Best Synthetic Sleeping Bags of 2022

The Nemo Forte 35 is an affordable synthetic sleeping bag that has plenty of room for those who love to sprawl out. This bag is a great option for mild weather adventures where you don’t have to travel too far to get to your campsite. 

What we love the most about this bag is its spacious dimensions. If you’ve ever felt trapped in a narrow mummy bag, you’ll love the Forte’s hourglass shape that is wider at the shoulders and feet and slightly tapered at the hips. This design is perfect for side sleepers or people who tend to move around a lot at night. We also loved what NEMO calls thermo gills, they are zips that let the insulation spread apart which is great for warm summer nights.

The biggest drawback of this bag is its weight and pack size. At 2lbs 2 oz, it’s not the best choice for long distance backpacking but is manageable for overnight trips. The Forte uses Primaloft synthetic insulation which has its pros and cons. It doesn’t pack down as small as down but it is far more affordable.

If you love the idea of this bag but wish it had down insulation, check out the Nemo Disco line. 

This sleeping bag also comes in a 20 degree version.

The Nemo Forte also comes in a women’s specific version in both 20 degree and 35 degree versions.  

The Marmot Trestles 0 sleeping bag is a great option for someone looking for a bag that will keep them warm in frigid temperatures, but doesn’t want to break the bank to invest in an expensive cold weather bag.

This bag is rated to keep you warm in temperatures down to 0°F, so it’s a great bag to take with you to the Cascades in Washington or the Sierra Nevadas in California. The bag itself will keep you toasty and cozy and the hood of the bag will provide extra heat for you.

This bag is made with quality material, including a zipper guard to make sure it won’t snag on your bag when you’re zipping it up. A 3D foodbox at the bottom provides warmth, and will also keep you comfortable by providing enough space at your feet so you won’t feel like you’re sardined into a bag.

This bag is a bit heavy, with the regular size weighing in at about 4 ½ lbs, but it sells at a killer price point. It can be hard to find a reliable backpacking sleeping bag for under $150 and, which is why this is a great option for hikers on a budget.

The Therm-a-Rest Space Cowboy 45 is one of the very few sleeping bags with water-resistant synthetic filling. This allows it to increase insulation – even when wet –  while decreasing weight. However, it is designed for summer camping, as it withstands only 45°F. The bag features ThermaCapture zoned insulation that is strategically placed to catch your body’s own rising heat. You can also cinch the hood down around your head for a snuggly, draft-free rest.

To increase versatility, this sleeping bag has loops that you can use to layer more quilts and blankets on it, making it useful in colder conditions. The zipper is snag-free to ensure its durability and ease of use. The Cowboy 45 weighs 1.5 lbs. – average for ultralight sleeping bags – but it can be compressed down to 2 liters of volume, saving lots of valuable space in your backpack.

The Marmot Nanowave 45 is an affordable summer sleeping bag that won’t take up too much room in your backpack. Not only is it cheap, it’s also practical and functional.

In awarding it the winner of the best under $100 category, we realize it’s not quite fair because most other bags on this list have a temperature rating down to around 20 degrees. However, if you’re on a super tight budget and plan to camp from mid-spring to mid-fall, the Nanowave 45 is hard to beat.

Which leads us to the biggest downside of this bag, it is only good in mild weather. But, not everyone needs or wants a super warm bag and if you combine the Nanowave with an extra warm sleeping pad and a thermal liner, you might be able to extend the temperature range of this bag down a few degrees, making it much more versatile. If you’re looking for a warmer budget backpacking sleeping bag, check out the REI Trailbreak 20.

The Marmot Nanowave is also available in a 55-degree and 35-degree version.

The REI Co-op Trailbreak 20 is a budget minded synthetic sleeping bag that was designed for people who are just starting out backpacking. 

Just because this bag is a steal doesn’t doesn’t mean that it is cheap. While the Trailbreak 20 is nowhere near as light, comfortable or packable as the bags at the top of our list, we have to give it credit for being an exceptional value. Its size and weight is manageable for short backpacking trips.

The cash savings do come with some drawbacks.The lining fabric is a bit rough making it much less comfortable than the silky fabric found on many other bags. Also, it doesn’t have a neck baffle, so some heat does escape through the top of the bag. One last nitpick, the Trailbreak doesn’t come with a compression sack, so you’ll need to calculate that into your decision. If you’re on a tight budget and just can’t spring for a better sleeping bag right now, this is a good option to get you out on the trail fast.

Looking for a summer sleeping bag? The REI Trailbreak is also available in a 30-degree version.

The REI Trailbreak comes in a women’s specific which is available as a 20-degree or 30-degree bag. 

The North Face Cat’s Meow is a great option for someone who tends to venture into the outdoors in the spring/summer seasons.

The shell of this bag is made with ripstop nylon, which is a tougher fabric than polyester or just plain nylon, and will ensure your bag won’t shed on you in rocky terrain when you might be camping under the stars instead of inside your tent. 

A fitted hood will provide warmth and can serve as extra cushioning for your head when you lay it down to sleep. There is also a draft collar that will provide extra heat and will prevent heat loss throughout the night.

This bag isn’t going to be the warmest option featured by The Adventure Junkies, so if you know you sleep cold, or you like to hike in the fall/winter season and are looking for a bag to keep you warm at high alpine levels, this may not be the bag for you.

A great bag for any season, The North Face One Bag Sleeping Bag will keep you warm in just about any temperature you can imagine sleeping in down to 5° F. Although there is technically a down layer included in this 3-in-1 bag, we still think the synthetic outer layer makes this one of the best synthetic bag choices on the market today. 

This bag has easy-to-use zippers, so configuring the bags just the way you want them will be a breeze. For mild summer nights, you can opt to use only the super lightweight 40° F outer layer on its own. If there’s a chill in the air, you can pair the blue outer layer with the removable yellow mid-layer and stay warm down to 20°F. And if you’re an extreme camper who loves sleeping outside during the wintertime, then use all three bags for warmth in temperatures down to 5°F!

This is certainly the most versatile bag on the list and it’s very popular among both car campers and backpackers because it just about meets all your wilderness sleeping needs!

The Exped MegaSleep 25 Sleeping Bag is a versatile option for anyone who likes to camp or backpack.

Weighing in at about 2 ½ pounds, this bag isn’t too heavy for a pack, and won’t take up too much space either. The bag has zippers down both sides, so you can get in and out of it easily, and adjust the temperature easily according to your preference. 

This bag is a rectangle shape, so you will have plenty of room to spread out, no matter what your favorite sleeping position is. There is a draft tube along both zippers in this bag that will help prevent heat loss and keep you cocooned into your bag at night. 

Tested to keep you warm down to 25° F, this bag is a great option for spring, summer, or fall camping or backpacking.

The Big Agnes Lost Dog is a cold-oriented sleeping bag that withstands temperatures up to 15°F. It uses FireLine ECO synthetic insulation made from recycled polyester, and the innovative design includes several features for comfort. It has a Free Range hood that allows you to lift your head while keeping a snug fit around your face. The Free Range foot box is similar, giving you some wiggle room. An additional no-draft collar will keep the cold wind out. 

For convenience, a Flex Pad Sleeve can stretch over an insulated sleeping pad for extra warmth. The bag also has a 2-way anti-snag zipper and can be joined with another right-zip sleeping bag. If that doesn’t sound comfy enough, the Lost Dog offers a Pillow Barn feature that makes sure your pillow stays put all night. Although it is on the pricier end of affordable, the extra features make it worth it.

The Sea to Summit Trailhead ThII 30 is another synthetic sleeping bag that retains its insulation abilities even when wet. It uses a unique WaveLoft technique that tangles filling fibers for maximum heat retention up to 30°F. This bag has a tapered rectangular shape, providing you with comfort and room to move. An oversized anti-snag zipper draft tube will guard your whole body against cold chills when you snuggle down in this bag. 

An important characteristic of the THII 30 is its versatility. Its full-length zipper lets you turn this sleeping bag into a quilt. Furthermore, there is a second zipper in the foot box, allowing ventilation for your feet and broad temperature adjustability. Plus, to prevent your frustration, the bag’s lining fabric is directly attached to the shell fabric, which prevents zipper tangles.  This sleeping bag is excellent for backpacking since it weighs about 2.5 lbs – not much more than most ultralight sleeping bags!