Best 3-Season Sleeping Bags 2024

As outdoor enthusiasts gear up for their next adventure, choosing the right sleeping bag is a climacteric decision to ensure a comfortable and restful night under the stars. Sleeping bags are classified according to their season of use; one, two, three, and four seasons. A  three-season sleeping bag is designed to provide warmth and comfort in a wide range of temperatures, making it suitable for spring, summer, and fall adventures.

The year 2024 brings a multitude of options for those looking for the perfect balance of warmth, weight, and versatility in their sleeping gear. Between quality, comfort, performance and lightness, our selection of the top 6 best 3-season sleeping bags will help you find your way around.

Best 3-Season Sleeping Bags in 2024

Here are our favorite models to accompany you on your best adventures!

• Kelty Cosmic 550 – Best Down Fill 3-Season Sleeping Bag
• Wakeman Envelope – Best Stylish 3-Season Sleeping Bag with Hood
• Marmot Voyager 55 – Best Mummy 3-Season Sleeping Bag
• NEMO Forte 20 – Best Three-Season Sleeping Bag for Men
• The North Face Gold Kazoo – Best 3-Season Sleeping Bag for the Price
• Vaude Sioux 800 – Best Three-Season Synthetic Sleeping Bag

1. Kelty Cosmic 20 Degree 550 Down Fill

The Kelty Cosmic Regular sleeping bag is our favorite for camping. Thanks to its filling and mummy shape, it is ultralight and very comfortable to use. It will keep you warm even on cool summer nights.

It features 550 fill Kelty treated DriDown insulation with sustainable materials, which makes it easy to pack and dry. The ultra-lightweight Nylon and Poly Taffeta reduce weight and maximize compression. The fabric is gentle against your skin and provides a pleasurable sensation as you drift off to sleep.

The Cosmic range is available in four models from the most to the least insulating and combines lightness and performance. The regular version fits a height up to 6’2″ while the long version is suitable for people with heights up to 6’6″. The order also includes a high-quality compression bag.

It has a down hood with collar and a double zip closure. The zipper makes possible central ventilation and facilitates sliding in the bag while a bead that surrounds it prevents the loss of heat. It could be a good compromise between lightness and efficiency, despite a higher price than its competitors.

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2. Wakeman Envelope Style Sleeping Bag

The Wakeman brand is associated with high-quality sleeping bags, and its models are well-known for their versatility. Whether utilized in a refuge or for camping, these sleeping bags are well-regarded for their adaptability.  The Cotton fill material offers good thermal comfort, and a water-repellent treatment protects it from bad weather.

It is comfortable & roomy and features a waterproof polyester outer shell with a comfort rating of 32F. This sleeping bag can be combined with other bags from the Ascent range. An anti-snag treatment makes it more solid and prolongs its lifespan.

Wakeman Envelope backpacking sleeping bag features a soft buffalo plaid polyester lining which ensures a cozy place for anyone. We also appreciate its shoulder width which makes it comfortable to use. However, it is fairly bulky when stowed, so it may not be the best fit for backpacking.

The extra padding rounded hood can be cinched around your face to keep you warm. It will keep your head or pillow off the ground. With dual anti-snag zippers, you can easily open and close the bag from the inside or outside.

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3. Marmot Voyager 55 Mummy

We had the opportunity to test the Marmot Voyager 55 sleeping bag in cold weather conditions, and we were pleasantly surprised by its comfort rating of 60 degrees F! It is exceptionally warm, comfortable, and easy to store.

In addition, it is optimized for compression and is rather light for a 3 season sleeping bag. However, this model isn’t enough for temperatures below 10°C, but with an extra blanket, you can fix the problem easily.

It is an excellent companion for expeditions in inclement conditions. The Marmot Voyager 55 features spirafil high loft Insulation for Maximum warmth and durability. It is made of 100% synthetic materials and very tight in the shoulders. While synthetic fill may not be as compressible and lightweight as down, it does possess the advantage of retaining more warmth even if it becomes wet.

This model packs down really well into whatever you use for your trips. The included compression sack is a nice option if you don’t use it with the bag but need to compress other items for your trip. Once stored in its bag, it weighs nothing and does not take up any space. However, you can’t zip this bag together with another bag.

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4. NEMO Forte 20 Sleeping Bag for Men

Nemo offers very good quality products and this 3-season sleeping bag is no exception to the rule. This is an excellent high-end synthetic 3-season sleeping bag that will keep you warm and dry even when the conditions are mild. Its filling is in recycled Primaloft which is a big plus for us.

The unique Spoon™ shape offers more room at the elbows and knees, which allows side sleepers to shift positions comfortably throughout the night. It is also super comfortable and has a pocket at the head level where you can slip your clothes in to create a cushion.

The outer part is made of 30-denier ripstop polyester and 20-denier nylon taffeta, which offers an ultra-plush sleep experience. The waterproof and breathable footbox withstands tent condensation to keep feet warm and dry.

NEMO Forte 20 sleeping bag is integrated with a pillow pocket where you can store a jacket or extra clothes. However, if you’re looking for something even lighter, Nemo offers the Riff 30, a very similar down bag.

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5. The North Face Gold Kazoo

The Gold Kazoo sleeping bag from the American brand The North Face fits perfectly according to your demands. With a comfortable temperature of 2°C, you can sleep comfortably at altitude. If the nights get warmer, the full zip lets you regulate the temperature.

It is highly compressible and lightweight. It is made with shell fabric and insulation that are both 100% recycled. For increasing comfort and preventing heat loss, this sleeping bag is designed with a fitted hood, draft collar, and zipper baffle.

Anti-compression pads enhance CLO values and ensure better insulation. A zipper baffle is included to prevent heat loss, and pad loops allow you to attach the sleeping bag to a sleeping pad. However, we aren’t impressed by the construction of this model. It has sewn-through baffles instead of box baffles.

For transport, a compression cover is delivered and makes it a small bundle of 9 cm by 15.5, easy to transport and store in your bag. And with lofty, warm 700-fill down, The North Face Gold Kazoo will be your best friend after a hard day’s hike.

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6. Vaude Sioux 800 Extra Long Synthetic

Our ultimate selection is the Vaude Sioux 800, a reliable synthetic sleeping bag designed for optimal performance in 3-season conditions. It is equipped with an insulating layer for the feet. This model consists of a synthetic Sensofiber microfiber filling that reflects body heat. It is designed with two layers of linings for optimal thermal insulation. It is a breathable material that evacuates moisture to the outside for more comfort.

This bag has an adjustable hood and an anti-cold collar for more comfort. Besides the drawstrings for the hood and the thermal collar, it has a small compartment on the inside that is secured with a zipper. Keys and wallets can be conveniently accommodated in this.

In addition, a two-way zipper distributed over the entire length of the bag makes it easy to slip into. This 3-season sleeping bag can be combined with another and has a mummy cut.

It looks very high quality and you should definitely not freeze with it. The pack size is also huge! Overall, it could be an ideal companion for your summer outings despite its somewhat heavy weight.

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How to Choose Your 3-Season Sleeping Bag?

Here are the essential criteria to take into account when choosing a three-season sleeping bag.

The weight

A good sleeping bag is above all a model that can be bulky. If you remember the square-shaped and colorfully colored sleeping bags that your parents or grandparents used, you still remember their weight and volume. Today, sleeping bags are available in both light and highly insulating. The weight of the sleeping bag will change according to its insulation power. Thus, three-season sleeping bags are heavier than one- or two-season models. Heavy and bulky bedding quickly becomes a major inconvenience when you are hiking.

Of course, staying warm is important, so you’ll need to find a good balance between lightness and warmth. A good solution is to have several models that will adapt to all seasons and all weather. If your budget does not allow it, choose a bag that will allow you to stay warm according to your use.

If you don’t plan on hiking outside of the summer season, you can opt for a one- or two-season model. You can choose one model two seasons and one ultralight three seasons. In this way, you can make do with these 2 bags and not invest in a 4-season or extreme cold duvet.

The heat

In a sleeping bag, heat is generated by your body, warming the interior space of the bag, and effectively acting as an insulator. In simpler terms, the greater the insulation of the sleeping bag, the warmer you will feel. Similarly, a smaller space requires less heating, leading to a quicker warming effect. This is why sleeping bag designs have evolved over time, favoring the more efficient mummy shape over the square shape of yesteryear.

If warmth is a priority, choose a sleeping bag tailored to your size, ensuring optimal adaptation to your body’s contours. Double sleeping bags designed for romantic camping, unfortunately, tend to have a drawback – their often excessive size can result in increased heat loss. While the idea of pairing two individual sleeping bags or using a double sleeping bag can be delightful for couples, it’s not recommended for hiking in cold areas due to the potential for inadequate insulation.

Humidity often exacerbates the feeling of cold. At night, the humidity drops. For lovers of nights under the stars, it is essential to bring a sleeping bag that is sufficiently waterproof to protect against outdoor humidity, even during the summer period.

Type of use

3-season sleeping bag (spring/summer/autumn) is certainly the most versatile type of sleeping bag and our favorite. It is also the most common. Usable in autumn and spring from -10°C but also in summer by opening the zipper, this sleeping bag covers all needs. It is ideal down for the mountains. However, it is necessary to pay attention to its weight, this great insulation has a cost and there are rather heavy models.

Temperature range

Your comfort depends on the insulation of the sleeping bag. Moreover, a small space heats up at a faster rate than a large space. If you choose a sleeping bag adapted to your size, your bedding will be warm quickly. To help you find your way around, three temperatures are indicated on the sleeping bags:

• Comfort Temperature: The temperature at which you are in thermal equilibrium, and you do not feel the cold.
• Comfort Limit Temperature: The minimum temperature at which, while curled up, you barely feel the cold.
• Extreme Temperature: The temperature beyond which the risk of hypothermia becomes a concern.

Shape: Rectangle, Mummy or Quilt?

Among the many forms of sleeping bags available, we will focus on the most common:

• Rectangle shape: As mentioned above, this shape is comfortable, giving you more space in the legs and feet. It is suitable for mild temperatures, during the hottest months of the year. In addition, this shape does not cover the head and it takes up more space in the backpack. This is a model now outdated.
• Mummy Shape: This shape is ideal for the colder months of the year. The bag adapts to the shape of your body thus reducing the interior space. The mummy sleeping bags are generally equipped with a hood to maximize the insulation at the level of the head. This is the most popular fit in the sleeping bag market today and is the fit for both of my sleeping bags.
• Quilt Shape: This is a sarcophagus shape that is open in the back. The idea is that the part of the bag is located under your back. In other words between you and your sleeping pad. It is ideal for hikers who wish to optimize the weight of their equipment. This fit will not be suitable for those of you who sleep on one side. This shape is not equipped with a hood, so remember to take a very warm head cover.

Insulation: Down or synthetic?

Two types of insulation are available to you: down and synthetic.

Down sleeping bags are made from the feathers of young birds (usually geese or ducks). They’re lighter and more compressible. They allow optimal insulation and are more durable than synthetic bags if they are well maintained. On the other hand, they are relatively expensive, absorb moisture more easily, and therefore take longer to dry.

Synthetic material sleeping bags absorb less moisture, dry faster, and are easier to maintain. They also cost much less. They are heavier and bulkier offering a less interesting weight/insulation ratio than a duvet.

If you are looking for a sleeping bag for occasional, low-altitude hikes it is best to choose synthetic padding. It will ensure optimal comfort and absorb less moisture. However, if you are preparing for a hike lasting several days, in medium or high mountains and you practice walking quite regularly, goose or down sleeping bags will be less bulky and more insulating.

Final Thought

For me, the sleeping bag remains one of the essential elements of the hiker’s gear. A hasty choice can spoil the whole experience. We hope that our guide will have allowed you to find your happiness. If you have any suggestions or questions, do not hesitate to post them in the comments, we will answer them very quickly.

See you soon and sweet dreams in the heart of nature.

Read Also…

• The 7 Best Budget Sleeping Bags of 2023
• Best Sleeping Bags for Any and All Adventures
• How to Choose a Backpacking Sleeping Bag
• Best Kids Sleeping Bags – Our Buying Guide

FAQs

Can a winter sleeping bag be used in the summer?

Yes, it is quite possible to use a winter sleeping bag in summer, just open it to ventilate yourself if you are hot. You can also use some models in cover mode by opening them entirely as with a rectangular model. On the other hand, if it is a model for extreme conditions, you risk being too hot which could affect your comfort. It’s a bit like sleeping with a very big sleeping bag in the middle of summer.

Which is better: a 1-person or 2-person sleeping bag?

For couples, there are two-seater sleeping bags called doubles. This option can seem romantic and has a very cocooning aspect. However, this type of sleeping bag being more spacious, it takes longer to heat up because they have more empty space. In addition, these spaces also cause heat loss, and therefore it can be difficult to maintain a stable temperature during the night.

Opting for a sleeping bag that perfectly matches the silhouette is better. Of course, if you are traveling as a couple, the 2-seater model is possible, especially in summer.

How do I choose the right temperature rating for my needs?

Consider the lowest temperatures you anticipate encountering during your trips. Choose a sleeping bag with a temperature rating slightly lower than the lowest expected temperature for optimal comfort.

Can I use a 3-season sleeping bag in winter?

While 3-season bags are not designed for extreme cold, they may suffice in mild winter conditions. However, it’s advisable to invest in a dedicated winter or 4-season sleeping bag for temperatures below freezing.