How to Choose Sleeping Bags for Backpacking

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Serving up plenty of room without sacrificing coziness, the men's Big Agnes Torchlight 20 sleeping bag features an expandable panel that adds up to 10 in. of space to help you rest well in the wild.
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Best Use | Backpacking |
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Tested Lower Limit | 15 degrees (F) - ISO |
Tested Comfort | 27 degrees (F) - ISO |
Temperature Rating (F) | 20 degrees (F) |
Temperature Rating (C) | -7 degrees (C) |
Shell | Ripstop nylon |
Zipper Location | Left |
Insulation Type | Down |
Water-Resistant Down | Yes |
Fill | 600-fill-power DownTek |
Lining | 600-fill-power DownTek |
Sleeping Bag Shape | Mummy |
Stuff Sack Size | 9 x 20 inches |
Stuff Sack Volume | 20.85 liters |
Gender | Men's |
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There's no doubt that Big Agnes makes some of the best camping gear on the planet (both in terms of comfort and performance) and this new line of Torchlite bags sums up everything we love about Big Agnes into one sleeping bag. I'm 6'2 and my girlfriend is 5'10 and both of us like to spread out while sleeping so the traditional mummy style bag has always been a squeeze for us, but with the new expandable sides on these bags we feel more comfortable than we've ever felt in a sleeping bag. We also appreciate the light weight and small pack size, making these our new go-to bags for spring/summer backpacking adventures. BA certainly lived up to their namesake, Mother of Comfort, on this one!
I recently got a Nemo Disco as it was tailored for side sleepers as I'm a life long side and stomach sleeper. Unfortunately it just didn't work for me. I'm 5'10, 195lbs and it was so tight in the arms width that my arms couldn't lay next to my core and forces me to sleep in weird ways. I went back to REI and exchanged it for the 20° Torchlight and even closed up I fit perfectly. Unzip one expansion zip and I have room to spare. Unzip both expansion zips and I have room to spare and and Found it super roomy and I can toss and turn without the bag rolling with me. I also got a Sea To Summit 20L-6.7L compression sack and when fully compressed it's small then the Disco and a good bit smaller then my son's Nemo Forte 20° bag. Very impressive bag.
Just bought this bag after trying three others that were to tight for someone with broad shoulders. Expansion sides are great for extra room to turn, I bought long also for more leg/foot room. Feet did get cold during the night and I did notice the inside clouth felt cool also and it only dropped to 33 deg. I expected better performance out of a $320.00/20deg. Bag, I think I have been warmer in my cheap Coleman rectangular bags. Going to try another brand to see how it performs. It's a wide bag with no side zippers. Zipper snags easy also, I thing they should have went with better quality/larger zipper
I took this bag out on a 2-night trip in NE PA in the Appalachians during a rain/snow event early March in a single wall tent. I have to admit I was dreading the night. Expected temps were 27 to 25 with 100% humidity. However, this bag delightfully handled it with no problems! The bag got absolutely soaked the first night (grabbed the wrong tent) and I was still warm and comfy all night. Even a bit too warm with my woobie (military poncho liner). Furthermore, I'm not a rather large side-sleeping dude at 6'3" 290 lbs and I had no problems fitting in this bag with the expanders open. And I was still warm! This bag is definitely worth every dime!
We got this sleeping bag for my husband after trying on several at the store that just didn't fit him around the shoulders. The employees at the store recommended this bag because it's rather roomier in that area. We ordered it for delivery and it's a great fit! He used it this weekend in a hammock sleep system with under quilt in the mid 30s and his face got a little cold at one point otherwise he was very comfortable. He is 6'2" and measures 64" around the shoulders but gets claustrophobic in sleeping bags so needs a little extra room. We're also pleased with its weight and packability. We were able to pack this into a 10L compression sack (separate purchase) and completely compress it with ease.
Im 6’9 300+ pound person who actively hikes long trails, and camps deep in the forest. This is my first proper bag, and i love it. Being my size its hard to find bags that fit. Not only do i have enough room, i have more than i need. I can comfortably be inside the bag with it closed, and still have about a foot of wiggle room above me. If that makes sense. Worth every penny. Material is great, size is amazing, heat retention is beyond what i think is acceptable, i love it!!
I've been camping off and on for almost 40 years. I've had bags of every shape and size in that time, and I have to say, this is the best bag I've ever owned. The side venting is a life changing experience, and combined with the warmth of the bag make it super versatile. I sleep pretty cold, and I find the 20 degree rating is pretty accurate. A couple of recent (pandemic induced) backyard nights in the mid 20s proved it to me. At 6'4" and almost 200lbs, with size 14 feet, I'm on the slim side of the bell curve, but the long version fits me fine and I have plenty of room throughout.
Best bag I have owned. Several reasons: Versatility, warmth, comfort. I've taken it as low as 28 degrees F. and was actually much warmer than I would expect. I personally feel I would be comfortable in the low 20's. The width on this bag is AMAZAZING. Plenty of room with feeling cramped. The expansion pockets make it versatile for adding additional room. The only drawback would be this bag probably doesn't pack as small as some others, but for me, that's fine. I'd rather sleep well because I had the extra room for my legs. All in all, you won't find a better bag for the price.
First night out with the bag went down to about 25 degrees F and stayed warm and cozy (extensions unzipped and roomy). I did have an insulated sleeping mat, so don't forget about that component of your sleep system. I'm 6'2", 175 lbs. and the long is nice and roomy. It is light enough to take on multi-day backpacking trips, although you might want to get a cinch sack to save on room. It comes with a (non-compressible) stuff sack and mesh storage bag. Overall this bag just feels like quality. The materials are really nice against the skin (not as crinkly as some modern bags). The zippers do snag a bit on the fabric, but this isn't a big deal to me, as they seem like quality zippers that will hold up, and the bag material is tough enough not to be damaged at all. The hood cinches down nicely and has a flap that keeps drafts out. As a side/tummy sleeper this is a godsend of a bag.
This sleeping bag is great for larger girthed people. Im 5' 10" and 285 so this bag has to be wide to fit me. The unzipped sides give a great amount of space in the bag. Its warm, light and looks nice.