Camping, backpacking or hiking in warm weather is often a lot more enjoyable than doing the same in cold weather, if for no other reason than you don’t generally need to carry around as much gear, and the gear that you do need to bring is often smaller and lighter. A warm weather sleeping bag is the perfect example of this, since they are typically much smaller and lighter, and easier to pack than their winter counterparts.
Warm Weather Sleeping Bag
What to look for from a warm weather sleeping bag.- Down – One of the main advantages of synthetic sleeping bags is that they do a lot better when they get, but when the weather is warm the chances of getting your sleeping bag wet are generally going to do down, making down insulation the obvious choice for an insulating material.
- Minimum Temperature – Obviously, you’re not going to need as warm a sleeping bag for warm weather, but you will still need to decide on an exact temperature. A 32 sleeping bag might be ideal for spring, summer and fall in some parts of the world, and only good for summer in others.
Best Warm Weather Sleeping Bag
Some of the best options for a warm weather sleeping bag.- Mountain Hardwear Ultralamina 32 (Women's) - With a minimum temperature rating of 32 degrees, the Ultralamina is warm, but not too warm. In many parts of the world it makes an ideal three season sleeping. So not suitable for really warm weather, but good for a variety of conditions. It's a synthetic sleeping bag, with a relatively narrow mummy cut to help reduce weight. So a good blend of cost saving features like synthetic insulation, as well as weight saving features like the shape. The exact weight is 1 pound 16 ounces, or 898 grams, and it also won the 2007 Gear of the Year award from Outside Magazine.
- Western Mountaineering Highlite - The Highlite is another good warm weather sleeping bag, this one with a minimum temperature rating of 35 degrees, making it suitable for those warmer nights, though it only has a half length zipper, so you don't get to put the zipper down when it gets too hot inside the sleeping bag. But the half length zipper, along with the 850 fill down helps to cut down on weight, if not the price. And at just 1 pound, or 453 grams, it is extremely lightweight, and a great choice for backpackers looking for a summer sleeping bag.
- Marmot Plasma +40 - For those really warm nights, the Marmot Plasma, with a minimum temperature of just 40 degrees, is a great choice. It uses 900 fill down, which is a rather impressive quality of down, making it another very lightweight option, though you do end up paying a premium for that higher quality insulation material. The shell is also coated with a durable water repellent finish, which is a nice touch if you're going to be exposed to the elements. The whole thing weighs 1 pound 2 ounces, or 530 grams, so another warmer weather sleeping bag ideal for backpackers and anyone else looking for the best.
