Sleeping Bags and Pads

Recent Sleeping Bag/Pad Reviews

Western Mountaineering SummerLite

I have tested WM Summerlite in the Colorado Rockies (say, above 9000 feet), where you can expect frosty nights at any time. I would not recommend to venture out, even in midsummer, with less than a 20°F bag. BUT 32°F Summerlite did quite well in keeping me comfortable in July. I was dressed very warmly, ofc. (comfortable is the right word here, not warm). I guess this is because of the comtinious baffles; there's an unbroken four-inch layer of down separating the two nylon shell fabrics. This… Full review

Outdoor Vitals LoftTek Hybrid MummyPod

Outdoor Vitals' LoftTek Hybrid MummyPod sleeping bag offers an unconventional approach to sleeping in the backcountry. Designed to function as either a sleeping bag or an under quilt, this product is as clever as it is reliable. Outdoor Vitals is known for providing reliable backcountry sleeping bags for a fraction of the cost of competitive products. They believe that we'll have less of an impact on the environment if we invest in quality products that can be used for a lifetime. And the LoftTek… Full review

The North Face Women's Blue Kazoo

Lightweight and comfortable, packs small. I bought this bag to replace my VERY old (one of the originals) Blue Kazoo bag, which had weathered the Long Trail, PCT, and CDT, along with many shorter adventures. It was a trusty friend. I found the new one to be adequate, but nothing great for the price. Has some nice features, listed in the pros, but overall I found it to be less than I expected given the quality of the original and the price. I had big cold spots when it went below about 40 degrees,… Full review

Klymit V Seat

One breath and you're off the surface. Easy valve operation. I have only used indoors so far at my kitchen table on wooden chairs. The cushion makes the sitting surface much softer. The material feels sturdy and tough enough to withstand the rigors of outdoor use. This has been an easy to use cushion for the past month. One breath has it to full capacity and for use. I have only used this indoors so far on my wooden surface kitchen chairs. The V Seat has offered a nice cushion for longer seating… Full review

Mont Highland Hydronaute XT -10ºC

The Mont Highland is a lightweight alpine bag for cold weather. This bag has been excellent for the wet-cold nights in the Tasmanian mountains and the dry-freezing nights in the Himalaya. It is well designed and great for those trying to cut weight without skimping on warmth. WarmthI have found that this bag lacks any sort of draft or cold-spot. Mont really went overboard with the double draft tube and lack of foot zip. I only bust this bag out when it's going to reach freezing or below. The "toaster… Full review

OutdoorsmanLab Ultralight Inflatable Pad

This is a great, summer-only, inflatable sleeping pad. Very light, and packs down small. Easy to inflate. Packs down small and is very light. This is a summer pad only. This was my first purchase when I decided to go away from the Alps Mountaineering, self-inflating pad. A large intake hole makes this super easy to inflate. It is also easy to deflate and pack up. This inflatable pad is very quiet. I'm a restless sleeper and I can roll over on this pad without affecting my neighbors. Comfort is not… Full review

Klymit Insulated Static V Lite

Great quality, especially for the price. I find this pad to be very comfortable, quiet when rolling over, and it is lightweight and packs down small. This is a great three-season sleeping pad. I feel as if my search is over for now. Unless I decide to make an impulse purchase next year. While I find this easy to inflate, it takes a good 10 or 12 breaths, with a rest in between. Some of the higher-priced pads come with lightweight air pumps (the stuff sack doubles as the air pump). The Big Agnes… Full review

Exped DownMat 7

Warm and comfy sleeping mat, but after about 10 years the longitudinal baffles failed and it was like sleeping on a hill. Best sleeping mat I have ever had the pleasure to use. Warm and comfortable. However like my Therm-a-Rest mat it failed after many (about 10) years of use. The Downmat 7 had the longitudinal baffles fail and the middle three tubes became one big hill to sleep on. Lesson—all inflatable mattresses will eventually fail, think of a backup plan or choose a lightweight solid option. Full review

Outdoor Vitals StormLoft 15 Down Underquilt

An economy underquilt (UQ) that is Chinese made and Chinese QC'd. This is not a terrible place to start if you are beginning to hammock camp. The Hammock Gear UQ is of much greater quality for the same price, and I wish I had bought that first. OV is great at advertising and marketing, but they really should put that into the product. Full review