There are two basic shapes that sleeping bags come in, which are rectangular sleeping bags and mummy sleeping bags, with a wide variety of different shapes and sizes that fall somewhere in the middle of those. Mummy sleeping bags are smaller, and thus weigh less and pack down smaller, which makes them ideal for backpackers. But even a semi-rectangular cut sleeping bag gives you enough room to move around at night, which some people need to get a good night of sleep.
Rectangular Sleeping Bags
What to look for when you're looking at rectangular sleeping bags.- Insulation – If you’re getting a rectangular cut sleeping bag because you’re not planning on having to carry it anywhere, then a synthetic sleeping bag would likely be a better choice, because it’s generally a cheaper option. But if you’re going to be carrying that sleeping bag, down is a better option because it weighs less, relative to warmth, and compresses better than synthetic.
- Semi-Rectangular – Mummy and Rectangular are not your only two options when it comes to sleeping bag shapes. There is actually a wide variety of sleeping bag that fall somewhere in between the two, and if you don’t specifically need a rectangular sleeping bag, a semi-rectangular sleeping bag might be worth considering.
Best Rectangular Sleeping Bags
Some of the very best rectangular sleeping bags, at a few different temperature points.- Sea to Summit Trek TkII - With a low minimum temperature of 18 degrees, this is an ideal choice for four season camping, where you need something warm. It's a semi-rectangular shape, so it's slightly tapered, but still rectangular enough that you will have plenty of room inside to move around. It also uses 650 fill duck down, not goose down, and has a full length zipper, plus a footbox zipper, so that you can turn it in to a comforter for summer camping, for example. The whole thing also weighs just 2 pounds 7 ounces, or 1.1 kilograms, which is a great weight for the temperature rating.
- Big Agnes Gunn Creek - The Gunn Creek is a fairly basic three season camping sleeping bag ideal for someone who doesn't want anything too technical. It has just a slight taper, and is almost entirely rectangular. It also uses synthetic Climashield HL insulation, and is warm down to 30 degrees. It weighs 2 pounds 13 ounces, or 1.27 kilograms, which is more, you'll notice, than the warmer Trek above. This is also a cheaper option, however, and a good choice if you're not looking to do any serious camping or backpacking.
- Big Agnes Yampa - With a minimum temperature rating of just 45 degrees, this is a sleeping bag ideally suited to warm summer nights, but not fall or spring weather, unless you live somewhere very warm. It doesn't have a hood, but when the temperature is that warm you don't really need one. It does have a pillow insert, however, and is filled with 650 fill down, which will keep you nice and warm. The whole thing weighs 1 pound 13 ounces, or 822 grams.
