How to Choose Your Sleeping Bag

Why Do I Need A Sleeping Bag?

Getting a perfect night’s sleep outdoors is often rare, but the right sleeping bag makes a big difference. Whether you’re buying your first bag or upgrading an old one, there’s a lot to weigh up. This guide breaks down what to look for, so you can choose the best bag for your adventure.

How to Choose the Right Sleeping Bag

When choosing a sleeping bag, think about:

Activity: What will you use it for? Summer camping trips vs. overnight alpine expeditions will have very different requirements.
Temperature rating: What season are you heading out in? Look for a bag that suits the lowest temperatures you’ll realistically face.
Insulation type: Down or synthetic? Each has pros and cons depending on your priorities like weight, warmth, and moisture resistance.
Shape and sizing: Sleeping bags come in different shapes that perform differently. Make sure the fit is right for you.
Packed size: Fill, shape, and overall size affect how compact your bag will be when packed. This matters if space is limited in your pack.
Weight: If you’re carrying your gear (e.g. hiking or bike packing), weight makes a difference.

Hiking

NZAT 350 Down Quilt

Designed for committed alpinists, the NZAT Down Quilt 350 is ultralight, water-resistant and can sleep up to three individuals.

Shape: Quilt
Fill: 90/10 ALLIED Feather + Down HyperDRY Goose Down
Fill power: 850
Weight: 760 g

Firefly 200 Down Sleeping Bag

A zipperless down sleeping bag, highly compressible for lightweight adventures.

Shape: Mummy
Fill: 90/10 ALLIED Feather + Down HyperDRY Goose Down
Sizes: Standard, Large
Temperature rating: Comfort 7°C / Limit 3°C / Extreme -11°C
Weight: 467 g (standard), 506 g (large)

Dusk 400 Down Sleeping Bag

A practical down sleeping bag for warmer 3-season adventures.

Shape: Relaxed Mummy
Fill: 80/20 ALLIED Feather + Down HyperDRY Duck Down
Sizes: Standard, Large, Women’s
Temperature rating: Comfort 3°C / Limit -3°C / Extreme -19°C
Weight: 917 g (standard), 898 g (women’s), 1004 g (large)

Dusk 750

A toasty warm duck down sleeping bag designed in a comfortable, relaxed mummy fit. Suitable for hiking and camping adventures.

Shape: Relaxed Mummy
Fill: 80/20 ALLIED Feather + Down HyperDRY Duck Down
Sizes: Standard, Large, Women’s
Temperature rating: Comfort -4°C / Limit -10°C / Extreme -30°C
Weight: 1,288g (standard), 1211 g (women’s), 1383 g (large)

Dragonfly 400

A toasty down sleeping bag with all the essentials for quick and easy getaways.

Shape: Mummy
Fill: 90/10 ALLIED Feather + Down HyperDRY Goose Down
Sizes: Standard, Large
Temperature rating: Comfort 1°C / Limit -5°C / Extreme -22°C
Weight: 731g (standard)

Dragonfly 600

A technical down sleeping bag with all the essentials and potential for use in colder temps.

Shape: Mummy
Fill: 90/10 ALLIED Feather + Down HyperDRY Goose Down
Sizes: Standard, Large
Temperature rating: Comfort -3°C / Limit -10°C / Extreme -29°C
Weight: 981g (standard), 1064 g (large)

Alpine

Serac

Our flagship alpine sleeping bag, designed for extreme cold and alpine conditions.

Shape: Mummy
Fill: 90/10 ALLIED Feather + Down HyperDRY Goose Down
Sizes: Standard, Large
Temperature rating: Comfort -10°C / Limit -17°C / Extreme -40°C
Weight: 1,469 g (standard)

Car Camp

Escapade 500

A versatile sleeping bag to keep you warm while camping and travelling — made with lightweight, performance fabrics and duck down.

Shape: Semi Rectangular
Fill: 80/20 Duck Down
Sizes: Standard, Large, Women’s
Temperature rating: Comfort 2°C / Limit -3°C / Extreme -20°C
Weight: 1111 g (standard)

Escapade 700

Shape: Semi Rectangular
Fill: 80/20 Duck Down
Sizes: Standard, Large, Women’s
Temperature rating: Comfort -1°C / Limit -7°C / Extreme -25°C
Weight: 1322 g (standard)

Aspire 360

A technical synthetic sleeping bag designed for all kinds of camping. Now made using recycled fill.

Shape: Relaxed Mummy
Fill: Recycled Polyester
Sizes: Standard, Large, Women’s, Kids’
Temperature rating: Comfort -3°C / Limit -10°C / Extreme -29°C
Weight: 1705 g (standard)

The Details

Sleeping Bag Shapes

Semi-Rectangular: Roomier, with a square footbox — great for car camping and travel. Can be fully opened into a quilt.
Relaxed Mummy: Tapered at the shoulders and hips but still roomy enough to move. A good all-rounder for most hikers.
Mummy: A snug fit for the best warmth-to-weight ratio. Ideal for lightweight and alpine trips — used in Macpac’s performance bags.

Sleeping Bag Sizes

Kids: Designed with moderate temperature ratings for young adventurers. The Aspire 270 has an adjustable length.
Women’s Specific: Narrower at the shoulders and shorter in length, but with the same fill as standard bags. The down is redistributed for more warmth at the feet and core, suiting women’s physiologies.
Standard: Your regular-sized sleeping bag.
Large: Longer and wider — best for taller or broader frames.

Sleeping Bag Activity

Car Camping: Bags for camping and road trips focus on comfort. Usually rectangular, they tend to be bulkier and heavier.
Hiking: Hiking bags balance warmth and weight, and are made to pack down small for easy carrying.
Alpine: For alpine trips, choose a bag with excellent insulation and minimal bulk — warmth is critical when temperatures drop overnight.