Do you need a sleeping bag for travel?: What if a sleeping bag is not included in your gap-year kit? Sleeping bags are bulky and difficult to carry, but they’re only worth it if you need them.
As part of your travel preparation, think about what styles of trips you willyou will take and the possible weather conditions in the countries you plan to visit.
I’m relatively new to backpacking. It was South America in 2016. I did not bring any trekking gear with me on my seven-month journey.
Instead, I rented it in Patagonia as well as Peru. I didn’t have to worry about packing a sleeping bag or a pair of hiking boots into my backpack.
Some nights, I wished I had a reliable tent or a familiar set of hiking poles. If I’d had a lightweight, compact 3-season sleeping bag to travel with, I imagine I would have spent more time outdoors. You might as well use it if you’re carrying it around.
Outdoor gear is expensive. You must sort through many materials, brands, seasons, weights and marketing buzzwords.
I did a lot of research before buying my first “sleeping bag for travel”. This is the place to begin if you’ve ever slept in a shabby sleeping bag. [Do you need a sleeping bag for travel?]
7 best sleeping bags is must carry for your traveling journey
- Nemo Disco 15
- The North Face Cat’s Meow
- Sea to Summit Ascent AcII
- Kelty Cosmic Down 20
- MSR Habitude 600
- Coleman North Rim 0
- Vango Venom 600
1. Nemo Disco 15
The Nemo Disco Men’s 15 degF Sleeping Bag is an excellent option for side sleepers who want to rest well. I chose the Disco because it was comfortable and warm. To my surprise, I got a sleeping bag, which is also highly versatile.
Due to the down insulation, this bag is compact and lightweight. I considered other Nemo products but chose to pay a little more for the down insulation to reduce weight and increase versatility.
It was great to wake up early for a sunrise summit with my group, knowing I was the only person who had a restful night.
My adventure group was grumpy so that I couldn’t smile. Many of our group members began researching the Nemo Disco after our backpacking trip.
I believe the Nemo Disco bag is worth the money. It is a bag which can be used for different situations and temperatures.
The semi-rectangular shape also offers comfort. Compare it with other Nemo sleeping bags like the Fortes sleeping bag, which is similar but uses synthetic insulation instead of down. [Do you need a sleeping bag for travel?]
2. The North Face Cat’s Meow
The North Face Cat’s Meow The model has undergone periodic updates. We decided recently to let our female testers try out the “short” version, instead of the women-specific model. This is the most affordable synthetic model that we have tested.
It’s lightweight, compatible and trim. This is a snug-fitting mummy style, so we only recommend it to tiny people with narrow shoulders.
The Cat’s Meow is also an excellent choice for activities that may involve getting your gear wet. For example, boating or coastal climates with rain. Synthetic insulation can keep you warm even when wet, as it retains its loft, unlike down products.
The Cat’s meow is a slimmer version of the previous versions. The insulation is piled higher on top and lower on the bottom. This makes it warmer.
This bag is an excellent choice for those on a budget. It’s also a great option for humid or wet weather. [Do you need a sleeping bag for travel?]
Read Also: Are Skechers suitable for travel?
3. Sea to Summit Ascent AcII
It was colder and faster in the tent. I had to get up every 30 minutes to add more wood and light the fire. I wanted to test out my sleeping bag and it wouldn’t be possible if I kept the temperature too high.
The fire went out when I stopped moving. The temperature began to drop. I knew the temperature was going to drop to near zero tonight.
I could hear the snow falling on the nylon walls. I was able to see my breath. I was so warm and comfortable in the Sea to Summit Ascent that I fell asleep within minutes.
When I woke up in the morning, the walls of my room were covered with frost. My water bottle was frozen. And I didn’t even want to leave my bag.
I was glad I remembered that I didn’t need to. I unzipped the foot box of the bag and put my feet into my Sorel boot. Then, I got up and made coffee. The entire morning, I wore my bag to camp.
Sea to Summit Ascent is the most versatile sleeping bag I have ever used. The bag has features, including a zippered foot box, horizontal and vertical baffles and oversized zipper collars.
This thing is a heat-emitter. Its down baffle system is so effective at trapping heat that I constantly opened the zipper vents to cool down and dry out my sweat, even during winter camping.[Do you need a sleeping bag for travel?]
4. Kelty Cosmic Down 20
After a long hike, slipping into a soft sleeping bag is one of the best things you can do. After a long day of hiking, it’s nice to slip into a soft, warm sleeping bag and get some Zs.
If you stop to think about it, sleeping in a fog would be a horrible experience. It would be cold and wet, plus you’d be hundreds of feet up in the air.
Feathers, particularly feathers treated with DriDown, are more comfortable. You can trust me. We recommend the Kelty Cosmic Down 20 Sleeping Bag instead of clouds. You’d be hard-pressed to find a bag better for the price.
The 600-fill hydrophobic down is wrapped with a 50D polyester taffeta lining and a ripstop outer shell. This is then shaped into a mummy-style bag, which hugs the body at all the right points.
The adjustable hood, the draft collar and the draft tube are great features to keep you warm. Clouds? Clouds?
The Kelty Cosmic Down 20 sleeping bag is a classic for backpacking. The price may not be super low, but it’s hard to beat for a bag made of high-quality materials and filled with down.
The Cosmic Down 20 bag is lightweight, compactable, and warm. It’s a versatile companion for almost any season. [Do you need a sleeping bag for travel?]
5. MSR Habitude 600
It’s too good to be honest! A spacious family tent, light enough to carry for more than just a few minutes, sturdy enough to handle the kids, and a little bit of rain. I have indeed struggled to find a tent that fits this description.
Our family’s options in the past were either extreme: a heavy, colossal car camping monster taking up half of the boot or two small backpacking tents stacked side-by-side to create the illusion of shared living space.
The new Habitude tent has done a lot to break that mould. This is the family tent that I have always wanted to see.
There are two models, the 4P and 6P. We chose the 6P, and I haven’t regretted it yet, even though I carry it. You could fit six adults here with a little cosying up.
As a family of four, including two small children, we have plenty of room to spread out and separate siblings. We can also scatter bedding, teddies, and toys all over.
There are two models, the 4P and 6P. We chose the 6P, and I haven’t regretted it yet, even though I carry it. You could fit six adults here with a little cosying up.
As a family of four, including two small children, we have plenty of room to spread out and separate siblings. We can also scatter bedding, teddies, and toys all over. [Do you need a sleeping bag for travel?]
6. Coleman North Rim 0
The Coleman North Rim Mummy Cold-Weather Sleeping Bag offers a cost-effective alternative to down sleeping bags. It is heavy, but it keeps campers warm until mid-teens. It is easy to stuff the sleeping bag into its large stuff sack.
It has a soft interior and plenty of filler that keeps campers warm. The zipper is high-quality, and it’s easy to keep warm with the adjustable hood.
The sleeping bag is 32″ x 82″. It fits most people under 6’2″ but can also fit those taller than 6’2. The sleeping bag is ideal for snow camping, as it keeps the camper warm even at high elevations.
Please note that for products shipped internationally, any manufacturer warranties may be invalid; manufacturer service options are not always available; the products and accompanying materials may not have been designed according to the destination country specifications and labelling requirements.
The products may also not comply with the destination country’s voltage and electrical standards. The recipient must ensure that the product may be legally imported into the destination country.
The recipient of an order from Ubuy or one of its affiliates is responsible for complying with all laws of the destination nation. [Do you need a sleeping bag for travel?]
7. Vango Venom 600
The Chrysalis 5, from Snugpak, is the classic 5-season sleeping bag. Chrysalis is a sleeping bag that has been around a while and hasn’t changed much. Snugpak hasn’t changed their bestseller, and that’s the best part.
The Chrysalis 5, a sleeping bag priced at just over PS100, has a comfort rating 15degC! The extreme temperature rating is a cold -20deg. You won’t get cold even if it drops below what you expected.
The Chrysalis sleeping bag is designed in a mummy shape to trap your body heat and warm you quickly. This sleeping bag has a large pack, which is its only downside.
The Snugpak Elite 5 sleeping bag is a classic and highly rated. The Elite sleeping bag has a comfort temperature rating of -15degC and an extreme temperature of -20degC.
The image above shows that the sleeping bag is shaped like a mummy but has been given extra height at the sides. This gives you more room to move around and extends the bag using the zip baffle.
The Elite 5 has a great pack size and weighs only 2.4kg. This allows you to get more room while still staying warm.
The Elite 5 is also a lightweight and compact sleeping bag that weighs only 2.4kg. [Do you need a sleeping bag for travel?]
Conclusion:
Whether or not you should bring a sleeping bag depends mainly on the destination, type of accommodation, and your personal comfort preferences.
A sleeping bag can be essential for comfort and warmth when camping or travelling in colder climates. If you are staying in hotels or hostels or going to a warmer destination, it may be better to use an alternative or skip the sleeping bag.
To ensure a comfortable trip, consider your accommodations and travel needs. [Do you need a sleeping bag for travel?]
Do you need a sleeping bag for travel?: FAQ
1. Do I need a sleeping bag for all types of travel?
Ans: Not necessarily. It depends on where you’re going, your accommodation and the activities. A sleeping bag may not be necessary if you stay in a hotel, hostel, or rental home. If you are camping, in a cabin or travelling to places with bedding that is not comfortable or adequate, a sleeping bag can be essential.
2. What factors should I consider when deciding if I need a sleeping bag?
Ans: Take into account the weather of your destination, the type of accommodations you will be staying in, and the activities you plan to do. A sleeping bag will be essential for cold climates and camping trips. It may not be needed for warm climates or urban travel in comfortable accommodations.
3. What are the benefits of bringing a sleeping bag?
Ans: Sleeping bags provide warmth and comfort in unfamiliar or cold environments. If you are unsure of the quality or cleanliness of your accommodation’s bedding, a sleeping bag can be an excellent option.