Winter expeditions into the outdoors can be an unforgettable experience full of beautiful snowy views and the tranquility of nature. However, to avoid being caught off guard by freezing temperatures during the night, you need to choose a quality winter sleeping bag. In this article, we’ll look at how to pick the right one and share our tips on the best winter sleeping bags available on the market.
How to Choose a Winter Sleeping Bag
We’ve put together a comprehensive sleeping bag buying guide HERE. But in general, choosing the right winter sleeping bag depends on several factors:
Temperature Comfort and Limits
Will you be sleeping in the UK countryside, in Norway, or in Antarctica? Every sleeping bag has labelled temperature ratings:
- Comfort: The temperature at which most users feel comfortable.
- Limit: The lowest temperature at which it’s possible to sleep safely, but without comfort.
- Extreme: The temperature at which the sleeping bag provides survival only, not comfort.
When choosing a winter sleeping bag, we recommend selecting a model with a comfort temperature of approximately −10 °C or lower if you plan winter expeditions in extreme conditions.
Insulation Material
Another factor you need to pay attention to is the insulation material.
- Down: Offers the best weight-to-thermal-insulation ratio, but is less resistant to moisture.
- Synthetic: Better at resisting moisture, easier to clean, and usually cheaper, but tends to be heavier and bulkier.
If you’ll be moving in extremely wet conditions, consider synthetic insulation; otherwise, a down sleeping bag is better and offers greater thermal comfort.
Weight and Packability
On winter expeditions, every gram matters. Down tends to be lighter and more compressible, but synthetic sleeping bags can be more practical in less predictable conditions.
Sleeping Bag Shape
If you’re travelling light, look for a sleeping bag with low weight and good compressibility (e.g. a down sleeping bag with a quality stuff sack). Otherwise, you can choose from these shapes:
- Mummy shape: The most common choice for winter sleeping bags due to efficient heat retention.
- Rectangular shape: Offers more room but isn’t as warm.
Price and Brand
Investing in a quality winter sleeping bag pays off, especially if you plan frequent outdoor trips. Trusted brands include Sir Joseph, Husky, Pinguin, Warmpeace, Cumulus, Mountain Equipment, and Mammut.
Accessories
When choosing a winter sleeping bag, you may also want to look for these features:
- An insulated draft collar around the neck.
- A hood with a drawcord.
- A two-way zip for easier handling.
Best Winter Sleeping Bags
To help you with your choice, we’ve selected and rated 10 of the best winter sleeping bags for adults.
| Ranking | Sleeping Bag Name | Approximate Price |
|---|---|---|
| 🥇 1st place | KWAK Skokan | €520 |
| 🥈 2nd place | Ferrino Nightec 800 | €140 – €180 |
| 🥉 3rd place | Warmpeace Viking 1200 | €320 |
| 4th place | Sir Joseph Rimo III 850 (200 cm) | €220 – €340 |
| 5th place | Patizon R900 S | €320 – €380 |
| 6th place | Mountain Equipment Glacier 450 Long Men’s | €320 |
| 7th place | Warmpeace Viking 900 (180 cm) | €230 – €360 |
| 8th place | Pinguin Expert CCS (185 cm) | €120 |
| 9th place | Trimm Balance (195 cm) | €50 – €85 |
| 10th place | Husky Down Dopy | €160 |
1) Winter Sleeping Bag with Nanomaterial – KWAK Skokan
The Czech brand KWAK is renowned for its technological excellence and use of advanced nanomaterials. The KWAK Skokan sleeping bag is a winter mummy sleeping bag filled with goose down (90/10 ratio) and a fill power of 650 cuin. The outer material is NANO nylon Ultra RipStop Shell with a DWR C6 treatment that provides water repellency and oleophobicity. The comfort temperature is -5 °C, limit -12 °C, and extreme -32 °C.
Winter Sleeping Bag with Nanomaterial – KWAK Skokan
- Innovative nanomaterial
- Excellent insulation and water repellency
- High comfort in extreme conditions
2) Ferrino Nightec 800
This winter sleeping bag from the renowned Italian brand Ferrino uses a synthetic microfibre fill that mimics the structure of down. It offers a balanced ratio between thermal performance, weight, and packability. It features two zips for easy ventilation and a drawcord hood with a One Touch system. The comfort temperature is -8 °C, limit -15 °C, and extreme -36 °C.
Ferrino Nightec 800
- Balanced performance-to-price ratio
- Great moisture resistance thanks to synthetic insulation
3) Warmpeace Viking 1200
The Czech company Warmpeace offers the Viking 1200 sleeping bag, which is ideal for cold winter nights. It’s filled with duck down with a fill power of 600 cuin and a 90/10 ratio. The Z-type baffle construction ensures even insulation. The comfort temperature is -10 °C, limit -18 °C, and extreme -38 °C.
4) Sir Joseph Rimo III 850
The Rimo sleeping bag from Czech manufacturer Sir Joseph is filled with quality goose down with a fill power of 600 cuin. It’s designed for heights up to 200 cm and offers a comfort temperature of -9 °C, limit -17 °C, and extreme -38 °C. The outer material is resistant to moisture and wind.
5) Patizon R900 S
The Patizon R900 S is a lightweight and compact down sleeping bag with a fill power of 800 cuin. It’s suitable for winter use with a comfort temperature of -6 °C, limit -13 °C, and extreme -32 °C. Thanks to quality materials, it offers high thermal comfort at a low weight.
Patizon R900 S
- Lightweight
- Compact sleeping bag with 800 cuin fill power
- Ideal for travellers
6) Mountain Equipment Glacier 450 Long Men’s
This sleeping bag from British brand Mountain Equipment is designed for taller individuals. Filled with goose down with a fill power of 700 cuin, it offers a comfort temperature of -5 °C, limit -12 °C, and extreme -30 °C. The outer material is resistant to wind and moisture.
Mountain Equipment Glacier 450 Long Men’s
- Sleeping bag for taller individuals
- Superior insulation
- Durable material
7) Warmpeace Viking 900
The Viking 900 is a three-season sleeping bag from Czech company Warmpeace, filled with duck down with a fill power of 600 cuin. The comfort temperature is -7 °C, limit -14 °C, and extreme -34 °C. It’s suitable for heights up to 180 cm and offers a good balance between weight and thermal comfort.
8) Pinguin Expert CCS
The Czech brand Pinguin offers the Expert CCS sleeping bag with microfibre insulation. The comfort temperature is -8 °C, limit -15 °C, and extreme -36 °C. Thanks to its synthetic fill, it’s resistant to moisture and suitable for various outdoor activities.
9) Trimm Balance
The Trimm Balance sleeping bag is designed for heights up to 195 cm. It offers synthetic insulation with a comfort temperature of -5 °C, limit -12 °C, and extreme -25 °C. It’s suitable for three-season use and offers a good price-to-performance ratio.
Trimm Balance
- Three-season sleeping bag
- Better suited for milder winters
- For less demanding users
10) Husky Down Dopy
The Down Dopy sleeping bag from Husky is filled with duck down and offers a comfort temperature of -10 °C, limit -17 °C, and extreme -35 °C. It’s suitable for winter hiking, although compared to other sleeping bags on this list, it has a lower fill power and higher weight.
Winter Sleeping Bag Materials: Down vs. Synthetic
Winter sleeping bags are filled with either down or synthetic microfibres. What’s the difference between them and which type is more suitable for you?
Down Sleeping Bags
Sleeping bags filled with down excel with their outstanding thermal insulation properties. Their main advantages are:
- Low weight – down sleeping bags are significantly lighter than synthetic ones
- Excellent compressibility – they take up less space in your backpack
- Outstanding thermal insulation – down has the best thermal resistance-to-weight ratio
- Long lifespan – a quality down sleeping bag can last up to 20 years
However, they also have their disadvantages:
- Higher price – quality down sleeping bags are more expensive
- More demanding maintenance – washing down sleeping bags is more complicated
- Reduced insulation when wet – wet down loses its insulating ability
Synthetic Sleeping Bags
Sleeping bags with synthetic fill also have their advantages:
- Lower price – they are more affordable than down models
- Easy maintenance – they wash better and dry faster
- Moisture resistance – they retain thermal properties even when damp
- Suitable for allergy sufferers – they don’t contain allergens like down models
Their disadvantages:
- Higher weight – with the same thermal properties, they are heavier than down
- Larger volume – they are harder to compress and take up more space
- Shorter lifespan – they typically last 3-4 years
Synthetic sleeping bags are particularly suited to wet environments where there’s a risk of getting soaked, or for allergy sufferers who cannot use down products. You can browse a selection of winter synthetic sleeping bags as well as winter down sleeping bags in our recommended section.
Nanomaterials – A Revolution in Winter Sleeping Bags
Nanomaterials – A Revolution in Winter Sleeping Bags
Modern winter sleeping bags increasingly utilise advanced nanomaterials that are bringing a revolution to the world of winter gear. Nanomaterials are primarily used for the outer layers of sleeping bags, where they deliver outstanding properties:
- Higher breathability – nanofibre membranes have up to 25% more pores than conventional membranes
- Waterproofness – they achieve a water column of up to 12,000 mm
- Wind resistance – they prevent cold air from flowing inside
- Self-cleaning effect – some nanomaterials utilise the so-called lotus effect
Thanks to nanomembranes, sleeping bags can wick moisture away from the body much more effectively while keeping water out. This is particularly important in winter conditions, where you don’t want your insulation layer to get wet, but at the same time you need the sleeping bag to “breathe” and wick away perspiration.
A leader in nanomaterials for winter sleeping bags is the Czech brand KWAK, which has developed its own nanofibre membrane. It’s made from 100% PU with a nanofibre diameter of just 150 nm. This unique structure ensures not only exceptional technical parameters but also a long service life.
Advantages of Nanomaterials in Winter Sleeping Bags
With the advancement of technology, nanomaterials are increasingly making their way into outdoor equipment, bringing revolutionary improvements to material properties. Nanomaterials are structures whose particles measure in units or tens of nanometres (1 nanometre = one billionth of a metre). It’s precisely because of this extremely small size that materials gain entirely new properties.
What makes nanomaterials better than conventional materials?
- Higher insulation efficiency – nanofibre membranes, thanks to their structure, have up to 25% more pores than conventional membranes. These pores are also optimally sized – small enough to prevent water penetration, yet large enough to allow water vapour molecules to pass through.
- Extreme water resistance – nanomembranes achieve a water column of 12,000 mm and more, ensuring perfect waterproofing even in extreme conditions.
- Excellent breathability – despite high water resistance, they maintain outstanding moisture vapour transmission (Ret 3 Pa.m2.W-1 / MVTR 40,000 g/m2/24 hrs), meaning they wick perspiration away from the body and prevent that clammy feeling.
- Self-cleaning properties – some nanomaterials use the so-called lotus effect. Similar to lotus leaves, which stay clean despite dirty surroundings, nanocoatings can repel dirt and water. Water droplets simply roll off, carrying dirt particles with them.
- Wind resistance – nanofibre membranes provide nearly 100% protection against wind, which is extremely important in winter conditions for maintaining thermal comfort.
The Czech brand KWAK is among the pioneers in using nanomaterials in winter sleeping bags. Their Skokan and Ropucha models are equipped with a nanofibre membrane made from 100% PU with a fibre diameter of just 150 nanometres.
This technology is complemented by a hydrophobic and oleophobic DWR C6 treatment of the highest grade, which adds additional water and dirt-repellent properties to the material without using harmful fluorocarbons (PFC-free).
Tips for Sleeping in Winter
Even if you buy the very best winter sleeping bag, there are several principles you should follow to enjoy truly comfortable sleep in freezing conditions:
1) Warm Up Before Bed
A winter sleeping bag doesn’t generate heat on its own – it only insulates. This means that if you climb into a sleeping bag already chilled, you’ll be cold even in the highest quality bag. It’s therefore important to warm up before going to sleep. The simplest method is a brisk walk with your backpack around the tent area – about 5 minutes is enough. The key is to get sufficiently warm without breaking into a heavy sweat.
2) Dress Properly
Never climb into a sleeping bag without clothes on. Every part of your body should be protected. The ideal kit includes:
- quality thermal base layers (preferably merino wool)
- warm socks or bivvy booties
- thin gloves
- a beanie or balaclava
- a neck gaiter or scarf
- optionally a kidney warmer belt
Remember that when sleeping in winter, it’s important to breathe outside the sleeping bag, never into it. Exhaled moisture would reduce the sleeping bag’s insulating ability. Don’t forget to tighten the draft collar around your neck and the hood around your head.
3) Use Warmers
If you don’t have the energy for a warm-up walk or you’re already too cold, you can use warmers. Hot water bottles are ideal – simply fill them with hot water and place them inside the sleeping bag near your feet or stomach. If you don’t have a hot water bottle, regular PET bottles filled with warm water will work too. Don’t forget to wrap them in a towel or sock to avoid burns.
4) Don’t Forget a Sleeping Mat
Even the highest quality sleeping bag loses its insulating properties in winter when compressed by your body weight against the ground. That’s why it’s essential to use a quality sleeping mat with a high R-value (thermal resistance). For winter conditions, a combination of an inflatable and a foam mat is recommended.
5) Keep Your Sleeping Bag Dry
Moisture is the biggest enemy of thermal insulation. Try to keep your sleeping bag as dry as possible – don’t bring snow or damp clothing into it. If you’re using a down sleeping bag, keeping it dry is doubly important because wet down loses its insulating ability.
Popular Winter Sleeping Bag Brands
There are many manufacturers of winter sleeping bags on the market, but some brands have earned special popularity among outdoor enthusiasts thanks to their quality and reliability:
- Sir Joseph: This brand has been on the market for over 45 years, producing quality down sleeping bags that are also supplied to world-class mountaineers. Sir Joseph is known for quality, reliability, and long durability. The brand was founded by Josef Rakoncaj, one of the most successful Czech mountaineers. With its production line in the Czech Republic, the company is among the world’s leading manufacturers of expedition clothing and equipment.
- Patizon: A young Czech brand specialising in down sleeping bag production. Patizon pays attention to every detail, which is why their products are meticulously crafted down to the last stitch. The use of the highest quality materials goes without saying. Patizon offers some of the best sleeping bags for adults on the European market.
- KWAK: A Czech brand globally renowned for the technological excellence of its products and the use of advanced nanomaterials. Originally specialising primarily in gear for athletes in extreme temperature conditions, in recent years it has been expanding its range for everyday hikers too. KWAK sleeping bags are extremely comfortable, precisely manufactured, and utilise the most modern Czech nanomaterials.
- Warmpeace: A traditional Czech brand that has been producing quality outdoor products for several decades. Their Viking sleeping bag has become a legend among sleeping bags. Among down sleeping bag manufacturers, this brand is at the top of the industry.
- Pinguin: One of the oldest Czech outdoor equipment brands. Their goal is to produce reliable and affordably priced outdoor equipment with maximum lifespan. The company particularly focuses on the development and selection of materials used.
- Mammut: A Swiss company with over 140 years of tradition, one of the most well-known names on the international scene. From a small family business, it has grown over the years into an innovative and modern partner for outdoor-minded people. The brand’s success is built on quality products with precise craftsmanship.
- Ferrino: An Italian company offering top-quality sleeping bags. All their production is based on functionality and quality. The company was founded in 1870, when it patented a new process for manufacturing waterproof technologies, and to this day it maintains its reputation as an innovator in the field.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to care for a winter sleeping bag?
Air out your sleeping bag regularly and store it loosely unfolded so its insulating properties are not damaged. Clean down regularly at dry cleaners or according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
How to improve sleeping bag thermal comfort?
Use a thermal insulation liner, a quality sleeping mat, and wear dry, warm clothing into the sleeping bag. Covering the sleeping bag with a tarp or bivvy bag can also help.
Is down or synthetic better?
Down is lighter, more compressible, and ideal for dry conditions. Synthetic is heavier but handles wet environments better and is easier to maintain.
What size sleeping bag should I choose?
Sleeping bags are manufactured in lengths from 170 to 220 centimetres. Always choose a sleeping bag based on your height – it should be 10-20 centimetres longer than you are tall. This provides enough room for comfort without creating too much empty space that your body would need to heat up.
Can I give a child an adult sleeping bag?
That’s not recommended. Children should use sleeping bags designed for their size. In a large sleeping bag, a child would cool down too quickly because they wouldn’t be able to warm up the entire interior space. There are special children’s sleeping bags available that better match their body proportions.
How long does a winter sleeping bag last?
A sleeping bag’s lifespan depends on the material, frequency of use, and storage method. Synthetic sleeping bags last around 3-4 years, and only with proper maintenance and storage. Down sleeping bags are much more durable – a quality down sleeping bag can last up to 20 years if washed no more than five times during that period and stored correctly.
How to properly wash a winter sleeping bag?
If it’s not absolutely necessary, don’t wash your sleeping bag. Try to keep it clean and remove any mud or grass stains with a damp cloth. If washing is unavoidable, follow these guidelines:
– Use specialised detergents designed for washing outdoor gear (e.g. Nikwax).
– Wash in a machine with a large drum on a delicate cycle (30 °C).
– For down sleeping bags, add 2-3 tennis balls to the drum.
– Spin on low speed (max 600 rpm).
– Dry preferably in a tumble dryer on low heat or on a flat surface – never hang a wet sleeping bag on a line.
How to properly pack a winter sleeping bag?
Sleeping bags should not be rolled or folded into compression sacks. The correct method is to “stuff” the sleeping bag into the sack, similar to pushing a handkerchief into a pocket. This minimises the risk of damaging the insulation material.
How to store a winter sleeping bag?
Never store a sleeping bag long-term in a compression sack – it destroys the fill’s insulating properties. After returning from a trip, remove the sleeping bag from its sack and store it unfolded, for example under a bed or loosely hung in a wardrobe. Ideally, the storage spot should have some ventilation. For down sleeping bags, storing them unfolded is absolutely essential for preserving their insulating properties.
Should I choose a sleeping bag with a right or left zip?
A left-side zip is intended for right-handed people and a right-side zip for left-handed people. This arrangement allows easier zip handling. However, it mainly comes down to your personal habit and what feels most comfortable. If you plan to join two sleeping bags together, you’ll need to select models with opposite zip placements.
Tips and Tricks for Your Vacation
Don’t Overpay for Flights
Search for flights on Kayak. It’s our favorite search engine because it scans the websites of all airlines and always finds the cheapest connection.
Book Your Accommodation Smartly
The best experiences we’ve had when looking for accommodation (from Alaska to Morocco) are with Booking.com, where hotels, apartments, and entire houses are usually the cheapest and most widely available.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Good travel insurance will protect you against illness, accidents, theft, or flight cancellations. We’ve had a few hospital visits abroad, so we know how important it is to have proper insurance arranged.
Where we insure ourselves: SafetyWing (best for everyone) and TrueTraveller (for extra-long trips).
Why don’t we recommend any Czech insurance company? Because they have too many restrictions. They set limits on the number of days abroad, travel insurance via a credit card often requires you to pay medical expenses only with that card, and they frequently limit the number of returns to the Czech Republic.
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