Regardless of your level of enthusiasm for camping, the quality of your sleeping bag can make or break your trip. There are many types of sleeping bags on the market, all at different price points. If sleep is important to you, it’s important to choose a sleeping bag that suits the environment in which you’ll be sleeping. It’s equally important to choose a sleeping bag that is your size.
Keep reading to learn more about sleeping bags and how to choose the right one for your outdoor sleeping needs.
Our Top Picks:
- Best Lightweight Mummy Sleeping Bag: TETON Sports LEEF
Jump to Review - Best For Large Adults: Coleman North Rim
Jump to Review - Best For Cold Summer Nights: Coleman Palmetto Sleeping Bag
Jump to Review - Best Budget: SWTMERRY Sleeping Bag
Jump to Review
Which Type of Sleeping Bag Do I Need?
There are many types of sleeping bags available, each designed for its own range of sleeping environments. If it’s hot and humid, for example, you’ll need a light and moisture-resistant sleeping bag. If nights are chilly, you’ll need a sleeping bag designed for cold weather, as it’s nearly impossible to fall asleep while shivering. Lastly, if you’re on a backpacking camping trip, you’ll need a sleeping bag that’s lightweight and compact to carry.
The 5 Best Sleeping Bags on Amazon Canada in 2024
Here is a list of the best sleeping bags you can buy in Canada, on Amazon, this year.
REVALCAMP Sleeping Bag For All Ages
Best lightweight rectangular sleeping bag
Weighing just 2 lbs, REVALCAMP’s is a convenient 3-season sleeping bag. When rolled up, it can even fit in your backpack. While it’s not designed for extreme weather conditions, the sleeping bag can keep you warm in temperatures as low as 5°C.
With dimensions of 30 x 71 inches, it’s suitable for anyone under 6 feet. When rolled up, the sleeping bag is compact and easy to carry, measuring just 7x7x7 inches.
The REVALCAMP sleeping bag is made from soft polyester material and has a cozy plush filling. It’s available in several colours, all with a grey interior lining.
TETON Sports LEEF Lightweight Mummy Sleeping Bag
Best lightweight mummy sleeping bag for fall camping
TETON Sports LEEF Sleeping Bag is lightweight and designed for camping in cold weather. With its mummy design and down filling, it can keep you warm in temperatures as low as -15° C. It has a warming hood and an extra layer of insulation at the feet to keep your feet warm.
With dimensions of 34 by 87 inches, the LEEF Adult is suitable for people between 5 and 6 feet. There is a scout option with smaller dimensions. Its shell is made from a 40d polyester ribstop it’s filled with down. It has a soft, brushed poly-flannel lining. It has a built-in pocket for safely storing your wallet or phone.
The LEEF weighs over 4 lbs, so it’s not the lightest sleeping bag if you plan on taking it on a hiking trip.
Coleman North Rim Mummy Sleeping Bag For Large Adults
Best XL mummy sleep bag for really cold weather
Coleman’s North Rim is another sleeping bag that can keep you warm during the coldest months of the year. It can handle temperatures as low as -18°C. Measuring 32 by 82 inches, it can comfortably accommodate most people up to 6 feet in height.
The sleeping bag’s hood tightens with drawstrings to help keep as much cold air out as possible. The hood is also nicely padded, which is a bonus.
The North Rim has a polyester outer layer and is filled with polyester plush. Like the TETON LEEF sleeping bag, it has an insulated foot box to keep your feet warm.
The main downside of this bag is its size and weight. It weighs around 6 lbs, so it’s not recommended if you plan on hiking with it.
Coleman Palmetto Sleeping Bag
Best sleeping bag for cold summer nights
Coleman’s Palmetto is another popular camping sleeping bag on the market. With a temperature rating of -1°C, it’s ideal for summer or early fall camping in Canada. It measures 33 by 75 inches, making it suitable for people under 6 feet tall.
The bag has interior pockets that are convenient for storing your phone or wallet. The bag is insulated with ColeTherm, which helps trap heat, so you’ll stay warm throughout the night. Its interior is lined with tricot, which is a warp-knit fabric. That said, if you have dry, cracked skin, this material might not be the most comfortable.
SWTMERRY- Sleeping Bag for 3 Seasons
Most affordable sleeping bag
The SWTMERRY Sleeping Bag is an affordable option worth considering. While it’s not exactly suitable for three seasons in Canada, it’s perfect for hot or chilly summer nights. Its semi-rectangular design provides a cozy nook for your bed, while the bag’s body has ample space to move around.
Unlike most bags out there, the sleeping bag has a zipper at the feet to let some air in on hot nights. The bag has a nylon shell and a polyester down filling.
If colour is important to you, the bag is available in several colours, including light blue, dark blue, dark grey, and orange.
Despite the fact that it weighs just 3 lbs, when rolled up its dimensions are 16 by 9 inches. That said, it’s not the most compact sleeping bag out there.
What to Consider When Buying a Sleeping Bag
A sleeping bag is not something you should buy blindly. It’s important to get informed in order to stay warm and comfortable throughout the night. Here are some details to take into consideration before buying a sleeping bag:
Season & Temperature Rating
Will you be camping during the spring, summer, fall, or winter? Will it be humid or dry? These questions need to be answered before you can find the right bag for your needs. For example, if you’re camping in Canada in July, we highly recommend finding a bag that is moisture-resistant. Similarly, if you’ll be camping in the colder months, a sleeping bag that’s designed for sub-zero temperatures is needed.
Sleeping Bag Shape
The shape of the bag you choose will depend on many factors. Your personal preference, outside temperature, and weight limits. Mummy sleeping bags tend to be warmer and lighter, but they can make you feel restricted.
While rectangular sleeping bags will provide you with more space to move around, they tend to weigh more and lock in less heat. At the end of the day, if the sleeping bag doesn’t fit your body correctly, it will be less likely to keep you warm at night.
Fabric & Insulation
The ideal sleeping bag fabric is soft and breathable. Popular outer shell materials are nylon, polyester, ribstop, and taffeta. High-end sleeping bags are commonly made of taffeta or silk, while more affordable sleeping bags are made from nylon, polyester, or ribstop.
When it comes to the bag’s insulating layers, there are generally two options: sleeping bags with synthetic fill or a fill made of down, wool, or cotton. Sleeping bags with synthetic fills are typically more affordable and lighter to carry, but not as warm.
What are the different types of sleeping bags?
Sleeping bags come in many shapes and sizes. While the most classic sleeping bag is the rectangular sleeping bag, mummy sleeping bags are increasingly popular. For backpackers looking for ultra-lightweight sleeping bags, quilt sleeping bags are a popular choice. Here are the three most popular types of sleeping bags:
Mummy Sleeping Bags
Mummy sleeping bags are popular for many reasons. They’re lightweight, compact, and keep you warmer at night. Indeed, since less fabric is used to create a mummy shape, they tend to be much lighter than their rectangular counterparts.
The mummy design is intended to keep you snug, with less empty space surrounding your body. This allows heat to build up in the sleeping bag. Oftentimes, the foot area of a mummy-shaped sleeping bag will be insulated, providing extra warmth.
The main downside with mummy sleeping bags is that space is limited inside the bag, particularly in the foot region. If you’re prone to feeling claustrophobic, a mummy sleeping bag is probably not suitable for you.
Rectangular Sleeping Bags
Rectangular sleeping bags are the most popular and affordable type of sleeping bag. They will typically have a zipper on one or both sides that extends down the full length of the bag. A rectangular shape allows you to move more freely within the bag and provides ample space for your feet.
For claustrophobic sleepers, rectangular-shaped sleeping bags are the best choice. The main downside of rectangular bags is that they tend to be less resistant to cold weather. Since their shape allows for a lot of empty space in the bag, heat gets lost more easily.
Rectangular sleeping bags also tend to be heavier compared to mummy sleeping bags, since more fabric is needed.
Quilt Sleeping Bags
Quilt sleeping bags, also known as backpacking quilts, are a popular choice for camping in cars or hammocks. Unlike standard sleeping bags, quilt sleeping bags do not have a base to lie on or a hood. They are essentially a form-fitting duvet. However, they usually still have an insulated foot box to keep your feet snug.
Since there is less fabric involved in their design, quilt sleeping bags tend to be more lightweight and therefore popular amongst backpackers.
What is The Best Type of Sleeping Bag You Can Buy?
The best type of sleeping bag to buy will largely depend on the season and the type of camping trip you’re embarking on. If you’re going on a backpacking adventure, you’ll need a lightweight sleeping bag that rolls up compactly. You ideally want this sleeping bag to fit into your backpack.
The most lightweight sleeping bags tend to be mummy-shaped or, better yet, a quilt sleeping bag. If you’ll be doing some basic camping with minimal walking to get there, the sleeping bag’s weight is less important. You’ll simply just need a bag with a suitable size and a temperature rating that suits the season. In most cases, a typical rectangular 3-season sleeping bag is all you need.
How to Clean Your Sleeping Bag?
Camping can be messy, but luckily, there is always a way to clean a sleeping bag. Before washing your sleeping bag, it’s important to look at the manufacturer’s instructions, which are most likely located somewhere on the bag. Higher-quality sleeping bags will have more specific instructions, especially if the bag is filled with non-synthetic down.
Most sleeping bags can be washed in warm water on a gentle cycle. The bag should be unzipped completely before washing. If your washing machine is small, put it through the rinse cycle a second time. To dry your bag, hang it to try or put it in the dryer on low heat. High heat can melt fabrics such as nylon.
Depending on the quality of your sleeping bag, it’s not recommended to machine wash a sleeping bag too often. Also, depending on the size of your sleeping bag relative to your washing machine, you might be better off using a front-loading commercial washer at the nearest laundromat. This will provide enough space for the bag to rinse out thoroughly. Top-loading washing machines can damage the fabric, so avoid this type of machine if possible.
