As is the case with any survival equipment, there are certain ones that are more versatile while others have more specialized uses. Sleeping bags are the same way. There will be ones great for all types of weather and terrain and others that are ideal for a certain temperature. It all depends on what your needs and budget are!

Kammok Thylacine ($627)

Gear of the Year

The Kammok Thylacine proved the most versatile. It was hardly a fair fight, given that this is three bags packed into one. The outer layer is a 1.9-pound, mummy-shaped base bag ($329) stuffed with 750-fill water-resistant down. It’s perfect for 50-degree canoe camping, is roomy enough that you can sleep on your side, and compresses down to the size of a small watermelon.

Kelty Sine 35 ($240)

Best For: Customizable ventilation.

The Test: Baffles are stitched diagonally to help reduce down migration and cold spots. The second and more noticeable deviation: two diagonal zippers in lieu of the traditional side opening. The upper zipper makes for easy entry and exit.

The Verdict: A smart choice for almost everything. 35 degrees; 1.9 lbs

The North Face Hyper Cat ($240)

Best For: Making synthetic insulation great again.

The Test: Indeed, the Hyper Cat challenges the weight-to-warmth ratio of down bags by compressing to the size of a loaf of bread yet lofting with featherlike puffiness. The secret: both long and short synthetic fibers layered into vertical baffles.

The Verdict: If it looks like down and feels like down… well, it’s close. 20 degrees; 1.9 lbs

Big Agnes Hazel SL 15 ($300)

Best For: A perfect fit.

The Test: To provide a cozier bag for female campers—or anyone wishing to beat the shivers in the backcountry—Big Agnes’s design team outfitted the Hazel with a series of clips and straps to cinch the bag snug and squeeze out excess air.

The Verdict: A shape-shifting bag for cold sleepers. 15 degrees; 2.8 lbs

Patagonia 850 Down Sleeping Bag 19F ($500)

Best For: Taking up peaks and down trails.

The Test: Before founding Patagonia in the seventies, Yvon Chouinard built his own sleeping bag with a two-way center zip. It allowed him to stay tied into his harness while sleeping on big walls. Patagonia has resurrected the design but added modern refinements. And DWR lends the 15-denier shell water resistance.

The Verdict: Old dog plus new tricks equals a bag for the ages. 19 degrees; 2.1 lbs

Have you tried any of these sleeping bags? Do you have another favorite that you would recommend?

Article Source: Outside Online