A sleeping bag is an insulated covering used as portable bedding, but most of us already know this. It is a must to take when you are planning an outdoor adventure like camping. They can be used whether you are putting up a tent or sleeping outside.
If you’re going camping in the winter, you will have to protect yourself from the cold weather at night including harsh winds. Realistically, a good start is to find a nice winter tent to go along with a good winter sleeping bag. You need something safe and comfortable to snuggle into after a long, exhausting day. If you’re not careful, you might end up getting cold and wet, which will prevent you from getting any sleep.
This is why your outdoor adventure gear should include a sleeping bag that can meet your camping needs. Whether you are purchasing a sleeping bag from your local store or plan to shop for one online, there are a few things you need to consider. For example, you’ll need to pay attention to your budget and look for the features that you think are necessary. Take a look at the following to find out what you should look for when buying a winter sleeping bag.
What to Consider When Buying A Winter Sleeping Bag?
Down Vs Synthetic Sleeping Bag
One of the first things to consider when buying a winter sleeping bag is the type of insulation it provides. You will need a sleeping bag that helps trap the heat inside and restricts the cold from getting through the material. There are two main insulation types: down and synthetic.
Down is known to retain its loft longer than synthetic. It is also considered to be the lightest and most efficient. It is, however, known to be more expensive than synthetic sleeping bags. Synthetic is usually bulkier than down but much less expensive. They are generally made of fluffy polyester material that is water-resistant and thus, ideal for wet weather conditions.
Temperature Rating
Temperature rating refers to the minimum temperature that a sleeping bag is designed to handle. This is essential when choosing winter sleeping bags as winter nights can be freezing. Thus, you will need something that can help you sleep peacefully through the cold weather.
When buying a winter sleeping bag, the temperature given on the label is typically given for regular conditions, so, make sure to add about ten degrees to the lower limit temperature rating mentioned on the bag. Also, take into consideration whether or not you are a warm or cold sleeper. If you are a warm one, you wouldn’t want to overheat yourself. If cold, you might want to bundle up more! Read real owner reviews and they help you understand what temperatures the bag is best in.
Size
Choosing the right-sized sleeping bag is important to ensure that there is enough wiggle-room for you to get comfortable. There are a few ways to choose the right size. A rule of thumb to follow is to calculate your height, then add at least 3 inches. This gives enough comfort for sleeping without reducing your temperature inside.
Another way is to try out the bag before purchasing it. However, this has to be done while wearing appropriate hiking clothes which isn’t a super easy method. You could factor in sleeping pads, and more gear, but the rule of thumb way is easier and works well!
Price
Another thing to consider when buying a sleeping bag is the price. Set aside a budget to purchase your sleeping bag along with the other hiking essentials. There are many brands and many designs but the price is a major determining factor when buying one. This is because you need to get a good quality bag for the amount you will be paying. Your preferred material, the climate of the place you’re camping, and the shape of the bag will all affect the price.
Winter bags will be a little more expensive than summer bags as they are made to protect you from harsher conditions. Also, they are constructed with more and better materials. Make sure not to focus on the design or appearance of a sleeping bag over its efficiency and functionality.
Let’s take a look at the top ten winter sleeping bags!
10 Best Budget Winter Sleeping Bags
These 10 winter sleeping bags are chosen specifically related to the budget and the quality you get for the price. Each sleeping bag holds enough quality for winter camping, however, some sleeping bags are made for colder winters than others. Read each review of the product and determine if the sleeping bag fits your search criteria. Here are the ten best budget winter sleeping bags:
- Hyke & Byke Eolus 0 Degree Hydrophobic Goose Down Sleeping Bag
- Browning Camping McKinley -30 Degree Sleeping Bag
- ALPS Mountaineering Blaze 0 Degree Mummy Sleeping Bag
- Hewolf Down Sleeping Bag Compact Cold Weather Sleeping Bag
- Hyke & Byke Snowmass 0 Degree F Hydrophobic Down Sleeping Bag
- Kelty Cosmic 0 Degree Down Sleeping Bag
- SylvanSport Cloud Layer Sleeping Bag
- Big Agnes Cabin Creek 15
- Marmot Lithium 0 Degree Down Sleeping Bag
- Slumberjack Latitude 0 Degree Synthetic Sleeping Bag
1. Hyke & Byke Eolus 0 Degree F Goose Down Sleeping Bag (Best Deal)
Looking for a sleeping bag for the best budget winter sleeping bag? The Hyke and Byke Eolus Sleeping Bag model is a great mummy bag designed for both men and women and can be carried in a backpack. This Hyke & Byke product comes with a lifetime warranty and has been tested by over 60,000 people worldwide. It gives the best bang for your buck. With its waterproof fabric and hydrophobic Goose Down insulation capabilities, the Hyke & Byke Eolus 0 Degree F sleeping bag is designed to keep you warm in any season. It is lightweight, so it won’t weigh down your pack. This will make your hiking trip much easier and allow you to travel faster. It is also highly durable due to its ultralight water repellent 400T 20 D ripstop nylon fabric liner with double large YKK zippers and anti-snag slider. The product is available in sizes Short (3.02 lbs), Regular (3.20 lbs) or Tall (3.37 lbs).
Its temperature rating is 0 degrees Fahrenheit and has down insulation with 800 Fill Power. We give this sleeping bag a 9.4/10 overall budget rating.
2. Browning Camping McKinley -30 Degree Sleeping Bag
There are many reasons why you should consider purchasing the Browning McKinley Sleeping Bag. Its spacious design is one. If you want a mummy bag that does not overly restrict your movement, its 36 inches wide and 92 inches long design is just right for you. The product also comes with a compression stuff sack and roll-up straps to make it easier to carry while traveling. The best feature of this product is its ability to keep you warm. It is made with two-layer offset construction, insulated chest and zipper baffles for heat retention to keep you warm even in extremely cold weather. Owner reviews compliment this design as one of the warmest sleeping bags on the market. It can be used in places that experience colder than average winters too.
This bag is filled with 7 denier TechLoft Silver insulation and is rated for -30, but really should only be used around 0 degrees. We give this sleeping bag a 9.0/10 overall budget rating.
3. ALPS Mountaineering Blaze 0 Degree Mummy Sleeping Bag
This ALPS Blaze Bag is made of durable fabric and has added insulation that keeps you warm. The Alps mountaineering blaze 0-degree mummy sleeping bag has one of the lowest prices under $100 in the market. The outer shell of the bag is made of durable polyester ripstop fabric, while the inner lining is made of soft polyester that will keep you comfortable through the night. This sleeping bag is available in two sizes. The regular one is 32×80 inches and the XL size is 36×86 inches. Several reviews compliment these bags for their extreme comfort as well as spacey design, which provides enough wiggle-room. It is one of the best sleeping bags to take with you for hiking or camping.
4. Hewolf Down Sleeping Bag Compact Cold Weather Sleeping Bag
5. Hyke & Byke Snowmass 0 Degree Hydrophobic Down Sleeping Bag
The Snowmass model by Hyke & Byke comes with many advantages. There is maximum durability due to its Ultralight water repellent 400T 20 D ripstop nylon fabric liner. It has large YKK zippers, waterproof fabric and Hydrophobic Down insulation abilities. This can keep you warm up to 10 to 40 degrees when you are outside. Some other features of this bag include an anti-snag slider, wide shoulders, a large foot box, snag-free velcro, drawstring, horizontal baffles, and a compression stuff sack case for storage. These compact bags also come with enough room to carry other sleeping necessities such as a fleece blanket, silk liner, or a goose down-filled pillow.
6. Kelty Cosmic 0 Degree Down Sleeping Bag (High-Quality Budget)
This sleeping bag is very lightweight but works well when it comes to durability and warmth. The Kelty Cosmic is perfect if you are a hiker or camper that goes up to high altitudes, especially in areas where the conditions are unpredictable. This sleeping bag is easy to carry and compact as well as versatile so it will be perfect for long trail hiking expeditions. There are two sizes; the regular which is 3lb 9 oz and the longer one which is 3lb and 13 oz. This can be rolled compactly and stored during any camping trip. Cosmic 0 Degree has a taffeta shell and the liner is filled with “550 fill power DriDown” which is a proprietary stuffing of Kelty.
7. SylvanSport Cloud Layer Sleeping Bag
The SylvanSport Cloud Layer sleeping bag feels like a real bed because of its spacious design, organic cotton sheet, and comfy mattress. It is perfect for camping in any temperature. It has a draw-tight hood that will wrap you up during cold weather, a custom inner pocket that holds your devices, such as phones or tablets. There is also a removable quilt layer that can be used as a cozy camp blanket. It also has flannel lining and durable poly-fill designed for comfort and warmth, a double zipper which can be opened to provide ventilation for your feet, side baffles to create extra height, a removable outer layer which is suitable to use in all seasons, and an organic removable cotton sheet for easy machine washing. It also has a great warranty!
8. Big Agnes Cabin Creek 15
Finally a double bag on the list, the Big Agnes Cabin Creek sleeping bag will provide you with a cozy sleeping experience when you go winter camping. There is a draping effect and a mini ripstop microfiber softshell that acts as a comforter in your bed. You can use the upper hand pockets to wrap the bag around your shoulders. The double-wide design of Cabin Creek 15 provides you with enough sleeping space. It doesn’t add any bulk and has an integrated full pad sleeve design including a mesh storage sack and nylon stuff sack. This sleeping bag eliminates the need to zip two bags together. There’s a range hood design that gives you enough space to lift your head while you’re snuggled in the hood. The pillow barn will keep your pillow tucked in tight.
9. Marmot Lithium 0 Degree Down Sleeping Bag
The Marmot Lithium 0o sleeping bag comes with an ultralight fabric, high-quality down, and minimalistic design. It can be used in temperatures below 0o F because its 800-fill-power-down insulation and water-resistant Down Defender treatment help you stay warm. You can rest your legs in the spacey wrap-around anatomic foot box after a tiring day. There’s a full-length two-way zipper with a zip guard slider to limit heat loss as well as a secondary zipper that can be opened if the inside gets too warm. Its nautilus multi-baffle hood with the drawcord limits heat loss inside the bag. The stretch tricot baffles will keep the down from shifting. In addition, this sleeping bag includes an internal stash pocket and a stuff and storage sack. It also has two hang loops for storing or airing out the bag.
10. Slumberjack Latitude 0 Degree Synthetic Sleeping Bag
This sleeping bag is for camping outdoors in cold to moderate weather. It is designed to trap your body’s heat to help you stay warm with its Slumberloft fill. It has a polyester hex ripstop shell fabric and a polyester taffeta liner fabric. The two-layer construction prevents any cold spots. You can use the flip over hood flat or contoured around your head for more warmth. The trapezoidal foot box will give your feet more space at the bottom of the bag. There are additional features such as the draft tube along zipper which keeps out cold air and prevents heat loss. There is also anti-snag zipper protection. The regular size can hold a weight of 5lb 2 oz while the long one is capable of carrying a weight up to 5lb 5 oz.
Final Thoughts?
After a full in-depth review of the best budget winter sleeping bag, I hope you have found a sleeping bag for you! This list includes budget-friendly winter camping options, while some are more expensive than others, they each are priced well for what they offer.
If you are interested in something even less expensive I have a full list of the Best Sleeping Bags Under $50, so check out some super budget-friendly sleeping bags in that article. However, the quality does not compare to the sleeping bags in this article.