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We purchased and tested 13 of the best ultralight sleeping bags on the market, uncovering which one will be the best choice for your next adventure by covering ourselves up in all of their warm baffles
Make sure the gear you select is appropriate for the conditions. For this late season trip, a heavier quilt system made more sense than a lighter one.
Credit: Justin Simoni
By Justin Simoni ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ Updated November 17, 2025
When you're carrying everything you'll need for your adventure on your back, you'll want the lightest, most efficient, and most effective gear available. That's where a high-performing ultralight sleeping bag or quilt comes into play. Whether this is your first foray into the ultralight world or you are an old master looking to update your well-loved gear, we've got the beta you'll need to find the perfect sleep system for your own ultralight adventures.
Over the last eleven years, we've bought and tested more than 50 ultralight sleeping bags and quilts. Our team of experts – comprised of thru-hikers, fast packers, and alpine climbers – has put each and every sleeping bag through controlled temperature tests and spent countless nights under the stars, all across the globe.
The Sea to Summit Spark 30 is a hyper-optimized mummy bag, offering the best combination of weight, packed volume, and comfort. The Zenbivy Ultralight Muscovy 25 Bed is an ultralight quilt with a smart design, including a full-sized zipper that turns it into a hoodless sleeping bag.
Editor's Note: Our ultralight sleeping bag review was updated on November 17, 2025. After retesting, we have a new Editors' Choice award winner, as well as a new section at the bottom of this review highlighting some notable options.
Lightweight 10D face fabrics and superior down fill power
Water repellent on the hood and anatomically shaped footbox
Draft tube along the zipper track
Snag-free, half-length zipper
CONS
Less thermoregulation due to shortened zipper
Less down fill means less warmth retention
SPECIFICATIONS
Manufacturer Temperature Rating (Limit Rating)
30°F (ISO)
Style
Hooded mummy
Fill Power Options (Tested, If Multiple)
850+
Fill Materials
Goose down with non-PFAS Ultra-Dry Down finish, RDS-certified
Measured Weight (Bag Only)
17.0 oz
Taking the crown, the Sea to Summit Spark 30 delivers an impressive warmth-to-weight ratio, unsurpassed comfort, and thoughtfully designed, minimalist features. Fair weather, summer trips are where this bag's strengths will complement the power of your hikin' legs. “The water-resistant fabric on the hood and foot box keeps this bag better protected from the condensation on the inner walls of my tent when I toss and turn at night”, highlights our lead tester. “And the zipper plow all but eliminates a stuck zipper”, they add. Reach for the Spark 30 for romps on famous tracks like the Colorado Trail and the John Muir Trail. Or take it bikepacking along the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, where its small compressed volume will more easily fit inside your smaller handlebar bag. For shoulder-season adventures, snaps near the hood allow you to integrate this bag with a top quilt that the manufacturer sells separately. Although this is a novel cold-weather sleep system, it's not an inexpensive one.
Along that line, the Spark 30 may not be warm enough for folks venturing into high elevations in the summer, as the ISO-verified comfort rating is only 39°F. If you don't want to purchase the accessory quilt, you can opt for a different bag in the Spark family. This line of ultralight bags spans comfort ratings between 14°F and 51°F, so one is bound to fit your needs. We suggest the Sea to Summit Spark 15 as the next best option for folks who tend to sleep cold. If weight and packed volume top your priority list, also take a good look at the Feathered Friends Vireo UL, a unique, zipper-less mixed-rated bag. Another reasonable alternative to the Spark 30 is the Western Mountaineering SummerLite, a classic summer sleeping bag with a full-length zipper, which makes it a bit more versatile.
Integrated pad sleeves keep the pillow and pad in place
Draft barrier system adds roominess
PFAS-free DWR-treated shell fabric
High-quality 900-fill-power duck down
CONS
Learning curve for initial setup
Best used with manufacturer accessories
Ultralight sheet adds weight
Requires the purchase of a secondary sleep sheet
SPECIFICATIONS
Manufacturer Temperature Rating (Limit Rating)
25°F
Style
Quilt
Fill Power Options (Tested, If Multiple)
900
Fill Materials
Muscovy down (90/10 grey duck down)
Measured Weight (Bag Only)
21.6 oz (large + 25" uninsulated Ultralight Sheet)
Ultralight systems aren't known for their superior comfort compared to conventional sleeping bags. Zenbivy aims to reverse some of that reputation with their Zenbivy Ultralight Muscovy 25 Bed, a quilt that pairs with their Ultralight Sheet. A common complaint from individuals with difficult sleep patterns is that ultralight quilts and sleeping bags are too constraining and claustrophobic. And quilt users often complain about problems with drafts if they toss and turn excessively. Zenbivy presents a solution: a sleep system that includes a quilt you attach to your sleeping pad using a secondary sheet, which in turn serves as a draft protector along the sides, with a built-in pillow keeper by your head. This system also provides a shelf to store unused jackets around your head in place of a hat for added coziness.
The Muscovy 25 Bed sleep system performs surprisingly well for its intended purpose. However, if you haven't had issues sleeping in a normally configured quilt or sleeping bag, this whole system may not necessarily be more comfortable than any other bag in our review. While this system is optimized for ZenBivy's own accessories, the Muscovy 25 quilt will work fine separately from the Ultralight Sheet. But as our lead tester concluded, “If you already know you're an active sleeper who doesn't like feeling constricted, you'll likely be more satisfied with the Zenbivy Ultralight Bed system over anything else we tested.” For an alternative, it's worth comparing the Muscovy 25 Bed against the Feathered Friends Flicker 40 UL. It's a quilt that doubles as a hoodless sleeping bag, offering generous shoulder room to accommodate sleepers who need a bit more breathing room. The Big Agnes Fly Creek UL 25 is a sleeping bag that features generous shoulder room and a center zip, making it more suitable for individuals who prefer a more relaxed fit around their chest.
We love bragging to our friends about our favorite new ultralight gear, but many gently push back, citing the sometimes higher cost of many products. With the Neve Gear Waratah 28, we are thrilled to have an excellent ultralight quilt to recommend that won't break the bank. What really makes this option stand out in our eyes is the use of high-quality materials: a thin, 10D taffeta liner treated with PFCS-free DWR holds a cozy 850 power duck down fill within carefully designed baffles, which keeps the right amount of insulation exactly where you want it. Moreover, one member of our test team was pleased to report, “The foot box of the Neve Gear Waratah is overfilled with down, making it absolutely perfect for sleepers like me whose feet tend to get cold before anything else — I can use all the help I can get.” This quilt can also be cinched up tightly for the coldest of nights you're likely to encounter in the summer, or spread out like a blanket for more moderate sleeping conditions.
At such an impressively budget-friendly price point, the Waratah 28 does make a few concessions in design, like its 850-fill duck down. Although more than adequate to get the job done, careful gram counters may prefer the weight savings of 900 fill power (or even higher!) However, such enhancements come at a significantly higher price tag as well, so there are trade-offs. The only real weakness we could find in the Waratah 28's design is the use of a small zipper at the footbox. “I have the worst luck with stuck zippers, so I wish the zipper on the Waratah were a little bigger to prevent it from getting stuck, or even worse, broken,” critiques tester Justin Simoni. If you want a lighter quilt, you'll have to be prepared to pay a little more for the privilege. The Western Mountaineering AstraLite features a thin 12D shell to cut some weight, getting down to only 17.5 ounces. The Katabatic Gear Flex 22 Quilt has similar specs to the Neve, but may have a bit more polish in the features.
Getting into and cinching up a quilt like the Neve Gear Waratah 28 may feel novel for life-long sleeping bag users, but once you get the swing of it, feels second-nature.
Do you have a gear room plastered with posters of Karel Sabbe and Heather Anderson — and that's where the kitchen's digital food scale is hiding? You may have a serious case of FKT-itis (Fastest Known Time). Let the Feathered Friends Vireo UL be the cure. At only a touch over a pound, this hoodless, zipperless sleeping bag invests 9.8 ounces of the finest 950+ fill-power goose down, perfect for keeping you warm between catnaps on the trail towards Mount Katahdin or perched precariously on the crest of the Sangre de Cristos en route to Salida. The shell material is a whisper-light, water-resistant 10D Pertex Endurance UL, with a 15D Flite ripstop nylon lining. The only accouterment that has been allowed is a single small cinch strap near the head. Break out your insulated jacket while getting your shuteye, as one way this bag cuts serious weight is by blowing less down into the top half of the bag compared to the bottom. This means packability is excellent when divying up the prime real estate found in your 28-liter fastpack. “The Vireo UL is what I pack when I'm trying to stamp out some serious miles,” shares one tester who is often traveling fast and light.
The trade-off for the extremely slimmed-down design of the Feathered Friends Vireo UL is a collection of compromises made to save on weight. Needless to say, this bag won't appeal to everyone. The top half of the bag is only limit-rated to 45°F, and there are no zippers or other vents to allow air circulation for the bottom half, which is limit-rated to 25°F. If you like the idea of zippers but don't care for snagged fabric, the Feathered Friends Hummingbird UL 30 addresses this issue with a special zipper that features an internal piece of flexible plastic. Plus, this two-way zipper system allows you to vent your feet or dump heat on warmer nights. Another consideration with the Vireo is that the upper portion of the bag has a limit rate of only 45°F. So we suggest you bring along your favorite puffy if temperatures are going to drop any lower overnight. Also, considering its few features, the price of the Vireo UL is quite high. “If you're not already cutting your proverbial toothbrush in half and cold-soaking your oats for the morning's no-cook meal, you might be better off with a different choice,” says our lead tester. “It's not for everyone, although I think the Vireo UL could be a great option for mountaineers and fastpackers alike, when pack weight is at a premium” That said, we find the Vireo UL oh so comfy without any zippers or other features next to our skin and the perfect companion when you feel the need for speed.
The extremely minimal design of the Feathered Friends Vireo lacks even zippers and buckles, to keep this sleeping bag it as simple as absolutely possible.
Full-length zipper with baffle gives you complete enclosure
CONS
No hood
Expensive
Not the lightest bag available
SPECIFICATIONS
Manufacturer Temperature Rating (Limit Rating)
40°F
Style
Hybrid (hoodless mummy bag or quilt)
Fill Power Options (Tested, If Multiple)
950+
Fill Materials
Goose down, RDS-certified
Measured Weight (Bag Only)
19.2 oz
We love the unmatched versatility of the Feathered Friends Flicker 40 UL, and it's a big part of why this bag lives near the top of our charts. Whether trying to ventilate on a hot night or bundle up when the mercury drops, this bag has you covered (or not: your choice!). A full-length center zip allows you to use it as either a hoodless mummy bag or a flat quilt, providing two great sleeping options. The Flicker 40 pairs super high loft, 950+ fill power down with a shell made of water-resistant and breathable Pertex Endurance UL. Feathered Friends spared no expense and used only the best and lightest materials in this masterpiece. Due to its exceptional adaptability, the Flicker is an excellent choice for long-distance routes like the Pacific Crest Trail, where you'll not only traverse different biomes but also experience the progression of the seasons.
To try out the lightest Flicker UL available, we tested the 40°F version, and we're happy to report it kept us warm within that temperature range. However, whenever it dipped into the 30s at night, we weren't as toasty. If you expect to be outdoors in colder temperatures, Feathered Friends offers this same bag in 30°F or 20°F options, although they are heavier due to the extra fill and added warmth. Potential buyers should also note that the Flicker lacks a hood, reducing its warmth on cooler evenings. “As with most quilts, bring a hat of some sort with you for when you snooze in the Feathered Friends Flicker,” suggests our lead tester. Our testers also appreciated the dual drawcords at both the head and feet, which allow you to wear this quilt around camp on chilly mornings. The full-length zipper is of far higher quality and more functional than the weight-saving buckle and strap systems used on some competing quilts we tested. Another highly versatile option we like is the Zpacks Classic. Although it is a mummy bag, the ¾-length zipper allows it to open almost all the way, making it usable as a quilt on warmer nights.
It took us a while to warm up to the idea of testing a synthetic bag in the ultralight category. But, we're now happy to report that the Enlightened Equipment Revelation APEX 30 left us surprisingly toasty. Instead of down, the APEX 30 uses its namesake synthetic insulation and design that has a distinct lack of baffles to give a 30°F rating that the manufacturer describes as being between a comfort and limit rating. The insulation works well, and the quilt comes with a ton of useful features to keep you as warm as you need to be and quite comfortable. Synthetic filling also retains much of its insulating power when wet, so if you're traveling in damper climates, this could be a crucial consideration. “When it comes to synthetic options, the Revelation APEX is head and shoulders above the rest and one of the only synthetic quilts I'd even consider,” our lead tester advises. This could be a good pick to bring on tracks in the Pacific Northwest, where rain is all but a given, and the coastal climate means the air is already dripping with humidity, like the Juan de Fuca on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.
There are some trade-offs for going the synthetic route, even with the Revelation APEX 30. For instance, down fill just has a much superior warmth-to-weight ratio as well as packed volume. Down just packs smaller and lighter than this quilt could even hope to accomplish. “If you've got the room in your pack and don't mind hauling a little more weight, give this Enlightened Equipment quilt a closer look,” suggests our tester. The price point beats almost every down option we tested, except for the Neve Gear Waratah 28, which blew us away with its top scores in testing and practically unrivaled budget price.
The footbed of the Revelation APEX 30 can either be cinched closed or left open for a more blanket-like feel.
Credit: Justin Simoni
Mummy Bags vs. Quilts
We offer both ultralight sleeping bags and ultralight quilts in our lineup, as well as some products that blur the lines between the two styles of sleeping systems, which can be easily converted from one to the other. We treat both styles as having equal footing and will choose one or the other for a trip, depending on various factors. We try not to favor one style over the other, and hope you can keep an open mind as well.
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A solo campsite up in a side valley of the Khumbu, the famous part of the Himalaya that is home to Mt. Everest. The 20 Degree by ZPacks kept us nice and warm on what proved to be a chilly night.
How We Tested
For our nearly holy quest to find the best ultralight sleeping bags and quilts, we purchase all of these bags at retail, just like you, and take them out into the field for real-world testing. We take great pride in sleeping on the job – in the morning, we'll trade notes on just how comfortable we slept the night before, as well as other details that'll shape our opinions on which products are best suited for whom. We've taken these bags and quilts across Colorado, Wyoming, California, and further into the Wilderness of Alaska and beyond! Once back home, we measure the volume of a packed bag and weigh it on our scale to verify the manufacturer's claims. We also conduct an overnight warmth retention test to validate the bag's insulating qualities.
Our ultralight sleeping bag and quilt testing is split up into five different rating metrics:
Our team of ultralight sleeping bag testers spans many years of backcountry experience, but is currently and bravely led by Justin Simoni. Based in Boulder, Colorado, Simoni might just use any excuse to grab a seat in a car, hop on a bus, or pedal from his home to explore the vast wilderness of Colorado. He has completed high-line traverses of some of Colorado's iconic mountain ranges, including the Sangre de Cristos, the Mosquito-Tenmile, and the Front Ranges. Simoni has also pedaled to, then hiked all the Colorado 14ers self-supported – twice! He has also guided backpacking trips in Alaska, California, and beyond.
Our team of professional snoozers has tested these ultralight sleeping bags in conditions around the world!
Analysis and Test Results
For the sake of comparison and to maintain objectivity across all brands, models, and types, we tested the performance of each ultralight sleeping bag and quilt, then scored them based on five focused metrics. Treat all these scores as comparative, as we can only write about the products that we have actually tested hands-on, and our lineup realistically doesn't cover every single product found in the ultralight sleeping bag world. That explains why a 30°F sleeping bag may score high in warmth: we're comparing it to other sleeping bags in this category, which are all of a similar weight, not a 0-degree winter behemoth.
Although most of these bags utilize very high-quality materials and well-executed designs, there are real-world limits on just how lightweight they can be. In the realm of ultralight sleeping bag design, sometimes one aspect of performance must be compromised to promote another, or features are removed altogether. For example, a tighter cut may be lighter and warmer, but it is far less comfortable. Keep this in mind as you read through this review to be sure you identify the best balance for your needs.
Gettin' cozy! Our team at GearLab hand-tested each of these bags under the stars to see which were the best.
Credit: Justin Simoni
Worse Value
Better Value
What's the Best Value?
Value isn't factored into our metric performance scores. However, we acknowledge that cost is a significant factor in purchasing any product. One way to assess value is to compare the overall score against its cost. For example, two bags might receive similar scores, but one could cost significantly less. All things being equal, the less expensive option would provide greater value.
All of these ultralight bags are designed differently, so we'll help you consider the pros and cons of each option. Here's an example: higher-quality down, measured in fill weight, reduces weight but increases the price. High-fill-power goose down (900, 950, or even higher) offers the highest warmth-to-weight ratio. But, it's by and large much more expensive than duck down, even at comparable fill power, while offering the same loft and insulation value. Knowing when it's worth paying a premium for a more luxurious sleeping bag or quilt is invaluable when making a new purchase.
Our tester unpacks the Katabatic Palisade on a six-week bike tour down Mexico's Baja Peninsula.
Credit: Mike Meo
The Neve Gear Waratah 28 surprised us with its thoughtful design and list of features. This is a solid quilt at any price, but coupled with its budget-friendly MSRP, it's a top value among bags we tested. The 10D nylon face fabric and 15.2 ounces of 850-fill-power duck down make this a true, high-quality ultralight quilt, weighing just 22.4 ounces. It's perfect for those starting to get into ultralight gear and want their gear to grow with them.
The Neve Gear Waratah 28's vertical upper baffles loft up generously, while its pad straps keep drafts at bay.
Credit: Justin Simoni
The Enlightened Equipment Revelation APEX 30 utilizes synthetic fill, which is significantly less expensive than down, although it's not as insulating as down for the same weight. So, on the scale and stored in your pack, it'll be heavier and bulkier. But you can't ignore the very tempting price tag when compared to duck and goose down. One performance benefit of synthetic insulation is that it's still insulating when wet, even if your bag gets drenched.
The Enlightened Equipment Revelation APEX 30 packs good value care of its use of synthetic material over natural down.
Credit: Justin Simoni
The Katabatic Gear Flex 22 Quilt offers top-notch performance at a very fair price. It's not inexpensive, but it does cost significantly less than the most expensive, top-of-the-line products. The Palisade 30 is another model from Katabatic Gear that is worth considering. So what's the difference between the two? You can easily open the Flex 22 into a blanket, whereas the Palisade has a tighter fit, more akin to a conventional sleeping bag.
The Katabatic Gear Flex 22 Quilt delivers excellent value in a highly adaptable quilt. Hanging out at camp while still nestled underneath its down is easy with the transformable foot box.
Credit: Justin Simoni
Warmth
No matter how light and fast you want to go, eventually you'll have to stop to rest. Getting a good night's sleep is essential to enjoying your trip day after day. A warm enough sleeping bag is so critical towards getting good sleep that many ultralight backpackers consider it the “ultimate layer”.
Fortunately, the bags we tested mostly offer good to excellent warmth-to-weight ratios, using quality materials and clever designs to maximize warmth. Select your bag based on the conditions and temperatures you anticipate encountering. Because warmth is the main purpose of an ultralight sleeping bag, it counts for 30% of each product's overall score.
Sleeping bags work by trapping many small pockets of air in the insulation, preventing heat loss to the outside air. Down feathers offer the best warmth-to-weight ratio of the common insulation types. The quality of down is rated according to its fill power, a measurement of the amount of loft a specific weight of down provides. Higher fill power numbers translate to more loft and better warmth-to-weight ratios.
Different fill powers of down: 650+, 750+, and 850+ of the same scale weight illustrate how higher fill powers provide more insulation per volume, which will also be able to compress smaller when storing.
Credit: Justin Simoni
Baffles are sewn pockets core to the sleeping bag's external construction. They help ensure down insulation stays where it's supposed to, whether spread evenly or placed strategically. Box baffles, sewn-through baffles, and other designs all have their advantages and disadvantages, but they all share the same goal of keeping the down in place.
The extremely thin materials used for the baffles of this quilt makes it easy to see the high quality duck down used within.
Credit: Justin Simoni
The other primary type of insulation is synthetic fibers, like Climashield APEX. One advantage of synthetic insulation over down is that it's a more affordable material that's easier to work with. Swaths of synthetic batting don't need an intricate system of baffles to stay in place. And if synthetic materials get soaked, they still retain a significant amount of insulating power. The drawback, however, is that synthetic fibers just can't offer the same warmth-to-weight ratio as down. Synthetic insulation is also unable to pack down as tightly. For these reasons, down is still the far more popular choice in ultralight sleeping bags; however, there are situations where a synthetic bag could be a better option, such as in very humid and rainy climates, where the opportunity to dry out your bag fully is limited.
We found the Big Agnes Fly Creek UL 25 generously wide in the shoulders and the footbed's design includes extra room for your feet to stuck up. A small tag on the bottom also makes it easier to hang the bag up to dry in the morning.
Credit: Justin Simoni
The quantity and quality of the insulation are significant factors in determining the warmth of a bag, but we also found that the design can have a substantial influence. Features like closed footboxes, draft collars around the neck, hoods around the head, baffled tubes next to zippers, and pad attachment systems can differentiate products that use similar amounts of insulation. In general, hooded mummy bags were slightly warmer because they allowed us to burrow deeper into the bag. Most quilts, in contrast, inevitably allowed cold air to creep into the thermal envelope whenever we moved during the night, so we struggled sometimes to feel quite as toasty.
Insulated Sleeping Pads and Quilts
All ultralight sleeping bags, but especially quilts, are designed to be used as part of a sleep system that includes the bag, a sleeping pad, and your clothing. Tailor your system to work in unison to keep yourself as comfortable and warm as possible. Most tested quilts aren't designed to enclose the user fully, but instead attach to an insulated sleeping pad to form a warm envelope. The theory behind quilts is that the sleeper compresses any sleeping bag insulation below them, negating the insulating effect it would otherwise have. So it follows: why not ditch this unnecessary material and save weight? This can work well, but requires a careful selection of a sleeping pad to match your quilt, and the sleeping pad needs to offer great insulation from the ground.
Sleeping pad insulation power is rated on a scale called R-value. The higher the R-value of a sleeping pad, the greater the insulation it provides from the ground. During our testing on cold nights, we found that some quilts left chilly drafts, and we would have liked some extra insulation below us to fill in these gaps. Ensure your insulated pad fits your quilt snugly, and that any extra clothing does not compress the insulation, thereby reducing its effectiveness. Pads do come in different widths, and a wider pad may spread out a quilt too much, leaving less room for you to sleep underneath. Double-check if the pad you want to purchase has a suggested pad width from the manufacturer.
We made a point of testing each of the bags in our review while sleeping in temperatures very close to their stated ratings. These experiences taught us which bags were warm and which were not, and we rated all the bags on a comparative warmth scale, where the warmest bags received higher scores and the coldest received the lowest.
With its very generous 17.0 ounces of high-quality 850+ fill, the Big Agnes Fly Creek UL 25 packs some of the highest amount of down insulation of practically any other bag or quilt in our lineup when we factor in fill weight and amount together. It's that 25°F limit rating that allowed us to sleep soundly in the Colorado Rocky Mountain springtime at the foot of Mount Shavano in near-freezing temps. With a generous volume and a well-designed cinchable hood, colder sleepers should definitely give this bag a closer look.
Our tester's broad shoulders were no match for the interior volume of the Big Agnes Fly Creek UL 25, making it an excellent candidate for curling up on tightly on the coldest of days.
Credit: Justin Simoni
Quilts are often championed in milder conditions, where their versatility and spaciousness are advantageous for staying comfortable in warmer weather. But quilts are not always preferred in colder weather, as drafts can and do seep in between the sides of the quilt and your pad, especially if you toss and turn. A more careful setup helps ensure a proper interface between pad and quilt. One quilt we suggest is the Katabatic Gear Flex 22 Quilt. It packs a generous 15.4 ounces of quality 850 duck fill into its continuous baffles, employs a draft collar at that neck-end of the quilt, and the zippered footbox wraps around your feet for almost half the total length of the quilt. The “Flex” 22 earns its name with its versatility, enabling you to turn it into a blanket on warmer nights when you don't need so much insulation around you. The Neve Gear Waratah 28 is also a solid contender. It doesn't have as many features as other quilts, but it is still filled with 15.4 oz of 850-fill duck down and can be purchased at a very reasonable price point.
If you're after the lightest ultralight bag that's warm enough for three-season use and thru-hikes, the Zpacks Classic is an excellent choice.
Credit: Brandon Lampley
Two products that pack a lot of warmth in an impressive total weight – even for an ultralight sleeping bag review – are the Zpacks Classic and the Summit Spark 30. The Zpacks Classic 20-degree option we tested utilizes an impressive 13.8 ounces of 900-fill goose down in its 20.3 ounce total package, meaning the insulation accounts for a whopping 68% of this bag's weight. You will want to grab an insulated hat to complement this bag, as it does not have a hood. Zpacks sells one, which weighs around 30 grams. The Spark 30 is a bag designed for warmer weather, featuring 9.3 oz of extremely high-quality 850+ goose down. However, the total weight is only 17.0 oz, meaning that 54% of the bag is comprised of down fill. But what if weight is the absolute most important metric you're looking at?
The Spark 30 weighs little for the performance it brings, and packs down small!
Credit: Justin Simoni
Weight
What sets this review apart from our other conventional sleeping bag reviews is its emphasis on weight. Ultralight backpackers are often distinguished from regular backpackers by having a base weight of their overnight pack (non-consumable gear) of under ten pounds. The theory is that by being willing to make some compromises in comfort or convenience at camp, ultralighters can enjoy the considerable benefits of a lighter pack while on the move. A ten-pound base weight can be achieved with any of the products in this review, but if you're going super ultralight, pay extra attention to the weight score. As the second most important metric, weight accounted for 25% of a product's final score.
It is worth noting that in almost all cases, we chose to test the version or option of each model that had the lightest weight, usually opting for a higher temperature rating to do so. For those who want a bit more warmth and are willing to carry a few extra ounces, there are generally warmer and slightly heavier options available. Many of the products we tested offer an incredible range of customizable parameters, including the option to overfill the bag or add draft tubes. These options can significantly impact the warmth of the bag but may also delay your order and increase the overall price of the product. Always purchase a sleeping bag that's appropriate for the temperature ranges you'll be traveling through.
When it comes to ultralight sleeping bags, most manage to shave weight by combining high-quality insulation and very thin face and liner fabrics, with pared-down features and design. Down provides one of the best warmth-to-weight ratios, which is why it is the insulation of choice in the very lightest products. Down is rated by its fill power, and the higher the number, the more loft it has, and thus the higher quality. In most cases, the bags tested in this review use down with a fill power of 800 or more. The fill power and quantity of down used in each bag can be found in the specs listed for each product.
Not all UL sleeping bags pack down equally!
Credit: Ethan Newman
In the case of most quilts, weight is saved by eschewing fabric or insulation on the underside of the bag. Lightweight straps or string systems help latch the sides of the quilt around the user or a sleeping pad, thereby eliminating the weight of a zipper as well. Quilts also forego a hood, thus avoiding the weight of more fabric and insulation. Some models also feature snaps to wrap the quilt around one's neck while sleeping — a nice feature, but it can increase the overall weight.
Mummy bags, on the other hand, employ other tricks to save weight. Ultralight fabrics, both on the shell and baffles, reduce weight but usually make the bags more delicate. Smaller zippers have the same effect. Zippers are also often shortened to trim ounces, sacrificing venting possibilities. Most ultralight mummy bags have rather narrow dimensions because less fabric is required, further lightening the bag.
The Sea to Summit Spark 30 spares no extra materials to make a snug fitting hood that perfectly encapsulates your head.
Credit: Justin Simoni
One suggestion when selecting the lightest bag for your needs is to find the limit rating you're looking to buy, then determine the percentage of total weight that relates to the fill weight of the bag. The closer this ratio gets to 100%, the more you know a product devotes its weight to providing insulation, rather than features. A ratio of 70% can be considered excellent.
We weighed these bags on an independent scale to determine the weight and then assigned the scores comparatively. In the case of quilts that require extra straps or buckles to close or affix them to a sleeping pad, we also included the weight of those straps or buckles. However, we chose to weigh any included stuff or compression sacks separately.
To understand the distributed weight of these ultralight sleeping bags, we weigh each component separately. Shown here is the Neve Gear Waratah 28, which comes with a 1.2-ounce stuff sack and 1.6-ounce sleeping pad straps. The quilt and sack combo came in at 23.6 ounces, with straps.
A unique flyweight design, weighing in at 16.2 ounces for the long size, is the Feathered Friends Vireo UL, which is designed to have far less warmth in the top portion of the bag. It is meant to be supplemented with an additional insulation layer you're already packing, while also cutting features to almost nothing, including a lack of a zipper and a hood. This design decision follows the ultralight ethic of prioritizing items that have multiple uses — your insulated jacket — to save weight across your entire pack system.
The Vireo holds more down at the feet as it is designed to be paired with a jacket.
Credit: Justin Simoni
The Western Mountaineering AstraLite and Sea to Summit Spark 30 follow closely behind, both weighing in between 17 and 17.5 ounces. The AstraLite is a quilt-style bag with 850 fill. The Spark 30 is a hooded mummy bag with 850+FP RDS-certified ultra-dry goose down stuffed into its 10D nylon shell. Likewise, the Western Mountaineering SummerLite comes in at 19.0 oz. It features a full-length zipper to help regulate the temperature inside the bag.
The full-length zipper of the Western Mountaineering Summerlite greatly assists with thermoregulation, as well as getting in and out of the sleeping bag.
Credit: Justin Simoni
Comfort
The other half of the equation for a good night's sleep is comfort. Drafts, drawcords dangling in your face, buckles wedged underneath you, or a claustrophobic shape can all prevent you from sleeping soundly. Being comfortable at night can help you recover from the previous day's adventures, setting you up for success again the next day. There's nothing worse than feeling like ending your day loath to even get into a subpar sleeping bag or quilt. This is why comfort is considered important enough to account for 20% of the overall score.
When assessing comfort, the first attribute we examined was how well the bag fits. Our head testers are 5'11" or shorter and fairly athletic, so we ordered all of the test models to suit a person 6'0" tall and standard width. Usually, this corresponds to a manufacturer's “Regular” size, but always check their specific size chart before making a purchase.
By ordering them all the same size, we could compare each bag's fit to the same standard. Luckily for you, most of the bags in this review come in different height and width options, making it easy to customize a bag for your particular shape.
Waking up to a chilly morning after sleeping out in the San Juan Mountains. The Vireo, in blue, and the HighLite in purple.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Rather than reduce the length, most ultralight quilts reduce the girth to minimize weight. The comfiest bags provided the most room, allowing us to toss and turn without restriction. Mummy bags are historically cut claustrophobically. But some, like the Feathered Friends Vireo UL, are generously fitted, which is good news since it lacks a zipper. Quilts, on the other hand, offer plenty of room but sometimes yield claustrophobic feelings when we utilize their pad attachment systems. Some quilts were too narrow to wrap ourselves in on chillier nights, no matter how much we repositioned.
The Vireo has a generous opening and width, perfect for those who like to toss and turn or sleep curled up.
Credit: Justin Simoni
Near the top of the list is the Big Agnes Fly Creek UL 25, which measures a generous 60 inches around the shoulders. Its center half-length zip is a unique design choice among sleeping bags in our lineup, and could prove to be a polarizing feature for some shoppers who prefer a side zip. We found the center position made it easier to get in and out of the bag than a short side zip, but we also found the Fly Creek UL 25's zipper got stuck often in the nylon.
The center half zipper on the Big Agnes Fly Creek UL 25 has an insulated flap running down the entirety of the zipper itself to prevent drafts from the zipper itself. The zipper is very small and can catch on the nylon face material.
Credit: Justin Simoni
Many other mummy bags are too constricting and may make you wonder if you're getting prepped to be buried alive. Other quilts scored just a little lower, including the Western Mountaineering Astralite, which had a standout feature of utilizing a generous draft yoke around the neck to really stop any cold air from coming in. It almost felt like a pillow for the front of your head!
The unique draft yoke of the Western Mountaineering Astralite was one of our favorite features of the quilt.
Credit: Justin Simoni
A quilt that surprised us in comfort was the Zenbivy Ultralight Muscovy 25 Bed. We questioned the utility of the Ultralight Sheet we tested with it. Still, during our research, we saw users raving about the supreme comfort the sheet pairing lends to their complete sleep system experience. We found that the secret to its comfort lies in the extra room it provides laterally. If you feel claustrophobic in more conventional sleep systems, or you naturally toss and turn at night, you could benefit from a system like the Zenbivy Ultralight Muscovy 25 Bed that builds in room to allow you to do so without letting drafts in every time you move around.
The Zenbivy Ultralight Bed provides ample space for an active sleeper to move throughout the night, without letting in drafts.
Credit: Justin Simoni
Not many other top models of sleeping bags or quilts we tested had absolutely outstanding comfort scores. This doesn't mean they're uncomfortable, but it highlights that comfort compromises are made to keep sleeping bags ultralight. If the compromises we've documented across all these products in the name of wearing the coveted “ultralight” label are too much, consider a more traditional backpacking sleeping bag.
Watching the last rays of the day is always better bundled up!
Credit: Justin Simoni
Versatility
If you want a three-season sleeping bag or are planning an epic six-month thru-hike that will span the seasons from a cool spring into a hot summer and back into a brisk fall, then versatility is a critical metric. Versatility refers to the bag's ability to be used comfortably in various situations. Questions we asked ourselves when rating each bag for versatility were: Is it possible to wrap oneself up like a cocoon to stay warm on the coldest nights? Likewise, is it feasible to open the bag up and ventilate to stay cool on the warmest of nights? Sleeping bags that could do both with ease were the highest scorers in terms of versatility. At the same time, bags that pigeonhole themselves into being practical only in one season or temperature range scored the lowest.
In general, quilts are more versatile than ultralight mummy bags, whose half-length zipper is designed with weight savings in mind, often making them harder to ventilate on warm nights in comparison. Quilts and bags that included full-length zippers, or quilts that were long enough and broad enough to wrap oneself up fully, fared the best because they most easily allowed for staying warm on cold nights. Besides being suitable for both hot and cold seasons, we also considered whether a bag would be serviceable in wet climates. Ultralight sleeping bags that use synthetic insulation, which does not clump and continues to provide substantial insulation even when wet, received a bonus.
Our testers enjoying themselves while comparing/contrasting the versatility of the products. Being able to poke your feet out of the bottom of a sleeping bag allows you to walk about your campsite while staying wrapped up on cold mornings.
We also examined whether a bag utilized a DWR (durable water repellent) treatment on its outer shell to protect it from absorbing liquids, such as condensation, or employed a naturally water-resistant fabric, like Pertex Quantum, to achieve the same effect. Lastly, we assessed the packability of the sleeping bag. The smaller it packs down, the easier it is to carry along with you, and for a few outdoor sports, such as bike touring or bikepacking, this is a critical component of whether a piece of gear can be useful or not. As an important metric, but not the most crucial metric we tested, we weighted versatility as 15% of a product's final score.
On a chilly morning in the desert, we enjoyed the versatility of being able to wear the Flicker 40 with our feet out and the zipper done up, at least until the sun hit.
Credit: Andy Wellman
No question, the most versatile ultralight sleeping bag we tested is the Feathered Friends Flicker 40 UL. This bag can transition seamlessly between use as a quilt or a fully enclosed hoodless mummy bag, offering protection for a variety of situations. On the warmest nights, it can be used as a spread-out blanket, ideal for two people, or as a quilt with an enclosed foot box by tightening the drawstring at the end and zipping it up partway. The full-length zipper allows for a snug seal on cold nights, trapping warm air with the help of a neck baffle featuring dual drawcords. No other bag so easily met the demands of all seasons. Although we tested the 40°F version of this bag, it also comes in 30°F and 20°F versions for those who live and play in colder climates or seasons.
Easily transform the Flicker 40 from a sleeping bag mode to an open blanket.
Credit: Justin Simoni
Also scoring well for their versatility are the Feathered Friends Hummingbird UL 30 and Zpacks Classic. The Hummingbird UL is filled with over 950 RDS-certified goose down and retains warmth thanks to its horizontal baffles and hood. For those warmer nights, the full-length zip helps keep the heat out. The Zpacks Classic is a hoodless mummy bag rated to 20°F with a box baffle construction and a DWR-coated Pertex Nylon shell. It's ideal for cold nights. It also features a quarter-length zipper, allowing you to open it up like a quilt for warmer nights.
One of the nice things about quilts is how easily they function as blankets to keep one warm while hanging out around camp.
The Neve Gear Waratah 28 offers great value for us, especially since it can be transformed from a closed-up footbox quilt that you can cinch the top collar tightly for cold nights, to an opened-up full rectangular blanket for warmer nights. Use it in blanket mode for hanging out at the campsite after meals while talking through the night.
Like many quilts, the Neve Gear Waratah 28 allows you to zip and cinch it up for colder nights or lay it flat like a conventional blanket during warmer weather.
Features
The features metric attempts to quantify all the small details and design decisions that make each of these bags stand out, transforming them from a simple baffled sack of feathers to something truly special. Ultralight products must walk a delicate path, striking a perfect balance of useful features while minimizing both weight and design complexity. That often means compromises are made. We ask ourselves: are there any features that are superfluous, or are there other features we sorely miss in the field?
The most common features found on these bags are zippers, draft collars, cinch cords around the neck, face, hood, or feet, and, in the case of quilts, pad attachment systems. When assessing features, we first looked at whether a bag's specific features functioned well or if they were finicky and annoying. Then we compared them to similar features on the other bags and rated them against all the others.
Although it only sports a half-length zipper, the Sea to Summit Spark 30 also has a useful snap near the hood, allowing you to keep it tight around your head, while allowing ventilation by your shoulders.
Credit: Justin Simoni
Zippers that wouldn't stay zipped or were continually getting stuck in fabric, pad straps that wouldn't stay attached or wouldn't lock in place, and drawcords that lacked buckles or wouldn't stay tight are examples of poorly performing features that caused us to lower the score slightly. The Feathered Friends Hummingbird attempts to solve many of those annoying zipper problems by employing a flexible piece of plastic near the zipper, which prevents the fabric from being sucked into the zipper and getting stuck.
The handy anti-snagging zipper of the Feathered Friends Hummingbird helps this bag smoothly open and close.
Credit: Ian McEleney
Similarly, the Sea to Summit Spark 30's clever zipper plow design also works incredibly well to prevent snags from happening. Its svelte design and included compression sack also mean that it compresses down smaller than other bags rated similarly, taking up less space in your pack.
A snagged zipper in our sleeping bag is one of our biggest pet peeves. The anti-snag plow in the Sea to Summit Spark 30 may have pretty much solved this issue!
Credit: Justin Simoni
The Feathered Friends Flicker 40 UL receives one of the highest scores for features. Not only did it have a ton of them: full-length zipper with a reinforced draft tube, drawcord enclosure at the feet, dual drawcord and neck baffle at the head, and optional attachment points for DIY pad straps — but they all worked well. The difference in having a full zipper versus just intermittent buttons or straps to enclose the quilt turned out to be a game-changer for trapping in heat.
The Zenbivy fits more like a conventional bedsheet, rather than fitting tightly around your body. The integrated hood also helps to keep your pillow from migrating during the night.
Credit: Justin Simoni
The Zenbivy Ultralight Muscovy 25 Bed with its complementary Ultralight Sheet is purposely feature-rich. The sheet all but banishes drafts from the sleep system, keeps your pad and pillow in place throughout the night, and provides a useful shelf around your head to stash an insulated jacket for added coziness.
Many quilts feature a transformable footbox that allows you to choose how enclosed they are, which really helps in modulating heat retention.
Many quilts have a variety of shared features that allow you to transform them from a quilt with a footbox to a flat blanket using a series of snaps, straps, and zippers. “Blanket Mode” is best for warmer nights, where you'd otherwise bake inside a tighter-fitting bag. s Find them on the Enlightened Equipment Revelation APEX 30, and the Katabatic Gear Flex 22 Quilt.
A warm night in the Black Canyon was a great excuse for Cowboy camping in the Katabatic Gear Palisade 30. We loved the adjustability of the pad attachment straps on this pleasant evening.
How to Pick the Best Ultralight Sleeping Bag for You
Ready to lighten your load and start sleeping on what could be mistaken for a heavenly cloud? Here are a few questions to think about before you head to the store, or visit our full Buying Advice article for a more in-depth discussion on what to consider.
An ultralight sleeping bag can be one part of a holistic system of simple and lightweight gear. This bag reaches its bantamweight by forgoing a hood, a zipper, and even has different temperature rating zones to use materials as frugally as possible. Paired with a whispy bivvy and dyneema tarp, the base weight of the entire pack can easily dip below ten pounds.
Credit: Justin Simoni
What Makes a Sleeping Bag Ultralight?
Although we'll discuss weight extensively, ultralight backpacking in general is not just about bringing the lightest gear possible on your trip. Rather, it is a holistic ethos about packing carefully and thoughtfully, bringing only exactly what you need to be happy, comfortable, and, above all, safe for the trip you have planned. Simply buying more gear to throw at a problem is the wrong strategy, as then carrying all this gear each day on your trip will literally weigh you down. Traveling “lighter” in both equipment and spirit can equate to a more enjoyable experience when traveling over distances on foot, and potentially fewer aches and pains when you finally settle into your sleeping bag. “Less is More” is the mantra in the Ultralight World!
For a fair-weather over-nighter, an ultralight kit can be comprised of very little in terms of gear and overall weight, making a more enjoyable trip where miles under foot pile up!
Credit: Justin Simoni
Ultralight gear often sacrifices features and design components that can make other types of camping gear comfortable. This can mean using lighter, more delicate materials (which are more at risk of damage), a higher power weight for the insulation (at a higher cost), shorter and smaller zippers and cinches (which are more prone to snagging), and reduced sizing, especially in the girth of the bag. You may want to keep this in mind when choosing the gear for your ultralight trips. To ensure its longevity for the trips that mean the most, you may also want to forgo using your pricey ultralight gear when it's sure to see more than its fair share of abuse, such as on a car camping trip.
Small, lightweight features can make a big difference. This cinchable footbox gives excellent flexibility to how comfortable this bag is in a variety of different overnight temps.
Credit: Justin Simoni
The bags and quilts we tested range in weight from 17 ounces (482 grams) to just over a pound and a half (700 grams). In contrast, our "backpacking" sleeping bag category runs from about 1.25 to 3.5 pounds. There is some overlap, and the differences might seem minor, but as ultralight hikers say, “ounces make pounds, and pounds make pain.” If you're unsure which category is right for you, consider checking both out before making a purchase decision.
Like many quilts, this one can open up into a full blanket for warm weather sleeping.
Credit: Justin Simoni
Which is Better: an Ultralight Sleeping Bag or Quilt?
Neither! One of the most noticeable differences between ultralight sleeping bags and conventional sleeping bags is the introduction of the quilt design. Generally, a quilt is more like a tapered blanket that you attach directly to your sleeping pad. Most quilts do not wrap fully around the sleeper, saving on material and thus weight, which your body would otherwise compress and render minimally useful. Quilts are also generally more versatile, as they can either be used just like a blanket or cinched up to more closely approximate a hoodless sleeping bag.
Quilts, like the Enlightened Equipment APEX 30, often have straps to keep them in place on the sleeping pad.
Credit: Justin Simoni
If you're planning to travel through a variety of different temperature ranges — especially on the warmer side — consider bringing a quilt. They are often more comfortable than bags that have few features for extreme thermoregulation. In colder temps, a mummy sleeping bag may be a better choice to ensure your head stays warm overnight and no unexpected drafts sneak in. Ultralight packing is all about making the right compromises for your specific trip conditions, and there's no style that's always going to be better than another.
This sleeping bag with a limit rating of 30F is very appropriate for higher elevation conditions during the summer. Some clever features include a draft tube that helps stop drafts from entering in from the zipper.
One ultralight pitfall is not going warm enough, choosing a sleeping bag or quilt that does not match your temperature needs, just because the product meets a certain weight. If you always need to pack and use supplemental, sleep-only clothing to fill a warmth gap, you are not saving any weight in your pack. Generally, a slightly heavier and warmer sleeping bag is a more efficient choice, both in terms of weight and volume.
What Do Temperature Ratings Mean?
All the bags and quilts in our lineup are rated with a Manufacturer's self-reported “Limit Rating” (unless otherwise noted), based on their extensive field testing. This is the lowest temperature at which a sleeping bag is recommended for use in a borderline survival-type situation. To ensure true comfort, check if the bag also features a “Comfort Rating.” Choose a bag based on that rating, considering the coldest temperature you'll be sleeping under. If no comfort rating is available, play it safe and opt for a bag designed for slightly cooler conditions.
However, it is important to note that both Comfort Ratings and Limit Ratings typically target male shoppers. Women, who often sleep colder, may want to adjust the temperature range they seek slightly lower to ensure adequate warmth. Of course, everyone is different, so always take these ratings with a grain of salt and adjust your expectations accordingly. To reiterate what we previously noted: do not shop for a bag solely on its lightweight nature and secondarily on its temperature rating. You may run the risk of ending up with a product that's potentially inappropriate for the conditions just for the privilege of boasting about your lower pack weight.
International Temperature Standards
While international testing standards (EN and ISO) exist for sleeping bags, there is debate among manufacturers and users about the accuracy and value of those results. For quilts, such standards do not exist, which means, by default, all ultralight quilts are manufacturer-rated.
Our selection of ultralight sleeping bags and quilts is generally geared towards three-season backpacking, with limit ratings ranging from 20°F for the coldest conditions to 40°F for the warmest. For fair-weather backpacking in mild conditions, a 35°F to 40°F limit-rated bag or quilt may be all you need. If you're trekking up high mountain passes in the Sierra or Rocky Mountains, consider a bag with a temperature range of 20°F to 32°F.
This high-powered down quilt lofts up super high, providing excellent insulative qualities for the weight, while also packing down small, saving space in your pack.
Credit: Justin Simoni
Down or Synthetic Insulation?
Down fill sourced from ducks or geese is the most common insulation used in ultralight sleeping bags. Down has extraordinary insulating qualities, especially for its weight, making it a near-perfect natural material for sleeping bags and quilts. This insulating down is blown into strategically sewn pockets, known as baffles, built into the bag's shell. The quality and quantity of this down directly impacts how much loft these baffles attain and thus the warmth retention. Fill power is the measurement of its loft (the "fluffiness") as it is directly related to the down's ability to insulate — the higher the better, and the lighter. A fill power of 850 is of excellent quality, but 900-950+ is even better. However, the cost typically increases exponentially to match. Targeted placement, fill power, and carefully considered closures combine to trap warm air inside your bag, ensuring body heat is captured in areas around your body that need it most.
This synthetic insulated sleeping bag performs well, but it will take up more volume in your pack than a comparable down-filled bag, which is one of the compromises of using synthetic insulation.
Credit: Justin Simoni
Alternatively, synthetic insulation in ultralight options does exist, but it isn't easy to match the insulating power of down for the weight required. Compared to down, synthetic insulation comes in large sheets, which are then cut to move well when added to the interior of a sleeping bag. Baffles of the style used for down aren't needed, and synthetic bags may appear different from down bags, so don't judge a synthetic bag by appearances alone. One superpower of synthetic insulation is that it performs better when wet, unlike down, which loses all its insulating power when saturated with moisture. Synthetic is also easier to dry, as it doesn't need to be lofted back up in a dryer equipped with dryer balls (and many hours of running it!). For trips in rainy environments, a synthetic bag can be the best choice. Regardless of the material you use for insulation, caring for your bag or quilt is crucial for maintaining the product's longevity. Both down and synthetic materials should last for years of outdoor adventures, with down being slightly more difficult to wash, and synthetics having the potential to break down and lose their insulating qualities slightly faster.
The length of the Sea to Summit Spark 30 was spot on, but the girth was just about the limit of what our tester found to be reasonable for their own body.
Credit: Justin Simoni
What Size Ultralight Sleeping Bag Should I Buy?
First, pick out a sleeping bag or quilt based on your height. Most “regular” sizes will accommodate someone 5'11" or shorter (although of course there are exceptions). If you're taller, see if a product comes in a “long” version. Much shorter? See if that product comes in “short”. Next, look at the width. If you want more girth, go for a wider bag or quilt. On the fence with sizing? Don't be too afraid to size up, especially for ultralight products that are usually designed with a more conservative cut. When available, we've documented the shoulder, waist, and footbox girth of all the bags in this lineup to help you decide if they're wide enough for you. These measurements are best used for comparing products, as they're taken by the manufacturer before the product is sewn together, so you can expect that the real-world measurements will be different (shorter). Remember that quilts may have a smaller girth — especially in the shoulders, as they're designed to be attached to a sleeping mat, which itself can be 20-25 inches or wider.
The Zenbivy Muscovy 25 is spec'd for sleepers between 5'8" to 6'2", which gave our 5'11" tester a generous amount of space to snooze.
Credit: Justin Simoni
Other Notable Ultralight Sleeping Bags
The outdoor world is now awash with incredible options for ultralight sleeping bags and quilts, as the popularity of the ultralight ethos continues to gain traction and become more mainstream. Selecting only a few to highlight in our main lineup is a difficult task. Below are some additional options that you may want to consider if you haven't yet found your perfect ultralight bag:
Sea to Summit Traveller 45 — This bag offers some of the best packability of any sleeping bag or quilt we tested, thanks to its low fill weight and coming standard with a compression sack. Unfortunately, its utility outside is somewhat limited, as it's not very warm for its weight. We think it's best to bring it along for backpacking across Europe, where you may spend nights in hostels, refuges, and occasionally on airport floors waiting for your cheap red-eye flight. Even with its low pack volume, it's not the lightest bag around, and its less-than-stellar warmth-to-weight ratio doesn't deliver enough value for ultralight wilderness backpackers. Consider Sea to Summit's Spark 30 for excellent warmth-to-weight ratio and exceptional comfort.
Sleeping in the mildly limit rated Sea to Summit Traveller 45 as a supplement for backpacking huts, hostels, and cheap motels is probably it's best use case.
Credit: Justin Simoni
Outdoor Vitals StormLoft Down TopQuilt — The Stormloft has one of the coldest listed comfort ratings at 15°F, but we didn't find this rating matched our real-world testing – we shivered a little more than we'd like in conditions that should have been easily handled with this quilt. The 17.1 oz of 800 fill down that the manufacturer specifies in this quilt is generous. However, we tested bags at a similar weight and fill that are much more comfortable. Consider the Big Agnes Fly Creek UL 25, which boasts a 25°F comfort rating, featuring nearly the same amount of fill at a very similar weight. The Katabatic Gear Flex 22 Quilt is also an excellent choice for a quilt to sleep out on cold nights.
The StormLoft is wider than many other quilts, allowing for tons of room underneath.
Credit: Justin Simoni
Western Mountaineering HighLite — Western Mountaineering is a name well known and loved by ultralight backpacking enthusiasts, given their excellent spread of products. The HighLite is a very compelling option for folks trying to shave every ounce from their kit that they can. Unfortunately, the weight savings with this bag come with too many tradeoffs – the majority of hikers will be far better served with a different bag or quilt. The Western Mountaineering SummerLite hits a sweet spot, delivering just the right amount of warmth for three-season backpacking. For a quilt, the Western Mountaineering AstraLite is a similar alternative. For fast-and-light missions, also look into the Feathered Friends Vireo UL, which packs just a little more down at the bottom half of the bag.
Western Mountaineering HighLite meets its light weight with a few compromises, including a smaller hood than other options.
Enlightened Equipment Revelation 20 — The Revelation was just that when it was originally released, being one of the first ultralight quilts available commercially. Since then, it has lost some of its luster, as many new players have entered the market with their own strong products. If you're looking for a semi-custom quilt, the Revelation is available with a comfort rating ranging from 0°F to 50°F, making it suitable for most three-season duties. That said, the Enlightened Equipment Revelation APEX 30 remains our top choice for a synthetic quilt. For a down quilt, consider the Feathered Friends Flicker 40 UL for its incredible versatility, and the Neve Gear Waratah 28 for its affordable price point.
The Enlightened Equipment Revelation 20 has had as woken up smiling more times than we can count!
Credit: Ethan Newman
Hammock Gear Economy Burrow 20 — With a plethora of options – from colors, fabric weights, down fill options, to widths, lengths, and accessories – Hammock Gear lets you craft a bespoke and perfect quilt exactly to your specifications. Unfortunately, they no longer sell the more affordable, off-the-shelf version that made this quilt so appealing. Thankfully, the Neve Gear Waratah 28 fills this much-needed niche for ultralighters, offering a good value quilt made with quality materials that they won't outgrow once their backpacking skills increase.
Like many of our favorite ultralight quilts, the Hammock Gear Burrow has a versatile and transformable footbox to fit a wide range of temperatures.
Conclusion
Down-filled sleeping bags for outdoor adventures first emerged in the late 1800s, and now, 150+ years later, the market is flooded with excellent options. For this review, we specifically singled out ultralight sleeping bag and quilt options because the world of backpacking is only getting leaner as companies shave down the ounces in their gear and people start appreciating a faster and lighter approach.
These bags are designed for thru-hiking, fastpacking, bikepacking, alpine climbing, adventure racing, and bike touring. If you're an ultralight enthusiast, we've got your back – literally, we can save you from carrying extra weight with our rundown of the best ultralight gear.
If you're looking for a more traditional sleeping bag, we have in-depth reviews of sleeping bags, too. We've also tested and compiled a backpacking checklist, covering a comprehensive range of gear to get you out the door and on your way.
—Justin Simoni, Andy Wellman, Ethan Newman, and Jack Cramer
