Sleeping bags can be one of the most expensive pieces of backpacking equipment you'll have to purchase. What's worse is that you'll probably have to buy more than one of them. Why? Because you'll want one that's right for every temperature range you might be hiking in.
Because most of us are on a budget, it's important to make the best possible choice with your first sleeping bag. Later, you'll be able to buy more to fill in your needs. We're going to dig into the best sleeping bags on the market today that you can pick up within a $200 budget. Just click one of the links below to jump to the right section:
3-Season Bags
These bags are usually good from spring through summer and into fall. They're not meant for really extreme cold weather and some may be too warm for the heat of summer. It can be hard to find the perfect bag for all of these conditions!
It's hard to disagree with a price tag that's affordable. On top of that, the OV 35 is rated for temperatures that can easily handle 2.5-season backpacking conditions. It's remarkably packable compared to other bags in the category and, overall, features most of what any backpacker might expect to see in a mummy bag's features.
One thing I like about these bags is that a left handed and right handed model can be zipped together to make a double size bag. This isn't a new concept but it is a fun way to go backpacking or camping with your partner.
TETON delivers us another good mummy bag with hollow fill synthetic lining and all the major features we need to get started backpacking. This time it's a bit lighter overall coming in at just under 48 ounces overall - that's a tad shy of 3 pounds. Twenty degrees is the temperature rating I usually choose for most 3-season backpacking.
Twenty degrees is the temperature rating I usually choose for most 3-season backpacking. That said, it should serve you well in most spring, summer, and fall conditions but don't expect it to handle cold-winter camping. They've chosen the lofty and roomy circular sewn foot box which provides tons of room for stretching your feet and the extra space helps keep your toes warm!
Kelty is a mainstay name in backpacking equipment and they've delivered what I might consider being the best overall product on our list. This 22-degree bag weighs about 3 pounds overall (48 oz). It can be chosen in either regular size or long size. It's also stuffed with tons of Thermapro insulation for maximum warmth.
One thing I love about this bag is the totally unique zipper design. The full-length zipper crosses over the top of the bag just before the end of the foot box. This means you can unzip the lower half of the bag and just stick your feet right out. Or simply unzip a portion of the bag for better temperature regulation.
Cold Weather & Winter Bags
These bags are bulky, heavy, and full of insulation. When it comes to winter bags you may have to shell out more money to get the products that will keep you warm. With more warmth and insulation, however, comes greater weight and bulk.
At a whopping 4.1 pounds, or over 64 ounces this sleeping bag is one of the heavier options out there. Why so heavy? Because it's rated down to 5 degrees Fahrenheit and won't cost you hundreds of dollars. Of course, when we're looking to find the best sleeping bags on a budget, we're going to have to compromise in some areas.
Wide horizontal baffles help distribute the synthetic insulation. Full-length zipper draft tube puts extra insulation right where it's needed to prevent cold air exchange through the zipper. Of course, it comes with an included compression sack. This is a stuff bag with straps that can be used to reduce the overall bulk of the sleeping bag when packed away.
My first ever winter camping trip was done in a zero degree synthetic bag. When we start camping in these cold temps, it's necessary to have some serious insulation. Because of that, the bags can become quite bulky and heavy.
While most users rave about the bag's performance to value ratio, some warn of the temperature rating. My suggestion is to always test your sleeping bags in the temperatures you intend to backpack in by sleeping in the back yard. Once you're sure it'll meet your needs, then take it out on a long trip.
This extremely popular bag is produced by Coleman which most readers will recognize as a staple of the outdoor brands. It's rated for 0-10 degree temps and most users find that it holds up to those ratings just fine. As is always a concern with winter sleeping bags, it does have some serious bulk and weight.
Down Bags
These bags are made from lightweight nylon shells and down insulation. This type of insulation is usually from ducks or geese and can vary in quality. It’s lighter and more insulative than most manmade insulation. One major drawback is that down loses most of its warmth when wet.
This is the first down filled bag we've tossed into the list. Why? Because they're usually quite expensive! Not so in this case.
At less than 2 pounds overall, this bag ranks among the lightest we've reviewed for under $200. The light weight is mostly thanks to the impressively thin 20 denier nylon shell and down insulation. Of course, we need to be aware that these materials need to be handled appropriately. 20D nylon won't take as much abuse as thicker materials!
With a lifetime warranty, high fill power down, and lightweight nylon shell this is a pretty high quality down bag at a budget price. Using 800 fill power down OV has managed to pull off a 0-degree mummy bag at just a tad under 3 pounds. This is far better than many of the synthetic bags in this price range!
I like the included compression sack to help compress the bag. Just remember to keep the bag out of its stuff sack when not on a trip. It's extremely important that down bags be stored in their "lofted" state. I hang mine over a pair of hangers in my closet.
Finally, we've got a backpacking sleeping bag that breaks the mold a bit. If you've ever felt like a mummy bag is just too restrictive, you're not alone. This OV rectangular bag uses the traditional square style foot box to overcome that problem.
I do like that OV stands behind their products with a 1-year warranty. Thanks to the 20d nylon shell materials, 700D duck down fill, and a roomy bag you'll be able to have the flexibility to choose how you sleep.
Conclusion
There's no one bag for everyone. Some will want a synthetic bag, others will opt for the more expensive down bags. Each has their own strengths and weaknesses.
Our list includes some of the best and some of the most affordable bags commonly available at under $200. Of course, you'll need to increase your budget if you expect to find the most advanced and lightweight bags available.
Even on a budget, however, you'll be able to find something on our list that can meet your needs at a price you'll love.
