Camping in extreme weather conditions can be a challenge. It makes hiking and backpacking – and any adventuring at that – that more difficult and requires different considerations to ensure safety and comfort. But with the right equipment in your kit, it too can be mastered and enjoyed without any issues. A 20-degree sleeping bag should be one of the must-haves in that kit, as it will allow you to sleep safely and snuggly even when it’s snowing outside.
Available in a range of designs and materials, 20-degree sleeping bags come in options to suit everyone’s needs and preferences. Whether you want a lightweight option for backpacking, a sleeping bag that doubles as a blanket, or a cold-weather sleeping bag suited for two or plus size sleepers, you’ll easily find the right match.
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Rank | Product | Highlight |
#1 | Kelty Cosmic 20 Degree Down |
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#2 | Coleman Brazos Cold Weather BUY NOW |
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#3 | FARLAND 400GSM 20 Degree BUY NOW |
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#4 | TETON Sports TrailHead BUY NOW |
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#5 | Londtren Wide Cold Weather BUY NOW |
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#6 | Sierra Designs Frontcountry 20-degree Bed |
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Different Types of 20 Degree Sleeping Bags
Searching for a perfect sleeping bag to keep you snug and warm on your adventures can seem easy with all those options on the market- but while there are so many varying designs to choose from, this also means you’ll have to consider different factors to ensure you’re getting the proper fit for your needs.
When it comes to the type of sleeping bags, it’s their shape that determines it. The “mummy” design is one of the finest solutions for cold weather camping. This construction boasts a shape that is tapered, clinging to your body, protecting your head, and offering superior protection for your limbs and face. This last factor is crucial – hands and feet, as well as your head, can remain exposed and freeze, so a sleeping bag with a snug fit is a great choice.
The “envelope” design is a real classic when sleeping bags are considered. A basic, reliable rectangle shape and great insulation properties are a great solution for some casual sleeping when you are out backpacking or camping. One of the main advantages here is its flexibility and the option to fold it quite compactly – making it easy to carry around. Also, most envelope designs can be fully unzipped, giving you the option to use it as a great mat or even a big blanket – perfect for some camping trips, especially in combination with other equipment such as a sleeping pad.
Last but not least is the double sleeping bag design. Serving more as an outdoors “bed”, this type of sleeping bag is aimed at couples who adventure together. And we all know that sleeping huddled close to your companion can double the heat in winter, so it’s a win-win situation. The double sleeping bag design has a widened shape that allows two to comfortably share the space or a plus-size sleeper to sprawl freely.
In addition to the type of sleeping bag, you should also make sure that the 20-degree sleeping bag you’ve picked out is water-resistant or waterproof (DWR coating can greatly help with this), and made from durable materials that prevent the heat from dissipating, such as synthetic fabrics and fills, as well as naturally insulative materials such as down. Furthermore, if you want to cover all your bases, pick designs that have special cold weather-friendly features such as a draft collar or a draft tube.
Best 20 Degree Sleeping Bags
1. Kelty Cosmic 20 Degree Down Sleeping Bag
SPECS:
- Material: Nylon / Taffeta
- Fill: 60 Fill Drawdown
- Dimensions: 84 x 24 x 8 inches
Editor’s choice
When the temperatures drop, that shouldn’t be the reason to postpone your planned outdoor adventure. Getting to spend time in the snowy fairytale could be a motivator instead. Cozy 20-degree sleeping bags like this Kelty Cosmic design are the perfect solution for those cold, chilly evenings. With a classic “mummy” shape, this sleeping bag will make you feel toasty and snug even when the thermometer tells you differently. Lined with 50D polyester taffeta fabric and boasting a 600 fill power Dridown stuffing, this sleeping bag is engineered to preserve your body heat and offer a night of cozy, warm rest in all seasons.
On the outer side is a tough and durable shell made from 20D nylon taffeta material, ensuring that your sleeping bag will survive the wear and tear of adventuring. A specially designed draft collar and an integrated comfort hood will help you wrap up and snuggle up – true to the “mummy” concept. That way heat is retained and circulated, while the cold outside air is kept at bay with a layered construction of windproof materials. And best of all, this sleeping bag packs up nice and compact, into its carry sack so it won’t take up too much space in your backpack.
Pros | Cons |
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Who Should Buy This Product?
This mummy design sleeping bag from Kelty is built to last and built to protect you from the elements- this 20-degree sleeping bag allows you to stay warm and cozy snug when the temperatures drop.
2. Coleman Brazos Cold Weather Sleeping Bag
SPECS:
- Material: Polyester
- Fill: Hollow polyester
- Dimensions: 75 x 33 inches
Runner up
Coleman is known for its trusty, efficient designs for outdoor equipment, and this sleeping bag is no different: it is specifically designed to endure cold weather and provide you with ample warmth and comfort in temperatures as low as 20°F. Keeping the bag as lightweight as possible, Coleman opted for a 100% polyester fabric build. On the outside, its tough and windproof properties expertly keep the wind at bay, while the hollow fluffy insulation and the plush interior lining will keep you snuggled and warm. A special draft tube along the side zipper will also prevent your body heat from escaping the bag and ensure the warmth lasts all night long.
What’s more, the special Fiberlock stitching on the outside will keep the insulative fill from shifting around, keeping your sleeping bag in top form even after many years of use. Another great feature is that packing this bag up is as easy as can be, thanks to the special roll control concept, packing up will be a breeze. Affordable and reliable, this Coleman 20 degree sleeping bag design is surely worth your attention.
Pros | Cons |
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Who Should Buy This Product?
Coleman is a brand with a lot of experience with outdoors accessories and it is truly reflected with this 20-degree sleeping bag: a perfected, modernized design that keeps you safe and warm no matter what the weather conditions are.
3. FARLAND 400GSM 20 Degree Sleeping Bag
SPECS:
- Material: Nylon
- Fill: 400GSM Polyester
- Dimensions: 9.5 by 86.6 inches / 33.5 by 86.6 inches
Customer’s choice
This Farland sleeping bag design successfully merges two major designs: the mummy and the classic envelope look. With the best features of the two types merged into one reliable sleeping bag, this 20-degree sleeping bag will offer you comfort and convenience. Expertly designed with cold weather in mind, this sleeping bag is ideal for when the temperatures drop but it is also suitable for more moderate seasons as it won’t overheat you. To ensure ample warmth, Farland relied on 400GSM polyester for its lining and filling, with a great fill weight of 7 lbs- which might be a downside for ultralight backpackers.
With a waterproof nylon outer shell, the elements will not penetrate through the bag, guaranteeing your comfort and warmth. An extended hood portion accentuates comfort and protects your head, while the durable zipper allows you to snuggle up as tightly as you want. All of this works to prevent heat from escaping – one of the crucial elements of a successful cold weather camping trip.
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Who Should Buy This Product?
This unique mix between the “mummy” and the “envelope” designs is a fantastic combo that offers ample protection and insulation for all sleepers and it is ideally suited for camping in cold weather.
4. TETON Sports TrailHead Sleeping Bag
SPECS:
- Material: Taffeta
- Fill: Microfiber insulation
- Dimensions: 87″ x 32″ x 22″
Best 20-degree sleeping bag for backpacking
Here we have the popular “mummy” sleeping bag design that has been brought to absolute perfection through a series of smart and efficient features. Teton Sports brings the outdoor experience to a whole new level: their TrailHead sleeping bag boasts a durable, water and windproof diamond ripstop taffeta material outer shell – invaluable for some serious adventures in nature. And a fantastic fluffy double brushed micro polyester lining allows for a truly warm snooze – perfectly assembled for a 20-degree rating. But what makes it so great for backpackers is that it is lightweight and packs compactly- in addition to making sure that you’re comfy and warm at all times.
To protect your face from the cold and to prevent hot air from escaping, this 20-degree sleeping bag boasts an extra long zipper and a tight-fitting hood. A draft tube along the zipper also guarantees that no wind or coldness find their way through to you. And for the true mummy experience, Teton went to new lengths, adding a drawstring and a velcro patch for as tight a fit as possible. A smartly placed interior pocket allows you to keep your phone, wallet, or keys close at hand, without the need to expose yourself to cold temperatures to get them.
Pros | Cons |
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Who Should Buy This Product?
Teton’s TrailHead brings the mummy sleeping bag design to a whole new level with a host of smart and innovative features. A perfect choice for backpacking, this 20-degree bag boasts a modern design with a ton of efficient features.
5. Londtren Wide Cold Weather Sleeping Bag
SPECS:
- Material: Polyester / Flannel
- Fill: Microfiber
- Dimensions: 90” x 40”
Best for cold weather camping
While most 20-degree sleeping bags can protect you in cold weather, they often require a bit more extra to keep you truly warm when the chill seeps in the tent. This wide, spacious, and super warm design from Londtren is the ideal solution for your next hiking or camping adventure in cold weather as it is rated for 20 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit in the comfort category, meaning it will keep you toasty and cozy in extreme weather. Dare to brave the challenges of autumn and early winter, with this fantastic and very reliable 20-degree sleeping bag. The shell is made from durable and element-proof high quality 210T ripstop polyester material, and the lining is a warm microfleece flannel, which is the ideal solution for trapping heat and ensuring great warmth throughout the night.
An extra-long zipper surrounds the entire sleeping bag and is complemented with a windproof baffle to retain all that heat inside the bag. An interior pocket is smartly placed close to your neck where you can easily reach it with limited movement – at any time, and without letting heat escape. The packaging is also revised and done smartly- added buttons will help you to pack up in a jiffy, and store the sleeping bag as compactly as possible.
Pros | Cons |
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Who Should Buy This Product?
A quality “envelope” styled 20-degree sleeping bag can prove to be an invaluable asset to your outdoor equipment kit: this particular design is engineered for extreme and cold weather so no need to worry about the loss of heat even if you’re cold-sensitive, to begin with.
6. Sierra Designs Frontcountry 20-degree Bed
SPECS:
- Material: Synthetic
- Fill: Synthetic
- Dimensions: 62” x 69”
Best for couples
Camping and backpacking is so much more fun when you do it with your partner, but in cold weather, it’s more than that: sharing a sleeping bag can also help retain heat better and make you comfier. This 20-degree sleeping bag is designed more like a bed than a sleeping bag and is the ideal solution for shared sleeping in nature. Sierra Designs pushed the boundaries with their unique design: one of its main features is the zipperless concept for some extra comfort. This is thanks to the integrated oversized comforter that helps you to snuggle up and preserve your heat efficiently.
The sleeping bag is made from highly durable synthetic fabric, which boasts great insulation, perfected for cold weather. The addition of integrated arm pockets is an unusual feature but it will help you to keep your hands protected and to seal in warm air inside the bag. Also featured is the one-of-a-kind self-sealing foot vent that allows you to quickly ventilate the bag without losing the precious heat, which is more than welcome during chilly nights.
Pros | Cons |
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Who Should Buy This Product?
Sharing a sleeping bag with your partner can only help you feel warmer and comfier in cold weather, but only if the sleeping bag is up to par: and this specially designed couple’s 20-degree sleeping bag is definitely up to anyone’s standards.
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Bottom Line
You don’t have to give up camping when temperatures drop: with a reliable, warm 20-degree sleeping bag you can comfortably sleep outdoors in a tent without freezing. The combination of durable weatherproof shell material with a range of different insulative fill options makes for a sleeping bag engineered to be used in cold weather without compromising comfort.
The variety of choices, including designs and materials, makes sure that there’s a perfect match for any outdoorsman’s needs, whether you’re a seasoned camper or a casual adventurer, a side sleeper or sleeping with a partner, someone that prefers a snug fit or needs room to sprawl.