How to Choose Sleeping Bags for Backpacking

This product is not available.
A premium backpacking bag for wet conditions, this 3-season mummy bag features REI's double-protection design, which uses both water-repellent down and waterproof/breathable fabric panels.
Shop similar productsBest Use | Backpacking |
---|---|
Tested Lower Limit | 19 degrees (F) - EN |
Tested Comfort | 30 degrees (F) - EN |
Temperature Rating (F) | 19 degrees (F) |
Temperature Rating (C) | -7 degrees (C) |
Ultralight | Yes |
Shell | Ripstop nylon |
Zipper Location | Left |
Insulation Type | Down |
Water-Resistant Down | Yes |
Fill | 700-fill duck down |
Lining | Nylon taffeta |
Sleeping Bag Shape | Mummy |
Shoulder Girth (in.) | 60 inches |
Hip Girth (in.) | 55 inches |
Stuff Sack Size | 8 x 17 inches |
Stuff Sack Volume | 14 liters |
Gender | Unisex |
Sustainability | Down certified to the Responsible Down Standard (RDS) 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.
Adding a review will require a valid email for verification
I recently had the "opportunity" to verify the waterproofing of this bag on a Labor Day weekend hike in the Wallowas. At approximately 7pm after hiking 8 miles in, the skies opened up. I learned that the stickiness on my rainfly was not caused by sap getting all over it from a previous trip -- the waterproof coating had delaminated. While the inch or so of rain that fell that night did not completely make its way into the tent, enough did to get the shell of my sleeping bag wet. I was able to stay dry inside the bag and it seemed to hold its loft well. I don't plan to re-run this test, but thought others might benefit from the information.
I bought the long and took it on one backpacking trip before returning it. It was plenty warm (maybe a little too warm) in the hammock with a pad down to about 40 degrees (I should have vented it more), but it was too tight in the legs for me to bring one knee up the way I like. The bag also leaked a little down (very little, but some). Overall, it's a good quality, warm bag that packs down really small and light. At 5'11" and 230#, it was just a little too snug for me in the hammock. The Kelty SB20 from REI was a better fit for me. That's why we have so many different manufacturers - everyone is different. Thank you, REI, for the great return policy!
I bought this bag at an REI Garage Sale and was initially struck how well it was put together. The first night in the Sawtooth Mountains during mid June, the skies decided to dump snow and drop the temps to below 20 degrees. The bag kept me warm, and with several layers on, could keep me comfortable down to the 10's. Some down does leak from the bag (that's the price for light weigh down) but overall it was very happy with the product. BTW, I am 5' 11" and have a LONG bag which I strongly recommend. It allowed for me to slide deeper into the bag on the cold night and cinch the hood. If I was in a regular sized one, I would have not been happy.
I'll admit it: I was skeptical such a lightweight, compressible bag would be as warm as advertised. However, the the night I brought it home it was 23 degrees outside - so I unrolled it on the deck, put on a T-shirt and shorts, and gave it a try. I awoke several hours later, completely warm and comfortable. It's my first mummy bag, so the limited range of motion of my legs took some getting used to - but it didn't take too many nights to adapt, and the warmth of the design makes it worthwhile. If you need to scrimp on expenses, I get it - but try to do that with something other than your bag. This one's worth the money!
I've had this bag for three years now. It's been everywhere from the Sierra Nevada ranges, Dealth Valley in the snow and rain, all through the Colorado Plateau, backpacking in Iceland, and much more. I've slept comfortably without a tent in this bag (with some wool layers on!) and woken up next to a frozen solid Nalgene bottle. I've slept in 60 F while just using this bag as a blanket. Sleeping without a tent in Dealth Valley I woke up to pouring rain, but remained completely dry inside my bag. I can't really imagine there being a sleeping bag that works better as an all around bag. It's pretty much perfect.
I love this bag. It's warm, it's light, and it has a great amount of loft. When used with my X-therm pad, it can be a little too warm, but that's better than too cold. I managed to snag one of the last bags from the previous generation that uses 800 goose down rather than the 700 duck fill that's now advertised. Other thoughts: There may be a spec discrepancy here: How can a 700 duck bag have the same EN rating as the previous 800 goose bag without adding weight?
I bought this bag after realizing I needed a real cold weather bag and this one works well from about 20 (as specified) with long underwear to 50 degrees with it partially unzipped. On our recent trip through the Gila Wilderness in early May my wife used it and was very comfortable. It packs down well and is really light for the money. Getting closer to one lb with this temp rating means a really big step up in price. This bags covers my backpacking needs for a great price.
I used this bag for 21 days while on a modified John Muir Trail through hike. It was perfect. The bag is not even two pounds but has all the warmth I ever needed. I sleep with the bag open like a quilt and was never cold inside despite the temperatures outside dropping well below 30 degrees a few nights. When you do need to use the zippers they function smoothly, never snagging the fabric. I bought the Joule as well for my wife and she loved it. We never needed to zip them together but the knowledge that they could made her feel good in case things got really cold. She is a cold sleeper but never felt it inside her bag.
Bought this bag before my JMT through hike and it was one of my favorite pieces of gear. Went in August/September. Spent several nights above 10K, temps dropped below freezing and the bag was warm and comfy. Slept without a tent and would wake with frost on the bag but it always did it's job and was durable. Best part is at 1lb 13oz it's really light and shaved off a pound off my last bag at the same temp rating. Highly compressible, love it. Only real complaint is that it's slightly tight but was able to turn and spread my legs enough to get comfy every night. 5'11 and got the regular.
Bought this last fall to find a nice middle ground between my summer and winter bags, and it's ended up being my primary for almost everything. First off, the bag is super light weight considering how warm it is and w/ a compression sack it packs down to next to nothing. I've used the igneo and been extremely comfortable in everything from 50 degree weather (unzipped open with a microfiber sheet) all the way down to zero degrees (didn't even need to break out the cold weather liner that i brought along). Put it away in the storage bag it comes with, make sure to compliment it with all the other cold weather sleeping tips/gear, keep it dry/protected, and this bag will become one of your favorite pieces of gear. I guess there are some $800 bags that shave some ounces but in terms of overall value and quality, I've yet to find a better bag. Only problem is i should have bought a second one b/c my girlfriend keeps wanting to trade bags.