How to Choose Sleeping Bags for Backpacking

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Take the REI Radiant down sleeping bag on all of your 3-season adventures. It's designed for the backpacker who prioritizes comfort over weight and wants a balance of performance and price.
Shop similar productsBest Use | Backpacking |
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Tested Lower Limit | 20 degrees (F) - EN |
Tested Comfort | 32 degrees (F) - EN |
Temperature Rating (F) | 20 degrees (F) |
Temperature Rating (C) | -7 degrees Celsius |
Shell | Ripstop nylon |
Insulation Type | Down |
Fill | 650-fill duck down |
Lining | Polyester taffeta |
Sleeping Bag Shape | Mummy |
Gender | Unisex |
Sustainability | From a Climate Label Certified brand |
From feedback to field testing, all of our gear is dialed-in by REI Co-op members. Their adventures informed every stitch and detail—making for better, longer-lasting gear.
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I used this bag last night, 4-12-13. The temperature dropped to about -3 and this bag kept me very reasonably warm; I slept great! The adjustable hood makes a huge difference. I was using the REI stratus sleeping pad which helped insulate from the cold, snow packed ground. I believe that this bag used in conjunction with accessories like a good insulated sleeping pad and perhaps a liner, make it a great winter bag. I have also used this bag during the summer, up here in AK our summers tend to be in the 50-60's at night, and the bag works great for those nights too. If you are looking for a comfortable, versatile bag with out braking your bank....look no further. This said I am a huge fan of most the REI branded items. I find them to be practical, reasonably priced, and researched to include features that consumers look for. Thank You REI for being great at what you do.
I bought the long wide version of this bag and it is extremely roomy. I'm not a big guy at 5'9 and 180 but I like to have room in my sleeping bags. This one has plenty of room and is still very light. I'm not sure how cold it is good for as I typically sleep in a hammock. I did sleep warm with a thermorest pro in my hammock in the low 30's so I'd say the 20 degree rating in a tent would be reasonable. I wish they made a 40 degree version for the warmer months. The only con I have is that the zipper can be a little troublesome but that gets compounded when dealing with zipping into a mummy in a hammock.
Use it for weekend hikes on the AT in NE TN. Packs down small enough to fit my 40L pack with plenty of room left for puffy jacket and 2 days of food. Toasty warm down to the mid 20's with only one layer on. If you're cold in this bag, you need a better pad. I'm a full size 6'1" and the long version of the bag has plenty of room for me to toss and turn in the night. Considered warmer bags but not willing to go to a larger pack. If I need warmer, I'll keep a 2nd layer on or use a liner. Quality is excellent.
I am 6'4", 280 pounds. I have a 55" inch measurement around my shoulders and chest, so it is hard to find a good down bag that I can not only fit in, but feel comfortable and not squeezed into without spending 3 or 4 hundred dollars. I bought this bag with a 20% discount coupon I got by email from REI GearMail. There was a platform at the Clackamas store that is perfect for trying on a sleeping for size. I tried a few bags that claimed they had measurements much wider than my shoulders, but they just didn't have enough room for me to roll onto my side with binding and feeling too small. I was a little doubtful about it, tried it out and mulled it over in my head for a half an hour in the store, but I am very glad I decided to get it! My first use of this bag was for some backyard stargazing on a chilly spring night. I always set up for a nights sleep outdoors when I stargaze in case I fall asleep. As I was looking around, I noticed that a thick marine layer of clouds was oozing across the sky. I recalled that the shell of the bag was treated with a DWR, so I was not very concerned about it. I ended up falling asleep as the clouds blocked the sky, I was just so warm and cozy in this bag. I drifted off to sleep feeling very pleased that I finally had a nice warm, comfortable bag. When I woke up the next morning a little before sunrise, I saw that there was a nice fog all around me. I worried that the bag would be wet, but the DWR treatment did it's job. I was dry, and warm. I checked my local weather station and saw that the temperature had gone down to 40 degrees overnight. In the past with some of the other bags I have tried, I would have been a little chilled and a little damp, but not with this bag. I was still warm, comfortable, and HAPPY! I used some 3/4" wide straps through the loops provided on the bag to stay on my pad. I learned that they do not need to be tight to keep me on the pad, and if tight it pulls the bag down and takes away some of the room inside the bag. I loosened the straps and had all the room I needed inside.
I recently purchased this sleeping bag on my way to Colorado from Alabama. Before leaving, I realized I would need a bag that was lighter, smaller, and warmer than what I had at the time and decided to stop by REI on my way to the airport. This bag fit the bill- with down fill, it is super light, packs small, and performs well in cold weather. Since I was on the way to the airport, I had nearly no room left in my pack for a sleeping bag, but it compressed down great in the included compression bag and I had no problem fitting it in my pack. My first use of this bag was hiking in the Rockies- I camped at the base of a 14er and anticipated a relatively cool summer night (compared to what I'm used to in AL). The next morning I woke up to frost on the tent and had no idea it had gotten that cold because the bag was so warm. This is a 3-season bag, but if you live in the South with mild winters, it would definitely be great to use year-round, even in sub-freezing temps. Overall, it's a great bag and a great value- I'm definitely looking forward to many more nights outdoors with this bag!
Great bag that packs small and weighs little but kept me warm will backpacking on the AT in March with temps in the low 20's. Would absolutely buy again!
When you're 6'-3" at 280 pounds and want a roomy bag without losing warmth trying to find a good sleeping bag that is compact, light weight and warm is difficult. I purchased the REI Radiant in the Long Wide version and I'm very happy with my purchase. Although the zipper does snag easily, after the first couple times you learn how to hold the zipper to minimize the opportunity for a snag. The coldest temp I've been in with my Radiant was 39 degrees at approx 1,300 feet elevation. I was comfy and warm all night long. There's a lot of room without creating cold spots. It has down insulation in front and back. It fits into the stuff sack nicely. I use a waterproof compression sack as well. I can sinch it down to about the size of a volley ball. I would recommend the Radiant to anyone who is looking for a comfortable sleeping bag that can pack down.
Stayed warm on the AT when temps were in the upper 30's. Kept dry and its a very cozy bag. Yes the zipper can snag if you zip it too quickly but definitely not a reason to not buy this bag. Great bag and great price.
I bought this bag based on the recommendations of the staff at REI. The staff was right on with their assessment of this bag. I have trouble sleeping when camping. This bag helped me sleep better. It is larger and more roomy than other bags. Get the long bag if your are taller than average. I sleep on my side and turn a lot at night and the bag has great room and feel. The night I went camping the temperature dropped to 27 degrees. I stayed warm in the bag. The zipper snags from time to time, but once I got use to it, I could make a clean zip.
I love this bag! It is the best one I've ever had. I have the plus model. I am 6'4'' and 230 lbs. It is incredibly hard to find a bag that will fit me. So many say they have the right size but this is the only one for me and I have tried many. This bag is super comfortable, super warm, super light and orange, my favorite color. The price is low for this quality of workmanship. Kept me warm at below 20 degrees. Thank you REI!