The outer shell uses 30-denier recycled polyester ripstop with an inner lining made of 20-denier recycled polyester taffeta. It does a good job of trapping the moisture that tends to form inside the tent, which I found out after testing it one night too much. The filling is what Nemo calls Zerofiber insulation, made from 100 percent consumer-grade recycled content fibers. The Zerofiber packs down remarkably thin—this is the most compact synthetic fill bag I’ve tested in this temperature range—and retains its ability to hold warmth even when wet.
What I love most about this bag, and almost all Nemo sleeping bags, is the wide cut in the body area down to the knees. Like the Therm-a-Rest Questar above, this bag is probably a mix of mom’s bag and dad’s 1970s square sleeping bag. That is, this bag is open. The downside is that there is a lot of dead space for your body to burn, but as someone who sleeps warm anyway, I’ll take the extra room.
Details:
- Average time: -20°F / -7°C
- Comfort rating: 30°F / -1.1°C
- Fill in: Artificial
How to Choose the Perfect Sleeping Bag
A sleeping bag is often one of the most expensive pieces of camping gear you will buy. If we don’t pick one that you like best, here are some general guidelines.
How Will You Use Your Sleeping Bag?
Are you car camping? Hiking the PCT? Out at night in the August heat? Planning a Karakoram Himalaya winter skiing trip? Which sleeping bag is right for you depends on how you’re going to use it, especially the temperatures you plan to camp or backpack in, and how you sleep—hot, cold, in between.
Unfortunately, no sleeping bag works in all weather conditions. If you experience a lot of situations in your camp, I would consider two bags. Get one good cold-grade bag and a cheap, lightweight synthetic bag for summer use.
As with most things in the outdoor world, you’ll pay more for lightweight items, so if you don’t need them because, for example, you’re just car camping, don’t pay extra for a light bag. Maybe don’t even pay a down payment. Synthetic bags are often excellent budget sleeping options for those camping in the heat.
By the same token, if you’re primarily a summer hiker, doing the Appalachian Trail in stages, you don’t need a 0-degree bag. Determine your usage and find the best sleeping bag for you. Also, take the temperature measurement with a grain of salt. Everyone sleeps differently. I almost always stay warm, which means I don’t need a 0-degree bag in anything but the most extreme conditions. My colleague Adrienne So is almost the opposite and uses a 0-degree bag in 40-degree weather. None of us are “perfect,” we just learned how to shop the way we sleep.
Types of Sleeping Bag Inserts
There are two types of fillings used in today’s sleeping bags, down and synthetic fibers. Down comes mainly from geese and ducks. Synthetics range from nylon to polyester. Insulation works by creating pockets of air, or with a feather structure or synthetic fiber structure. These air pockets then trap your body heat, keeping you close, and warm. The more loft you have—more air pockets—you’ll be warmer and the temperature of the sleeping bag will be lower.
In most cases, a sleeping bag is the best choice. It is light in weight, has small pockets, and is light. Where the floor fails is when it is wet. Wetting the floor usually doesn’t help—all those pockets of heat-trapping air are gone. Synthetics on the other hand retain more warmth when wet. No one wants to sleep in a wet sleeping bag, but if you think it’s possible, synthetic is the way to go.
