Best Ultralight Sleeping Bags: Sleep Tight and Travel Light
These ultralight sleeping bags will cut down the weight of your pack
With decades of combined experience covering the latest news, reviewing the greatest gear, and advising you on your next car purchase, The Drive is the leading authority on all things automotive.
The Drive and its partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links. Read more.
BY Jovan Nikic , Suzana Mijatovic / LAST UPDATED ON July 21, 2020
When you're camping, every pound in your backpack counts. While choosing a lighter tent may not be an option, a sleeping bag is a piece of gear on which you can cut down some weight. And, even with light sleeping bags, you don't have to compromise your comfort and warmth. Some ultralight sleeping bags offer a balance of warmth, comfort, weight, and functionality. To help you choose the best one, we’ve put together this guide.
Why Trust Us
Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.
Tips
- Pick a sleeping bag according to your body type and sleep style. Carefully determine the numbers when deciding on comfort or lower temperature limit of a sleeping bag. If you're a cold sleeper, go for a higher lower limit.
- Look for an EN rating when choosing a sleeping bag. The ones with EN ratings have undergone the manikin test for temperature and comfort. They are safer and more reliable than sleeping bags rated only by the manufacturer.
- Make sure to get a spacious sleeping bag. Ultralight bags tend to shed weight by cutting down the length and width. You should opt for the sleeping bag that gives you some extra space around your feet, shoulders, and hips to allow for comfortable sleep.
FAQs
Q: Which insulation should an ultralight sleeping bag have?
A: Most people prefer down insulation when they want to cut down the weight of their sleeping bags. It's lighter than synthetic insulation, warmer, and contains durable water repellent (DWR). However, keep in mind that synthetic insulation dries faster and is less expensive.
Q: Are all ultralight sleeping bags resistant to water?
A: Many are water-resistant but don't offer full protection. Down insulation is more resistant to water, but it's not waterproof. The durable water repellent works, but it wears off, and it has to be applied repeatedly.
Q: Which type of zipper should you choose for an ultralight sleeping bag?
A: If you don't mind sleeping in a fixed position, you can go with shorter zippers. They are lighter than long ones, and therefore perfect for ultralight sleeping bags. To avoid extra weight, you should avoid metal zippers and get plastic or nylon ones.
Final Thoughts
Our top pick for an ultralight sleeping bag is the Hyke and Byke Ultra Lightweight Sleeping Bag. It’s a reliable and warm bag that compresses to an impressively small size.
You can also go for a budget-friendly option and get the Redcamp Ultra Lightweight Sleeping Bag as long as you’re planning to use it in warm weather.