A quality sleep directly impacts how you feel and perform on the trail the following day. That’s why you’ll want a quality sleeping bag for proper rest and sleep at night. Backpacking sleeping bags are expensive, but a quality sleeping bag is essential for a good night’s sleep. The good news is that there are also great backpacking sleeping bags that are budget-friendly. They also offer great balance between cost and performance.
A budget-friendly sleeping bag doesn’t mean that you will compromise on quality. It means you just need to find the right features, materials, and designs for your needs. In fact, I found based on my experiments that many budget options provide excellent insulation, durability, and a comfortable sleeping experience.
But it’s not easy to find such sleeping bags, especially when the market offers plenty of options from different price ranges. To help you to find the best budget-friendly backpacking sleeping bags, we have found and reviewed the top options, with top picks from Kelty Cosmic 20 Down Mummy Sleeping Bag, Marmot Trestles Elite Eco 20, and more.
Top Budget Sleeping Bags Review
1. Kelty Cosmic 20 Down Sleeping Bag
The Kelty Cosmic Down 20 is overall the best budget backpacking sleeping bag, impressing us with its exceptional performance in the $150–$180 price range. With 550-fill down, it works well in three seasons and provides enough warmth for chilly weather. Its quality and comfort really make it a worthy investment.
It provides ample space in the footbox, so I never felt uneasy while moving my feet freely. It offers a reasonable warmth-to-weight ratio and packs down small. However, unlike premium down bags, it lacks the insulation and space-saving packability.
For a three-season sleeping bag, this budget option really provides enough features to weigh in. The zipper quality is not bad either, as highlighted by a few customers. I never had issues with it or felt it was of low quality.
Although it’s not as warm as some premium bags, such as the 950-fill down Feathered Friends Swallow UL 20, its price tag really makes a huge difference. The Feathered Friends Swallow UL 20, priced at $629, is four times more costly, which is beyond the budget of most backpackers.
Down fill power directly impacts the price of the bag and warmth. In case you can spend a few extra bucks, the Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass 15, priced at $285, with 650-fill down, is an excellent option.
All in all, the Kelty Cosmic Down 20 is an amazing sleeping bag, especially for occasional or new backpackers looking for a budget-friendly option.
Read More: Kelty Cosmic 20 Down Sleeping Bag Review
2. Marmot Trestles Elite Eco 20
If you want synthetic instead of down, the Marmot Trestles Elite Eco 20 is a budget-friendly synthetic sleeping bag option. We always prefer down sleeping bags due to their extra warmth and excellent packability. A synthetic sleeping bag is an excellent choice if you mostly backpack in wet or rainy weather, as it provides more warmth and dries more quickly than down fill power in wet conditions.
The Trestles Elite Eco 20 also packs down small compared to similar synthetic sleeping bags. It provides ample ventilation, thanks to its additional zipper, making it a good option for warm weather. It works well in three-season conditions with its 32.2-degree Fahrenheit rating.
However, it’s not as warm as the Koltey or Bishop Pass 15 sleeping bags, making it unsuitable for winter weather. The stuff sack that comes with the Trestles Elite Eco 20 is also bulky, so I advise buying a separate lightweight compression sack, although that will cost you a bit more.
In terms of comfort, it provides enough space for your legs, shoulders, and hips to move easily, making it a good option for side sleepers too. It’s not as lofty as down sleeping bags, but still provides enough comfort.
That said, if water resistance is not important, we recommend opting for the Kelty Cosmic down for better packability and warmth. Otherwise, the Trestles Elite Eco 20 is an excellent option for rainy and wet weather conditions, and it lasts longer with minimal maintenance compared to other synthetic sleeping bags.
3. Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass 15 Sleeping Bag
The Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass 15 is a warm and lightweight 650-fill down sleeping bag priced at just $285. If you can spend a few extra bucks compared to the Koltey Cosmic, then the Mountain
Hardwear Bishop Pass 15, with its excellent warmth-to-weight ratio, is a great mid-range down sleeping bag option. When we compare it with more expensive premium sleeping bags with over 800 fill power, this sleeping bag really provides great value for the money.
Even though it has lower fill power than premium bags, it still offers great warmth. It’s slightly heavier than expensive models but still the lightest option compared to synthetic bags. It’s soft and comfortable, like any other down-filled sleeping bag, and much better than synthetic ones.
Another important feature is its ventilation, thanks to the full-length zipper. If you feel hot, you can open the zipper and adjust it to your liking.
In terms of space, it’s much roomier and more comfortable, even if you’re a side sleeper or tend to change sides frequently. Even if you’re a tall person, this bag still provides ample room for a comfortable sleep. The packed size is also reasonable and easy to fit in your backpack.
However, to compress the bag further, we suggest using a separate stuff sack if you want to save more space in your pack.
How To Choose Budget Backpacking Sleeping Bag
Warmth and Temperature Rating
Before buying any sleeping bag, you need to understand the insulation types. There are different categories of sleeping bags, such as three-season and four-season options, available on the market. Make sure you understand the temperature rating and know your needs based on your climate and whether you’re going backpacking.
Related: Down vs. Synthetic Sleeping Bag
Buying the wrong sleeping bag can ruin your backpacking experience. That’s why you’ll want to understand the down fill power and the quality of the sleeping bag.
Fill power is directly proportional to the relative quality of down. This means the higher the fill power number, the better the quality of the down. High-quality down provides better loft, which improves insulation because high loft traps more warmth.
Additionally, such sleeping bags are lightweight and easy to pack. That said, quality down is very expensive, and not everyone can afford it. For example, the Kelty Cosmic down sleeping bag has a fill power of 550 and is priced at $118 (regular version). On the other hand, the best sleeping bag (Feathered Friends Swallow UL 20) fill power is 950, and its price is $629. This shows the huge difference in price as fill power increases.
I don’t recommend buying an expensive backpacking sleeping bag if you’re just starting out. Go with more affordable options like the Kelty or Cosmic, for instance. These sleeping bags provide enough insulation for three seasons and will keep you warm.
The temperature rating of the Kelty is 20°F, but if I go backpacking somewhere where I know the temperature will drop below 20°F, I carry a sleeping bag liner. The liner increases insulation while protecting the sleeping bag from getting dirty. In warm weather, I use the liner directly instead of the sleeping bag.
Packability and Weight
Packed size is an important distinction between camping and backpacking sleeping bags. Camping sleeping bags offer more comfort and space for sleeping, but they don’t pack light. When backpacking, every ounce counts, which is why down fill power matters in backpacking sleeping bags.
High-quality down is lightweight and packs small, saving plenty of space for other backpacking gear.
You need to choose a sleeping bag with the right warmth-to-weight ratio for your needs. I recommend down sleeping bags for ultralight backpacking, as they pack smaller compared to synthetic sleeping bags.
The Kelty Cosmic is a great budget option that packs down small, though not as small as ultralight backpackers might want.
Also, consider using a quality sleeping bag stuff sack for better compression and packability to save space. Sleeping bags take up more space in your backpack, so you’ll also need a good backpacking pack to easily fit all your gear.
Price Range
A quality and expensive sleeping bag outperforms most other budget sleeping bags. There’s no doubt that an expensive sleeping bag is worth spending on for a quality night outside. If you sleep well in the backcountry, you’ll wake up feeling fresh and energetic the next morning and perform much better on the trail.
For instance, the Western Mountaineering MegaLite is an excellent sleeping bag, but its price is $580. However, not all backpackers can afford those ultralight, high-quality sleeping bags. That doesn’t mean budget backpacking sleeping bags can’t do the job on the trail. There are quite a few affordable synthetic sleeping bag options available, such as the Marmot Trestles Elite Eco 20. Its price is just $150 and provides a great warmth-to-weight ratio.
And if you can spend a bit more, then the Bishop Pass 15 Sleeping Bag, priced at $285, is another great mid-range sleeping bag with an amazing down fill power of 650. But premium options are very costly and are a huge investment. I don’t recommend them unless you regularly go backpacking and have long-term backpacking plans.
However, the plus side of these expensive sleeping bags is that, if properly cared for, they can serve you for years.
Summary
Opting for a budget backpacking sleeping bag does not mean you’re compromising on quality. You just have to trade off a few features, such as down fill power, weight, and packability, for a lower price. You don’t need a premium bag at the high end of the budget spectrum if you’re just starting out. There are plenty of budget-friendly options that serve well in the backcountry. Budget options typically come with less down fill power, and some feature synthetic fill (ideal for wet weather), offering great value for the money.
Looking at mid-tier bags, like the Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass 15, they come with higher fill power and provide better insulation. They offer more comfort and durability at slightly higher prices. However, premium sleeping bags, while offering exceptional warmth, comfort, and packability, are very expensive.
The best budget sleeping bag will depend on your backpacking conditions, insulation needs, and budget.
