd recommend for the casual camper), the Alps Mountaineering Dogwood+ is a great pick.

It's rated to 40 °F, which will cover you for summer and those adjacent Spring/Fall months. It could even be a year-round bag if you're not camping too late in the year, nor opposed to sleeping in a base layer or some fleece. The ziperless design is great for the warmer months, as you can throw a leg out of the bag without worry. But if you try to use this guy later in the year, that's a place where you're gonna lose heat. Give and take.

All things considered, it's a great ultralight bag (it's actually 2 ounces over "ultralight," but you won't be able to tell). For summer camping, this is as good as it gets.

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Dogwood+

$89.97

backcountry.com

And though we've hinted at it through a lot of this article, let us say it out loud: Most people don't need ultralight gear. Most of this stuff is over built for the average camper. It's designed for thru hikers, distance bikepackers, and other people going deep into the outdoors without vehicles. If that's your aspiration, we absolutely think it's worth investing in great gear now. If you just need something for casual camping trips, this is what we suggest.

Kelty's Cosmic 20 is a great sleeping bag, full stop. It's rated to 20 °F, which will be comfortable for any scenario a casual camper finds themself in. (And again, if you're OK sleeping in some layers, that's warm enough for 4-seasons.) Kelty also really mastered the shape of a sleeping bag. The brand's signature sharp taper creates a snug fit at your feet—it does wonders for overall warmth and is one of the reasons this bag is 550 fill but can handle low temps.

Finally, as far as being ultralight goes, this bag is only 2lb 5 oz. It is ever so marginally not ultralight. For the price, there are literally no bags better.

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Cosmic 20

$164.82

amazon.com

Before talking about our criteria, let's talk about who really needs an ultralight sleeping bag. Since they are top-of-the-line gear, everyone wants to sell you on one, but truthfully they are for serious back country people. Thru hikers, bikepackers, packrafters—those are the type of people that really need ultralight gear. For the average camper, it's just a luxury.

For that reason, we included the Kelty Cosmic 20. Technically, it's not ultralight, but it only breaks the scale by five ounces. (You probably would never feel that difference.)

A word on ultralight: Oh, that reminds us: What even qualifies as ultralight. There's not a single accepted definition, as some people factor in stuff size, but generally for a sleeping bag it means "under two pounds." Backpackers consider a full pack under 10 pounds ultralight, and to hit that you'd want to keep your sleeping bag under that two-pound mark.

So our testing criteria...

Weight: Like we said, gotta be under two pounds to be considered ultralight. But for most folks lightweight (under three pounds) is plenty.

Warmth: Take all temperature ratings with a grain of salt, because brands will always embellish. That said, if you're sleeping with a few layers on, not stark naked, the temperature rating is pretty close to what's advertised. With that in mind, we found all of these bags close to their advertised ratings.

Other touches: Things like the stuff sack size, durability, draft tubes are all minor details that ultimately add to a sleeping bag. And generally this is what makes these bags stand head and shoulders above the competition.

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