As far as we’re concerned, camping near your car is all about comfort—save the rehydrated meals and paper-thin foam sleeping bags for the backcountry. And if there’s any part of your kit you shouldn’t cut corners with, it’s your bedding. The scenery always looks that much nicer after a good night of sleep.

　　The good news about shopping for sleeping bags in 2024 is that there’s something for every type of camper, but the downside of that abundance is that it can be hard to parse all the models and features to find what you really want. Our testers, a mix of genders with different sleeping preferences (hot/cold; side, stomach, back sleepers, etc) put 22 different types of bags and bedding to the test on cold, windy shoulder season trips and balmy summer nights. These sleeping bags and quilts came out on top.

　　At a Glance Best Overall: Kelty Supernova 20 ($190) Most Comfortable: Exped LuxeWool Blanket ($150) Best Two-Person: Sierra Designs Backcountry Bed 20° Duo ($480) Best Quilt: REI Co-op Trailgate Comforter ($129) Best Wearable Bag: Mountain Hardwear Yawn Patrol 30 F ($165) Best Quilt for Couples: Sea to Summit Tanami Tm II 35F ($399) How to Choose a Sleeping Bag How We Test Meet Our Lead Testers All gear in this guide was tested by multiple reviewers. When you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.

　　Best Overall Kelty Supernova 20 $190 at Backcountry From $190 at Kelty

　　Weight: 3 lbs (regular)

　　Sizes: regular and long

　　Dimensions: 75 inches (regular)

　　Comfort rating: 20F

　　Pros and Cons

　　⊕ Versatile

　　⊕ Good temperature regulation

　　⊗ No hood

　　No single sleeping bag will be optimally comfortable and functional for every body type, sleep style, and trip destination, but for the frontcountry camper, the Kelty Supernova Down comes pretty darn close.

　　This summer, lead tester Miyo McGinn brought it on a very loosely planned summer road trip that she knew at the outset might include sea kayaking; backpacking in the alpine; and/or car camping in the mountains, desert, and beach. At each disparate location she stopped for the night, the Supernova worked beautifully—it fit comfortably in a backpacking pack, and felt light and unrestricting even when fully zipped up. The 550-fill down offered ample warmth for high elevation overnights with temps around freezing, opened up flat like a quilt for mild seaside nights with 55-degree lows, and the zipper allowed for plenty of venting for everywhere in between.

　　The roomy mummy-ish shape (with some extra space around the knees and hips, in addition to the shoulders, before tapering around the feet and lower legs) is particularly comfortable for side sleepers and anyone with wider hips, without sacrificing all the insulating benefits that a form-fitting cut provides.

　　The recycled 50-denier recycled polyester taffeta liner fabric felt buttery soft next to skin, and 20-denier recycled nylon taffeta exterior held up well over three weeks of constant use. The Supernova isn’t quite ultralight, nor does it pack down as tiny as some dedicated backpacking sleeping bags, but it still tilts the scales at a perfectly respectable 3 pounds and fits in a stuff sack about as big as a family-sized bag of potato chips.

　　“Most bedding that’s as luxurious as I want on a comfortable car camping trip is too bulky or too delicate for more rugged adventures, like short backpacking or sea kayaking trips” said McGinn. “But the Supernova was great for all of the above—if it replaced all the other three-season quilts and bags in my gear closet, I wouldn’t miss them.”

　　Most Comfortable Exped LuxeWool Blanket $150 at REI $150 at Backcountry

　　Weight: 3.1 lbs

　　Sizes: single and double

　　Dimensions: 78.7” x 55.1” (single); 78.7” x 82.7” (double)

　　Comfort rating: 41F

　　Pros and Cons

　　⊕ Natural fiber fabrics are comfortable and durable

　　⊗ Doesn’t fasten to sleeping pad

　　⊗ Not versatile

　　Even diehard sleeping bag-users loved Exped’s LuxeWool Blanket, particularly in conjunction with the inflatable LuxeWool mat. “It was the most comfortable I’ve ever been camping, or anywhere besides my own bed,” said Bozeman-based tester Evan Romasco-Kelly after using it on a five-night climbing trip in Wyoming with overnight lows in the 40s.

　　The quilt’s organic cotton cover feels like soft bed sheets against the skin, and the 100 percent wool insulation had a slight heft that’s pleasant to sleep under—more like a real duvet than the feather-light down and nylon camping quilts we’re used to. It’s not bulky, despite the extra weight, and packs down to about the size of a small watermelon, almost as small as some of the down options on this list. The 41 degree comfort rating is on the lighter side, but our testers found it perfect on mild summer overnights.

　　The LuxeWool lacks some of the extra bells and whistles commonly found on sleeping quilts—like the option to fasten it to a sleeping pad or cinch together at the base to form a sleeping bag-like foot pocket; but that didn’t stop our testers from packing it along on a 5-night stay in Western Washington’s San Juan Islands, where the mild 50-degree temperatures and soft materials meant testers barely noticed those missing extras. But by itself, it’s not the best option for trips with any chance of low temperatures. “I wouldn’t take it out in really cold weather, since it doesn’t cocoon,” said Romasco-Kelly. “But it’s perfect for summer.”

　　Nor would it be our first choice for a long stint somewhere dusty—the cover is removable and machine-washable, but dust and sand doesn’t wipe off the textured face fabric as easily as it does from nylon. In all other settings, the textured cotton face fabric is a plus, since it’s far less slippery than the synthetic fabrics usually used for camping blankets, so sliding wasn’t an issue even without fasteners.

　　Best Two-Person Bag Sierra Designs Backcountry Bed 20° Duo $330 at Walmart

　　Weight: 4.6 lbs

　　Sizes: one size

　　Dimensions: 84” x 120”

　　Comfort rating: 20F

　　Pros and Cons

　　⊕ Zipperless construction is spacious and quiet

　　⊕ Easy to vent or increase insulation as needed

　　⊗ Bulky

　　Outside editors have had good things to say about the Backcountry Bed—in both its single and double sizes—for over a decade. This season, Sierra Designs remade the popular model using recycled materials, while staying true to the popular, zipperless mummy bag-quilt hybrid design.

　　Despite its name, Sacramento-based tester Emma Bliska and her partner found the Backcountry Bed was ideal for summer frontcountry camping trips around Lake Tahoe. The 650-fill hydrophobic down offered ample warmth, and foot vents and a hood made temperature regulation easy. The extra-wide opening spanned by a built-in comforter that can be moved separately from the base and sides of the bag, felt spacious in a way traditional zippered double sleeping bags don’t. “The lack of zippers actually made it quieter and easier to get in and out of bed without disturbing my partner,” said Bliska. As an extra bonus, the shell and liner are both made with 20-denier recycled polyester fabric (ripstop and taffeta, respectively).

　　At just under 5 pounds, the Backcountry Bed isn’t a featherweight, but if two people are splitting their gear, it’s light and warm enough for summer backpacking. Bliska found that the bigger challenge was bulk. “The stuff sack was almost as big as my pack,” she reported, and so recommends picking up a smaller stuff sack than the one it comes with. “We got it down to about the size of a bear can,” she said.

　　Best Quilt REI Co-op Trailgate Comforter $129 at REI

　　Weight: 3.1 lbs

　　Sizes: single and double

　　Dimensions: 70.4” x 50.4” (single); 86” x 78” (double)

　　Warmth rating: N/A

　　Pros and Cons

　　⊕ Reasonable price

　　⊕ Durable

　　⊕ Doubles as a camp blanket

　　⊗ Doesn’t couple with other comforters/sleeping pads

　　The Trailgate is a no-frills synthetic comforter that’s warm enough for anyone looking for a frontcountry quilt that won’t break the bank. The 100 percent recycled polyester taffeta fabric proved durable, showing no signs of wear or tear after 12 nights of use and a dozen more campfires. And the 180-gram synthetic insulation doesn’t need to be handled with kid gloves (unlike down filling).

　　After trying out the Trailgate comforter on a trip to Yellowston in June, Bozeman-based tester Becca Holdhusen brought it along whenever there was a chance she’d be spending the night in her Subaru Outback. “Sleeping in a sleeping bag can feel a little claustrophobic in my car,” said Holdhusen. “Not to mention overkill, heat-wise.” The simple, no-frills quilt offered plenty of warmth, even when the overnight low was 35 degrees F (although it may not have been up to those temps in a less-insulated tent, instead of a car). Holdhusen also appreciated the soft, cotton-like texture of the face fabric, often using the blanket to stay cozy around camp before going to bed.

　　Best Wearable Bag Mountain Hardwear Yawn Patrol 30 F $207 at REI $165 at Mountain Hardwear

　　Weight: 2.1 lbs

　　Sizes: regular, long

　　Dimensions: 72” x 62” (regular); 78” x 64” (long)

　　Pros and Cons

　　⊕ Convenient temperature regulation; Packability

　　⊗ More restrictive than some rectangular bags

　　Most sleeping bags that also claim to be loungewear tend to be more on the gimmicky end of the spectrum. Not the Yawn Patrol, which is a sleeping bag, quilt, and extra long poncho all in one, thanks to clever zipper design.

　　One smooth-running zipper extends from the top of the bag to the feet to split it into a quilt. Another runs a third of the way down for easy entry and to create sleeves for reading or drinking while inside the bag. Josie Boulding, a Union Bay, B.C.-based tester, loved the bag’s poncho mode. “I could wear the whole thing in camp to stay warm around the campfire,” she says.

　　Tougher, 45-denier nylon protected the bottom of the bag from dirt, while a lighter-weight 30-denier nylon top shell and the interior were both soft next to skin. When she actually slept in the nearly rectangular bag, the insulated hood with a pillow pocket, phone pocket, draft collars, and 650-fill down kept Boulding toasty and all those zippers gave the bag a huge comfort range, from the 60s to its 30-degree limit. Bonus: At just 2.1 pounds, it can be pressed into service for short backpacking trips.

　　Best Quilt for Couples Sea to Summit Tanami Tm II 35F $399 at REI

　　Weight: 2.6 lbs

　　Sizes: regular

　　Dimensions: 80” x 82”

　　Pros and Cons

　　⊕ Works for singles and doubles

　　⊕ Lightweight

　　⊗ No material to fully close it

　　If the idea of a double sleeping bag sounds like an argument waiting to happen, the Tanami might be the answer to your relationship’s camping woes. The 80-by-82-inch quilt isn’t quite as expansive as a typical queen-size comforter, but it’s plenty big for category manager Ryan Stuart and his partner to sleep comfortably on a double-wide pad with fabric to spare. “When I inevitably got too hot, I could pull some covers off, while my wife could snuggle deeper,” Stuart says.

　　A drawcord at the bottom snugs the quilt to a mattress, preventing drafts from penetrating and the quilt from shifting. Closer to the bag’s temperature limit, the couple pulled them both and played footsie. Loops on the quilt’s perimeter allow campers to strap it to a pad or close it into a bag (with additional hardware.) Sleeping in it solo, Stuart cinched up the bottom and burritoed his way in.

　　Even in temperatures close to the bag’s rating, he was comfortable, thanks to 24.7 ounces of water-resistant 750-fill down. And while it’s by no means ultralight, the 30-denier exterior and 20-denier interior mean the Tanami is lightweight for two and packs down into a 10-liter stuff sack. For couples that prefer a quilt to a bag, it’s a no-brainer for summer camping or backpacking.

　　How to Choose a Sleeping Bag for Camping Finding the ideal sleeping bag or quilt is a little like finding the ideal life partner. When you start looking, the options might seem overwhelming. But the more you focus on what you really want, the easier it is to narrow down. Here are four aspects to consider.

　　Seasons and temperature rating  Bags generally fall into three temperature categories: Summer (rated 30 degrees F and warmer); three-season (rated between 15 and 20 degrees); and winter (rated 15 degrees and lower—some expedition bags are rated as low as -40 degrees). These temperature ratings are based on “average” sleepers and don’t consider external factors like the thickness and rating of your sleeping pad; climatic factors like wind or humidity; or how quickly your body regulates heat loss or gain. Even if you tend to prefer cold sleeping environments, we recommend erring on the side of buying a higher temperature bag—you can always open zippers, but making a bag warmer requires extra layers.

　　Camping vs. backpacking sleeping bags Car camping, or camping at a campground or near your vehicle, is about comfort: look to prioritize roominess, fabric feel, and features, like pillow pockets and multiple zippers, rather than weight and packability. Cotton, fleece, or flannel-like interior linings will make sleeping that much more cozy than the usual polyester stickiness you experience with backpacking bags. Pockets help corral slippery pillows right where you want them; an additional pocket to keep a headlamp, phone, or watch close at hand is a nice bonus feature. And extra zippers provide options for customizing warmth and lounging in camp.

　　What type of insulation is best? Down bags are generally warmer for their weight and more compressible than bags with synthetic insulation. But if down bags get wet, they lose insulating capacity and take longer to dry out than synthetic bags. Many manufacturers use down processed with a hydrophobic chemical that prevents it from absorbing as much water. Others keep the insulation dry with a water-repellant finish or fabric.

　　Pay attention to fill power. That number measures the volume taken up by the amount of down in your sleeping bag; the more loft your sleeping bag has, the more efficiently it will trap warm air. It will also weigh less and pack down smaller than bags with a lower fill power rated to the same temperature. Synthetic bags are more affordable, and therefore an excellent choice for new campers who are unsure how often they want to sleep outside, or backpackers who are headed to wet environments.

　　How much space do I need? Bags come in many shapes and sizes—rectangles, mummies, modified mummies, and double bags. Mummies are warmer and lighter-weight than rectangular bags, but can also be claustrophobic. Rectangular bags are excellent for restless sleepers who need to move and don’t have space or weight constraints. Some quilts can be opened up to act as comforters, although they require a warm sleeping pad and don’t come with hoods. Women-specific bags often come in modified mummy shapes to accommodate the curvier parts of a woman’s body. Doubles are simply sleeping bags built for two, although many solo bags can be zipped together to create a double bag.

　　How We Test Bags Tested: 22 Number of testers: 10 Number of states slept in: 7 Number of sleeping bags burned by campfires: 1 Sleeping bags are one of those categories of gear where “best” is about personal preferences as much as objective design or construction. There are just so many different body shapes, sleeping positions, and temperature preferences—and so many different environments to camp in. To account for that, we recruited as varied a group of testers as we could for this year’s testing. Young and old; men, women and a couple people who don’t identify with either gender; side sleepers and stomach sleepers and flail-all-over-the-tent sleepers; experienced outdoors people and first-time campers all put on their favorite PJs and got to work catching Z’s.

　　A handful of our testers wouldn’t ever buy a sleeping bag that they couldn’t also bring backpacking—others wouldn’t be caught dead in a sleeping bag instead of a quilt (or vice versa). Some testers were only too happy to go out of their way to take a nap or bundle themselves up in a camp blanket for “research,” and no one was upset to have the extra motivation to fit in a few more nights under the stars.

　　After each trip, testers filled out a form with information about the environment they had tested in (location, climate, weather). And what they had and hadn’t liked about the sleeping bag, emphasizing comfort and functionality. After reviewing all the feedback, we picked the winners.

　　Meet Our Lead Testers Miyo McGinn is an assistant editor at Outside based in Bozeman, Montana. She has camped in a dozen different states and four continents, but Washington state, where she grew up, will always be her favorite place to pitch a tent. Miyo got her start reviewing gear as Outside’s gear editorial assistant in 2021.

　　After hundreds of nights sleeping under the stars, Ryan Stuart sleeps better in a sleeping bag than he does at home. Based on Vancouver Island, he approaches camping with the same laid-back vibe his island home is known for. As long as it’s quiet, he doesn’t care whether it’s on a beach, a lake, or the middle of a logging road.