Add the small comforter that you can literally cover your face with if you want, and I think this bag is quite versatile in its warmth. For most hikers, the bags with the highest warmth rating are best suited for frosty nights at elevation or perhaps the shoulder seasons. Editor's Note: We updated this review on November 22, 2023, after retesting several top contenders, adding 4 new bags, and removing outdated and discontinued products. The left-sided zipper can also be connected with the right-sided zippers on the women’s version of the Forte to produce a double sleeping bag for your adventures.

Blanket Fold™ external draft collar and a full-length draft tube provide tucked-in comfort and temperature regulation. Multistage zippered Thermo Gills™ feature external and internal zips letting you choose the level of venting across a wide range of temperatures without letting drafts in. On the occasional open bivy, this may be a minor problem, but it's not really an issue inside a tent.Although a little heavier and bulkier on the trail, you will likely sleep just as well once you get it to camp. I tested the Nemo Forte for a roundup of the best sleeping bags and found it to be the coziest synthetic bag.

Once you get inside your sleeping bag, you instantly compress all the filling beneath you, greatly reducing its efficiency. Extreme: This is a survival rating where the user is likely to suffer health damage such as Hypothermia.

When that happens, there is always a chance that the teeth will get misaligned or the zipper slider will pop off from one side. So, we don't think packed size should be a crucial characteristic to distinguish between today's nicest sleeping bags. Considering the right apparel like a rain jacket or hiking boots can also make a huge difference when it comes to your comfort and fun level. Versatile and resilient, the Forte is perfect for those looking for a sleeping bag to suit any sleeping style.

If you select similarly heavy gear for your entire overnight kit, the weight difference will quickly grow to double-digit pounds. The same field tester, for example, slept comfortably in the Western Mountaineering UltraLite at temperatures 10° below its 20°F rating, and shivered in a Therm-a-Rest Hyperion 32 in temperatures 10° above its 32°F rating. Finally, NEMO offers a down line of Spoon Bags, which utilize the same features and shape, but have down insulation of varying qualities. He now lives and guides in the Sierra Nevada as an AMGA-certified alpine guide and has helped over 1,000 clients select the ideal gear for backpacking, mountaineering, and climbing. A sleeping bag's weight is a consequence of the amount and type of insulation, the type of fabrics used, the dimensions of the bag, and the nature of the features.Comfort Limit Rating: This is the lowest temperature at which an average male should experience a comfortable night’s sleep whilst laid down in a curled up position. All the bags we tested include a regular stuff sack or compression sack for storing them inside your backpack. They're not necessary for a summer backpacking sleeping bag, but we like to see them on bags with 20°F ratings and below.