5 Best Sleeping Bags and Pads for Backpacking

Sleeping bags are an essential component of backpacking gear. When the sun goes down, this is your only refuge. When paired with a decent sleeping pad and blanket, a sleeping bag offers you beauty rest and allows you to get ready to take on the trail the following day. The trick to having a decent sleep at night in the back-country is to have the correct sleeping bag. Nevertheless, selecting the right bag is not only about comfort and warmth, because other aspects such as size, weight, and pack-ability also play significant roles. Besides, you will want to take the temperature, season, and location into account, since each of those factors will influence the performance of a sleeping bag in the wild. Below are the top five backpacking sleeping bags that you can count on to take you off to dreamland when backpacking.

So here is a review of some of the five better sleeping bags and sleeping pads for you to consider when you’re looking to get either a sleeping bag or pad.

Best Sleeping Bags

1. Western Mountaineering MegaLite

The MegaLite is one of the best sleeping bags for backpacking, as it works exceptionally well in all regions. Like any other ultra-premium down bag, it provides excellent warmth-to-weight ratio in an incredibly small package. Unlike some ultra-premium down bags, it contains a spacious interior that offers superior comfort regardless of your sleeping style. A single bag goes for around $500.00. It comes in two sizes: 6’0″ left or right zip and 6’6″ left or right zip.

Pros

• Excellent warmth to weight ratio    
• Spacious
• Provides a warmth higher than its 30°F standard rating

Cons

• It is expensive
• Its hood closure is awkward

2. Sierra Designs Backcountry Bed 700

This bag is the best if you are going on a trip when it is freezing, especially during the summer-fall. The bag hits the spot by taking the luxury of an ordinary bed into the back country. The zipper-less system contains a blanket-like flap that can be folded open or closed to match the temperature. The notably spacious dimensions often reflect the movement freedom you enjoy in a standard bed, meaning you have enough room to stretch or roll your legs. One bag goes for around $240. You can get it in the following sizes/styles: 20 Grad, Double, Regular and Women’s.

Pros

• Reasonable price
• Zipperless system
• Spacious
• Excellent for the tummy sleepers

Cons

• Maybe drafty during cold weather
• It is bulky

3. Feathered Friends Hummingbird UL 30

The best bag is the Hummingbird UL, if saving weight is more relevant than anything. This bag manages to have a robust full-length zipper that is practically resistant to snagging. The same zipper offers enough venting choices and the potential to share it like a quilt on a campsite with a friend. One bag goes for around $ 509.00.

Pros

• Incredible warmth- to-weight ratio
• Outstanding anti-snag zipper
• Comfortable hood

Cons

• Expensive
• Has a narrow fit

4. Western Mountaineering UltraLite

This bag is the best if you are going on a trip when it is freezing, especially during the summer-fall. This is one of the warmest bags available. The horizontal baffle and full-length zipper configuration give you plenty of choices to shed heat and prevent overheating during the hot summer nights. In this bag, you can sleep peacefully over a range of night temperatures between 10 ° to 55 ° F. One bag goes for about $510.00. They can come in various sizes ranging from 5’6″ to 6’6″ with left or right side zip.

Pros

• It is hot  
• Large draft collar
• Full-length strong zipper
• Consistent horizontal baffles

Cons

• Very expensive
• Bulky
• It may be too warm

5. Nemo Kyan 35

Moderate weight and small pack size match most down bags at the same temperature level. Also, its thermal insulation with Primaloft Silver is suitable for wet environments because it maintains a large percentage of its warmth, even when soaking wet. The cherry at the end is the price tag, which is more than fair. One bag costs $199.95. Comes in either a Regular or Long Size.

Pros

• Perfect price for its warmth- to- weight ratio
• Super small packs  
• Retains substantial heat when humid
• Features a compression sack

Cons

• Does not live to its rating of up to 35 ° F
• Has a weak loft

Best Sleeping Pads

Below are some of the best sleeping pads for backpacking.

1. Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xtherm

This pad is an absolute beast. Its 6.9 R-Value is extremely warm and the pad maintains its amazingly compact and lightweight style. No other market pads deliver this level of warmth while retaining such versatile characteristics. A single pad costs around $204.95. There are two styles of valves Standard and Winglock. There are also two sizes: Regular (20 x 72 inches) and Large (25 x 77 inches).

Pro

• Relatively small packs
• Very warm
• The pump used doubles as a bag for items
• It is versatile

Cons

• Expensive
• Some edges might collapse

2. Sea to Summit Comfort Plus Insulated

This is the only pad to use two different air chambers. Although this feature gives an enormous boost to the longevity of the tent floor, it also makes for an incredibly comfortable setup. In the camping game, getting the dual-density, gives you a healthy layer on the ground and a soft top, which is groundbreaking. A single pad goes for $119.94

Pros

• Very comfortable
• Has two air chambers for comfort adjustment
• Calm operation
• Supportive

Cons

• Heavy
• Expensive

3. Therm-a-Rest Z Lite SOL

This has been on the market for a long time,  for a few very clear reasons: someone on a tight budget, as well as the most professional mountain athletes, have many uses for the Z Lite SOL. Also, the convenience of lightweight sealed-cell foam pads is appealing to everyone who has seen an inflatable sleeping pad in the back-country. One pad costs $44.95.

Pros

• Lightweight
• Great warmth-to-weight ratio
• Packing can be done in several configurations
• Not expensive

Cons

• May lose insulation ability after some time
• It collects dirt

4. Klymit Static V2

The Klymit Static V2 is a highly recommended, inexpensive pad. It’s light, easy to use, and somewhat small to pack. Interestingly, the Static V2 is much larger than most of the other pads, making the lightweight pad and its lower price much more remarkable. A single pad costs $64.57.

Pros

• Has great value
• It is wide, especially at the feet
• Light and compact

Cons

• Has a lower R-value and little warmth
• The inflation valve is dated

5. Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite

This is the top pick for sleeping pads in the Ultralight category. This is not a light pad, but its decent insulation properties are critical to making it flexible enough for the mountains. Its 4.2 R-value sets the XLite squarely into the three-season group, making it cozy even during fall days in the desert where you wake up with some frost. Comes in Small (20 x 47 inches) Regular (20 x 72 inches) Regular-Wide (25 x 72 inches) and Large (25 x 77 inches) In addition to the standard valve, they also offer a winglock valve as well.

Pros

• Light with high R-value
• It packs small
• Balances comfort with lightweight

 Cons

• It is expensive

Taking Care of your Sleeping Bag 

Your bag maintenance can vary depending on whether it’s synthetic or down. It takes longer to take care of down, which is why so many campers choose to hire professionals to clean their bags. However, you can do it by yourself, with the right steps

• Spot cleaning

Since washing your sleeping bag exposes it to wear and tear and reduces the loft, your first step of protection is spot cleaning. Make a paste with some soap and water, use a toothbrush, and clean the bag gently. Concentrate more on the hood and collar, which seem to collect hair and skin oils. By keeping the shell or fabric away from the insulation, the area can be washed and rinsed without making the interior wet. Unless the bag gets unusually dirty, it can go on for several years before it needs a full wash.

• Washing Your Sleeping Bag

First, check to see whether there are printed washing directions from the manufacturer on the package, either on a tag or a draft tube. Pay close attention to these instructions. Most people would prefer professional launderers for their bags. This is a brilliant way to safeguard what could be a significant investment. If you prefer to wash and dry your bag, remember that it takes approximately three to four hours to dry on its own. The quickest way would be washing and drying in the commercial systems at the laundromat. Use a soft, non-detergent soap to clean down- and synthetically-filled products.

Storing your sleeping pad

The sleeping pad that provides compressibility and slumber miracles doesn’t require much care and maintenance. Inflating your sleeping pad and allowing it dry in the air should take care of outside drying. But you should not leave your pad where there is direct sunlight, since UV rays would contaminate the surface. The moisture that builds up within the foam and the insulating layers that are used in the air pads may cause undesired growth of the mold inside.

In Summary

It  has always been true that comfort and warmth in the real world will differ from the temperature ratings for sleeping bags and pads, depending on several factors, including humidity, shelter size, wind, ground conditions, clothes, as well as personal preference. The main element is your sleeping system. A sleeping system is made up of a sleeping bag and a sleeping pad, and these two work together. If you are using a less insulated sleeping pad in colder weather, your sleeping bag may not live up to the temperature ratings. When selecting your sleeping bags and sleeping pad, take into consideration the weather conditions of your camping area. Remember, taking good care of these two items increases their durability. They can be purchased on Amazon or other online stores.