There’s nothing worse than being freezing cold, apart from being freezing cold and sleeping in a tent.
However, just because the temperature’s dropped it doesn't mean you call off that winter camping trip. Or perhaps you’re simply attracted to colder climates because they often make for the most extreme adventures.
Whether you’re preparing for your first zero-degrees expedition, or you’re a seasoned pro, alongside the right gear for hiking and keeping warm during the day, pretty high up on your priority list is going to be a quality sleeping bag.
And one that will keep you toasty warm - even when the temperature says otherwise.
Warmth and insulation are essential for improving your quality of sleep when camping and preventing you from catching an illness due to exposure to the cold.
Because of this, you’ll probably want to opt for a down-filled sleeping bag, as these are superior for warmth. However, there are now some great synthetic ones on the market, too.
A sleeping bag for below-freezing temperatures requires excellent insulation and needs to be water-repellent too while being lightweight enough to carry on your back.
We plan to take you through some of the best bags on the market, as well as provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision.
TOP 5 Best Zero-Degree Sleeping Bags
OUR TOP PICK
The TNH sleeping bag is designed especially for extreme weather conditions and will keep you warm in freezing temperatures as low as 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
With a waterproof outer shell, you can also be sure you won’t wake up damp if rain penetrates your tent. The velcro strap and drawstring around the headrest allows you to adjust your level of insulation and will allow you to not only get warm but stay warm, too.
This sleeping bag has a polyester lining with high-quality precision stitching for added durability and comfort, plus it's 100% skin-friendly so won’t irritate even sensitive skin.
The easy-glide zipper is engineered to smoothly open and close the bag and is specially designed so it won’t snag the material of the sleeping bag. TNH is so confident of this, they guarantee your money back if your zipper does snag.
There are a few extra features that enhance this product, such as it being easy to clean due to the machine-washable fabric, and easy to carry too - each sleeping bag comes with a compression sack with straps, so you can conveniently store, compress and carry the bag wherever you go.
Pros
- Specially designed for extreme weather conditions
- Waterproof outer shell
- Easy-glide zipper
- Machine washable
- 100% skin-friendly polyester
- Velcro strap and drawstring to keep heat in
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Polyester won’t keep you as warm as down and can be heavier.
EDITORS CHOICE
The TNH sleeping bag is designed especially for extreme weather conditions and will keep you warm in freezing temperatures as low as 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
With a waterproof outer shell, you can also be sure you won’t wake up damp if rain penetrates your tent. The velcro strap and drawstring around the headrest allows you to adjust your level of insulation and will allow you to not only get warm but stay warm, too.
This sleeping bag has a polyester lining with high-quality precision stitching for added durability and comfort, plus it's 100% skin-friendly so won’t irritate even sensitive skin.
The easy-glide zipper is engineered to smoothly open and close the bag and is specially designed so it won’t snag the material of the sleeping bag. TNH is so confident of this, they guarantee your money back if your zipper does snag.
There are a few extra features that enhance this product, such as it being easy to clean due to the machine-washable fabric, and easy to carry too - each sleeping bag comes with a compression sack with straps, so you can conveniently store, compress and carry the bag wherever you go.
This mummy-style adult sleeping bag is perfect for camping in temperatures as low as 0 degrees and also accommodates adults up to 6 feet 2 inches tall.
The carefully-crafted design of this sleeping bag helps keep warmth in and cold out, thanks to the quilted construction, insulated foot box, and Thermolock draft tube for maximum heat retention.
The sculpted hood neatly tightens via the drawstring to lock in warmth, while for warmer nights you can simply unzip the bottom for extra ventilation.
This sleeping bag can easily be washed in the washing machine and it’s easy to zip open and close thanks to the ZipPlow system which plows away fabric to prevent snagging during zipping.
This sleeping bag isn’t the smallest when packed away inside its bag, however, it will guarantee to keep you super warm.
Pros
- Mummy-style for warmth
- Quilted construction
- Insulated foot box
- Thermo lock draft tube
- Unzippable bottom
- Zipblow system for smooth zipping
- Great for tall adults
Cons
- Quite big when packed up
BEST VALUE
This Paria sleeping bag is built to endure freezing temperatures thanks to its 28 oz. of high loft 600-fill power down which will keep you warm in lows of 15F (-10C).
The outer layer of the bag is made of a durable 20D ripstop nylon fabric and YKK zippers which are built to last.
Despite the insulating powers of this bag, it’s still amazingly lightweight, weighing in at just 2lb 15oz, and when compressed the sack measures just 12 x 7 inches, making it the perfect companion for backpackers.
This bag retains heat well thanks to the draft collar and trapezoidal foot box with extra insulation, and it’s also easy to get in and out of thanks to the two-way zipper and zip-guard, and no drawstrings or velcro for ultimate ease and comfort.
The fully insulated and contoured hood can also be completely cinched down, while you can easily shed heat on warmer nights with the large two-way YKK zipper which opens from top and bottom.
Pros
- high loft 600-fill power down for ultimate warmth
- Durable nylon outer
- YKK zippers are reliable and easy to use
- Super lightweight when compressed for easy carrying
- No itchy velcro or drawstrings for ultimate comfort
- Trapezoidal foot box and draft collar for heat retention
- Easy to shed heat thanks to full-length zipper
- Multiple sizes
- One year warranty
Cons
- Down sleeping bags are generally more expensive
RUNNER UP
This -30 degree bag is filled with a 7 denier TechLoft Silver insulation to keep you warm in extreme weather conditions.
The insulated chest and zipper baffle with two-layer construction trap heat and prevent unwanted cold spots, while a brushed polyester liner provides comfort and coziness.
This bag is built for experienced campers and is highly durable thanks to the 210T nylon diamond ripstop fabric, while the contoured hood keeps warmth sealed in so you can get a good night’s sleep.
This is great for campers who like a little more “wriggle room” but want the warmth and insulation of a mummy-style bag: at 36 inches wide and 90 inches long this rectangular design offers space and comfort without compromising on heat retention.
Pros
- Great for camping in temperatures as low as -30
- Spacious design with mummy-style hood for best of both worlds
- 7 denier TechLoft Silver insulation
- 210T nylon diamond ripstop outer shell for added durability
- Two-layer construction to trap heat
Cons
- It’s a little on the heavy side at 12lbs 12 oz
- Hand wash required
RUNNER UP
If you’re looking for a non-down, lightweight sleeping bag that will also keep you warm in 0 degrees, then look no further.
Hyke and Byke’s Katahdin bag is filled with 625 Fill Power advanced ClusterLoft microfiber insulation, which compares in warmth to a 625 fill power Down Bag but has better durability and moisture resistance.
Not only will this bag keep you warm, but it’ll keep you dry, too. Hydrophobic insulation and an ultralight water repellent fabric liner will keep water out, while the microscopic air clusters found in the advanced synthetic creates a "loft" that traps heat and retains it all night, too.
This bag is perfect for long-distance hikers and is super lightweight so it won’t weigh you down. The bag comes in three sizes, and depending on which you choose it’ll weigh in between 3.22 lbs or at the heaviest, 3.91 lbs.
It also has a large foot box, snag-free velcro, a drawstring, and horizontal baffles to ensure maximum warmth and tailored comfort, too.
Pros
- As warm as a down-filled bag but lighter
- 625 Fill Power advanced ClusterLoft microfiber insulation
- water repellent 400T 20 D ripstop nylon fabric liner
- advanced synthetic creates a "loft" to trap heat
- Highly durable
- Multiple sizes to choose from
- Velcro and drawstring for adjustability
- Wide shoulders and large foot box for maximum comfort
Cons
- Expensive for a synthetic bag
Best Zero Degree Sleeping Bags Buying Guide
Filling
Down is often preferred by winter campers, as down-filled bags are efficient and effective at trapping body heat.
They can also be lighter and more compressible than synthetic-filled bags. That said, synthetic options have improved over the years, and there are now some quality synthetic-filled bags available which are sometimes cheaper than the down alternative, too.
Shape
Which shaped bag will be best for you largely depends on personal preference. However, generally, a mummy-shaped bag is preferable for trapping heat as it’s tapered and tailored to the body for a cozier sleeping experience.
However, some people prefer a little more space, particularly around the feet, and in this case, a rectangular bag may be more suitable. That said, there are now some extra-wide sleeping bags that have a mummy-style contoured fit around the head and a wide foot box, so you get that extra wriggle-room without losing heat.
Temperature rating
This is sometimes referred to as comfort rating and is usually provided in degrees Fahrenheit.
It roughly indicates the temperature the bag will be able to keep you warm in. This is why it’s essential to know exactly how cold it’s going to be on your camping trip, so you can ensure your bag is fully-equipped to keep you warm.
It’s also good if the bag is versatile enough to be used in warmer conditions, too. For example, some bags have unzippable bottoms for breathability or can be unzipped from top to bottom to shed heat if you wake up a little stuffy in the middle of the night.
When camping in cold conditions though, a sleeping bag liner can also provide added warmth and an extra layer of insulation and protection.
Weight and compressibility
The whole point of a sleeping bag is that it can be compressed and rolled up into a bag and easily attached - or stored - in your rucksack.
A lot of bags designed to endure extreme temperatures can often be an added weight to your load, as they inevitably have more layers or heavier insulation.
However, some bags offer the best of both worlds and are designed to keep you toasty warm without weighing you down.
It’s also worth considering the weight of the filling, for example, down is often lighter than synthetic, although some synthetic bags have been optimized for their compressibility.
Water resistance
You want a bag that is not only warm but has a DWR coating - which stands for Durable Water Repellent.
This doesn’t mean the bag is waterproof, but it will ensure the water will bead and roll off the surface of the bag rather than soak through.
Fit
You can get bags which differ slightly depending on gender, for example, female bags can have narrower shoulders and a wider hip section for a more tailored fit, while you can also get extra tall bags for those who need a little more space, and even foot pockets for sufferers of “cold feet.”
Some bags will also come in small, medium, or large options, and it’s worth checking the measurements of each to find which will best fit you. You can also get bags with added width and wriggle-room for those who get claustrophobic in the classic mummy-style bag.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use a zero degrees sleeping bag in the summer?
Some zero degrees sleeping bags claim to be three or four-season bags, meaning they’re versatile and can shed layers or be unzipped for warmer temperatures, though generally, a zero degrees bag is probably a little too warm for the summer months, and is likely to be heavier than a summer one.
It’s mainly down to personal preference though, as some people may cope fine with a winter bag in the summer months, especially if you’re somewhere where the temperature drops significantly at night.
How cold is too cold to sleep?
Nighttime temperatures of about 50°F to 75°F are most comfortable for camping.
The high 30s/low 40s Fahrenheit are generally too cold for inexperienced campers with amateur gear, however with the right bag, and perhaps an added liner, you can be prepared for any temperature drop.