Cold Weather Down Sleeping Bags

Featured review by North1

I purchased this bag back in the mid 1980s when it first came out. It still has the old brown label on it and a Versatec shell. Back then the North Face worker who made it used to sign their name on the product label. The label is intact but the name has long since faded and I forgot it long ago. Over the years I have used it on all my winter expeditions to the Arctic and it has never failed me. It is as good, as warm, and as lofty as any winter bag out there. After more than 20 years of hard use, sometimes sleeping in it for an entire winter, it has served me well and is still just as good as the day I bought it, with the exception of a few minor holes.

Read more: The North Face Inferno -40F/-40C reviews (6)

Featured review by Winter Cyclist

Super WARM and very light...

I have used this bag down to -15° and have been completely warm and comfortable. I have no doubt it would be OK even down to -25°, and I am a VERY cold sleeper. I usually need a bag that is rated at least 20 deg warmer than claimed, but not with this bag. When it is not too windy I often just sleep in an open lean-to or under a tarp, and am just fine in the middle of winter. The MF shell offers excellent wind and water resistance, zipper works great, there is plenty of room for extra clothes, boot liners, etc.

Read more: Western Mountaineering Puma Super MF reviews (3)

Reviewed by ALim

Embrace the caterpillar in you!

With this bag, I feel and look like a squashy green caterpillar. Zip it up, snuggle down, and after the coziest sleep in the coldest temps, you'll emerge in the morning a beautiful butterfly. That is if you can bear to come out! I'm a 5'4" smaller woman. I sleep cold and this bag works well for me in even the coldest of temps. I've still paired it with a liner for truly -20°F temps and that works well in a four-season tent.  Zipping all the way up can be a slight challenge—it's a bit of a squeeze, but comfy once enclosed.

Read more: Marmot Col MemBrain review (1)

Featured review by Scott Myers

Stephenson's Warmlite Triple bag is a top notch camping and backpacking sleep “system.” While an old design, it is still unique in the market, has a wonderfully comfortable mattress, and covers an extremely wide temperature range due to the dual tops design, for a price that is very attractive if you consider the alternatives.

After many years, it was time to upgrade to a new sleeping bag and pad. One of my sons decided to “confiscate” my old cold weather sleeping bag and cold weather pad, so I took the opportunity to research and buy a new system. After 20 years, the old one was well loved anyway. I had a few prerequisites, which were as follows: Not mummy shape, but more of a square taper or modified taper shape. I’d grown to not like the restrictions of a tight mummy bag over the years and have really never found them comfortable.

Read more: Warmlite Triple Bag reviews (4)

Featured review by Lee Patterson

Incredible quality in materials and craftsmanship. Packs down very small and is very lightweight (under 5 lbs) for its temp rating of -40F. I have no doubt it will live up to its reputation when put to the test.

***FEB. 3, 2015 UPDATE after field testing the Western Mountaineering Bison GWS****** So last night the temps got down to 23F here in Atlanta, so I set up my tent in the back yard and slept in the WM Bison GWS. WOW!!!  AWESOME BAG!!!! I have added a few photos to show the loft of the bag using a wine bottle for scale and using my hand for scale at the end of the foot box.  Anyway, the bag was super comfy as I expected, and I was able to sleep on my right and left sides and the bag did not turn with me which is what I wanted.

Read more: Western Mountaineering Bison GWS reviews (3)

Featured review by Nordic Runner

This is not a full review, but more some random notes for potential buyers. I feel there's not too much info out there about this bag. I haven't given this bag a rating since I haven't used it yet, but wanted to write this before forgetting.

I have a Big Agnes -20F (-29C) that I've been happy with. It doesn't have down on the bottom side, but you're suppose to use it with an air sleeping pad that you insert into the bottom part of the sleeping bag. This has been working fine. It's very light but I've been suffering from cold spots from below and the BA's lower limit is definitely only -20°F. That is why I've been looking for a warmer bag. Looking for a new bag has been something I've given a lot of thought since my only experience is from my Big Agnes.

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Featured review by Numerical Logician

One of the warmest bags in the world — from a world class manufacturer — and made with high quality fabrics and well crafted. This extreme weather /survival sleeping-bag rated is rated to Minus Forty Degree's (-40F/-40C) and even if not used in those temperatures, it can make for a comfortable nights sleep especially for those that sleep cold or need to warm up quickly as soon as they get in their sleeping bags. This is a perfect product for high altitude mountaineering, polar and artic expeditions and here is my review, hope it helps!

OVERVIEW This is a very roomy sleeping bag and has numerous pockets inside for cell phone, watch, earplugs or other small personal items (ipod, snack,etc..). There are very generous amounts of high quality 800 fill down throughout this bag and evenly spaced in all areas including around the head and feet and everywhere in between. The zipper, although it might snag sometimes, is very durable and has a protective flap on the outside which can help shed snow or rain/water and on the inside part of the entire length of the zipper there is a long tube of down constructed as to make up the empty space where the zipper closes both side of the  bag together.

Read more: Mountain Hardwear Ghost SL -40 reviews (2)

Featured review by Cope

If you're not willing to compromise, this is the bag to get. True to its temperature rating, and the GWS shell keeps moisture out while allowing enough breathability to dry out some damp clothing at night.

Winter camping with this bag down to about -15°F and I've not had any issues with warmth while wearing silk long underwear. The loft is amazing and pops right up after unpacking. I'm 5'11" and went with the 6' bag; I still have room to fit boot liners and clothing in the bag if necessary, and while I usually sleep on my back, I have no problem side sleeping either. The hood protects well and is comfortable, although I'd be interested to see how I like it compared to some of the Feathered Friends hood designs.

Read more: Western Mountaineering Puma GWS reviews (3)

Reviewed by Kmcmahon

This is the mother of all high quality goose down sleeping bags. It is overbuilt in every regard. This bag will go to most any place on the planet and with a proper ground pad, will keep you warm and dry. It is light weight for the warmth provided and this bag is pretty packable but it will take a couple of minutes to completely get it into a compression bag for hiking or climbing. This bag will be the last bag that 99% of all outdoor enthusiasts will ever need to buy to cover their 4-season adventures.

Th Feathered Friends Snow Goose down bag is rated to -40° Fahrenheit and with a proper ground pad lives up to its warmth rating.  I am 6 foot, 1 inch tall and weigh 235 pounds yet the long sized bag at 6' 6" left room for my clothes to be stuffed and kept warm at the bottom the bag. The foot box is generously sized. Because I am broad shouldered the 39" girth at the shoulder is snug but not unreasonable. The bag's dimensions are 64" / 60" / 39". The 3D hood is thick and well shaped and is designed to prevent condensation from entering the bag and wraps your head in several inches of 850+ fill goose down.

Read more: Feathered Friends Snow Goose review (1)

Reviewed by Ross Mallick

A DIY down -40 degree bag can be made for under $100 if secondhand materials are used and purchased at a steep discount. The features can be identical to commercial products of the same temperature rating.

                                        Baffle mesh pulled through 8-inch zipper                                     Draft neck collar and zipper draft tube installed            Three sleeping bags partly filled with down for spring, two North Face Aleutians and a Mountain Hardwear PinoleDown bags in the -40 degree range cost about $1,000 give or take a couple hundred depending on the model. Many of the complaints about them center on their price which is a bit much for many campers.

Read more: DIY: -40 Degree Down Sleeping Bag review (1)