NEMO Tempo 20 Synthetic - Women's Review

The Tempo 20 is the perfect synthetic sleeping bag option for those who don't mind a little extra weight on their back or bulk inside their backpack. The Stratofiber-filled construction provides extra space in the elbows and knees while creating a lofty, cozy, and spacious interior that eliminates any draft, thanks to a unique blanket fold collar. If you're primarily car camping or on extended river trips, the Tempo is an affordable and feature-rich design that mimics the loft and coziness of down.

Performance Comparison

Warmth

The Tempo 20 stood apart from other synthetic sleeping bag options due to its lofty and one-of-a-kind spoon shape design that offers warmth and comfort, exceeding our initial expectations. The Stratofiber fill combines with a unique — and somewhat funny-looking — draft collar to deliver impressive warmth. This was just the tucked-in, cozy comfort and effective temperature regulation our testers sought during a cold spring stay in Indian Creek, Utah. The 50-denier synthetic shell is built of 100% recycled polyester ripstop with a DWR coating, adding another layer of protection and ensuring warmth during inclement weather.

The bag is rated for temperatures as low as 12F, with a comfort rating around 23F. Our team found themselves in just such test conditions while climbing in the Utah desert when a fast-moving spring snowstorm hit — the perfect chance to examine all the features. We found the hood to be deep enough to surround the head, but it can also be a little tight depending on the backpacking pillow design you choose to nest inside. Similarly, while the bag's spoon shape design may not fit every female body shape well, our lead tester (5'6" with an athletic build) found the dimensions suited her body shape with enough space to rotate comfortably throughout the night. The result is, hands down, one of the warmest synthetic bags for women we've tested yet.

Weight

For those who enjoy the security of a weighted" blanket, the Tempo 20 may be exactly the right design for you. It is one of the heaviest (and bulkiest) sleeping bags we've tested, weighing in at 3.75 pounds. That's more than double the weight of some of the lightest down-filled bags in our lineup and immediately rules it out for anyone seeking a synthetic bag for extended backpacking trips.

Although features such as the unique draft collar, anti-snag zipper, pillow sleeve, and spoon shape design add more weight to the synthetic Stratofiber fill construction, these features also create a very cozy build. While we appreciate the welcoming loft and coziness, it lacks the packability we would want for backcountry travel. But for those who find themselves car camping or on river trips where weight isn't a focus in packing, the Tempo 20 is a great option.

Comfort

The Tempo 20 is a synthetic-filled design that supplies the comfort one might expect from a down-filled bag. It is lined with 50 denier, 100% recycled polyester taffeta fabric and filled with Stratofiber, creating a lofty, cozy, and (unfortunately) heavy construction. There is extra room in the elbow and knees to accommodate those who shift positions a lot during their sleep cycle or simply prefer to sleep on their sides. The unique blanket fold draft collar is another nice touch, providing custom tucked-in comfort and eliminating any cold air from sneaking inside the bag. Thoughtful baffles along the zipper also keep drafts at bay while double-timing as protection for your body against any uncomfortable interactions with the zipper overnight.

While the spoon shape and pillow sleeve are intended to facilitate your comfort, they can also restrict the fit for some users. It suited our lead tester quite well overall, but she noted, “I found the hood a little tight for my backpacking pillow, making it a tight fit, especially when I tried to cinch the hood tightly through a spring storm.” If the spoon shape works well for your body shape, the Tempo 20 offers impressive synthetic comfort on a budget.

Packed Size

Although the Tempo 20 includes a nice mesh storage bag and a compression sack, there is no way to ignore the fact that this bag is larger than its down-filled competitors and will require far more of the precious space inside your backpack. The final package was larger than all the down options, measuring about 12 inches long and 9 inches wide once compressed. Yet, we were actually quite impressed with how well the synthetic Stratofiber fill responded to compression, taking on the shape of a small drum.

The weight and packed size of the Nemo Tempo 20 may be a limiting feature for weight-conscious backpackers, but for car camping in humid areas, it's a no-brainer. It will also work well if you aren't hiking too far from your vehicle and don't mind packing a little extra weight to enjoy a peaceful night's sleep in a backcountry setting. Another perfect location might be extended river trips, on which weight is less of a concern than staying warm in a wet environment.

Features

The Tempo 20 offers a thoughtful and feature-rich sleeping bag design that is affordable. An integrated pillow sleeve inside the spacious and well-shaped hood allows for the use of a backpacking pillow. Or improvise with a down jacket securely stowed inside the hood for additional comfort without adding extra weight to your pack. The unique “blanket-fold draft collar” will have you scratching your head until you use it yourself, but once tucked in, you'll discover it works wonders at eliminating cold air drafts. The new anti-snag zipper technology also impresses, providing easy entry and exit into the bag.

While NEMO boasts about their unique “spoon shape” (a fit meant to allow women enough space to rotate positions throughout the night), some consumers find this bag too snug to serve that purpose. While the bag doesn't integrate any women-specific features to note, NEMO does integrate opposite-side zippers into the men's and women's bags so they can be zipped together, should you want to snuggle with your sweetheart inside a “double” sleeping bag.

Should You Buy the NEMO Tempo 20 Synthetic?

If you're interested in an affordable synthetic sleeping bag complete with comfort and warmth-enhancing features and protected by a lifetime warranty, look no further than the NEMO Tempo 20 Synthetic. The spoon-shaped fit, draft collar, pillow sleeve, and anti-snag zipper technology are just a few reasons to purchase this comfortable and warm bag design. While it is undoubtedly much heavier and bulkier than other down-filled constructions in this review, it is an excellent and affordable entry-level option for those on a budget or in wet destinations.

What Other Women's Sleeping Bags Should You Consider?

The NEMO Tempo 20 Synthetic stood apart from the other synthetic bags we tested thanks to its unique shape, a draft collar, and how its synthetic fibers and construction mimic the comfort of a down-filled sleeping bag. If you are shopping on a tight budget or prefer a bag that will perform even in humid and rainy climates, the The North Face Cat's Meow is another recycled synthetic construction worth looking at. It scores similarly to the Tempo and is available for a similar price. If you are open to down-filled bags, we have tested some worthwhile and reasonably affordable options like the Sierra Designs Get Down 20 and the Big Agnes Torchlight EXP 20. But for the cream of the crop among down-filled bags, the Western Mountaineering AlpinLite is where we'd send you. The simple, lightweight, unisex construction is sold in a short model (sized for 5'6" - an average female height), in addition to taller options. You'll find a draft collar, an open baffle system (to move downfill around where you prefer it to be concentrated), and an insulation tube to deliver ample, customizable warmth.