If you are new to camping or you need to kit out your entire family, the chances are you will be looking for kit that is budget-friendly. For budget sleeping bags, we reckon they should cost less than £200 and, better still, if they are under £100.
Main image: The Robens Icefall Pro 600 | Credit: Chris Townsend
In this price range, you are more likely to find synthetic-fill bags and warmth ratings that are best suited for summer camping in the UK, or perhaps spring, summer and early autumn camping in Europe.
Cheaper sleeping bags also tend to be heavier weight – synthetic usually weighs more than down – and the packed size will often be larger.
A budget sleeping bag is likely to take up a lot of room – and add more weight – to your backpack so you might want to reserve this type of product for car-to-campsite camping or for backpacking trips that are not too extended. Few people enjoy carrying an over-sized and heavy backpack.
Many brands manage to include a good range of features in even their cheapest sleeping bags but, if you have a keen eye for the details, look for hoods that can be cinched around your head, shoulder baffles for extra warmth, and full-length two-way zips.
A positive of synthetic fill is it will keep you warm even when damp but a sleeping bag with the addition of water-repellent treatment (DWR) is always going to be a bonus when camping because moisture is a side product of damp days and nights and warm bodies. Look for PFC-free DWR if you care about the environment.
Some brands reduce the width and length of their budget sleeping bags to save on cost, so it’s a good idea to check the size details to ensure you won’t feel too cramped.
Also run your hands over the inner and outer fabrics to ensure they are going to feel soft and silky enough to sleeping and not too noisy.
If you have a slightly bigger budget, it’s worth browsing our round up of the best sleeping bags.
Best budget sleeping bags
Here’s our pick of the best budget sleeping bags currently on the market. We’ve given the temperature ratings for the specific bags in focus but it’s worth bearing in mind that many of these options will also come in cooler/lighter and warmer/heavier models.
This guide was originally put together by Chris Townsend and recently we’ve added in some additions and updates from Fiona Russell and John Manning.
Kelty women’s Cosmic Synthetic 20
Fiona Russell Recommends
This is a well-constructed sleeping bag that is thoughtfully deigned for women and one I’d recommend for car-to-campsite trips rather than lightweight backpacking adventures.- Warm
- Roomy
- Weight
- Pack size
- Rustley
| Quick specs | |
|---|---|
| Price: £184.95 Weight: 1874g Fill: Cirroloft synthetic insulation Shell: 380T Nylon Taffeta, plus PFC-free DWR Liner fabric: 50D 300T Poly Taffeta Construction: box wall, stitched Zip: 2-way to foot box Length: 188cm Rating: comfort -4C, limit -11C Sizes: one Mens version: 2 lengths for men URL: www.kelty.com |
For a budget priced sleeping bag, the Kelty Cosmic Synthetic 20 offers really good warmth. I am a cold sleeper and, if you are like me, I would not recommend you use it for the suggested comfort rating of -4C. Instead, I’d reserve this bag for temperatures above 0C. Still, there is plenty of insulation and a great footbox to keep your feet warm and free t move about. The hood adds extra cosiness and there is a shoulder baffle, although the latter is quite thin.
When comparing the women’s bag with the men’s bag, I note there is a greater synthetic fill of 1300g compared to 860g and in a smaller size of bag, both in length and shoulder width. Women do tend to be colder sleepers so it’s good to see Kelty’s thought process although it does mean the female bag ends up 44g heavier.
Another negative with this sleeping bag is it doesn’t compress very well. There is a stuff bag with compression straps but the finished size is large and around twice the size of the other budget sleeping bag I’ve tested. Kelty state it can be compressed to 41cm by 25 cm but I measured the bag to be another 3cm of width. It is also a rather hefty 1874g when packed. None of this adds up to a sleeping bag that is easy to stow in a rucksack and carry longer distances.
The outer fabric is fairly soft while the inner fabric is a stiffer nylon and not as comfortable. There is a bit of an irritating rustling sound in general when moving about in the bag.
A zipped internal pocket for items such as a mobile phone is useful although you should note it’s only just large enough for a larger size phone.
This is a well-constructed sleeping bag that is thoughtfully deigned for women and one I’d recommend for car-to-campsite trips rather than lightweight backpacking adventures. It is also at the top end of the budget price bracket.
Alpkit Ultra 120
John Manning Recommends
In use, I found the bag didn’t offer the instant warmth I’ve appreciated in heavier synthetic bags and down bags, though the insulation started to kick in after a few minutes.- Weight
- Low bulk
- Price
- Tight fit
- Restricted to warmer nights
| Quick specs | |
|---|---|
| Price: £199.99 Weight: Long 632g (613g + 19g stuffsack) (Alpkit’s stated weights = regular 590g; long 640g) Fill: 120gsm water-repellent PrimaLoft Gold Insulation Shell: Outer: PFC-free DWR treated 20d 420T nylon; Inner: 420T nylon Construction: Mummy-shaped, stitched through Zip: Half-zip with full-length inner baffle Length: Regular: Internal length 190cm; Long: Internal length 210cm Rating: 1°C (Alpkit Sleep Limit) Sizes: Regular 190cm; long 210cm Women’s/men’s version: Unisex URL: alpkit.com |
The Alpkit Ultra 120 is a budget sleeping bag priced at £200, but it is a lean, trim bag suitable for hardcore lightweighters or mountain marathon-type events. It comes with PrimaLoft Gold insulation, one of the best warmth-to-weight ratio synthetic fills on the market, making it lightweight and occupying minimal space in your pack. The bag’s zip is also lightweight, as zips weigh more than fabrics and fills. However, its minimalist nature means it is tight and may be used for warmer nights, possibly one and two-half seasons.
Some backpackers might find its potential applications limited due to its tightness and low bulk, but for warm, one-night summer wild campers, the lightweight and low bulk are a fair trade for a single night’s reduced discomfort. For extended, remote backpacking adventures, the extra space in your pack for food and other essentials might be appreciated.
In use, the Alpkit Ultra 120 doesn’t offer instant warmth like heavier synthetic bags and down bags, but the insulation kicks in after a few minutes, making it comfortable. There is room to wear a layer of insulation-boosting clothing in the bag, but this would compromise the wriggle-room.
Read John’s full Alpkit Ultra 120 Review
Robens Glacier II -5°C
John Manning Recommends
For all its weight and bulk, it’s comfortingly cosy, roomy, three-season bag which warms quickly once you slide in.- Warm
- Generous zip and collar baffles
- Inner zipper stow garage
- Bulky
- Zip snag
| Quick specs | |
|---|---|
| Price: £117.99 Weight: 1572g (1487g + 86g compression sack ) (Roben’s stated weight =1380g) Fill: AirThermo (100% polyester) Shell: 40D 290T nylon ripstop (100% nylon) Construction: Mummy-shaped; double layer on top, single layer on bottom Zip: Two-way, full-length YKK auto lock; choice of left or right Length: 220cm (body length 195cm) Rating: Comfort: men -5°C, women 1°C. Extreme: -22°C Sizes: Single length Women’s/men’s version: Unisex URL: www.robens.de/en-gb |
The Robens Glacier II -5°C is a budget sleeping bag that provides ample wriggle-room for those who appreciate spaciousness. Its Loft Expander system allows the upper to swell, accordion-like, as you wriggle and turn, then contract around you as you settle, ensuring no momentary cold spots. The bag has generously filled draught baffles at the collar and down the length of the zip, with the front baffle having a neat cup to prevent encumbered mouth and chin. The footbox is spacious and designed in a “shark’s fin” shape, providing unconstricted toe space.
The sample supplied had a full-length right-hand zip, which resulted in flat-corded drawcords on the left shoulder. The hood’s cord is color-coded, but this may be irrelevant in the darkness of a tent. Small devices can be stored in an accessories pouch beneath the inner collar baffle to keep their batteries alive on cold nights.
The full-length YKK zip has a stow port at the foot, but lacks anti-snag devices and tends to snag on the shell fabric. Although the synthetic-filled Glacier II is about 50% heavier than many more expensive down-filled bags with similar temperature ratings, it is a comfortable, roomy, three-season bag that warms quickly once you slide in.
Read John’s full Robens Glacier II -5°C Review
FORCLAZ Trekking Sleeping Bag MT500
Fiona’s Verdict
If you get hot in the night, the Forclaz might well be ideal for you because it is nicely breathable and the side zips allow you to vent the bag really easily.- Compact
- Compression bag
- Price
- Weight
- Noise
| Quick specs | |
|---|---|
| Price: £69.99 Weight: 1600g (size M) Fill: 100% polyester Shell/lining: 100% polyamide. Construction: box wall, stitched Zip: 2 x 2-way, ¾ length Length: S: 1.6m, M: 1.7m, L: 1.85m Rating: comfort 0C, limit -5C Sizes: S, M, L Women/Mens version: Unisex URL: www.decathlon.co.uk |
It’s great to see a choice of three lengths of this unisex bag to suit different heights but you should note the width is likely to fit only slim to medium sized people. For the price, the bag is a respectable weight and it can be packed down to a fairly small size thanks to the compressible stuff bag. However, it’s not a product I would want to take on longer backpacking expeditions when lighter weight gear is more appealing.
The synthetic insulation comprises two layers of polyester wadding of different weights, 115 g/sqm and 150 g/sqm. The warmth is good although I’d reserve the Forclaz for summer and evenings of 0c or above, unless you are a particularly warm sleeper. The shoulder baffle helps to keep the warm air generated by your body inside the bag and the hood can be neatly cinched around your head.
There is a two-way zip entrance on both the left and right-hand sides of the bag.Does any bag need two zips, though? I’d rather the brand reduced the weight by having one zip. I do like the large zip pulls and the zips run generally quite freely.
If you get hot in the night, the Forclaz might well be ideal for you because it is nicely breathable and the side zips allow you to vent the bag really easily. Sadly, the fabric is a bit noisy, which may or may not bother you.
Decathlon tell me the FORCLAZ Trekking Sleeping Bag MT500 has been designed to reduce its environmental impact. The company reports: “The product is made with a CO2 equivalent reduction of 20% compared to the previous models of this product.” I guess that’s a start but there is so much more they could be doing to reduce the effects of materials, manufacture and transportation on the climate.
Mountain Equipment Starlight 1
Price: $142 | £110 (Available from Alpine Trek)
Weight: 1 lb. 9 oz | 925g
Fill: synthetic
Comfort rating: 9°C | 48°F
Mountain Equipment is one of the top sleeping bag makers and the Starlight range of synthetic filled budget sleeping bags has all the features of its much more expensive bags. The Starlight 1 has a comfort rating of 9°C. (Mountain Equipment also give their own “Good Night’s Sleep” rating, which is 5°C for this bag. I’m listing the comfort rating as that’s the one that’s comparable with other bag ratings). It’s filled with Mountain Equipment’s own Polarloft polyester insulation in an offset layer construction so there are no seams directly linking the inner to the outer, which can lead to cold spots. The bag also has a durable 30D nylon shell, a shaped hood and foot box, a full-length zip with a baffle, and a warm collar. Weighing less than a kilo at 925g it looks excellent for summer backpacking.
The other Starlite bags are worth considering for colder temperatures. The Starlight II has a comfort range of 3°C, weighs 1250g, and costs £120. The Starlight III has a comfort rating of -1°C, weighs 1550g, and costs £140.
Available at: mountain-equipment.co.uk
Vango Ultralite Pro 200
Price: £105
Weight: 2 lb. 42 oz | 1.10 kg
Fill: synthetic
Comfort rating: 4°C | 39°F
Vango has a large range of well-priced budget sleeping bags. The Ultralite Pro 200 is quite light and packs fairly small. It’s filled with Vango’s 4T insulation and has Trilateral Construction, which means there’s an independent floating layer of insulation not compressed by stitching, which reduces cold spots.
The bag also has an elasticated lining that makes the bag hug the body, again reducing cold spots, while retaining freedom of movement. There’s an adjustable hood and adjustable shoulder baffle plus an arrow shaped foot box. The two-way full-length zip has an insulated baffle inside
Snugpak Softie Expansion 3
Price: £120
Weight: 3 lb. 30 oz | 1.50 kg
Fill: synthetic
Comfort rating: -5°C | 23°F
Snugpak has been a leader in synthetic fill sleeping bags for many years and has a large range of bags at reasonable prices, all using its own Softie polyester insulation.
The Softie Expansion 3 also has a layer of Reflectatherm, a metallised fabric that reflects heat and is said to provide at least 15% extra warmth.
The Expansion in the bag’s name refers to a built-in insulated side panel which can be used to increase the width of the bag for more room to move or to cool the bag down. The Softie Expansion has a comfort rating of -5°C and weighs 1.5kg. Other features are a shaped hood and foot, two-way side zip, and windproof and water-resistant Paratex shell fabrics
Therm-a-rest Saros 20F / – 6
Price: £179
Weight: 2 lb. 79 oz |1.27 kg
Fill: synthetic
Comfort rating: -0°C | 32°F
This is a budget sleeping bag from Therm-a-rest is filled with their eraLoft synthetic insulation. This is designed to have the ability to withstand being compressed and lofted without losing performance over time.
The fibres also all have hollow cores. That makes them lighter but no less insulating. In fact, The hollow core fibres trap more air than solid fibres, creating a layer of insulation that helps to retain body heat. Air is an excellent insulator, and the more air that can be trapped within the fibres, the more effective the insulation will be.
The Saros is designed to accommodate all kinds of sleeping positions, giving plenty of space for you to move around within it, and the insulation has been zoned throughout the bag, so there’s more insulation where you need it and less where you don’t. So there’s more insulation around the neck and at the feet for instance, but less on the base where you’re instead more reliant on insulation from your sleeping mat.
This version weighs 1.27kg and has a comfort rating of 0 degrees (-6 is the comfort limit). There’s also a lighter version for warmer nights and also a heavier version for colder nights.
More info: thermarest.com
Big Agnes Anthracite 20
Price: $140 | £169 (Available from Alpine Trek)
Weight: 2 lb. 73 oz | 1.24kg
Fill: synthetic
Comfort rating: 0°C | 32°F
This sleeping bag from U.S. brand Big Agnes has been manufactured with eco-friendly materials including a recycled plastic fill and recycled plastic lining and shell. It also uses a water repellent treatment that’s free from eco hazardous chemicals.
It has a comfort rating of 0 degrees so it’ll suit most three-season camp outs and the weight is 1.24kg – that’s not the lightest but it’s still a portable enough weight for backpacking. There is also a lighter version of this that’s designed for warmer nights out.
As the insulation is made from synthetics, this will be useful as an option for any campouts in damp weather as the fibers will still be able to provide warmth even if they happen to get wet.
Details include two-way zippers, baffles along the zip and at the neck and a hood toggle that can be used one-handed. The All-Gender models are also designed to be paired with Big Agnes’s female designs.
Alpkit Pipedream 200
Price: $200 | £150
Weight: 1 lb. 20 oz | 545g
Fill: down
Comfort rating: 11°C | 51°F
At 545 grams the Pipedream 200 is an ultralight sleeping bag that would be superb for anyone undertaking long-distance walks or fast and light trips from late spring to early autumn. Filled with 750 fill power DownTek PFC-free water repellent down it has a comfort rating of 11°C. The Pipedream has stitch-through baffles to save weight, a damp-resistant PFC-free DWR treated polyester outer, a shaped hood and foot box, and a three-quarter-length zip. It’s available in two lengths. The Regular length can be compressed to a tiny 15 x 12cm
Available at: alpkit.com
Sierra Designs Get Down 20
| Quick specs | |
|---|---|
Price: $200 | £170
Weight: 2 lb. 5 oz | 932g
Fill: down
Comfort limit: -1.6°C | 29°F
The Get Down 20 is an excellent down sleeping bag at a low price. Filled with 510 grams of 550 fill power hydrophobic down it has a shaped hood and foot, a ¾ length zip, a 20D polyester shell, and box-wall construction to eliminate cold spots. The comfort rating is -1.6°C. At 932g it’s lightweight and it packs down small. The Get Down is available in two lengths.
Available at: sierradesigns.com
Sea to Summit Treeline TII
Price: £195 (Available from Alpine Trek)
Weight: 2 lb. 13 oz | 970g
Fill: down
Comfort rating: 2°C | 35°F
This is a lightweight down filled sleeping bag that is designed to keep you comfortable on any three-season camps that don’t drop below freezing (the comfort level is 2°C and the limit is -3°C).
The down this uses has a 600 fill power. That’s not bad, but generally 800+ is seen as good thermal efficiency. It meets the criteria of the Resposible Down Standard so you can count on it being ethically sourced.
Sea to Summit describe this as having a ‘relaxed’ mummy shape, meaning there’s room to wriggle around in this.
Features include a two-way zip that’s designed to be snag-free, there’s a handy internal pocket for stowing your phone or headtorch and it’s been designed to pair with Sea to Summit’s Women’s Altitude, Journey and Venture sleeping bags.
Unlike many of the other sleeping bags in this round up, this has two toggled drawcords, meaning you can cinch the sleeping bag in around your face and at the next too.
Available at: seatosummit.co.uk
Forclaz Trekking Sleeping Bag MT900
Price: £160
Weight: 1 lb. 87 oz | 850g
Fill: down
Comfort rating: 0°C | 32°F
Forclaz is a French brand that’s part of the Decathlon group and, as such, it’s exclusive to the global giant’s stores. Their Trekking MT900 sleeping bag has an optimum comfort temperature of 0 and a comfort limit of -6 making it suitable for most three-season trekking. It’s filled with duck down feathers with a good fill power rating of 800 cubic inches. It meets the responsible down standard, so you can count on the feathers being ethically sourced.
It features a two-way zip so you can open up the bottom half of the bag for ventilation. The hood is ergonomically shaped, bringing the insulation right around the shoulders and neck and it comes with a compressible sack and a storage bag.
The weight for a size M model is 850g which makes it one of the lightest sleeping bags in this round up. There are also lighter versions of this available but they are designed to suit warmer temperatures.
Available at: decathlon.co.uk
Robens Gully 600
Price: £166
Weight: 2 lb. 97 oz | 1.35kg
Fill: blend
Comfort: 1°C | 33.8°F
Mixing down and synthetic fill is a way to get the advantages of both. Robens has done this with its Gully series of bags. These have a 50/50 mix of down and Roben’s MicroThermo Ball synthetic insulation on the top and just the latter on the bottom.
MicroThermo Ball is a designed to mimic down and consists of polyester clusters rather than a sheet of insulation. The down/synthetic mix is called ThernoHybrid Down and gives more warmth for the weight than MicroThermo Ball alone.
The Gully 600 has a shaped hood and foot box, neck baffle, and a full-length zip with insulated baffle.
What features to look for in budget sleeping bags
Temperature Ratings: The European Standard
The ISO 23537 rating provides a means of comparing sleeping bags for warmth. Most companies use it or an equivalent. It should only be used as a guide, however. It doesn’t mean you will be warm at the comfort limit temperature or even the comfort one. Cold sleepers should add a few degrees or more to the temperature ratings, whether you’re looking at budget sleeping bags or not.
ISO 23537 gives these temperature ranges for a sleeping bag:
- Comfort: the temperature range at which a “standard woman” in a relaxed posture should be comfortable.
- Transition/Comfort Limit: temperature range in which a “standard man” in a rolled-up body position should be comfortable.
- Extreme: In this range, feeling very cold is to be expected. There is a risk of hypothermia. A sleeping bag should only be used in this range in an emergency.
The ratings are calculated with a mannequin covered in heat sensors. The mannequin is dressed in thermal long-sleeved top and leggings plus long socks and placed in the sleeping bag on a sleeping mat.
The key rating is the Comfort one as this gives an idea of the lowest range of temperatures for warmth for most people. Hot sleepers may find the Comfort Limit temperature okay. Overall, though, I’d say that if you have to curl up to stay warm you’re pushing the limits of a bag.
The Extreme rating should be ignored. Most people will feel unpleasantly cold long before this temperature is reached. Researching this feature I found some sleeping bags where only the Extreme rating was given. I’d avoid any bags where this is so. I’d also be wary of those that emphasise the Extreme rating and call themselves four-season bags when the comfort temperature isn’t adequate for winter.
Take a look at our guide on sleeping bag ratings and temperatures for more information.
Budget sleeping bags: other factors
Temperature ratings are a good guide as to the warmth of a sleeping bag but there are other important factors. The key ones are sleeping mat and shelter. The fill of a sleeping bag is crushed under you, so a good mat is needed to prevent you losing heat to the ground. A double-skin two person tent with all the doors zipped shut will add a few degrees warmth. Single-skin tents and tarps are not as warm. Wearing dry clothing in a bag also boosts warmth.
Budget sleeping bags: synthetic or down?
Budget sleeping bags are available with both synthetic and down fills. Both have advantages and disadvantages.
Synthetic Fill
Advantages
- Lower cost
- Retain some warmth when damp (though still cold when sodden)
- Reasonably quick drying
Disadvantages
- Heavier than down for the same warmth
- Bulkier to pack
- Shorter life
- Only comfortable over a narrow temperature range
Down Fill
Advantages
- Lighter weight
- Lower packed bulk
- Long life
- Comfortable over a wider temperature range
- Biodegradable
Disadvantages
- Initial expense
- Slower drying (though water-resistant down dries almost as fast as synthetics)
- Harder to clean
For more info on sleeping bags check out these related articles:
