Best Women’s Backpacking Sleeping Bags of 2022

BEST SLEEPING BAG FOR WOMEN

The Feathered Friends Egret UL 20 is a high quality three season sleeping bag that is specifically designed for female backpackers. 

What we love the most about this sleeping bag is its attention to detail and female tailored fit. There is extra fill around the chest and in the foot box, two areas where women lose more heat than men. Its 950+ fill is super fluffy and toasty, making it a great option for spring to fall camping. When it comes to quality, weight, packability and warmth, the Egret beats all the other female specific bags, which is why it’s our pick for the best women’s backpacking sleeping bag. 

The biggest drawback is the price, but for this level of comfort and quality, we believe it is worth it considering it has an excellent warmth to weight ratio. Another complaint is the sizing isn’t right for everyone. The Egret comes in two sizes: 5’3” and 5’9”, if you’re somewhere right in between, say 5’6”, you might find the 5’9” option too long. This extra space traps cold air, making the bag feel colder overall. And, the 5’3” option would be too tight to have the hood fit over your head comfortably. If this might be an issue for you, you can check out the unisex version of this bag, called the Swallow which has a 20-degree and 30-degree option. 

The Egret UL is also available in a 30-degree version.

BEST SLEEPING BAG FOR SIDE SLEEPERS

The Big Agnes Sidewinder SL20 is spacious enough to be a game changer for side sleepers but it doesn’t trap cold air as much as other wide options.

The best thing about the Sidewinder SL20 is that it’s one of the only bags on this list that is truly built for side sleepers. The zipper and the hood face the side. The insulation and shape are all geared toward those who roll over. There is a mesh pocket for your pillow that keeps it in place. There is extra padding at the hip and feet, which are two pressure points for those who tend to flip from side-to-side several times throughout the night. There is plenty of room to curl your knees up without feeling constricted as you might in a mummy bag. 

One complaint we have with this bag is the zipper catches if you aren’t careful despite having an “anti snag zipper”. Maybe we were too rough with it but this could be annoying if you have to get up in the middle of the night. Also, people with wide feet might find the toe box a bit tight. 

The Nemo Disco 15, which is also featured on this list is a close competitor to the Big Agnes Sidewinder SL 20. The Sidewinder gains points on weight (it’s 7 ounces lighter), but it is not as roomy as the Disco. The extra inches on the shoulders and hips are nice but you also have to consider that it’s not the best design for retaining warmth.

BEST SLEEPING BAG FOR BIG AND TALL LADIES

The Nemo Disco 15 is a roomy backpacking sleeping bag that was designed for comfort. The Disco is our top choice for big and tall ladies who might feel claustrophobic in a typical mummy bag. It’s also another great option for side sleepers. 

What we loved the most about the Disco is its spacious dimensions. This is thanks to what Nemo calls their Classic Spoon shape, which makes the bag wider in the elbows and knees.  We also loved the Therma-gills which are vents that allow you to fine-tune the temperature without having to unzip the bag. This feature makes it a more versatile bag that could be comfortable to use in warmer temps. 

The biggest drawbacks of the Nemo Disco are it’s on the heavier, bulkier end when it comes to backpacking sleeping bags. The weight and packsize penalty come with the extra fabric needed to make this roomy bag. So, if you are a bigger girl or you just like to sprawl, and you don’t mind hauling extra weight, the Disco 15 might be the best option for you. If the weight is a big concern for you, check out the Nemo Riff 15, it’s not only lighter but also more packable. One more downside is the wider design is that cold pockets of air can form in the empty spaces, something to consider if you are a cold sleeper. 

This sleeping bag also comes in a 30 degree model. 

BEST BUDGET SLEEPING BAG FOR WOMEN

If you’re in the market for a down sleeping bag, but can’t afford to throw down your whole paycheck, consider the Kelty Cosmic 20. This down sleeping bag has some attractive features given its low price. 

A few highlights of this bag include the durable water repellent treatment, anti-snag zippers, and a cozy hood. This gives you some peace of mind knowing your bag won’t lose insulation because of moisture or that you might accidentally tear a hole in it because of a snagged zipper. The reasonable weight is also much appreciated given the tradeoff in money typically means more pounds.

With a 550-fill-power, the Kelty Cosmic 20 won’t be the most insulated bag on the list. However, if you’re shopping on a budget, the Kelty Cosmic 20 is still an attractive option.

The Nemo Riff 15 is a three season sleeping bag that was designed for ladies who are side sleepers who want to trim weight and bulk. 

What we love the most about this bag is it uses Nemo’s spoon shape design. It’s not a square bag nor is it a mummy bag, it’s something completely different. It is wider in the elbows and knees which gives it roomy dimensions without wasted space. The Riff uses Nemo’s Therma-gills which are vents that allow you to fine-tune the temperature without having to unzip the bag. This feature makes it a more versatile bag that could be comfortable enough to use in warmer temps. Another feature we appreciated was the pillow pocket, which you could stuff a down jacket or pillow into. 

If you’re in between the Nemo Riff and the Nemo Disco, the main difference is the Disco is made of a thicker fabric which makes it more durable but also heavier than the Riff. It also means the Riff is more compressible. So, if you’re a side sleeper looking to cut weight and bulk and don’t mind sacrificing a bit of durability, the Riff is a great option for you.

The Nemo Riff is also available in a 30 degree version.

The REI Co-op Magma 15 is an ultralight three season backpacking sleeping bag. It is a part of REI’s premium line of gear which is a great choice for hikers who want a top-tier bag without the heart attack-inducing price tag. 

The Magma 15 offers a bit more mobility for those who tend to toss and turn at night. It is spacious in the knee and foot area, meaning that you can switch positions more easily than with other, slimmer bags. Even with its wider design, this bag will still keep you toasty, even on chillier nights. 

Rated at 28 degrees F (comfort level), the goose down filling will still keep you warm. Plus, its insulated yoke (the part of the bag that fits around your neck and shoulders) is designed specifically to prevent heat loss, keeping you comfortable and warm all through the night.

The Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass 15 is a middle of the road bag that is good value while including some features you won’t find in budget sleeping bags. 

What we love about this bag is its balance between price and features. While it’s not the cheapest bag out there, it does include some clever features that make a huge difference. The draft collar lets you cinch the hood around your face which seals out the cold air. Also, the foot box has an opening that gives you some air flow if you get too toasty. Another thoughtful touch is that the pulls glow in the dark, a handy feature at three o’clock in the morning.

The biggest downside of the Bishop Pass 15 is on the heavier, bulky end of the line up. We wouldn’t recommend lugging it on long distance trips but it is manageable for short backpacking adventures. Also, it has a pretty narrow fit. If you’re a side sleeper or like to sprawl, you should probably steer clear from the Bishop Pass. 

Looking for a higher or lower temperature rated bag? The Bishop Pass line is also available in a 0-degree and 30-degree version.

The Big Agnes Torchlight 20 UL is a comfortable sleeping bag with some unique design features we haven’t seen in other bags.

What we love the most about the Torchlight UL is the two expandable panels from the shoulders to the foot box which give you 10 extra inches of space. This allows you to adjust the size of the bag to fit your body shape. This way you can unzip it for more space and zip it closed to avoid any empty air space. A small but handy feature is the internal mesh stash pocket. Photographers will find it to be a great place to store batteries overnight to help keep them from draining.

The biggest drawback of this bag is the weight. Despite claiming to be an ultralight bag, it doesn’t come close to being as light and packable as other bags on our list. While the expandable design is innovative, it does add extra weight and bulk to the bag. Side sleepers might find this to be a worthy trade off.

The Big Agnes UL is also available in a 30-degree version.