Summer is over, but that doesn’t mean your camping trips must end, too. Especially with the right kit, you can still enjoy crisp winter nights in relative comfort. We’re looking at the best cold weather sleeping bags to help you extend the camping season. A winter sleeping bag alone may not be enough – it needs to be paired with a high R-rated sleeping mat and a decent tent – but it does go a long way!
Main image: The Mythic offered PTC ‘instant warmth’ | Credit: Daniel Hug
Choosing a cold weather sleeping bag is a game of compromise between weight, price, and warmth so you need to figure out which is more important to you. The fill type also impacts all of these. Down fill is warm and light but can be expensive, while synthetic is heavier, not as warm but usually cheaper.
Across Britain, winter temperatures can vary hugely. A night out could range from -15 to +5 degrees Celsius. Having a cold weather sleeping bag that is warm enough for the coldest nights, while still having options to vent a bit for warmer nights is useful, but that is a big range, so base your choice on where and when you plan to use the bag.
It’s generally a good idea to look for basic features like main zip baffles (aka draft tubes) which help to prevent cold spots, and anti-snagging zips, which reduce the chances of wrestling with your zip after a comfort break at 3am! A descent outer shell and a water resistant footbox go a long way in helping to retain warmth and improve durability, too.
Additional features that can be nice to have are pillow pockets, blanket collars, or zips to allow more ventilation, which can all help increase the comfort and the chance of a better night’s sleep.
The best cold weather sleeping bags
Sea to Summit Women’s Ascent -9C
Fiona Russell’s Best in Test 2025
The Sea to Summit Ascent is not a cheap but it has good versatility and would serve as both a three and four-season bag.- warmth
- women’s shape
- fit
- versatility
- weight
- cost
| Quick specs |
|---|
| Price: £450 |
| Weight: 797g |
| Fill: 750+ fill power RDS certified goose down with “Ultra-Dry Down” treatment |
| Shell: recycled 20-denier nylon shell and lining; 10-denier nylon waterproof-breathable hood and footbox |
| Construction: box wall baffle, plus vertical chest baffles and horizontal baffles lower half |
| Zip: 3 x 2-way zips full length, half length & toe box |
| Length: 170m (reg), 185cm (long) |
| Rating: -9C comfort, -15C lower limit |
| Sizes: regular and long |
| Women/Men’s version: yes |
| www.seatosummit.co.uk |
There is very little to fault in the Sea to Summit Ascent women’s sleeping bag. It is very well constructed and roomy enough to wriggle about inside and also curl up. The women’s bag, compared to the men’s bag, is wider at the hips and narrower at the shoulders to better suit the female physique.
The bag is on the weightier end of those on test although you would expect a warm winter sleeping bag to a fairly heavy and bulky. It does pack down to a fairly neat size in the compression sack. The product comes with a zipped stuff bag, too.
Sea to Summit Ascent Women’s -9C is not a cheap at £450 for regular – and £475 for long – but it has good versatility and would serve well as both a three and four-season bag. A small annoyance is the zipped internal pocket that is hardly big enough to fit much more than a set of keys. Sea to Summit gives a nod to eco-goodness with RDS down and polyester in the main body fabric that is 100% Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) certified.
Read more: Fiona’s full Sea to Summit Ascent Women’s -9C review
Rab Mythic 600
Peter Macfarlane’s Best in Test 2025
The weight, pack size, comfort and performance all tie together to make the Rab Glacier 700 excellent for carrying into the winter hills for high camps as well as camp site and bothy use.- comfort
- weight
- performance
- price
| Quick specs |
|---|
| Price: £660 |
| Weight: 886g |
| Fill: 600g of 900FP European Goose Down with Nikwax Fluorocarbon-Free Hydrophobic Finish |
| Shell: 10D Recycled Atmos 27gsm polyamide with Fluorocarbon-Free DWR, inner and outer |
| Construction: chevron pattern trapezoidal baffles, zip baffle, adjustable hood and shoulder baffle |
| Zip: ¾ two way |
| Length: 215cm |
| Rating: comfort: -5°C; limit: -12°C; extreme: -32°C |
| Sizes: one size |
| Women/Men’s version: unisex |
| rab.equipment |
The Rab Mythic 600 is by far the lightest bag I had in this comparative test but there are no corners cut to reach the weight. The fabric and components are very light and the quality of the down is very high.
Loft is very good and the bag is extremely compressible for packing. I could have easily compressed it more than the 20cm x 23cm I measured in the sack I used for the review. The DWR finish is very good with wetting out taking a long time to occur and the down inside is hydrophobic to retain performance when it does get wet.
Other features are limited to hanging loops to keep with the minimalist light weight of the nature of the bag. The weight, pack size, comfort and performance all tie together to make the Rab Glacier 700 excellent for carrying into the winter hills for high camps as well as camp site and bothy use, but this performance does come at a price.
Read more: Peter’s full Rab Mythic 600 review
Sea to Summit Altitude II
Kirsty Pallas’ Best in Test 2023
Overall, this is an excellent winter bag, but would suit shoulder seasons and even summer with the option to open it right up.- Ventilation options
- vertical torso baffles
- Slightly faffy overlapping zips at footbox
| Quick specs |
|---|
| Price: £400 |
| Weight: 1303g for regular, 80g compression sack |
| Fill: Ultra-Dry RDS Down 750+ loft |
| Shell: 20D Nylon |
| Zip: 2-way full length, 2 way half length, 2 way footbox |
| Length: 170cm (regular) |
| Rating: comfort: -10°C |
| Sizes: regular and long |
| Women/Men’s version: yes (Ascent) |
| seatosummit.co.uk |
The Sea to Summit down cold weather sleeping bag is a comfortable and well-designed option for winter and shoulder seasons. It has an ultra-dry treatment and baffles that prevent the down fill from dropping to the sides. The bag has numerous zips, allowing for flexibility in folding and opening. Two-way zips are fitted to each section, allowing for customisation.
The hood is generous and can be cinched tight, and draft tubes are present along all zips. The top zip can be cinched separately with a drawcord. An internal pocket is small for a smartphone. The bag is designed for women, with additional insulation around the footbox and a narrower shape compared to a unisex bag. It comes with a mesh storage cube and a water-resistant compression sack. Overall, this bag is suitable for both winter and shoulder seasons, with the option to open it up.
Read more: Kirsty’s full Sea to Summit Women’s Altitude II sleeping bag review
Sierra Designs Nitro 0°
James Roddie’s Best in Test 2023
Overall, the Sierra Designs Nitro 0° is a very impressive sleeping bag which is well-suited to winter backpacking in the UK, and it’s great value too.- lightweight
- warm
- innovative foot vent design
- no internal pocket
| Quick specs |
|---|
| Price: £324.99 |
| Weight: 1250g (regular) |
| Fill: 736g 800 FP hydrophobic duck DriDown |
| Shell: 15D ripstop nylon |
| Zip: 2 way half length |
| Length: 198cm |
| Rating: comfort: -9°C |
| Sizes: regular and long |
| Women/Men’s version: yes |
| sierradesigns.com |
This cold weather sleeping bag is a lightweight, 1.25kg option for winter backpacking in the UK. It features a thin 15d ripstop nylon, a half-length zip, and minimal features. The insulation is 800 fillpower, responsibly sourced hydrophobic down, which performs well in damp conditions.
The hood is warm and easily adjustable, and the bag is warm enough for cold-sleepers. The draft tube along the zip and a generous draft collar prevent cold air from leaking in. The self-sealing foot vent is innovative, creating a seal when lying in the bag. This feature extends the temperature range and provides easy ventilation without the need for zips.
The bag is well-suited for winter backpacking in the UK and offers great value. Overall, this sleeping bag is an impressive choice for winter backpacking.
Read more: James’ full Sierra Designs Nitro 0° review
Thermarest Parsec -18
Kirsty Pallas recommends
The Thermarest Parsec -18 is a super bag for winter camping, coming in warm and light, but with the price tag to accompany it.- weight
- insulated foot pocket
- compression sack shape
- price
| Quick specs |
|---|
| Price: £459 |
| Weight: 1127g for regular, 88g stuff sack |
| Fill: 800 FP Nikwax hydrophobic RDS down |
| Shell: Recycled nylon ripstop with DWR finish |
| Zip: 2-way three quarter length with anti-snag main zipper |
| Length: 183cm for regular |
| Rating: comfort: -10°C |
| Sizes: Small, regular & long |
| Women/Men’s version: unisex |
| www.thermarest.com |
Thermarest’s Parsec is a lightweight, warm, and comfortable bag designed for winter camping. It features hydrophobic down in heat-mapped zones and an insulated foot pocket. The bag has a two-way zip, anti-snag main zip, and a large draft collar for added warmth. The hood is large and has a cinch-tight design, while the zip has a draft tube and an external pocket.
The bag is unisex, mummy-shaped, and has a wider cut at the shoulders for side or front sleeping. Removable straps on the back allow the bag to be attached to a sleeping mat, but only suitable for three inches thick or less mats. The bag comes with a cotton storage sack and a compression bag, which is slightly harder to pack than a wider but shorter shape.
The Parsec is suitable for camping but comes with a price tag. Overall, the Parsec is a great choice for those looking for warmth and lightness in their winter camping gear.
Read more: Kirsty’s full Thermarest Parsec review plus find out why the TGO Gear Team awarded the Therm-a-Rest Parsec 20F/-6 in the TGO Gear Awards 2023
PHD Greenlandic 500
Fione Russell recommends
PHD bags are amazingly warm for weight and highly customisable – but at a price.- warmth
- weight
- customisability
- cost
| Quick specs |
|---|
| Price: From £792 |
| Weight: 965g (start from 890g) |
| Fill: 950 fill power European Goose Down |
| Shell: “Ultrashell” rip-stop nylon, 7X rip-stop nylon lining |
| Construction: straight wall baffle |
| Zip: 1-way half-zip |
| Length: standard |
| Rating: -10C comfort |
| Sizes: Standard, short, long, extra long (also slim-fit, wide and extra wide) |
| Women/Men’s version: unisex, customised fit |
| www.phdesigns.co.uk |
The PHD Greenlandic 500 is not as wide as other bags in this review, but it was enough for me to have a bit of wriggle room. Pulling my knees to my chest was also possible but the bag then felt a bit constraining.
Weight-to-warmth ratio is very hard to beat and PHD use a 950-fill goose down that they adjust to give the same warmth rating whatever width and length of bag you choose. The Greenlandic 500 is delightfully warm yet the bag is also incredibly light in comparison to others.
There are not many finer features. For example, there is no shoulder baffle and the zip is a simple one-way with no zip garage. The zip fastener at the top of the bag is a basic fabric tab and velcro. PHD do not send the sleeping bags with compression sacks, so you need to buy your own if you want to eliminate more of the air. I have knocked off half a point on the score because of the cost.
Read more: Fiona’s full PHD Greenlandic 500 semi-rectangular down sleeping bag review
Mountain Equipment Glacier 700
Peter Macfarlane recommends
The Glacier 700 is an warm and lightweight bag for high winter camps but it does limit movement with a close cut- comfort
- performance
- slightly narrower fit
| Quick specs |
|---|
| Price: £400 |
| Weight: 1180g regular |
| Fill: 699g of minimum 700 fill power Down Codex-approved duck down |
| Shell: DRILITE® LOFT™ polyamide outer with FC free DWR, recycled polyamide inner |
| Construction: trapezoidal and slated box wall baffles, zip baffle, adjustable hood and shoulder baffle, lode lock magnetic closure |
| Zip: ¾ length two way |
| Length: 205cm regular |
| Rating: comfort: -6°C limit: -13°C extreme: -34°C |
| Sizes: regular and long |
| Women/Men’s version: yes |
| www.mountain-equipment.co.uk |
The Mountain Equipment Glacier 700 is a very clean looking bag, a classic mummy outline with horizontal baffles and no extraneous features at all. Even the hang loop for drying and airing at the foot is as minimalist as can be with just a single small shell fabric tunnel to thread your own loop through.
The performance is high and it’s the second warmest rating in the bags I tested. When inside the feedback and warmth is instant. The Mountain Equipment Glacier 700 is an excellent bag to climb into at camp but it is a cut quite close and I find movement not quite as easy or as natural inside as I did on the other bags in the review, especially on legs as I often sleep with one leg bent up a little.
The down fill lofts is extremely well and is protected by a DWR finish on the outer fabric that just doesn’t want to wet out. The weight is good and the compressed pack size of 20cm x 25cm is a good fit in a winter pack for carrying the Glacier 700 high up the winter hills.
Read more: Peter’s full Mountain Equipment Glacier 700 review
Mammut Women’s Relax Down Bag -2C
Fiona Russell’s best value
The Mammut Women’s Relax Down Bag -2C is a great product for colder conditions when weight really matters.- weight
- fit
- price
- warmth
| Quick specs |
|---|
| Price: £320 |
| Weight: 900g |
| Fill: 280g 700 fill power, responsible down, 90% grey duck down, 10% grey duck feather |
| Shell: 52% Polyester, 48% Polyamide; lining: 100% Polyester & 55% Polyamide, 45% Polyester |
| Construction: box wall |
| Zip: 2-way full-length |
| Length: medium |
| Rating: -2C comfort limit |
| Sizes: medium |
| Women/Men’s version: yes |
| www.mammut.com |
This lighter weight bag just meets the criteria for our winter sleeping bags, so if you are a cold sleeper or it’s going to be consistently below -2C, I recommend you choose another bag or wear a down jacket and thick socks. However, it is a great product for colder conditions when weight really matters. The length is great and made to fit women of between 165cm to 180cm height. The width gives room for some movement inside the bag.
The soft feel fabric on the inside of the large hood is a brilliant extra feature because it means your ears are not filled with the sound of sleeping bag when you move about at night. You could muffle even more noise – and the sounds of snoring fellow sleepers – with the handily provided ear plugs. There is also an eye mask tucked into a mesh pocket in the compression bag.
Read more: Fiona’s full Mammut Women’s Relax Down Bag -2C review
Gruezi-Bag Biopod Down Hybrid Ice Cold
Peter Macfarlane recommends
The features and elaborate design add up to extra bulk which makes this a better winter base camp bag than one I’d carry onto the hill.- comfort
- performance
- heat pad
- weight
- pack size
| Quick specs |
|---|
| Price: £540 |
| Weight: 1545g |
| Fill: 700g 90/10, 800+ RDS certified goose down, lavalan AlmWolle wool upper layer |
| Shell: Recycled, breathable and water-repellent ultra-light 20 denier 380T nylon outer, recycled nylon inner |
| Construction: V shaped chambers, box chambers, wool overlay, zip baffle, external zipped pocket, adjustable hood and shoulder baffle, powerbank compatible heat pad in foot box |
| Zip: 2-way full length zip |
| Length: 215cm |
| Rating: comfort: -5°C limit: -12°C extreme: -31°C |
| Sizes: one size |
| Women/Men’s version: unisex |
| www.gz-bag.de |
The Gruezi-Bag Biopod is an extremely comfortable bag with a cut that’s a little relaxed. I can lie inside in various natural positions with my elbows out and my knees bent leg bent. The hood is large and warm and can be cinched right in if need be and the hood and baffle adjusters are easy to operate whilst inside. The main zip is a standard type but the main zip puller has a wide plastic attachment which seems to greatly reduce snagging when using the zip.
Another unusual feature the bag has is a pocket at the left chest where you slip in a power bank that connects to a thin wire that runs down to the foot box where it powers a small heat pad. This adds relatively little weight or bulk and is excellent if need a boost of heat. There is also an external zip pocket which is handy for a head torch. The underside has anti slip pads and loops for securing to a matt. The outer fabric DWR is decent for splashes but the fabric does wet out over time against a damp tent inner.
The features and elaborate design add up to extra bulk and weight with a compressed pack size of 33cm x 23cm which, for me, makes this a better winter base camp bag than one I’d carry onto the hills.
Read more: Peter’s full Gruezi-Bag Biopod Down Hybrid Ice Cold review
Robens Serac 900 -20°C
Peter Macfarlane recommends
The performance is high and it’s almost hidden under a price which is very good indeed.- comfort
- performance
- price
- weight
- pack size
| Quick specs |
|---|
| Price: £351.99 |
| Weight: 1490g |
| Fill: 900g of 600 FP 85/15 RDS certified duck down |
| Shell: recycled 20D 400T nylon ripstop outer, recycled 20D 400T nylon taffeta inner |
| Construction: stretch box baffles on upper body, box baffles, zip baffle, adjustable hood and shoulder baffle |
| Zip: ¾ length two way |
| Length: 220cm |
| Rating: comfort: -12°C limit: -20°C extreme: -43°C |
| Sizes: one size |
| Women/Men’s version: unisex |
| www.robens.de |
The Robens Serac 900 looks like it has quite a trim fit, but once inside the stretch seams on the upper body baffles allow very good arm movement whilst keeping the down close to your body for very good feedback (the feeling of warmth from the insulation) from the down fill insulation. This is very comfortable and feels very natural to sleep in as I can move around pretty normally.
The comfort extends to the well-shaped hood and the shoulder baffle which fit and function well. These are easily adjusted from inside the bag via a toggle which has different shaped cords running through it to adjust the upper and lower hood and a bungee inside for the baffle.
The weight is getting quite high at a kilo and a half and the packsize compressed is a chunky 26cm x 23cm but the performance is high and it’s almost hidden under a price which is very good indeed.
Read more: Peter’s full Robens Serac 900 -20°C review
Nemo Riff 15
Kirsty Pallas recommends
It’s a great bag with some really nice features, which do add to the weight of the bag a little.- blanket fold collar
- pillow pocket
- weight
- stiff zipping back together
| Quick specs |
|---|
| Price: £399.99 |
| Weight: 1503g for regular, 103g compression sack |
| Fill: 800 FP hydrophobic RDS down |
| Shell: Nylon with waterproof and breathable footbox |
| Zip: 2-way full length, zipper plough on main zip |
| Length: 168cm (regular) |
| Rating: comfort: -9°C |
| Sizes: regular and long |
| Women/Men’s version: yes |
| www.nemoequipment.eu |
The Riff is a cosy bag from Nemo, with a comfort rating of -9 degrees Celsius and a high fill power of hydrophobic down. It features a waterproof footbox shell and baffles for warmth, but lacks body mapped insulation. The zip is two-way and full length, with a ‘zipper plough’ to prevent fabric from getting caught. Thermogills are used for ventilation. The hood is large and comes with a built-in pillow pocket, drawcord, and extra filled flap. The draft tube covers the zip and has an external pocket for a phone.
The bag is advertised as a spoon shape, designed for comfortable side and front sleeping. It comes with a mesh storage sack and a compression bag for packing. The bag is a great choice with some nice features, but adds to its weight.
Read more: Kirsty’s full Nemo Women’s Riff 15 review
Big Agnes Women’s Sidewinder SL 20
Kirtsy Pallas recommends
The Sidewinder is a great bag for side sleepers who are not planning to be out on the coldest nights but still deals well with temperatures hovering around freezing.- price
- side sleeping design
- not as warm
- no compression bag
| Quick specs |
|---|
| Price: £245 |
| Weight: 1216g for regular, 26g stuff sack |
| Fill: 650 FP Downtek with Fireline Eco Synthetic Insulation |
| Shell: Nylon ripstop with water repellent finish |
| Zip: 2 way full length middle zip |
| Length: 178cm for regular |
| Rating: comfort: +1°C |
| Sizes: petite and regular |
| Women/Men’s version: yes |
| www.bigagnes.com |
The Sidewinder is a side sleeping bag with a water repellent down and synthetic insulation in key areas like the hips and footbox. It has a lower fill power and is comfort rated to +1 degrees Celsius. The bag features horizontal baffles and a grid pattern next to the zip, keeping the down in place. The shell and lining are water repellent.
The two-way zip runs full length down the front, with an anti-snag zipper. The hood is a nice size and shape, allowing the head to be fully tucked in. The bag has a draft collar around the outside and a mesh pillow barn around the outside. The zip has draft tubes on each side to keep out drafts. An internal pocket is just about big enough for a phone.
The bag has a classic mummy shape, but the zip up the middle and shaped footbox make it move with you. It comes with a mesh storage bag and a stuff sack, but the stuff sack doesn’t have compression straps.
Read more: Kirsty’s full Big Agnes Women’s Sidewinder SL 20 review
Rab Alpine 800
James Roddie recommends
Overall, the Rab Alpine 800 is a well-rounded sleeping bag for the price and weight, but I would choose a bag with a higher down fill power rating if you are a cold sleeper.- lightweight
- packable to very small size
- not as warm as some other bags of similar weight
| Quick specs |
|---|
| Price: £330 |
| Weight: 1.29kg (regular) |
| Fill: 800g 650 FP hydrophobic RDS duck down |
| Shell: 20d nylon ripstop |
| Zip: 2 way, 3/4 length |
| Length: 215cm (regular) |
| Rating: Limit -16°c. No comfort rating specified. |
| Sizes: regular and long |
| Women/Men’s version: no |
| rab.equipment/uk |
The Alpine 800 is a lightweight, well-designed cold weather sleeping bag with 650 fill-power down, Responsible Down Standard certified, and a Nikwax hydrophobic finish. It is wind-resistant and copes well with damp and windy conditions. The down is stored in trapezoidal baffle chambers, keeping it closer to the body. The tapered mummy shape provides a snug fit, maximising insulation.
An angled foot-box keeps feet warm and minimizes down compression. The bag has an anti-snag zip guard, zip ‘plow,’ thick draft collar, draft tube, and small internal pocket. The outer and lining materials feel soft and comfortable on the skin.
However, the bag sheds feathers more easily than other sleeping bags, raising concerns about longevity. Overall, the Alpine 800 is a well-rounded sleeping bag for its price and weight, but a higher down fill power rating is recommended for cold sleepers.
Read more: James’ full Rab Alpine 800 review
Big Agnes RoxyAnn 3-in-1
Fiona Russell’s verdict
Big Agnes have ticked some eco boxes but there are practical issues with this 3-in-1 system.- versatility
- women’s shape
- weight
- usability
| Quick specs |
|---|
| Price: £349.95 |
| Weight: 1470g |
| Fill: 482g (total) 650 fill DownTek™, Bluesign® PFC-free water-repellency |
| Shell: Nylon Rip-Stop, PFC-free water-repellent finish; lining, GRS certified 100% post-consumer recycled polyester taffeta |
| Construction: box wall |
| Zip: 2-way full-length zip, half 2-way zip |
| Length: regular |
| Rating: -3C comfort |
| Sizes: regular, long |
| Women/Men’s version: yes |
| www.bigagnes.com |
I like the idea of the three-in-one system because it offers good versatility so you can take all, or part, of the bag with you depending on the trip and season. But, in action, the full Big Agnes Roxy Ann set-up is a bit of a hassle. It’s fine when you have time before going to sleep to make sure the inner and outer fit together, but if you get out of the bag at night, to go to the loo for example, it can be frustrating trying to get back into the right section. To do this, you need to concentrate with a headtorch on. This is not ideal when you are half asleep. I think that because the inner has a front zip, while the outer bag has a side zip, this adds further confusion.
I also wouldn’t recommend the Roxy Ann if it’s particularly windy because the fabric doesn’t appear to be very windproof. The inner and outer fabrics feel lovely and silky but the down is a bit clumpy inside the box walls.
Read more: Fiona’s full Big Agnes Roxy Ann 3-in-1 review
Robens Gully 1200
James Roddie’s verdict
The cheapest and heaviest bag in this test is manageable for winter and is likely the most durable sleeping bag in the long term.- durable
- affordable
- only available in long size
| Quick specs |
|---|
| Price: £209.99 |
| Weight: 1980g |
| Fill: 1200g 600FP mix of Thermo Hybrid RDS duck down and MicroThermo Ball synthetic |
| Shell: 50D polyester Taffeta |
| Zip: 2 way, 2/3 length |
| Length: 220cm |
| Rating: comfort: -9°C |
| Sizes: long |
| Women/Men’s version: no |
| www.robens.de |
The Robens Gully 1200 is a 220cm long, affordable winter sleeping bag designed for taller campers. Its spacious mummy shape offers ample freedom of movement. The bag’s materials are durable 50D polyester taffeta for the lining, and its insulation is a hybrid of duck down/MicroThermo Ball synthetic mix on the top and MicroThermo Ball on the bottom.
This waterproof blend insulates the bottom half of the bag, footbox, and hood, making it waterproof and allowing the bag to loft rapidly after compression. The bag features a zipped cushion pocket, two large internal pockets for keeping electronics warm, and an adjustable draft collar. At 1.98kg, it is the heaviest bag in this test, but it is manageable for winter backpacking and is the least expensive option.
It is likely the most durable sleeping bag in the long term.
Read more: James’ full Robens Gully 1200 review
Nemo Disco 15
James Roddie’s verdict
Warm sleepers may be fine in mild winter conditions, but I’d think of the Disco 15 as a 3.5 season bag, rather than a 4 season one.- versatile
- good for side-sleepers
- not particularly warm
| Quick specs |
|---|
| Price: £319.99 |
| Weight: 1250g (regular) |
| Fill: 625g of 650FP hydrophobic RDS duck down |
| Shell: 30D Nylon Ripstop |
| Zip: 2 way, 3/4 length |
| Length: 198cm (regular) |
| Rating: comfort: -4°C |
| Sizes: regular and long |
| Women/Men’s version: yes |
| nemoequipment.com |
The Disco 15 sleeping bag is a spacious and comfortable option for side-sleepers, offering a’spoon’ shape with contouring for extra room around the knees and elbows. It features a waterproof footbox, hood, and two long zipped slits for ventilation, but the zippers are fiddly and prone to snagging.
The main zip includes a zip ‘plow’ to reduce snagging. The Blanket Fold is an unusual feature, acting as an external draft collar, but it requires regular adjustment. The bag has a comfort temperature rating of -4°C, but it may be too warm for some users. The bag is suitable for milder winter conditions, but is a 3.5 season bag for warm sleepers.
The main zip is fiddly and prone to snagging, and the Blanket Fold may be a’marmite’ feature.
Read more: James’ full Nemo Disco 15 review
How we test
Fiona is 173cm tall and UK10. She is a cold sleeper. She is also a side sleeper and likes to be able to move her legs around and curl up inside a sleeping bag. These bags were tested in winter temperates below 0C throughout 2023/2024.
Peter used the bags at camp and in bothies from late autumn 2023 to spring 2024 over a variety of conditions and temperatures. The packed sizes were taken from putting each the same compression sack and the weights were taken on digital scales without any stuff sack.
Kirsty is 154cm tall and size 8, and usually sleeps fairly warm. She’s usually a side or front sleeper, so looks for bags with room for knees and elbows. These sleeping bags were tested in the Scottish Highlands through autumn and winter 2022/23, in both cold and wet conditions.
James is 180cm tall and average width shoulders. He is a ‘cold-sleeper’ and has taken this into consideration. The sleeping bags were tested in a variety of conditions throughout 2023’s winter, spring and autumn in a variety of locations in the Scottish Highlands.
Features to look for in winter sleeping bags
Shape and size
Cold weather sleeping bags often come in a regular and long size, so choose appropriately for your height. A mummy shaped bag hugs your body, making the best use of the insulation. Spoon shaped bags are best for side-sleepers. Women’s bags are generally designed to be shorter and may have insulation in different places to men.
Weight
There is usually a compromise between weight, insulation and price. An ultralight bag will be easier to carry, but either less warm or more expensive, or both.
Fill
Down insulation is very warm, lightweight and compressible, but far less effective when wet. Look for hydrophobic down – this has been treated to improve its water resistance. The higher the down fillpower (FP) rating, the higher quality and warmer the down for its weight. Synthetic insulation is heavier and less durable, but cheaper, quicker to dry and still retains some insulation value when damp.
Shell
A shell material with a higher Denier rating will be more durable, but also heavier. The lightest materials may allow feathers to escape through the material more easily on down bags. For water resistance, look for bags with a water-resistant (DWR) treatment.
Baffles/draft tubes
A draft tube of insulation-filled material running the length of the main zip (inside) helps to prevent heat loss. A draft collar around your shoulders is also crucial in a winter sleeping bag.
Zips and ventilation
These are usually 3/4 length. Shorter zips save weight. Two-way zips allow ventilation. Some bags offer features such as footbox vents.
Temperature ratings
Standard ISO ratings allow you to compare temperature ratings. ‘Comfort rating’ is the temperature at which a ‘standard woman’ is ‘not feeling cold’. ‘Limit rating’ is the temperature at which a ‘standard man’, curled up, resists hypothermia. Comfort in different temperatures varies widely between individuals and will depend on the effectiveness of your overall sleeping system.
Ethics
Down bags contain duck/goose products. Look for RDS certification for cruelty-free down. Synthetic bags can be made from recycled products but have a shorter lifespan, and microfibres can cause environmental issues.
