Best Sleeping Bags for Cold Weather Camping

Why Your Sleeping Bag Matters More Than Your Tent

Here’s a truth most campers learn the hard way: a mediocre tent with a great sleeping bag beats an expensive tent with a cheap bag every single time. When temperatures drop, your sleeping bag is the last line of defense between you and a miserable, sleepless night.

We’ve spent dozens of nights testing cold-weather bags in real conditions—from 15°F desert nights in Joshua Tree to actual winter camping in the Rockies. Here’s what we learned.

Understanding Temperature Ratings

The number on your sleeping bag isn’t the temperature where you’ll be comfortable. It’s the survival rating—the temp where you won’t actually die.

The Rule of Thumb:

• Add 10-15°F to the rating for comfort
• Add more if you’re a cold sleeper
• Women typically need bags rated 10-15°F warmer than men

So a 0°F bag? Plan on using it down to about 15°F comfortably.

Down vs. Synthetic: The Eternal Debate

Down Insulation

Pros: Lighter, packs smaller, lasts longer, warmer per ounce Cons: Useless when wet, more expensive, requires more care

Synthetic Insulation

Pros: Works when damp, cheaper, easier to care for, hypoallergenic Cons: Heavier, bulkier, loses loft faster over time

Our take: If you’re camping in dry conditions and can keep your bag protected, down is worth the investment. For wet climates or if you’re hard on your gear, synthetic is the safer bet.

What to Look For

1. Fill Power (for Down)

Higher numbers = more warmth for less weight. Look for 650+ for quality, 800+ for premium.

2. Shape

• Mummy: Most efficient, least room
• Semi-rectangular: Good balance
• Rectangular: Roomy but heavy, not great for cold

3. Draft Features

• Draft collar around the neck
• Draft tubes along zippers
• Differential cut (outer shell bigger than inner)

4. Hood

Non-negotiable for cold weather. A cinchable hood can save 10-15% of your heat.

Care Tips

1. Never stuff it the same way twice — varies the stress points
2. Store it loose in a cotton or mesh bag, not the stuff sack
3. Air it out after every trip before storing
4. Wash sparingly — when you do, use specialized down soap

The Bottom Line

For most campers hitting temps in the teens, the Kelty Cosmic Down 0 offers incredible value. If you’re in wet conditions, the Marmot Trestles synthetic is your safer bet. And if you’re serious about extreme cold, the Western Mountaineering Lynx is the buy-once-cry-once option.

Your sleeping bag is an investment in good sleep. And good sleep makes the difference between “that was amazing” and “never again.”

Sleep warm. Camp often.