Ah, the sleeping bag. Your bed in the boonies, your castle of the campsite, and your coziness in the cold. Extravagant metaphors aside, your sleeping bag is absolutely crucial to enjoying your next camping trip. But how do you find the right one?
Different materials, ratings, and types make wading through the quagmire of sleeping bag options a very tricky business. But that’s why Outdoorsr is here! I’ve waded through that quagmire during years of backcountry guiding and adventuring and pooled all that knowledge right here for you to find the best sleeping bag under $200.
If you’re on the look out for something a bit cheaper, I’d recommend checking out our article on the best sleeping bags under $100 for some great options.
Ok, let’s get started!
Best Sleeping Bags Under $200
The North Face ALEUTIAN 0/-18
- Temperature Rating: 0º F
- Comfort Rating (EN): 12º F
- Weight: Regular: 5 lbs. 14 oz, long: 7 lbs. 2 oz, extra Long: 7 lbs. 2 oz.
- Filling: Heatseeker Synthetic
- Price: $$
If you’re heading out for a camping trip in chilly weather, the North Face Aleutian is an excellent and affordable sleeping bag. We have several pounds worth – about 5 lbs – of Heatseeker synthetic insulation. This insulation is both incredibly warm, and also partially fabricated from recycled materials, so we have a win-win!
The foot box also features a vaulted design in order to provide ample room for your feet and trap heat at the same time. Speaking of trapping heat, the Aleutian also features an effective draft collar following the zipper to prevent warmth from escaping.
All in all, this is an incredibly comfortable and warm sleeping bag that is perfect for 4-season camping. Keep in mind, however, that this is a very heavy sleeping bag due to the heavier nature of synthetic insulation combined with the fact that this bag uses a lot of that insulation. Therefore, I wouldn’t recommend this sleeping bag for backpacking trips, but it’s absolutely ideal for car camping in all weather conditions.
PROS
- Partially made from recycled material
- Plenty of synthetic insulation for warmth
- Retains heat very well
CONS
- Heavy construction
- Bulky even when packed down
The North Face Eco Trail Down 20
- Temperature Rating: 20ºF
- Comfort Rating (EN): Not Available
- Weight: Short: 2 lbs. 11 oz, regular: 2 lbs. 14 oz, long: 3 lbs. 3 oz extra Long: 3 lbs. 7 oz.
- Filling: 600 Fill Down
- Price: $$
The North Face once again makes the list with their Eco Trail Down 20 sleeping bag. As the name implies, this sleeping bag utilizes down insulation for a lightweight yet comfortable design for most camping conditions.
The North Face also paid special attention to incorporating convenient and practical features into this sleeping bag, and I’m very impressed. First off, I’ve spent my fair share of nights in a tent where I keeping rolling of sliding off my sleeping pad and constantly waking up to readjust. Well, the Eco Trail Down sleeping bag features tie-down loops to keep your pad secured underneath the bag – problem solved!
Additionally, this sleeping bag has an internal phone pocket along with an extended width at the knees for improved comfort. Both of which are incredibly handy and significantly boost this sleeping bag’s stock in my mind.
Now comes the downside, and that’s the price. Down insulation doesn’t come cheap, and the Eco Trail Down sleeping bag demonstrates that with a price tag that’s at the upper end of our limit for this article. However, in the grand scheme of down sleeping bags, this is a very reasonable investment and the Eco Trail is certainly one of the best sleeping bags under $200 for backpacking.
PROS
- Lightweight design
- Modified trim for improved comfort
- Internal storage
CONS
- Relatively expensive
- True EN comfort rating not available
The North Face Cat’s Meow
- Temperature Rating: 20ºF
- Comfort Rating (EN): Not Available
- Weight: Short: 2 lbs. 1 oz, regular: 2 lbs. 4 oz, long: 2 lbs. 7 oz, extra Long: 2 lbs. 11 oz.
- Filling: Heatseeker Synthetic
- Price: $$$
If you’re looking for a lightweight synthetic sleeping bag, this is it. The Cat’s Meow is specially designed for intense mountaineering and backcountry adventures and includes many features to accomplish those activities.
First off, The North Face has introduced a fabric upgrade to make this particular sleeping bag 10% more compressible than past designs. This compressibility will in turn free up space in your pack while loading up your gear. We also have loops to attach to your sleeping pad, efficiently distributed insulation to limit excess weight, and a fitted hood for improved heat retention.
For downsides, I’m drawing on the old adage of ‘if something looks too good to be true, it probably is’. Specifically, this bag weighs less than similarly rated down-insulated sleeping bags – and down is traditionally a much better insulator than synthetic. Therefore, I’d take the 20ºF rating with a grain of salt, especially as there is no independently verified EN comfort rating to back up that number.
PROS
- Very lightweight for a synthetic sleeping bag
- More compressible for easy packing
CONS
- Temperature rating may not reflect actual comfort temperature
Marmot Trestles 0 Sleeping Bag
- Temperature Rating: 1.9ºF
- Comfort Rating (EN): 15.3ºF
- Weight: Regular: 4 lbs. 9.8 oz, long: 4 lbs. 15 oz.
- Filling: Synthetic SpiraFil LT polyester fibers
- Price: $$
Marmot has provided the perfect mid-range sleeping bag with the Trestles. The comfort rating is a reasonable 15.3 degrees Fahrenheit while the weight also fits right in the middle of our list at about 4.5lbs.
The moderate temperature rating and weight is courtesy of Marmot’s synthetic polyester, which provides good insulation while still remaining reasonably packable and lightweight. The external stash pocket is also incredibly helpful for storing your phone or headlamp at night, in order to keep them within easy reach.
I’m also particularly fond of the short second zipper that allows you to fold down the top of the sleeping bag completely, providing excellent ventilation on hot nights.
Altogether, the Trestles is an excellent synthetic sleeping bag for both car camping and moderate backpacking. I wouldn’t recommend it for intense multi-day trips into the backcountry as there are lighter options available, but it’s an excellent starting point!
PROS
- Excellent ventilation for warm nights
- External storage for phone or headlamp
- Good temperature rating for 3-season camping
CONS
- A little too heavy for intense backpacking
Kelty Galactic 30 Sleeping Bag
- Temperature Rating: 30ºF
- Comfort Rating (EN): Not Available
- Weight: 2 lbs. 10 oz.
- Filling: 550 Fill Power Down
- Price: $$
Heading out to camp in beautifully warm weather? If so, the Kelty Galactic is the best sleeping bag under $200 for you. The moderate 30ºF temperature rating combined with a lightweight down-filled design makes this sleeping bag wonderfully versatile for any number of warm-weather adventures.
First off, we have a strict rectangular design, instead of the more warmth retaining mummy design. This rectangular fit allows for a little more space and ventilation when you need it. Additionally, the down insulation keeps the sleeping bag’s overall weight down. This means that the Galactic sleeping bag works just as well for backpacking as it does for car camping.
Also, you can zip two of these sleeping bags together to create a double for you and your significant other. This is an incredibly handy feature, but you may opt to keep the sleeping bags separate after you have 3+ days of accumulated hiking grime!
PROS
- Can be zipped together with a second Galactic bag
- Comfortably spacious rectangular design
- Excellent price for a down sleeping bag
CONS
- Not suitable for cold nights
- No storage for light or phone
NEMO Tempo 20 Sleeping Bag
- Temperature Rating: 20º F
- Comfort Rating (EN): 31º F
- Weight: Regular: 3 lbs. 10 oz, long: 3 lbs. 14 oz.
- Filling: Stratofiber Synthetic
- Price: $$
I just invested in my first sleeping bag from the Nemo brand, and I have to say that I’m impressed. Excellent quality along with an incredibly soft and comfortable interior make my Nemo sleeping bag my favorite one yet. With those recommendations backing up Nemo, I’m sure you’ll love their Tempo sleeping bag!
The most notable aspect of this bag is the shape. Nemo developed their own Spoon shape to accommodate the side sleeper campers out there – such as me. This spoon shape adds extra space around the elbows and knees, allowing you to comfortably sleep on your side without feeling restricted by the bag’s walls.
The weight is also very reasonable for either backpacking or car camping, and you have the added advantage of synthetic insulation’s natural resistance to moisture. All in all, this is a solid sleeping bag in all regards, offered by a company that truly stands behind their product with a lifetime warranty guarantee. What’s more, I can independently confirm that they’ll uphold their warranty.
PROS
- Specially designed for side sleepers
- NEMO has an excellent warranty and customer service
- Good weight for a synthetic sleeping bag
CONS
- A little bulkier than a true mummy-style sleeping bag
- No storage for light or phone
REI Co-op Trailbreak 20 Sleeping Bag
- Temperature Rating: 20º F
- Comfort Rating (EN): 29º F
- Weight: Regular: 3 lbs. 7 oz, long: 3 lbs. 11 oz.
- Filling: Synthetic Polyester
- Price: $
REI’s sleeping bags have come a long way in recent years, and the Trailbreak 20 is an excellent example of that quality. The carefully planned mummy shape and hood both work together to keep you comfortable and warm, while the Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish will protect the bag from rain and condensation.
While the synthetic insulation is on the bulkier side – i.e. 12 liter stuffed volume – I can’t argue with this sleeping bag’s comfort. A full-length draft tube insulates the zipper and also provides draft protection around your head and neck. The soft inner lining is also incredibly comfortable and feels almost like a bedsheet.
My only wish is that REI had taken the Trailbreak series of sleeping bags a little farther in terms of warmth to make a 0º F version, but I’m still very pleased with the Trailbreak 20 overall. Especially for an incredibly accessible price.
PROS
- Very comfortable lining material
- Water-resistant outer lining and insulation
- Excellent draft protection
CONS
- Bulky insulation is hard to pack down
KingCamp Ultralight 3 Season Sleeping Bag
- Temperature Rating: 14º F (Extreme Lower Limit)
- Comfort Rating (EN): Male: 37.4º F, female: 46.4º F
- Weight: 2 lbs. 3 oz.
- Filling: 500 Fill Power Down
- Price: $$
The KingCamp Ultralight is undoubtedly the best lightweight sleeping bag under $200 on our list due to its feathery 2.2 lbs weight. I mean “featherly” literally, as this sleeping bag utilizes lightweight 500 fill power duck down for insulation, as well as a thin polyester lining.
However, what the KingCamp Ultralight sleeping bag gains in lightweight portability, it loses in warmth. You’ll notice that the comfort temperature ratings for men and women hover around 40º F. This number makes the sleeping bag usable for fair and warm weather car camping or backpacking only.
But if you’re guaranteed balmy weather for your adventure, I fully recommend the KingCamp Ultralight! It’ll weigh almost nothing and pack down to even less! Both of these attributes make this sleeping bag ideal for warm-weather backpacking.
PROS
- Very lightweight
- Packs down very tightly
- Water-resistant outer lining
- Excellent price for down sleeping bag
CONS
- Not nearly as warm as other options
ALPS Mountaineering Blaze 0 Degree Mummy Sleeping Bag
- Temperature Rating: 0º
- Comfort Rating (EN): Not Available
- Weight: Regular: 5 lbs. 5 oz, X-Large: 6 lbs. 7 oz.
- Filling: Synthetic TechLoft Silver
- Price: $
If budget is your limiting factor while searching for a sleeping bag, then the ALPS Mountaineering Blaze may be for you. This warm yet affordable sleeping bag is a solid option, without all the bells and whistles of higher-end products.
First off, we have effective synthetic insulation that provides decent warmth through almost all camping conditions. Disregarding the bag’s name, I wouldn’t recommend this sleeping bag for intense mountaineering based on weight alone. That said, it is a solid beginner’s option when just breaking into a new sport so you don’t blow your entire budget on a single item.
Keep in mind that you won’t have an extra storage pocket, loops for connecting to your sleeping pad, or an included compression sack. However, remember that we’re focusing on the lower expense with the ALPS Blaze, and in that regard, this sleeping bag is an excellent choice that stays warm in the backcountry
PROS
- Very accessible price
- Warm construction
CONS
- Comparatively heavy for backpacking or mountaineering
Coleman Palmetto 30°F Cool Weather Sleeping Bag
- Temperature Rating: 30º F
- Comfort Rating (EN): Not Available
- Weight: 4 lbs 1 oz.
- Filling: Synthetic
- Price: $
Sometimes we just need a basic sleeping bag, and nothing else. No fancy insulation, no extra features, and no big price tag – just a bag to sleep in. Coleman has provided that exact sleeping bag in the Palmetto 30.
The Palmetto is the classic rectangular shape. No hood for your head, and no fancy heat retention technology. Nevertheless, it’s very roomy and comfortable for a few nights of car camping, a cozy nook for an outdoor movie, or a relaxing day on a brisk beach in the PNW.
Being 6’ tall, I’m a little disappointed that the Palmetto is only long enough for people 5’11’’ and under, with no tall version for us taller humans. But, if you can fit, it’s a simple and uncomplicated design that you can use for any number of occasions without worrying about ruining an expensive piece of gear – because expensive is one thing this sleeping bag isn’t.
PROS
- Incredibly affordable
- Easy machine washing
CONS
- No long version for people over 5’11’’
- Rectangular shape isn’t as effective at retaining heat
How to Choose a Sleeping Bag
There are several factors that play into your decision-making process when purchasing a sleeping bag. Let’s examine several of these factors, and dissect the features that set the best sleeping bags apart from the rest.
Comfort Rating & Seasons
Temperature Ratings
I know it’s confusing. There’s the brand’s temperature rating, then a comfort rating, and then a lower limit rating. What does it all mean? Well, let’s take a look at each of these numbers one by one so you know exactly what each sleeping bag is capable of.
Temperature Rating: This is the temperature rating that the individual brands assign to their sleeping bags. They arrive at this number through their own in-house testing, and it’s intended as a ballpark estimate at what low temperature you can sleep in their sleeping bag and remain comfortable. However, there is no standardization from brand to brand and one 20º F sleeping bag may be much warmer than another sleeping bag that’s also rated to that same value. Therefore, I recommend that you pay more attention to EN or ISO ratings if they’re available.
The EN and ISO standards – where EN is the original and ISO is the new version – were devised to level the playing field for us sleeping bag shoppers. They essentially lay out a universal standard by which all sleeping bag temperatures can be tested. These tests yield two important numbers: the comfort rating and the lower limit.
Comfort Rating (EN or ISO): This number indicates the temperature at which a cold-sleeper should feel comfortable in that particular sleeping bag. In general, this number is often used to gauge the sleeping bag’s appropriateness for women sleepers.
Lower Limit (EN or ISO): This number indicates the temperature at which a hot-sleeper should feel comfortable in that particular sleeping bag. As men tend to run warmer than women, this number is typically an indication of the sleeping bag’s suitability for men.
Seasons
The two most common season indicators you’ll find on sleeping bags are 4-season (or all-season) and 3-season. The latter refers to the 3 most common adventuring seasons – Spring, Summer, and Autumn – and indicates that the sleeping bag should be appropriate for use during that timeframe.
As you’d expect, a 4-season sleeping bag adds winter into the mix. These sleeping bags traditionally have better insulation, durability, and water-resistance to make them suitable for use during the colder and wetter winter months. Keep in mind, however, that I very much recommend bringing along a silk or fleece sleeping bag liner if you’re heading out into very cold temperatures. Also, consider reviewing REI’s tips for staying warm in your sleeping bag.
Type Of Insulation
There are two primary types of insulation for sleeping bags, natural down or synthetic fibers. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each so you can make your decision fully informed.
Down Sleeping Bags
Down is the natural fluffy plumage that lays underneath a bird’s feathers. Duck and goose down are most commonly used for sleeping bags, and both are incredibly efficient insulators. In addition to excellent insulation, down is also very lightweight. Together, these two characteristics make down sleeping bags ideal for cold weather or ultralight hiking.
However, down’s Achilles heel is moisture. If the down gets wet, either from rain or natural condensation inside a tent, it will clump together and lose all of its insulating properties. Therefore, it’s absolutely pivotal to keep your down sleeping bag dry. Additionally, down is typically much more expensive than synthetic.
Synthetic Sleeping Bags
As you probably guessed, synthetic insulation is almost the polar opposite of down. It is traditionally heavier and less effective than down – although recent technologies have closed that gap. However, synthetic materials retain their insulating properties even when wet, which makes them an attractive option when heading into unavoidably wet conditions. Synthetic sleeping bags also remain popular thanks to their more attractive price tag.
Pack Size & Weight
For the car campers out there, your sleeping bag’s size and weight are less of a concern. Simply toss the bag in your car and you’re good to go. However, backpackers and mountaineers will understand the importance of limiting both your sleeping bag’s overall volume along with weight.
The smaller you can pack your sleeping bag down, the less space it will take up in your pack. I highly recommend you obtain a dedicated compression sack for just this reason. This is a heavy-duty bag into which you store your sleeping bag, then cinch down straps on the outside of the bag to scrunch down the sleeping bag as much as possible.
Do not leave your sleeping bag in a compression sack for long periods! The compression sack is only for transporting your sleeping bag, not for storage. It can adversely affect your sleeping bag’s insulation distribution over long periods of time, especially in down sleeping bags.
As for weight, lighter is typically better for backpacking and adventuring. However, keep in mind that the lighter your sleeping bag, the less insulation it has. Therefore, consider your plans for the sleeping bag, and find the perfect balance between weight and insulation for your needs.
Additional Features
There are a number of additional features that we often see on sleeping bags. These aren’t necessarily required in order to make a great sleeping bag, but they are very convenient. A few of my favorites are:
- Zippered stash pocket for phone or headlamp
- Loops or cinches for securing your sleeping bag to a sleeping pad
- Loops for hanging your sleeping bag up to air out after use
- Water repellent finish and materials
- Included compression sack
- Second zipper to aid in ventilation
- Anti-snag zippers
While not a feature, a robust manufacturer’s warranty is also very useful for peace of mind.
Final Thoughts
Finding the absolute best sleeping bag under $200 is no easy task. However, I hope that our recommendations combined with our comprehensive buying guide will help you on your search. Remember, think about what you will use the sleeping bag for along with your priorities in weight, warmth, and cost. Consider these points, and you’ll be snuggled up in your new sleeping bag in no time!
Have fun and stay safe, eh?
Sources
- How to Choose a Sleeping Bag – BMC
- Down VS Synthetic Sleeping Bag – Gear Junkie
- How to Choose a Sleeping Bag – AlpKit
