15 degrees is a good temperature rating for fall, winter and spring in a lot of different areas. A 15 degree sleeping bag will likely be too warm for summers in all but the northernmost parts of the world. And while identifying the temperature rating needed for your sleeping bag is a good first step, it’s by far the last decision you will have to make when it comes to your future sleeping bag. There are a few other variables that will affect what kind of sleeping bag you end up with.
15 Degree Sleeping Bag
What to look for when you're looking for a 15 degree sleeping bag.- Insulation – Your choices of insulation are between down and synthetic, but down is by far the superior choice. It weighs comparatively less than synthetic insulation, and also compresses down better, for easy storage in a backpack. The only drawback is that you cant get down wet.
- Water Resistant – If you plan on camping or backpacking in 15 degree temperatures then you will likely have to worry about rain. And if rain is a major concern, you should definitely be keeping your sleeping bag insulation dry. Wet sleeping bag insulation does a rather poor job of keeping you warm, especially if that insulation is down.
Best 15 Degree Sleeping Bag
Some of the very best 15 degree sleeping bags.- Western Mountaineering Apache MF Sleeping Bag - First up, a fantastic 15 degree sleeping bag from Western Mountaineering. It uses high quality 850+ fill down, and the exterior is made of Microlite XP, which will help repel water. It's a mummy shape, but even for a mummy sleeping bag it has a minimalist, streamlined shape that helps to save on weight. And it weighs in at a very good 2 pounds, or 907 grams. Light enough to forget you're even carrying it.
- Mont Bell U.L. Spiral Down Hugger #1 - From Japanese manufacturer Mont Bell, another excellent 15 degree sleeping bag. This one weighs 2 pounds or 907 grams, the same as the Apache MF above, but has a few slightly different features. First, it uses the slightly lower quality 800+ fill down, but has a DWR, or durable water repellent finish on the exterior shell, which does a better job of water resistance. This one is also an award winner, having snagged the 2009 Gear of the Year award from Outside magazine. So another excellent 15 degree sleeping bag.
- Marmot Plasma 15 - At 1 pound 15 ounces, or 900 grams, this is just slightly the lightest 15 degree sleeping bag on this list. Part of what helps it get to such a low weight is the very high quality 900+ fill down. Besides that it's a mummy sleeping bag, and has a durable water repellent finish on the shell to keep you and the down dry. This one is also an award winner, having snagged the more recent 2011 Backpacker Magazine Editor's Choice award.
