7 Best Cold Weather Sleeping Bags in 2023

Today, you have our selection of the 7 best cold-weather sleeping bags from leading outdoor brands in a variety of designs and impressive temperature ratings for complete protection no matter how cold it gets.

What Is Included In The List?

All the cold-weather sleeping bags here have incredible temperature ratings, making them suitable for the lowest possible temperatures. But it’s the design and the materials that make the difference. The materials and design can affect thermal efficiency, weight, and packed size.

So you shouldn’t always trust the official rating; it is best to test yourself if you can or check out some reviews. Some bags come with independent testing, but those are always done for some “typical” user.

The choice of materials is very much related to the weight and packed size; those with synthetic insulation are always bulky and heavy. In other words, some sleeping bags here are only for car camping and basecamps, but some are ultralight and can be carried on the trail.

These are all solo sleeping bags, so you might want to check out our article if you’re looking for the best double camping sleeping bags; some can also be used in freezing weather.

7 Best Cold Weather Sleeping Bags

The sleeping bags in the list below are ordered by weight from heaviest to lightest:

If you are new to winter sleeping bags, it’s worth noting the products above are the best-known in this industry. This is reflected in the very high prices of some of the bags (but some are incredibly affordable). We have a separate article with ultralight insulated sleeping pads for backpacking; they combine nicely with these sleeping bags.

1. ALPS OutdoorZ Redwood -25 Degree Flannel Sleeping Bag

• Weight: 13 lbs
• Temperature Rating: -25 F
• Dimensions: 80″ x 38″
• Pack Size: 19″ x 16″

The ALPS OutdoorZ Redwood -25 Degree Sleeping Bag is cotton and flannel, making it a comfy sleeping bag. But the sleeping bag is heavy, which is why it is in such a position it is on the list; it weighs 13 lb (5.9 kg).

The temperature rating is -25 F (-32 C), thanks to synthetic insulation. Due to it being synthetic, the insulation works well even in wet conditions. But this can not be said for the shell and the liner. The bag is rectangular, large, and without a hood, so these features are not very good for extreme cold, but there is a drawstring so you can cinch it under your neck.

Best For Car Camping

Pros:

• Excellent dimensions
• It provides a good amount of warmth
• It’s nice on the skin

Cons:

• It’s very heavy & has a bulky pack size
• There’s no hood

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

It uses a heavy-duty plastic zipper that can be unzipped entirely so that you can use it as a warm blanket. It can also be zipped onto another sleeping bag of a similar style to create a double-size bag.

The dimensions are 80 x 38 inches (203 x 97 cm), and when rolled, it is bulky; it measures (L x D) 19 x 16 inches (48 x 41 cm). They give a lifetime warranty against defects in materials or workmanship, and the bag is very affordable.

This versatile bag can be used in several seasons, but its weight and packed size make it better for places with car access.

2. Browning Camping McKinley -30 Degree Sleeping Bag

• Weight: 12.12 lbs
• Temperature Rating: -30 F
• Dimensions: 90″ x 36″
• Pack Size: 27″ x 17″

This Browning Camping McKinley -30 Degree Sleeping Bag makes our list of best cold weather sleeping bags because of its large rectangular structure and that it comes with a hood. The first feature provides excellent comfort, and the second improves its thermal efficiency. The temperature rating is impressive -30 F (-34 C), making it a perfect choice if you sleep outdoors in extreme weather conditions.

Best Budget Option

Pros:

• It’s very thick & feels comfortable
• Excellent cold protection
• Very reasonable price

Cons:

• Too heavy
• Packed size is too large

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

The synthetic insulation is called Techloft Insulation and comes with 160 oz (4.54 kg) of insulation material. The total weight is 12 lb 12 oz (5.78 kg). The shell fabric is a very durable 210T nylon diamond ripstop, while you have a pleasant brushed polyester liner inside.

This is a 2-layer offset construction that eliminates cold spots. The zippers are #10, very strong, and durable. The packed size is (L x D) 27 x 17 inches (68 x 43 cm), and the overall dimensions of the bag are 90 x 36 inches (229 x 91 cm).

3. Browning Camping Denali -30 Degree Mummy Sleeping Bag

• Weight: 6.15 lbs
• Temperature Rating: -30 F
• Dimensions: 86″ x 38″
• Pack Size: 24″ x 15″

When you see how this Browning Camping Denali -30 Degree Mummy Sleeping Bag is built, you can understand why it has excellent thermal efficiency. It’s very narrow in the feet area but provides lots of space in the shoulder area with 38 inches (97 cm) width and a warm adjustable hood.

Best For Broad Shoulders

Pros:

• Works excellently in cold weather
• Great for people with wide shoulders
• Brillant price range

Cons:

• Large packed size
• Narrow at the feet

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

The insulation is synthetic TechLoft Silver insulation, and you’ll find 122 oz (3.46 kg) of it in the sleeping bag. The bag’s total weight is 6 lb 15 oz (3.1 kg), which is pretty average on this list.

The packed size (L x D) is 24 x 15 inches (61 x 38 cm), and its overall dimensions are incredible; it measures 86 x 38 in (218 x 97 cm). The shell is a durable 210T nylon diamond ripstop, and the inner liner is a 210T polyester.

4. ALPS Mountaineering Blaze -20 Degree Mummy Sleeping Bag

• Weight: 8.6 lbs
• Temperature Rating: -20 F
• Dimensions: 80″ x 32″
• Pack Size: 19″ x 10.5″

This ALPS Mountaineering Blaze -20 Degree Mummy Sleeping Bag is again a mummy-style bag with an impressive rating of -20 F (-29 C). This is a basecamp or car camping bag built in two sizes, XL and R, and they have different weights, as you can see 8 lb 6 oz (3.8 kg) and 6 lb 12 oz (3.06), respectively.

Best Build Quality

Pros:

• Extremely warm in cold weather
• Excellent craftsmanship
• Good price for what you get

Cons:

• Huge packed size
• Narrow at the feet

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

They use TechLoft Silver insulation, so this is synthetic with multiple denier staple-length fibers with a siliconized finish. The shell fabric is a ripstop polyester, and they give a limited lifetime warranty and claim that it will be free of defects.

5. Marmot CWM -40 Degree Sleeping Bag

• Weight: 4.9 lbs
• Temperature Rating: -40 F
• Dimensions: 80″ x 32″
• Pack Size: 19″ x 9.5″

Here you have a backpack-portable sleeping bag for extreme weather conditions. They build it in two sizes, and the weight is 4 lb 9 oz (2066 g) for size R and 5 lb (2268 g) for size L.

The packed dimensions are (L x D) 19 x 9.5 inches (48 x 24 cm). The two sizes are for users up to 6 ft (183 cm) and 6 ft 6 in (198 cm).

The official temperature rating is -40 F (-40 C), one of the best temperature ratings on this list. It is important to stress that this bag is EN tested where the testing implies “standard” man and woman, and for men, this means 25 years old, 1.73 m tall, and weighing 73 kg (160 lb).

Best Cold Limit

Pros:

• One of the warmest sleeping bags
• Built with excellent materials
• Comes in two sizes.

Cons:

• It’s on the expensive range

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

The shell is waterproof, you have their PertexShield 30D 100% nylon two layer 2.3 oz/yd, and the bag includes a warm hood with a 6-baffle construction here. The rest of the sleeping bag has a flexible cross-baffle structure that prevents movement inside the baffles and eliminates cold spots.

Yet another detail is that side seams are moved to ground level, and they claim this increases the temperature efficiency. A part of this efficiency is its overall shape which is a narrow-cut mummy style. The lining is Pertex Microlight 30D 100% ripstop nylon 1.3 oz/yd.

6. Marmot Col -20 Degree Sleeping Bag

• Weight: 4.6 lbs
• Temperature Rating: -20° F
• Dimensions: 86″ x 38″
• Pack Size: 19″ x 9.5″

This Marmot Col -20 Degree bag has premium down insulation and a waterproof yet breathable shell. It is highly compressible, very soft, and comfortable and provides a perfect warmth-to-weight ratio.

The insulation is a certified 800+ Power Goose Down which is among the best materials regarding thermal efficiency. The official temperature rating is -20° F (-29° C).

The bag weighs 4 lb 6 oz (1990 g) due to its light Pertex Shield fabric, which is 30D 100% nylon and is entirely waterproof. So if you need something for damp conditions yet filled with a natural down, this is it.

The liner is a Pertex Microlight 30D 100% nylon. With such materials, the bag is ideal for mountaineers and cold weather in general, particularly for hikers and backpackers.

Top Brand

Pros:

• It’s lightweight
• Packs down small
• Down insulation

Cons:

• High price

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

They applied a sewn-through cross baffle construction to eliminate cold spots, so the down is evenly distributed. You have a baffled hood for increased thermal efficiency, plus an insulated draft tube sewn behind the full-length zipper. The foot box is relatively narrow, as you would expect from a mummy-style bag. A stuff sack and storage sack are included.

Here are a few more numbers you might want to know: Shoulder girth is 63 inches (160 cm), hip circumference is 61 inches (155 cm), and foot box size is 45 inches (114.3 cm). The stuff sack measures (L x D) 19 x 9.5 inches (48 x 24 cm). The packed volume is around 16 liters.

7. Therm-a-Rest Polar Ranger Minus 20-Degree Expedition Sleeping Bag

• Weight: 3.4 lbs
• Temperature Rating: -20 F
• Dimensions: 80″ x 31″
• Pack Size: 20″ x 11″

Therm-A-Rest is a genuine technical expedition sleeping bag designed for extreme conditions and tested by Arctic explorer Eric Larsen. You have a snorkel hood introduced to control the frost created by your breath.

This is supposed to eliminate warmth-sapping cross drafts, and because of its position where moisture and vapor accumulate, they have introduced a synthetic fill in this part.

But the rest of the bag is filled with down insulation. This is a quality 800-fill goose Nikwax hydrophobic down, and it comes with the RDS certificate. In the specifications, they write that it dries three times faster than an untreated down and is also without dangerous PFCs.

Top Pick

Pros:

• Incredible weight
• Super packed size
• Professional build
• One of the warmest tents

Cons:

• Super expensive

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

Other features include a foot warmer pocket; an additional insulated pocket within the foot box. Side vents also allow for arm use and customizable temperature control. You also have overlapping draft tubes to prevent cold spots when zippers are closed.

The bag comes with what they call the SynergyLink Connectors, the straps under the bag that keep the sleeping pad in place. They build the bag in two sizes, and this is also an ultralight sleeping bag. The R size weighs 3 lb 4 oz (1.47 kg), and the L size weighs 3 lb 7 oz (1.56 kg). This is something you can carry on the trail.

We asked them about independent testing and got a reply that the new ISO standard testing protocol is applied to all their bags. The fabric is a 20D polyester ripstop shell fabric with a DWR, and the lining is a 20D polyester taffeta. The bag is very compressible, and the storage and compression sack are included. The packed size (L x D) is 20 x 11 inches (51 x 28 cm).

The dimensions are 80 x 31 inches (203 x 79 cm) for the R size and 85 x 32.5 inches (216 x 83 cm) for the L size. Officially the R size is for users up to 72 inches (183 cm), and the L size is for users up to 78 inches (198 cm).

Final Thoughts

So this was our list of the 7 best cold weather sleeping bags, a collection with very different designs for various activities in a cold environment. Now, how to choose?

You might want to look around; our site has lots of great outdoor stuff. Check out these extra heavy-duty camping cots for heavy people for off-ground sleeping and our list of impressive heavy-duty canvas tents for camping.

Your extreme cold sleeping bag may not be enough, so check out these extreme cold weather camping tents. You can also take a look at sleeping pads for cold weather or these best self-inflating sleeping pads for camping.