10 Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags Under 200 Dollars

Backpackers love to sleep in comfort as they anticipate the next day’s adventure. But, this supposed fun-filled exploration may soon come to ruin with the wrong backpacking equipment.

You’d relate better if you ever did a freezing night in the woods. Just a night out there could feel like a dreadful unending experience. If you ever had such, you wouldn’t mind investing your last dime for the best backpacking sleeping bag on the market.

To help reduce buyers’ confusion, we’ve put together a list of the best backpacking sleeping bags under 200 US dollars.

You may want to invest in more than one sleeping bag and have a specification for different weather conditions across various destinations.

For starters, we recommend you purchase one sleeping bag, then another, and maybe more, over time.

Clueless about an ideal sleeping bag to get?

Stay calm because we have put together this detailed guide to help inform a good pick on your next shopping for a sleeping bag.

Criteria For Choosing A Sleeping Bag For Backpacking

Before you commit to a sleeping bag, here’s a quick look at some specs to watch out for:

1. Price

This is perhaps the most significant factor to consider before you opt for a bag. Finance significantly affects your choice of a sleeping bag. However, while you have an eye on budget, it is way better to spend some extra cash for a decent level of coziness and warmth. In the end, you want your pick to reflect your budget but not at the expense of your comfort.

2. Weight

Your sleeping bag is most likely the weightiest item in your backpacking list. Hitting the road with so much bulkiness can ruin the fun. You don’t want a lightweight bag that freezes you out in the cold, either. So, when shopping for a backpacking sleeping bag, strike a reasonable balance between their weight and warmth.

3. Insulation

Your bags do not generate heat, your body does. Your bag, however, traps in body heat for more warmth. So, the more the insulation, the higher the temperature it retains.

Pro tip: Go for bags with less interior space as they provide better warmth.

4. Body-Fit – Mummy or Quilts construct?

Ultralight campers seem to prefer down quilts. Why? It offers the best weight: warmth ratio. Unlike the mummy bags, the quilts’ sleep system has less insulation and material compressed beneath the body. Quilt designs, as with a down comforter, places you to lie directly on the pad.  Again, quilts are hoodless. So, you may have to go along with hooded clothing or a head warmer to cater to your head if it gets cold.

While some quilts come with pads straps to retain heat, mummy packs are most suitable for windy/cold conditions as they are less drafty.  For extremely chilly weather, go for quilts. Mummy works better for below freezings conditions.

5. Temperature rating

Temperature rating helps determine what works best for various weather conditions. Lately, some temperature ratings on the labels can be misleading. However, you still want to see what the labels say. For cold destinations, opt for temps between +10°F and -10°F. If lower than -10°F, arm yourself with a bag designed for frigid regions.

6. Zipper

Yes – zippers matter a lot. Some bags have a full-length zipper, and others are one-sided. The zipper helps regulate warmth or cold inside the sleeping bag. If it gets too hot, unzip. Freezing? Zip up.

7. Comfort

In the end, everything revolves around your budget and, most importantly, your convenience. When determining comfortability, the thickness and size of your bag are typical factors. A larger and more spacious sleeping bag gives you more space. The downside, however, is that roomier bags come with less insulation and, in turn, more cold air inside.

Here, a tighter sleeping bag performs better.

READ: Top 10 Best Camping Pads for Side Sleepers In 2020

Now, lets quickly run through our recommended best backpacking sleeping bags under 200 US Dollars.

10 Best Sleeping Bags under $200

1. WINNER OUTFITTERS Mummy Sleeping Bag

Considering its affordability, Winner Outfitters Mummy Sleeping Bag is an excellent pick. But for the same reason, being price, you may not expect the best functionality from this traveling pack. However, this sleeping bag is ideal for backpackers who explore temperate regions.

The bag is built with a unique quilting construction with a complete draft tube. Its buyer reviews on amazon speak volumes of its efficiency, particularly when compared with its relatively low cost. Even more, the sleeping bag is machine-friendly.

Indeed, washing a sleeping bag after camping is a big plus – you don’t want to stink of sweat and wood smoke on your next trip. You’d appreciate this feature more when out with the kids.

 

2. Sleepingo Double Sleeping Bag for Backpacking

Sleepingo Double Sleeping Bag is designed with a backpacker’s comfort in mind. Even more, it is built with durable materials and impressively light-weighted. The bag creates a perfect space for two and two additional travel pillows as a bonus.

The equipment’s insulation feature guarantees maximum comfort and warmth all night. Intriguingly, its lifetime warranty gives you a life-long assurance of quality and functionality.

 

3. Kelty Unisex Cosmic 20 Degree Sleeping Bag

If you need a low-budget but decent sleeping bag, here’s a good one. Although this isn’t the cheapest, warmest, most comfortable or lightest bag there is, for a down sleeping bag and price, it combines all these factors, impressively.

Kelty strikes a delicate balance between warmth, size, and price, which makes it sit among our top 10 backpacking sleeping bags under $200. The bag is ideal for backpacking, camping, hiking, alpine climbing, and mountaineering.

 

4. Hyke & Byke Eolus 0 Degree F 800 Fill

Hyke and Byke offer a new model built for durability, warmth, and water resistance. The sleeping bag holds up well to moist and compression.

Not compromising warmth and comfort, the bag is impressively lightweight.

Its mummy shape helps keep the body warm – locking out cold air even when turning and tossing.

 

5. Kelty Tuck 22F Degree Mummy Sleeping Bag

This time, Kelty makes a product with two sizes – long and regular. This offers buyers an option for maximum comfort, particularly for taller backpackers. The bag comes with a sturdy shell build, which makes it a worthwhile investment.

With its 22F rating, your Kelty Tuck Mummy sleeping bag will serve those out in the cold all seasons. The bag is designed to absorb body heat and keep you comfortable all night.

The bag features a hood, which helps you snug, fittingly, and a perfect fit foot box for maximum comfort from the head, down, toe.

Its anti-snag design, compact size, and lightweight make it a good addition to your next backpacking shopping list.

 

6. Teton Sports Altos Ultralight Mummy Sleeping Bag

Amid low-end backpacking sleeping bags comes the Altos. Made from natural fibers and a cleaner, the product is largely considered environmental-friendly.

Teton Sports Altos Ultralight Mummy Sleeping Bag offers users two temperature ratings: zero-degree TETON orange bag and the +20-degree burnt orange version.

Unlike the traditional fill, this product comes built with a downlink-like Spectrum S fill. This brings even more warmth, not compromising comfort. Even with its lightweight and high packability, the pack’s thickness offers an ideal warmth and exceptional comfort.

 

7. Hyke & Byke Snowmass 0 Degree F 650 Fill

Although relatively new in the backpacking world, Hyke and Byke have raked a lot of positive reviews with its Snowmass 0 Degree F 650 Fill backpacking sleeping bag. It comes with 1200g weight duck down fill.

 

8. TETON Sports Celsius XXL Sleeping Bag

This is much bigger than the Teton Sports Celcius regular version. Although with similar top-notch design and material, this specification is especially for taller people or those who seek more space.

Its crushed flannel lining offers a soft and cozy interior, which brings a typical bed-like feeling. With a zipper on both sides, you can easily attach another XXL version for larger space.

 

9. Coleman 0°F Mummy Sleeping Bag for Big and Tall Adults

Coleman is a household name within the backpacking community. The Silverton 0 degree version is another impressive product specially designed for warmth.
This product holds up impressively even in the coldest regions.

Its unique quilting and mummy-shaped build block out cold, keeping your body warm; as its hood protects your head against cold.

Built with an insulated draft tube, you have no fear of cold air sneaking through the zipper.

 

10. Outdoor Vitals Summit 0°F – 20°-30°F Down Sleeping Bag

An excellent combination of warmth, lightweight, and ease-of-storage makes this backpacking equipment a more exciting pick for your next trip. Although lightweight, the fabrics are sturdy and durable.

The sleeping pack can be compressed into a compact-sized fold, which helps you hit the roads without dragging a bulky pack along.

 

Final Notes

When it comes to sleeping bags, there’s no one-spec-fits-all. Each spec comes with its unique strengths and weaknesses.

Our best backpacking sleeping bags under 200 US Dollars’ recommendation list was influenced primarily by affordability, warmth, durability, and overall comfort they offer backpackers.

On the list, Hyke & Byke Eolus 0 Degree F 800 Fill made our overall best pick. Why? The premium quality mummy bag is roomie and comfortable, offering backpackers a good space, from legs to shoulders. Interestingly, it comes well insulated, blocking out cold and offering great warmth all night. While it may not be the cheapest on the list, it is reasonably priced. And no doubt, it provides outstanding value for the cost.

That said, all products on our list are carefully selected and trusted to give you a bang for the buck. So, go ahead and make a pick. Trust these bags to provide you with a remarkable backpacking experience on your next trip.