How to Choose Sleeping Bags for Backpacking
The North Face Cat's Meow 22 Sleeping Bag - Women's
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The quintessential women's, synthetic, 20° bag for 3-season backpacking, The North Face Cat's Meow 20 has an efficient design that maximizes warmth and compressibility while reducing weight.
Shop similar productsKey Details
Fill
Heatseeker Pro
Temperature Rating (F)
20 degrees (F)
- Cyclone construction wraps a blend of continuous-filament and cut-staple insulation around the bag in efficient, compressible vertical baffles
- Heatseeker™ Pro synthetic insulation is warm, light and compressible; synthetic insulation continues to insulate well even when damp
- Shaped hood fits snugly about your head and face for more warmth and comfort
- Draft collar blocks out cold air and prevents trapped heat from escaping
- Pad loops give you a way to attach the sleeping bag to your sleeping pad (sleeping pad and attachment hardware sold separately)
- Internal handwarmer pockets
- Compression sack and storage sack included
Temperature ratings are intended as a guideline to help you compare products, rather than a guarantee of warmth, since many different factors contribute to your comfort while you sleep. Backpacking bags are typically rated for temperature according to an independent testing protocol—currently International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 23537, though some older items followed European Norm (EN) 13537. Testing is based on a person wearing one base layer and a pair of socks, sleeping on an insulated surface with a minimum R-value of 5.38.
Each bag then gets 2 ratings: the Comfort rating is the lowest temperature at which the bag will keep the average "cold sleeper" comfortable, and the Lower Limit rating is the lowest temperature at which the bag will keep the average "warm sleeper" comfortable. Some brands determine their own temperature rating by aligning to the Comfort rating for women’s bags, to the Lower Limit rating for men’s bags, or somewhere in the middle for nongendered bags.
View all The North Face Backpacking Sleeping BagsEach bag then gets 2 ratings: the Comfort rating is the lowest temperature at which the bag will keep the average "cold sleeper" comfortable, and the Lower Limit rating is the lowest temperature at which the bag will keep the average "warm sleeper" comfortable. Some brands determine their own temperature rating by aligning to the Comfort rating for women’s bags, to the Lower Limit rating for men’s bags, or somewhere in the middle for nongendered bags.
| Best Use | Backpacking |
|---|---|
| Tested Lower Limit | 9 degrees (F) - EN |
| Tested Comfort | 22 degrees (F) - EN |
| Temperature Rating (F) | 20 degrees (F) |
| Temperature Rating (C) | -7 degrees (C) |
| Shell | Body: 20D ripstop nylon; hood/footbox: 30D nylon/polyester taffeta |
| Zipper Location | Right |
| Insulation Type | Synthetic |
| Fill | Heatseeker Pro |
| Lining | 30D nylon taffeta |
| Sleeping Bag Shape | Mummy |
| Stuff Sack Size | 10 x 18 inches |
| Stuff Sack Volume | 23 liters |
| Compressed Volume | Unavailable |
| Gender | Women's |
Buying Advice
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Kimmie
VA, United States
Feels like sliding into soft butter
9 years ago
I really like this sleeping bag. I'm 5'3 and it was the perfect size for me (regular). My only gripe is the darn zipper. It keeps getting caught into the sleeping bag. I took it out camping in the mountains and I zipped it down as it was getting really warm. Couple hours later, I was getting chilly and the darn zipper got caught while zippering myself up. I was getting frustrated and gave up because my frustrations were waking my friends up. Other than that, I really do like this sleeping bag. The material is awesome, it's like soft butter. There are pockets to warm my hands in the inside and there's also a small pocket near the zipper. I just put my iPhone 6s in there. Compressing it ids great. I like how small it gets while it fits perfectly in my Osprey Aura AG 65... with room to spare to fit my inflatable sleeping mat and pillow.
Yes , I recommend this product
Supermollie
NV/CA/UT
Love It! So Warm!
9 years ago
I have the 2014 version of this sleeping bag, and I could not be happier with it. I am one of those people who is always under an electric blanket, and was previously sleeping in two 0 degree men's bags (a Marmot and a North Face) to stay warm. Prior to a backcountry trip in the Sierras I purchased the Cat's Meow women's bag. I am 5'3" so the regular women's bag fit me perfectly. I was astonished at how warm I was, under the stars, no tent, below 30 degrees, and I slept like a baby. I've since used this bag on subsequent backpacking and car camping adventures, and it has always been enough to keep me toasty. It has a great zipper pouch for earplugs or medicine, so you can have those things handy, and it literally feels like sleeping in an actual hug. This is my first women's specific bag, and I'm so glad I got it. It packs up neatly and easily as well. Two thumbs up.
TravelinSoul
Warm and comfortable
9 years ago
I bought this sleeping bag for a camping trip to Yellowstone and the surrounding area in the spring. The weather was expected to drop at night to the high 20s, so I wanted to make sure that I would stay warm. I am extremely satisfied with this bag! At night, I slept on a REI trekker sleeping pad and this bag, and was very warm. I also slept in a thermal shirt, leggings, a buff/scarf over my nose, wool socks (I threw an extra fleece at my toes to keep warm), and used the hood of the sleeping bag. I also really like the inside area to keep your hands warm. One night, my sleeping bag got wet and damp due to a tent leak, but I stayed dry inside my bag. One con, is that with the compression sack given, it does not compress as well as some other bags, which may be an issue for backpacking trips. Overall, though, I am very satisfied!
Yes , I recommend this product
ColoradoEmma
Boulder, CO, United States
Feels a little small, but overall amazing
9 years ago
I absolutely LOVE this sleeping bag. It was a little tight on my toes, so I ended up switching it for the long version (I'm 5'9"). If you're tall like me, get the bigger one. But either way, get this sleeping bag! It's fantastic. I love the pouch for my hands (actually even used it, which I wasn't sure I would) and basically everything about this sleeping bag.
Yes , I recommend this product
MDL
Love love love this bag!
9 years ago
I am less than 5'5" and around 130-140lbs I fit in this bag PERFECTLY!! if you are any bigger you might want to go with the long size as I have no more room for my feet.....it says up to 5'6" but I know I am NOT even close to 5'6" maybe 5'4 1/2 and I already hit my feet at the bottom so just a heads up (no pun intended lolol) ......BUT ON THE BRIGHTER SIDE......I absolutely LOVE this sleeping bag! It is comfy cozy and fits me perfectly....I am the type of person that freezes everywhere I go and I can comfortably sleep in this sleeping bag and be perfectly warm with just my base layers on. In fact, I sometimes have to unzip it which is unusual for me, so if you are a hot natured person this bag probably wouldn't be good for you it's very cozy warm but I am a cold natured person and it's perfect! In the summer time I can sometimes just sleep in my shorts and a tank top which is nice! I had another sleeping bag that was less expensive and I FROZE in it so I splurged for this one and it's not even one of the more expensive bags but it is still kind of pricy but well worth every penny!
Yes , I recommend this product
SweetMissErnestine
Cleveland, OH, United States
Who needs a boyfriend when you have a great bag?!
9 years ago
May I please tell you: I absolutely adore this sleeping bag. (I have the 2014 version.) I've just returned from a three-day backpacking excursion near Mount Hood, and the Cat's Meow kept me so toasty warm & cozy in what ended up being a brutally rainy, cold trip. Temperatures dipped into the mid-thirties at night, and I was almost too hot in this bag. (Granted, of course, that I was wearing wool long underwear and had the bag paired with an insulated sleeping pad.) Truly, this bag was like coming home to a soft, cuddly bed at the end of a long day. It legit got to the point that I fantasized about being in this wonderful sleeping bag during our wet, chilly day hikes. I even gave it a nickname (my ripe little blueberry!) My overwhelming love for the thing aside, I will parrot what other reviewers have inevitably mentioned: this bag is bulkier and heavier than a number of others on the market. My friend brought her REI Joule on our trip; hers was less than half the size of my Cat's Meow, and about half the weight. That said, she paid three times the price for it, and we both agreed that my bag was more comfortable. Perhaps a pros and cons list would come in handy here: Pros! -This bag is seriously warm. - It's also deliciously comfortable. With buttery soft fabric and plenty of room to move around (I'm 5'4" and weigh 130lbs), it was like sleeping in a cozy little cloud. I didn't want to get up in the morning! (I'll also admit, as an aside: I slept in it for a couple of weeks this winter, in a tent I set up in my bedroom when I couldn't wait for camping season to start. I didn't even miss my bed.) -Keeps you warm even when it's wet. This is a big deal. -Reasonably priced (I'm a pretty frugal soul, and I think it's a great bang for your buck). Try and catch it on sale if you can. -Thoughtful features that come in handy, like a glow-in-the-dark zipper and a little pocket near the top for earplugs, headphones, etc. -It comes with its own stuff sack and mesh storage bag, which is nice. Cons -It's bulky and heavy. Truly if it weren't for this major Achille's heel, it'd be the sleeping bag of my wildest dreams. -It'll probably end up being less durable than a down bag in the long run. -The zipper tends to get caught on the sidewall fabric, no matter how careful I try to be! If you're an ultralight backpacker, this clearly isn't the bag for you. But if you're beginning your foray into backpacking and looking for a reasonably-priced bag to accompany you on shorter excursions (or if you just dig car camping), this is an excellent buy. If you're any taller than, say, 5'6", I'd recommend getting the long version. This bag will treat you very well!!
Yes , I recommend this product
napagirl
Santa Rosa, CA, United States
does the trick for the price
9 years ago
Took advantage of REI's big sale in May, and picked this up. Tested it out recently, and I was too warm! Very cozy and love the glow in the dark tabs.
Yes , I recommend this product
sary
Purrr
8 years ago
I love this bag!! So soft and comfortable. It is super warm, I used it camping in December in the Smoky Mountains and it got down to around 25 degrees one night, I was warm and slept great. Seriously obsessed. I'm 5"4 and this bag is a perfect fit for me, slightly roomy. I'm also a side sleeper and have no problem.
Yes , I recommend this product
elliejaffe
California
too big
7 years ago
I used this bag on a back country trip in Canada, it was very warm and kept me comfortable. The only issue was the size it packed down to. It was very large. I would only recommend for someone with a lot of space. Not backpacking or kayak trips with limited space.
Yes , I recommend this product
PillyJilly
Westminster, Colorado
Great Sleeping Bag
9 years ago
This sleeping bag is awesome! Really lightweight, and is made of a great comfortable fabric. Unfortunately I did return it because I am a "weird" sleeper and a mummy bag is just to confining for me. Wish it came in a rectangular shape but I know that would compromise the lightweight-ness of the bag. If it came in the rectangular shape the extra weight would be worth it, and I'd repurchase it in a heart beat!!!
Yes , I recommend this product
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