Sleeping Bags and Pads

Recent Sleeping Bag/Pad Reviews

DIY: -40 Degree Down Sleeping Bag

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… Full review

Katabatic Gear Alsek

The Katabatic Gear Alsek is the most comfortable and functional quilt that I have used. It is well-designed, durable, and conservative in its temperature rating, such that it really stands out amongst the competition. It has exceeded my expectations for warmth, comfort, and reliability. *I listed the origin of my quilt as a Pro and the expense as a Con, understanding that they are directly related. When I purchased my quilt in May 2016, all production was done in the USA. Katabatic Gear now offers… Full review

Therm-a-Rest Men's ProLite

Compact and comfortable mat for backpacking. Almost self-inflating, but requires a few puffs to fully inflate. Provides superb insulation, even on cold ground. My backpacking tent only has around 80 centimeters of head height and this mat does not reduce this by much. I have used this mat for three years now and it has proved to be well made and reliable. Full review

Therm-a-Rest Down Snuggler

I’ve tried this underquilt a few times in the backyard, but not yet overnight in the woods. Twice in the low 30s, it’s still been a little cool on my shoulder areas. I had to add a thin foam pad (from packing material that I salvaged) under my shoulders. I’m still experimenting with which end to use the adjustable cord side on. With my Therm-a-Rest Snuggler I noticed it was better to put the adjustable side on the head end to really snug it up under the hammock and bring more cover up around… Full review

ALPS Mountaineering Versa Pillow

Super small, light, and comfortable This is by far the best pillow yet. Packs down to the size of an apple. Put just enough air in for comfort, the plush surface is wonderful to sleep on. This is my new go-to pillow, Nice job, ALPS!  Looks like it will hold up well, ALPS has a great warranty and stands behind their products. Been camping with this two times, looking forward to many years of service. Full review

Mountain Warehouse Everest Down Sleeping Bag

A good bag for what it says, lofts well, very warm. To Jo Bets, the bag is rated -11° comfort and -19° limit. If you use it at -3° you will sweat, fabrics are only so breathable. I have used it at -13° and found no problems. Get yourself a bag to suit warmer temps, say 2° comfort and -7° limit. I previously had one of their Everest models and 15 years on it's still usable. All in I've been outdooring for over 40 years. For the money it's good. Full review

Sea to Summit Comfort Plus

Supremely comfortable. Comfort: This is with no doubt the most comfortable pad I have ever used. It simply feels like a nice mattress. Size: I have the Regular Tapered and at my 172 cm (5'8") with relatively wide shoulders it is plenty wide enough to easily lie on my back with my arms to my sides and roll around (I am a side sleeper). Inflation: The pad has two independent air chambers and this offers two main advantages. First, you can adjust the pad very easily, and second, it has a lot of built-in… Full review

Therm-a-Rest Men's NeoAir XLite

Light, but fragile and uncomfortable. It is a relatively light pad, but you get what you ... ask for. My pad had a leak on the first night. Just luck of the draw but it brought home the problem with this type of design: one tiny leak means your sleeping night is over. I am 172 cm (5'8"), relatively broad shouldered, and the pad was not large enough for my arms if I slept on my back; it is thin, and it has a very narrow range of inflation that somewhat works for comfort. Too little and you hit the… Full review

REI Flash Insulated Air Pad

The REI Flash is a compact ultralight pad that performs well. It’s comfortable at 2" (5 cm), insulated (3.7 R-Value), and easy to inflate—all at 15 oz. The drawbacks are that it’s loud, the welds may fail, and it has a tendency to slide around at night. I found the Flash at a co-op garage sale and picked it up for a measly $10. The tag said that it leaked. Leaked it did! There were several micro perforations. I found the leaks with some soapy water; they were all at where the pad and welds… Full review