The right sleeping bag can make the difference between a restful night's sleep under the stars, or the most uncomfortable sleeping experience you've ever had. That said, the last thing you want to do when buying a sleeping bag is go in blind. You need a bag tailored to your needs and designed to handle the conditions you'll be facing.

In this guide, we cover everything you need to know about finding a sleeping bag that will be perfect for your next adventure. We'll make sense of temperature ratings, explain insulation types, go over what kind of features you have to choose from and much more to help you find the right sleeping bag.

Camping vs. Backpacking Sleeping Bags

Like choosing any other important piece of gear, finding the right sleeping bag starts with narrowing your options. One of the broadest questions you can ask yourself to start eliminating your choices is whether or not you're going to use your sleeping bag for camping near your vehicle or on a backpacking trip. The answer is important because camping and backpacking sleeping bags are designed differently from each other to accommodate unique and specific conditions.

Sleeping bags designed for camping tend to focus on comfort over portability. As a result, they're typically bulkier, heavier and engineered for comfort and warmth over compressibility. Backpacking sleeping bags, on the other hand, are one of many essentials you'll need to fit into the already limited space of your pack. It's best for a backpacking sleeping bag to be as light as possible so it doesn't weigh you down and as compressible as possible while still offering plenty of insulation to keep you warm. Once you decide between a camping bag and a backpacking bag, you can continue to narrow your options even further.

Temperature Ratings

Arguably the most important factor in choosing a sleeping bag is whether or not it will keep you warm and comfortable in freezing conditions (or if it will provide ventilation and prevent overheating in warmer conditions). People enjoy the outdoors in all seasons and in all weather, so it's vital to find a sleeping bag suited to the weather you'll encounter.

In general, you'll want to choose a sleeping bag with a temperature rating to match the following seasons and temperatures:

• Summer sleeping bag: 30°F+
• Three-season sleeping bag (spring/summer/fall): 15°F to 30°F
• Winter sleeping bag: 15°F and below

A bag rated down to thirty degrees during the summer may seem a bit excessive, but it's important to remember that temperatures vary wildly across the country. Also, you can always unzip the bag to get some extra airflow if it's too hot out.

Sleeping Pads

Sleeping pads are sometimes overlooked when purchasing a sleeping bag, but they're a vital component to your sleep system. While they do provide a comfortable sleeping surface, their primary purpose is to insulate you from the ground.

Have you ever sat on a cold, metal bench and been able to feel how cold it is through your clothing? The same principle applies to sleeping pads: when it's freezing outside, the ground becomes extremely cold, and your sleeping bag and clothing aren't enough to mitigate the effect. Sleeping pads are the answer.

Not all sleeping pads insulate equally, though. Like sleeping bags, they have different insulating properties, and some are more suited for colder temperatures than others. Without getting too technical, a sleeping pad's R-value describes its insulation properties. The higher the R-value, the more insulation the sleeping pad provides. With that in mind, you can use the following table to determine the best sleeping bag and sleeping pad combination to use based on the outside temperatures you expect to encounter.

European Standard for Sleeping Bag Temperature Ratings

When shopping for a sleeping bag, it's important to be aware that the European Committee for Standardization has outlined temperature ratings for sleeping bags. These standards are called EN13537, and they may be on the tag of a sleeping bag you're considering purchasing. The standards don't provide actual temperature ranges, but describe extremes at which males and females can use a particular sleeping bag without freezing or sweating (women tend to be smaller than men on average and, as a result, need different levels of insulation to handle similar temperatures as men). The EN13537 standards are as follows:

• Upper limit: temperature at which average male can sleep without sweating
• Lower limit: lowest temperature at which an average male can sleep comfortably (assuming he's using a sleeping pad and wearing long johns)
• Comfort: temperature at which average female can sleep comfortably
• Extreme: minimum temperature at which a female can remain for 6 hours without getting hypothermia

It's important to understand these standards since you're likely to encounter them, but on a practical level, you should defer to the seasonal temperature ranges outlined above.

Choosing The Right Military Sleeping Bag

Military Sleeping Bags: The Modular Sleep System (MSS)

Like all military-issued gear systems, the Modular Sleep System (or MSS) is a self-contained setup meant to handle multiple conditions and environments. Military personnel are expected to ruck with several pounds of gear, so unlike hikers, backpackers and campers, the MSS is heavier and tooled for multiple contingencies rather than lightweight efficiency (though the system is still made to be manageably portable, all things considered).

The system consists of seven items, all of which can combine to provide comfortable sleep and rest from moderate, clear conditions to subzero temperatures in the snow and wind. Here are those seven items, their properties, and how they work in conjunction with the rest of the system.

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  Lightweight Patrol Sleeping Bag
  This basic, lightweight sleeping bag is made from nylon and ripstop material to stand up to tough use in the field. On its own, the lightweight sleeping bag can provide protection from temperatures ranging from 35°F to 50°F.

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  Intermediate Cold-Weather Sleeping Bag
  The intermediate sleeping bag is also made from nylon and ripstop fabric. On its own, it can provide protection from temperatures ranging from -5°F to 35°F. When layered with each other, the lightweight and intermediate bags combine to offer temperature protection down to -30°F.

• 

  Compression Sack
  The Modular Sleep System's compression sack is designed to store and carry the entire system. It's made from nylon fabric, and it's water-resistant to keep the other items dry.

• 

  Bivy Cover
  The Modular Sleep System's bivy cover is made from nylon. It can be used with any three of the sleeping bag configurations (lightweight, intermediate, or lightweight + intermediate) to offer weather protection from wind and water.

• 

  Sleeping Mat
  The sleeping mat (much like typical consumer sleeping mats) is a foam pad designed to insulate personnel from the cold ground when they're in their sleeping bag. The mat has attachment straps which allow it to be carried easily when it's rolled up and not in use.

• 

  Self-Inflating Sleeping Mat
  This additional sleeping mat has an attached air valve that, when opened, lets air in and inflates the sleeping mat. Air can also be let out through the valve in order to pack the mat back into the compression sack. The self-inflating mat provides further ground insulation and more comfort.

• 

  Field Tarpaulin
  This tarp is designed to offer protection from wind, rain and light snow. It consists of multiple snaps and tie-down points, allowing personnel to use it in a variety of ways: worn on the body, draped on the ground, made into a tent-style shelter or used to cover and protect equipment.

As you can tell, this all-encompassing sleep system can handle multiple environments with ease. It's not nearly as portable as regular consumer sleep systems, but if you have access to a Modular Sleep System, you should be able to sleep well outside just about anywhere in the world.

Sleeping Bag Insulation Types

At the heart of what makes a sleeping bag function is the insulation it uses. There are two common types of insulation used in sleeping bags: down insulation and synthetic insulation. They each have their pros and cons, and they're each suited for different conditions.

Down Insulation

Made from goose or duck feathers, down is the gold standard for insulation. It's often used in jackets in addition to sleeping bags. Down is known for its light weight, its compressibility, its durability and its ability to insulate very well in cool, dry conditions. Despite its excellent properties, down is not without its drawbacks. It tends to be very expensive, and when it gets wet, it stays wet, taking a very long time to dry out.

Down Fill Power

Making a sleeping bag with down isn't simply a matter of stuffing in some goose feathers and calling it a day. There are different levels of insulation down can provide, referred to as “fill power.” Fill power is a measure of how well down insulates relative to the amount of down used in the bag.

For example, imagine a certain bag insulates effectively down to 15°F. A bag with higher fill power can also insulate down to 15°F while using less material. That means bags with higher fill power provide equal insulation to a comparable back, but are lighter and more compressible. That added compressibility can make all the difference when packing a bag for backpacking.

How is Fill Power Measured?

The process is pretty simple: an ounce of down is put into a tube, and a one ounce weight is put on the down to compress it. Then, it's left to loft for 72 hours (lofting is the process of letting the down fluff back up to its original, pre-compressed state). The volume of the down (in cubic inches) after that 72 hour lofting period is the fill power.

Here are some common fill power values you may see when shopping around for a sleeping bag, and a little bit of information about those fill power measurements:

• 500 to 600: heavier and less compressible than other down bags, but cheaper by comparison and still lighter and better insulating than synthetic
• 700: a good balance between cost-effectiveness and weight that still offers plenty of warmth
• 800 to 1000: expensive, but ultra-light and ultra-compressive

Synthetic Insulation

While down is the premier insulation material in sleeping bags, you shouldn't be quick to discount bags with synthetic insulation. Though they are heavier and don't pack or compress as well as down, synthetic insulation bags are still a great choice for camping since you don't have to lug the bag around nearly as much as you would on a backpacking trip. Sleeping bags with synthetic insulation are also cost-effective, and they provide great insulation even when they're wet. With these qualities in mind, it should be easy to decide between a down sleeping bag and a synthetic sleeping bag based on the kind of trip you plan to take and the kind of conditions you expect to face.

Sleeping Bag Fabrics

Insulation is the star of the show when it comes to sleeping bag materials, though the fabric from which the bag is made is still important and can play a role in the bag's effectiveness. Many sleeping bags are made from nylon and polyester (or a combination of the two), materials common in pants, boots, tents and other outdoor gear.

Sleeping bags made from ripstop, a material that stops a tear in your bag in its tracks, go the extra mile to ensure long term durability. You may want to choose a ripstop sleeping bag if you venture out often. And whether your bag is made from nylon, polyester or ripstop, it's always a good idea to find one with a durable water-repellent (DWR) finish, especially if you live in an area characterized by frequent precipitation.

Sleeping Bag Shape

Next on the list of sleeping bag qualities to consider is the shape of the bag itself. This doesn't seem too complicated at first glance, but there's more to the shape of your sleeping bag than you may realize. The following are some common sleeping bag shapes, their advantages and the kinds of activities for which they are best suited.

Rectangular

The classic, rectangular sleeping bag is about as straightforward as it gets. These bags prioritize comfort over portability. As a result, they're much better for recreational camping than they would be for a week-long backpacking trip. If you're a casual camper, this style of sleeping bag may be what you're looking for.

Mummy

Snug and ergonomic, the mummy-style sleeping bag manages to trim the weight of a rectangular bag. It doesn't sacrifice warmth, though, as the smaller size results in less area to heat inside the bag, meaning it warms up quicker. The compressibility and warmth of mummy bags makes them a top choice for a long trek in the wilderness.

Semi-Rectangular

These are essentially rectangular sleeping bags with the slight curve of a mummy-style bag. They're decently packable, but still roomy. They'll keep you warm, but they're not too heavy a burden to carry around. Semi-rectangular bags may be the right choice for the intermediate outdoorsman.

Double Bag

This is just what it sounds like: a sleeping bag big enough for two people (or two separate sleeping bags zipped together). Great for couples camping, the shared body heat inside the bag means that both users will have plenty of warmth. Obviously double bags are about as bulky as it can get, but it also means that one person's pack will be completely freed up from carrying a bag, leaving more room for something else to carry.

Top Quilt

A top quilt is a backless, hoodless sleeping bag with an enclosed footbox toward the bottom. Since the bottom half of a traditional sleeping bag is compressed by your body weight, it's providing very little insulation value anyway. This unique design sheds that excess weight and material resulting in an ultra-light and incredibly packable alternative.

Sleeping Bag Features

Finally, we're to the features — the small but significant bells and whistles that can potentially make or break your choice of one sleeping bag over the other. From small conveniences to extra warmth and comfort, there are quite a few sleeping bag features to consider (or avoid, based on your personal preference). Here are some common ones you may want to consider when buying your bag.

• A hood: Hoods are great for cold outings. They're often detachable in case you can't spare the extra room, and they'll keep your head warm and comfortable when it's really chilly.
• Stash pocket: Stash pockets are usually located near the chest area of a sleeping bag. They're good for keeping small, important items close at hand for easy access.
• Draft-blockers: This extra material runs the length of your bag's zipper and keeps cool air from making its way in between the zipper's teeth. This extra insulation can make all the difference.
• Sleeping pad compatibility: As we established, sleeping pads are an essential part of your sleep system. A bag with a big pocket on the back to slide your sleeping pad into can help keep you from sliding off your pad.
• Pillow pocket: A pillow pocket is like a sleeping pad pocket underneath your head. Just stuff a pillow in to keep things snugly in place.
• Anti-snag zipper: There aren't many things more annoying than a stuck zipper (especially in the middle of the night when you're trying to get out of your bag to pee). Anti-snag zippers feature a zipper guard to eliminate this common problem.
• Left/right zippers: Remember the double bag? If you have a right-handed zipper and your partner has a left-handed one, you can join your sleeping bags into a double bag as needed and separate them for easy storing and carrying.

By now, you should have a good sense of what goes into choosing the right sleeping bag. Different insulation types, fabrics and shapes are better suited for different activities, and finding the right bag for you is simply a matter of checking each option off the list until you find a bag that covers all your needs. If you choose the right one, your night of sleeping outdoors will be just as comfortable and enjoyable as if you were home in your own bed.