Cold Weather Sleeping Bags

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.

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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.

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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 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.

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Featured review by Michael Stevenson

I bought the MSS Sleep System from Smith's Surplus and it's brilliantly adaptable for any environment. Made with high-quality materials, it's durable, and features a waterproof layer that blocks wind and water. With two sleeping bags of different sizes, it caters to different weather conditions, keeping you toasty even below freezing. Its versatile, modular design makes it a cost-effective and practical choice.

I bought the MSS Sleep System at Smith’s Surplus and I have to tell you, it's the only sleeping system I ever need. It's adaptable, meaning you can use it in any setting. What makes it stand out is the high-quality materials and construction. It's built to last. The "bivy", or the outer layer, is amazing. It once kept me completely dry, even when I woke up in the middle of a stream. It prevents wind and water from getting in. The patrol bag, one component of the system, is light and small, but still super warm.

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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.

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Featured review by John M L

Just found this site, looking for Wiggy's site. I was amazed to read some of the other stories in regard to their experience with Wiggy's. I have no reason to doubt either side in that, I can only relate my own experience.I ordered a number of bags from a Wiggy's dealer in 1999. They were drop shipped to me directly from Wiggy's, and arrived in large cardboard boxes. I ordered bags for myself and girlfriend, and three relatives at the same time, as well as the lamilite ground pads. I'm sure I made my dealer's day, that day.I can only relate firsthand experience for the Superlight FTRSS product (though all bags are still in use at this time).

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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.

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Featured review by Lemmy

No frill military grade bag — no frills — just a lot of material to keep you warm the ultimate intent.

This bag is no frills — it is simple and durable and can not be beat. In other words, it isn't a Cadillac — it's a 1 ton work truck. When you get the bag, take it to a seamstress and have them blind stitch velcro on the inside IOT keep the baffle down over the zipper and also install a durable fabric strip with snaps on the outside of the zipper IOT provide an extra margin of safety. After all this bag is intended to save your life. Wiggy's doesn't need to do the aforementioned because of the different styles out there and by them not doing them keeps the cost of the bag down.

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