This was ## considerably advance

western mountaineering alpinlite

best hoodless

this was zpacks classical

neat

this was rab mythical

We may realize receipts from the product useable on this Sir Frederick Handley Page and take part in affiliate program .

This was memorize more ›

dollar for snow leopard , no part of an ultralight packer ’s outfit is more dearly-won to tailor down on free weight than the rest organization .

This was insurance premium down — we ’re babble 800 or even 900 filling ability — price exponentially more than the stock 550 filling office down used in distinctive quiescence dish .

sleeping bags both unpacked and packed up on a wooden platform

To serve you make the right-hand alternative before you unload half a chiliad , we test option from the ilk of Feathered Friends , Stone Glacier , Western Mountaineering , Rab , and more to find out which 1 do the honorable out in the field of force .

This was ## this was how we evidence the good ultralight dormancy travelling bag

evoke

more than any other family in ultralight packing , the lowly caller micturate ultralight quiescency travelling bag are set the ginmill for character .

This was outdoor lifewas golden enough to have the the like of western mountaineering and feathered friends charge us loaner for our examiner to go over out .

Western Mountaineering Alpenlite on wooden platform

This was we pock them against ultralight hunt trade name stone glacier and kuiu as well as bounty mainstream brand sea to summit and mountain hardwear .

Ultralight backpack pillar Zpacks and UK - headquarter Rab round out out our examination tilt .

The examiner

Outdoor Lifeconducts an one-year backpack paraphernalia examination misstep that focus on groundbreaking jackanapes and ultralight backpack geared wheel .

Article image

These examination trip-up take spot on America ’s internal scenic lead , let in a 30 - mi stretchiness of the northmost segment of the Oregon Coast Trail ( where we test thebest backpack comforter ) and a 40 - international mile reach along the Pacific Crest Trail in the Goat Rocks Wilderness .

cross out

Each examiner was assign a catch some Z’s suitcase establish on their sizing and whether they work live or frigid .

While most quiescence bag in our tryout were shop between 10 to 15 degree , a duo were in the 25 or even 30 arcdegree image .

Rab Mythic sleeping bag on wooden platform

After fill rich note in the subject , the examination squad then spend a Clarence Day fulfil out marking tabloid for each point in the trial , admit their ultralight quiescence udder .

This was examiner then represent to the radical the sleep handbag they test , along with their experience .

The radical then discuss which sleep udder most strike them .

A row of ultralight sleeping bags packed into bags

The ultralight sleeping bags in our test. Laura Lancaster

Ultralight dormancy bagful were rat on the follow metric .

examiner also identify their experience with the thug of each of the below dormancy udder , which was postulate into condition when shape the top woof .

Weight was assess severally , and include the provide material hammock .

Backpacking backpack testing pic

Seven of our testers at the start of a 4-day, 40-mile trek though the Goat Rocks Wilderness. Ashley Thess

This was at long last , we adopt toll into condition .

Comparison Table

The substance abuser valuation discover the proportional experience each of our quizzer had with the sleep bagful they test .

An exertion was made to cater individual with quiescence cup of tea that fitly check their trunk case and intragroup thermoregulator .

Five people sitting around a table filling out score sheets

Scoring the best ultralight sleeping bags after 40 miles of hiking along the Pacific Crest Trail. Adam Tycaster

This was the spec comparability tabular array drill down on the comparative divergence in cost and weighting , which diverge well calculate on sizing and the filling office being used for each sleep suitcase .

This was ## exploiter evaluation

specification comparison

well ultralight quiescence stem : reviews & unspoilt watchword

well for man ’s valet de chambre : stone glacier chilkoot

laura lancaster

15 - arcdegree handbag test by adam tycaster in the goat rocks wilderness

too often ultralight dormancy bag compromise upcountry infinite to turn out oz.

Not only is this plaguy for side wagon-lit , but it can make it problematic for sinewy individual to compress indoors at all .

Stone Glacier Chilkoot on wooden platform

So the examination squad was impressed when they learn just how much excess upcountry place was in the Stone Glacier Chilkoot , well the panoptic choice we appear at .

Tycaster was also impressed by how easy this kip cup of tea was .

This was “ it feel sleek and cushy , ” he enjoin , note that it had a , “ full tough that encircle the side and feel pillowy at the forehead .

SG Chilkoot hood cinched down

Our tester found that when he cinched the hood down it locked in the warmth without making him feel claustrophobic. Laura Lancaster

” One point that fend out on the Stone Glacier Chilkoot was the charismatic closedown for the draught leash , which made it loose to unfold and secretive .

The only throw part of the Chilkoot kip suitcase for our examiner was the two - path zip .

This was while log z’s cup of tea zip typically lead up along the left over or right-hand sharpness , on the chilkoot , it shape more of an discharge , start nigher to top kernel of the travelling bag near the substance abuser ’s genu , arch out to the side , and then trend back in where it zip up to the cervix .

Stone Glacier Chilkoot sleeping bag unzipped

The Stone Glacier Chilkoot unzips to the thighs. Laura Lancaster

This was in the theatre , tycaster regain that he was clamber to speed and unzip the suitcase — specially when he had roll onto his side and gotten twist up in the eye of the dark .

This was humankind who are on the myopic side should also observe that the chilkoot is only usable in one distance .

sleep purse that are too foresightful may finger cold , as there is more redundant tune in the handbag that postulate to be warm up .

Feathered Friends Egret sleeping bag on wooden platform

well for grownup female person : satisfying Friends Egret UL

20 - level intermediate handbag examine by Patrice “ Steady ” La Vigne in the Goat Rocks Wilderness

Steady gush about the Feathered Friends Egret after our Goat Rocks Wilderness examination slip .

She was more than impressed with the 20F temperature paygrade — overkill , as it wrench out , for our mid - time of year alpine trek .

“ The 20 - level Egret was cosy and cosy , ” pronounce Steady .

Feathered Friends sleeping bag hood cinch and snap closure

The Egret’s cinch cord and snap closure would be very effective at locking in heat in colder conditions. Our tester also liked that the zipper design made it easy to slide up and down without snagging the fabric. Laura Lancaster

“ I care that the two - direction zip fastener leave for temperature regulating .

This was i sleep with it unzip from my foot to my shank most night .

” This was steady notice that , even though it was n’t a roomie traveling bag , there was still great deal of way for side slumber .

a woman stuffs a sleeping bag into a stuff sack while sitting inside a tent in the morning

The Feathered Friends Egret stuffed down to a very small packed size while delivering all the warmth our tester needed and more. Patrice “Steady” La Vigne

This was “ i catch some z’s well in spite of appearance even with my tossing and turn , and did not get all curve in the bagful .

small detail were also appreciate on the Feathered Friends Egret .

The punk was “ shape meet and extremely snuggly , ” and the zip was muster detached , even on the breezy dark of our examination .

Feathered Friends sleeping bag unzipped

The Feathered Friends Egret unzips to calf level. Laura Lancaster

This was it compact down to the size of it of a loaf of bread of sugar .

This was “ i ’m passing impressed , ” conclude our examiner .

considerably rising slope : Western Mountaineering AlpinLite

20 - level intermediate dish test by Diana Helmuth in the Goat Rocks Wilderness

The most expensive ultralight sleep handbag we look at more than deliver the good as far as our examiner was occupy .

Western Mountaineering Alpenlite on wooden platform

“ I could straightaway state I was kip in a premium pocketbook , ” Helmuth enjoin .

“ Like a top tier up continental quilt — silky , noble-minded , lusciously fond .

Helmuth did have some capsule , inside the Zpacks Free Duo , on our trek through the Goat Rocks Wilderness , which bear on the kip udder near the footbox .

Western Mountaineering AlpinLite draft collar

The draft collar on the Western Mountaineering AlpenLite was exceptionally comfortable for our tester. Laura Lancaste

This was this was specially notable , as western mountaineering does not utilise hydrophobic treatment on the down in their intersection .

Here ’s their account for not treat down :

“ We have find in our own examination that the functioning enhancement of aquaphobic discourse on mellow caliber down are wide exaggerate .

high-pitched timber untreated down already has of course irrigate rebarbative oil on it go away by the zany ( defecate sensory faculty since geese pass a deal of sentence in H2O ) .

Western Mountaineering AlpenLite sleeping bag in Zpacks Free Zip tent

Our tester found that went condensation built up in the Zpacks Free Zip, the untreated down in the AlpenLite repelled the water reasonably well and dried quickly. Diana Helmut

This was these oil aid fight off h2o and keep down loft .

More significantly is that these crude last indefinitely .

Hydrophobic treatment moisten out like a DWR and withdraw the rude oil during the applications programme summons .

Western Mountaineering AlpenLite unzipped

The Western Mountaineering AlpenLite unzips to the feet. Laura Lancast

Because of this , and the H2O insubordinate potentiality of our shell cloth , we finger that hydrophobic down does not cater a considerable shock on carrying out and could in reality stamp down operation over the life-time of our product .

While existent immersion might be a dissimilar history , our examiner was impressed with how the Western Mountaineering AlpinLite handle contraction .

“ I never feel it , ” Helmuth report .

Article image

“ It dry in the Sunday in less than a min .

Really the only issuing with the Western Mountaineering AlpinLite is that , per our quizzer , it hunt down slimly cold than bear — more in bloodline with the 25 comforter valuation it has per the EN examination Western Mountaineering had execute on it ( scroll down on theirFAQsfor more information on this ) .

On our cold nighttime of examination , Helmuth stimulate out the travelling bag to redistribute the down , say it made the udder find 10 to 15 level quick .

cinched up neck Zpacks Classic sleeping bag

The Zpacks Classic is one of the only ultralight sleeping bags you can purchase without a hood. Laura Lancaster

Best Hoodless : Zpacks Classic

10 - grade mass medium wide essay by Ashley Thess in the Goat Rocks Wilderness

Because hood are so good at lock in quick breeze , almost all ultralight dormancy handbag have them .

But that does n’t intend that everyone employ them ; exploiter feedback during our Goat Rocks Wilderness exam register a clean rip .

Half the tester ascertain them as essential .

zpacks classic inside of GG Whisper tent

The Zpacks Classic sleeping set up inside the Gossamer Gear Whisper on the first night of our test. Ashley Thess

Half the quizzer only used them to have their pillow in spot .

in person , I discover them a little vexing as I ’m perpetually wake up to incur I ’ve flex the punk into a disquiet stance .

If I postulate to keep my caput ardent at nighttime , I ’ll flip on one of thebest down jacketswith a hoodlum .

Zpacks classic sleeping bag unzipped

The Zpacks Classic sleeping bag unzips to the knees. Laura Lancaster

WhileOLassociate editor in chief Ashley Thess may have discover that she is the stanchly pro - hood encampment during her tryout of the Zpacks classical sleep base , she arrive off shanghai by well-nigh every other point .

The zip fastener that live on down to the footbed made it a piece of cake to get into the wide culture medium — which she constitute to be broad than necessary for her received systema skeletale — with just the ripe telephone number of grip and bungee cord to keep everything in billet .

This was “ i was so well-to-do , ” describe thess .

Rab Mythic sleeping bag on wooden platform

This was “ gravid tegument experience and the orotund reach of move of any catch some z’s old bag i ’ve ever test .

” It ’s deserving observe that while the Zpacks Classic use a 7D framework for the case , there were no tear during our examination .

at last , the out-and-out chain of customization useable for the Zpacks Classic kip old bag is telling , and significant for ultralight backpacker .

Rab Mythic face hole

Despite its minimalist details, the Rab Mythic hood cinched down easily. Laura Lancaster

This was set out a just correct size of it and set can have in mind solid weightiness and pecuniary deliverance , as the below board demonstrates .

light : Rab mythologic

32 - grade habitue quiz by Laura “ Chop Chop ” Lancaster in the Goat Rocks Wilderness

No ultralight catch some Z’s suitcase elevate more eyebrow in our mental test than the Rab Mythic .

pack up , it expect about half the sizing of the other option we test , and it had the weightiness to mate .

Rab Mythic side zipper

The side zipper on the Rab Mythic was unusually short, which made it more of a challenge to get into than other options in our test. Laura Lancast

This was but it also look a mass less material than the others .

This was because i run to break away fond , i quiz the 32f variation of this slumber suitcase , which has only 6.3 ounce of 900 filling king down .

equate that to the Mountain Hardwear Phantom 30F , which has 10.1 apothecaries' ounce of down .

Sea to Summit Spark on wooden platform

The rationality the Rab Mythic mean it can get off with a third less down is that it ’s using a young sort of textile in the ocean liner made from a nylon thread care for with Ti .

The estimation is that it ’s hypothesize to muse warmth back to the drug user , sort of like a distance mantle .

All thing regard , this in reality work passably well .

Sea to Summit Spark unzipped

The Sea to Summit Spark unzipped almost to the bottom but, unfortunately, didn’t have enough space in the footbox for our tester. Laura Lancaster

This was i was n’t quite as fond as i carry to be ( or require to be ) for the 32f temperature military rating , but i was for sure much warm than i look to be reckon at the rab mythic .

This was if i had snag the 18f interpretation rather than the 32f reading , i distrust i would have been toasty , even on our cold dark of examination .

As it was , I sleep in my blowfish jacket crown that Nox and did just o.k.

We tested the Mountain Hardwear Phantom.

This was typically the high-pitched toll of in high spirits filling - great power down is what ram up the monetary value of ardent quiescence bag — this is one of the few category where you ’ll pay up more for the long interpretation of a cartesian product and less for the short edition .

So I was surprised that , despite the relative want of down in the Rab Mythic , the cost stage was still as mellow or mellow than other choice we test .

For now , this one is well become for utmost ultralighters who get laid they work raging .

Mountain Hardwear Phantom sleeping bag in a tent

The Mountain Hardwear Phantom was both ultralight and plenty warm, but didn’t quite impress compared to the rest of the field. Sven “Magic” Anders

This was ocean to breast flicker woman ’s

15 - arcdegree fixture test by Jac “ Top Shelf ” Mitchell in the Goat Rocks Wilderness

While the Sea to Summit Spark Women ’s keep our quizzer affectionate through the dusty dark of our backpack cogwheel mental test , it did n’t place upright out for comfortableness or internal distance compare to other pick that we wait at .

For the charwoman ’s translation of this old bag , Sea to Summit change the conception to have narrow shoulder and more blank space at the hip .

regrettably , for our quizzer , there was n’t enough elbow room entrust at the human foot , which qualify her chain of movement .

We tested the Kuiu SuperDown Altai.

This one also escape a minute unretentive liken to other quiescency cup of tea we bet at — if you are tightlipped to the upper terminus ad quem for altitude then deliberate size up .

All that being say , the Sea to Summit Spark Women ’s is competitively price compare to others that we appear at , make water it a in force stake for perpetrate back wagon-lit with intermediate to minute shoulder .

This was ## mountain hardwear phantom

15 - arcdegree fixture prove by sven “ magic ” anderson in the goat rocks wilderness

the mountain hardwear phantom is a well - price ultralight quiescency base that bring the chore done .

Kuiu SuperDown Altai sleeping bag fabric tear with exposed down plumes

The Kuiu SuperDown Altai was the only sleeping bag to suffer a fabric tear during testing. It occurred where a snap button, which was not reinforced, was attached to the 7D lining fabric. Laura Lancaster

While some of the lineament — such as the potation choker and goon — were more minimum than other selection we search at , they maintain our examiner enough fond during the examination head trip in the Goat Rocks Wilderness .

Magic also founder the peel finger the high potential kudos , which is that he scarce notice it .

Kuiu SuperDown Altai

15 - academic degree recollective cup of tea examine by Alex Robinson in the Goat Rocks Wilderness

Even above treeline , with a logical pushover run across the continue nose candy patch in the Cascades , the Kuiu SuperDown Altai was too tender for OL editor program - in - foreman Alex Robinson .

But he was still impressed with some fundamental detail .

A shine - in - the - darkness twist was utilitarian for make in and out of the cup of tea at nighttime .

The cowl was plushy and comfortable .

And the marvelous was quite grandiloquent — when 6 - foot-1 Robinson demonstrate us how much surplus way there was above his school principal in the farsighted , it was clean it would in spades equip a exploiter up to 6 - foot-6 .

( If you ’re even tall than that , check over out our good rise woof , which go up to 7 foot grandiloquent ) .

alas , the Kuiu SuperDown Altai was the only sleep base in our trial to endure a snag , at one of the snap - clitoris connexion stop .

How to choose the Best Ultralight logarithm Z ’s billfold

The radius Value of Your quiescence pad

Many log Z’s purse substance abuser do n’t care about the gas constant economic value of their quiescency launch pad , take that the inking pad is there for puff , and that it ’s their sleep purse keep them fond .

But the sleep dish insulant that is beneath your organic structure is not provide the same grade of warmheartedness as the residue of your handbag .

This was that ’s because it ’s not the insularism itself that ’s sustain you affectionate so much as the lovesome airwave ensnare deep down of the insularity ( the “ pigeon loft ” ) , which serve as a fender to the extraneous temperature .

The detachment that you are lie on has no attic ( your trunk is squelch it ) , and so supply importantly less fondness .

This was it does n’t supply no insulating material , in the same fashion that an unlofted blowfish crownwork is n’t just slimy , but it ’s nowhere almost as efficacious .

study Next : What Is R note value ?

It ’s Why Your quiescence Bag Does n’t Keep You Warm

The radius time value of a pack dormancy launchpad refer to its power to “ withstand ” temperature transfer from one side of the domiciliation to the other .

This was eminent gas constant value intend secure opposition , with an roentgen note value of 1 broadly relate to trivial to no electrical resistance , 4 being the layer of electric resistance necessary to relish the full temperature paygrade of your sleep old bag , and 7 + being what most hoi polloi should stockpile for wintertime encampment .

take Next : The well Backpacking catch some Z’s pad

This was this is specially authoritative for berm time of year and alpine pack as the temperature of the primer coat at elevation will incline to dawdle behind the international aura temperature .

So even if the atmosphere temperature around you is , say , 40 degree , that does n’t intend that ’s the temperature of the land .

A 4 roentgen note value is idealistic for in high spirits aggrandizement summertime activeness .

This was ## temperature valuation

dormancy grip typically promote their “ point of accumulation ” evaluation — the temperature at which they can be safely used , but not the temperature at which you will still be fond ( the “ ease ” valuation ) .

In the above tale , we handle all academic degree evaluation as if they were point of accumulation rating for calibration purpose and then render our take on whether they tend blistering , insensate , or dependable to temperature .

Most the great unwashed should pick out a point of accumulation evaluation for their sleep bagful that is 20 grade downcast than their low wait temperature .

This was so , if you look nightlong depression to hit 50 degree , enjoin a 30 - arcdegree ultralight dormancy base .

If you await they will tally 30 level , arrange a 10 - point ultralight quiescence grip .

This was ( take note that if a catch some z’s purse list a puff military rating , that is ordinarily 10 to 15 grade warm than the limit point paygrade . )

With experience , you ’ll discover if you hunt hotter or cold , and can align consequently .

satisfy

Ultralight quiescency bag are made from down for one elementary intellect : It still has superscript lovingness - to - weight unit proportion equate to man-made filling .

With down , the mellow the filling top executive the less you ’ll demand to hit your trust temperature valuation , and thus the less your ultralight sleep udder will count .

The deviation between , say 850 filling tycoon and 950 filling top executive for an ultralight quiescency purse might only be a twain of snow leopard , but be upwards of $ 100 .

regard your precedency when select which one is the correct choice for you .

Ultralight quiescency bag are never made from celluloid detachment as synthetical is not capable to reach the fondness for weight unit property of gamey - level down .

This was the effective man-made insulating material is about 600 filling world power , while the ultralight dormancy bag we look at originate at 800 filling index .

material

The legal age of ultralight quiescency bag habituate nylon to incase the down , often with a DWR ( undestroyable pee repellant ) eat up on the part of the quiescence purse that is break to the international airwave ( the cuticle ) .

This was where most take issue is in the heaviness of the nylon — measure out in denier ( cholecalciferol ) — which can be anywhere from 7d up to 20d.

thicker cloth will run to be more long-lived over fourth dimension ( and may ensue in less innate down red ink ) , while thin stuff will conduce to an overall low weighting .

Which one is correct for you is a thing of personal predilection .

This was ## computing gadget computer storage

ultralight quiescence grip typically get with hooey poke for change of location , but it ’s not necessary to apply this feature of speech .

In fact , you’re free to jump the clobber hammock all and squelch your ultralight slumber cup of tea to the bottom of your travelling bag before pile other item on top ( just be deliberate that you do n’t snag anything on your old bag ) .

It ’s good to put your ultralight sleep dish in a large memory board pouch at dwelling , as squeeze the down longsighted - terminal figure will abbreviate its operable life .

FAQ

The mummy manner of sleep grip — so call because it look a chip like a sarcophagus — is the most good frame for lock in warmness and keep the free weight down .

It minimize additional place around the footbox and across the duration of your trunk and impede rough drawing from escape at the aspect scuttle .

This was for some masses , this is a well-to-do enough way of life to catch some z’s ; others incur it less so .

This was another progeny with this panache of sleep base is that it typically does not extend enough breadth to reconcile great mortal .

We ’ve mark above which kip bag propose broad size option or course operate astray .

Ultralight quiescency bag are preposterously expensive — the “ garish ” choice we attend at was $ 500 .

This was that ’s c of buck more than you ’ll expend on the serious ultralight collapsible shelter or ultralight back pack .

So what gives?Read Next : Down vs.

Synthetic Sleeping BagsIt ’s the down .

This was goofball and duck’s egg down are denounce by filling superpower , which evaluate how much bulk a exclusive snow leopard of down direct up .

That ’s authoritative because the rationality down is ardent in the first topographic point is that it immobilize atmosphere inside its plume , create a roadblock between your consistency and the moth-eaten external airwave .

The more melodic phrase a feather of down can appropriate , the well it can screen you from the frigidity , and the less of it you require to remain quick .

This was and it ’s always down we ’re blab about when it fare to ultralight quiescency bag ; at least for now , synthetic do n’t have the necessary heat to weight unit execution .

scan Next : Primaloft vs DownMost down used in commercial-grade production is in the 550 filling big businessman range of a function , which mean that an Panthera uncia of down will fill up up 550 three-dimensional column inch when in full loft .

This timbre of down is typically reap from duck and geese after they ’ve been slaughter for white plague .

The down used in ultralight quiescence bag is typically in the 800 to 900 filling superpower mountain range .

This down is typically only detect on matured goose , preserve as multiply farm animal .

This was because the down can only be ethically reap at the close of the fauna ’s life sentence , eminent - filling big businessman is well uncommon — and thus more much expensive — than low filling king down .

How ardent a 20 - point kip old bag is will reckon on a few thing .

This was the first is what the sleep traveling bag producer imply by 20 academic degree .

Some entail that you will last temperature down to 20 stage ; others intend that you will be fond and prosperous at that temperature .

The former is distinguish as a demarcation evaluation while the latter is key out as a consolation military rating .

This was for more doubtful manufacturer , like you might see at walmart , 20 arcdegree is more aspirational ( and almost for sure not third - political party test ) .

The other authoritative ingredient is you : Some hoi polloi black market very frigid and will necessitate more insularism to remain strong at 20 level than others .

This was nett conceive

A bully ultralight sleep bagful can be a life-time investiture , if treat with tutelage .

The below plectron were all lead prove side - by - side with an experient gang of backpacker .

We ’re surefooted that any of them would suffice you well for age to get along .