Looking for the best sleeping bags for winter camping that’ll keep you insulated and dry? Below, you’ll find our pick of the top three sleeping bags for winter, all of which are well-reviewed, tried, and tested by outdoor enthusiasts just like you.
For Summer, Spring and Fall, refer to our Best Camping Sleeping Bags for 2022
1. Mountain Hardwear Phantom 0F Down Sleeping Bag
Mountain Hardwear’s Phantom 0F resembles a puffy down jacket and wears like one, too. Using the common “mummy” shape that’s close-fitting from the chest down to the feet, the design could take some getting used to. That said, between the high-quality, 850-fill goose down padding and lightweight fabric, you can truly appreciate the quality of this sleeping bag.
Mountain Hardwear’s recommendation puts a “comfort rating” of around 13 degrees on the Phantom. But, as the name suggests, it can be pushed to freezing point. That close-fitted design helps to trap your body heat and keep you toasty. What’s more, features like the draft collar help to add additional installation that stops warm air from escaping.
With this bag, you do pay a premium price tag for things like the padding, which is some of the highest-quality down you can find. However, at a little over $600, this isn’t the kind of sleeping bag you buy for a one-off camping trip. If weight isn’t a priority for you, or if you’re unlikely to be camping or hiking out into the colder seasons, then you might want to check out our other recommendations.
Pros
- Extremely lightweight
- Water-resistant
- Useful hood and collar design traps heat
- High-quality insulation
Cons
- Fairly expensive
- Not very breathable
2. The North Face Inferno 0 Sleeping Bag
The North Face Inferno 0 is a very versatile sleeping bag that won’t overburden your backpack. It also pulls in some really useful features, including a large hood, water-repellent Pro Down, and Neovent Air fabric on the exterior.
Inside, the Inferno 0 feels much roomier than the Phantom 0, without offering too much dead space. It’s also fitted with a zipper that’s useful for controlling the internal temperature much like you would with a jacket. What we really liked was the glow-in-the-dark pull-tab on the zipper, which should make it easier to get comfortable in low-light conditions.
Unfortunately, our only complaints here were actually in relation to that zipper, too. The pull-tab tends to stick out and catch on your chin if fully closed, and it’s a little too short.
Pros
- Hood cinch-cord provides a tight seal
- Comes with a storage sack and compression sack
- More space to move than the Phantom
- Utilizes 800-fill ProDown with a water-resistant finish
Cons
- Zipper pull-tab juts out
- The zipper could do with being longer
3. NEMO Sonic 0 Down Sleeping Bag
The Nemo Sonic made our list for sheer comfort; with a side cut and plenty of room around the feet, it’s cozy without being too draughty. For side-sleepers, this sleeping bag may be a better choice than the Phantom 0 or Inferno 0.
For warmth, this sleeping pack is stuffed with 800-fill hydrophobic down (24 oz). This keeps the sleeping bag light, though we’ll admit that owing to the shape we’ve mentioned above, it doesn’t feel quite as warm as the Phantom or Inferno.
However, the build quality is excellent. Using 20 denier fabric, it was particularly durable against debris like rocks on the ground. The foot box is reinforced with 40 denier nylon, too. All of this is complemented by some great features, including a well-insulated hood, a drawstring for both the draft collar and hood, and a Velcro system for closure.
Pros
- Design allows side sleeping more easily than the Phantom or Inferno
- Drawstring hood helps to seal in warmth
- Reinforced, waterproof foot box
- RDS (Responsible Down Standard) certification
Cons
- The main body of the bag is less durable than the foot box
- Not as insulated as the Phantom or Inferno
