How to Choose Sleeping Bags for Backpacking

For your next backpacking trip—or simply an overnight setup in the car—this REI Co-op synthetic sleeping bag checks all the boxes. It offers a trifecta of warmth, packability and light weight.




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Imported.
| Best Use | Backpacking Camping |
|---|---|
| Tested Lower Limit | 20 degrees (F) - ISO |
| Tested Comfort | 31 degrees (F) - ISO |
| Temperature Rating (F) | 25 degrees (F) |
| Temperature Rating (C) | -4 degrees (C) |
| Weight | Short: 2 lbs. 12.35 oz. Short Wide: 3 lbs. Medium: 2 lbs. 15.14 oz. Medium Wide: 3 lbs. 3.25 oz. Long: 3 lbs. 2.48 oz. Long Wide: 3 lbs. 8.26 oz. |
| Shell | 30-denier, 100% recycled ripstop polyester with DWR made without PFAS (bluesign approved) |
| Zipper Location | Left |
| Insulation Type | Synthetic |
| Fill | 100% recycled polyester |
| Fill Weight | Short: 1 lb. 12.4 oz. Short Wide: 1 lb. 15.1 oz. Medium: 1 lb. 14.7 oz. Medium Wide: 2 lbs. 1.2 oz. Long: 2 lbs. 0.7 oz. Long Wide: 2 lbs. 3.8 oz. |
| Sleeping Capacity | 1-person |
| Lining | 100% polyester with DWR made without PFAS |
| Sleeping Bag Shape | Mummy |
| Fits Up To (in.) | Short: 66 inches Short Wide: 66 inches Medium: 72 inches Medium Wide: 72 inches Long: 78 inches Long Wide: 78 inches |
| Shoulder Girth (in.) | Short: 61.5 inches Short Wide: 69 inches Medium: 62 inches Medium Wide: 69 inches Long: 63 inches Long Wide: 70 inches |
| Hip Girth (in.) | Short: 53 inches Short Wide: 61.6 inches Medium: 54 inches Medium Wide: 62.5 inches Long: 55 inches Long Wide: 63.5 inches |
| Stuff Sack Volume | Short: 7.8 liters Short Wide: 10.2 liters Medium: 10.2 liters Medium Wide: 10.2 liters Long: 10.2 liters Long Wide: 12.6 liters |
| Compressed Volume | Short: 7.3 liters Short Wide: 8 liters Medium: 8 liters Medium Wide: 9.1 liters Long: 8.5 liters Long Wide: 10.3 liters |
| Gender | Unisex |
| Sustainability | Contains materials that meet the bluesign® criteria Contains recycled materials 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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This is my PERFECT sleeping bag for spring and summer and Fall camping! Why? It’s lightweight. Not heavy. It’s compact! It comes with a stuff bag, and easily goes into it. It’s a decent size when packed. It’s cozy! It’s not too snug and it’s not too roomy. The head area fits comfortably around my head to keep extra warmth in, but it’s not annoying. It is warm - and rated for colder weather than I’ve used it in (so far). Also LOVE the color combination. I know this has nothing to do with how well it works and packs, but it’s the icing on the cake. I love the terra cotta paired with the deep teal. Overall, I give this 5 stars!
Love this sleeping bag. I used it for sleeping outside in 35-40 degree weather, it kept me warm without the need for extra layers, blankets, etc. The material is very comfortable, zippers work great without snagging. Most importantly for me, its super easy to repack. I hate struggling with sleeping bags that are difficult to roll up and impossible to fit back into the bag, no such issues with this bag, it rolls up easy and has plenty of room and flexibility to stuff it into its bag. Takes up less space than other bags I use when its packed too. Overall a huge upgrade for me over my old sleeping bag, highly recommended.
It's the dead of winter here in MN, so I haven’t had the chance to take the Trailmade 25 sleeping bag out on a full camping trip yet. After testing it at home and getting a feel for the materials and design, I can share some initial impressions. Right away, it feels comfortable and fairly roomy, which I like compared to the more restrictive mummy-style bags. The lining is soft, and the overall build seems solid for a bag in this price range. It doesn’t feel ultralight, but it also doesn’t come across as overly bulky so more of a practical middle-ground option for packing. The insulation seems decent based on how warm it feels during indoor testing, though I would need to use it in actual outdoor conditions to fully judge how well it performs near its 25-degree rating. My expectation is that it would be comfortable in cool conditions, but likely best paired with layers if temperatures drop significantly. The zipper runs smoothly and hasn’t snagged so far, which is a small but convenient detail. I also appreciate the straightforward design, nothing overly complicated, just functional and easy to use. Since I haven’t packed it out yet, I can’t fully speak to how it performs for backpacking, but it doesn’t seem like the most compact or lightweight option if you’re trying to save space and weight. Overall, my first impression is that the Trailmade 25 is a solid, entry-level sleeping bag that prioritizes comfort and simplicity. I’m looking forward to testing it outdoors to see how it really performs in colder conditions.
Well-designed and functional sleeping bag rated to 25°F, although temperatures did not drop that low during my trial. What stood out most was its heat retention, along with a snug fit that felt comfortable rather than restrictive. While it is slightly bulkier than expected, it fits easily into the included stuff sack and appears capable of compressing further with a dedicated compression sack. The inclusion of an internal pocket for a phone was a pleasant surprise, and while not a critical factor, the color options are attractive and well done.
This Trail made 25 is one of the best sleeping bags I have ever used. It definitely will keep you warm in that cold weather in the mountains. I have the medium and love the colors, that's a bonus. I have even used in my apartment that gets pretty cold.
Got to test this indoors and outdoors as just as I received the product the heater broke. I used the bag for a solid week and it kept me very comfortable and cozy. It did seem to run a bit small and I'm not exactly a very large guy. 5'7" 140lbs and I fit comfortably but squirmers be aware its a bit hard to turn when inside the bag. I did take it out back on a chilly night for some hammock camping and star gazing in the back yard and it was cozy. Hammock under quilt was rated for only 50F and I still didn't feel chilly. My partner also tried it out (5'4", 170) and he fit comfortably as well. It's become a staple at the fire pit for keeping cozy in winter/spring. I will say it doesn't pack down as small and compact as my 50F rated bag, but it's still just as light and only takes up maybe two more inches of space in a bag. Worth it for the extra warmth if you ask me. The cool colors were just a bonus.