When trying to choose the best sleeping bag for hammock camping there’s a handful of considerations you may want to bear in mind.
The first things you should be looking for are a combination of weight, warmth and compactness. (It’s much like choosing a backpacking sleeping bag in that regard). You’re looking for something that’s lightweight, portable and will keep you warm.
Secondary considerations probably include price and size. Your sleeping bag needs to fit you, your hammock and your wallet! Other features like a sleeve to slip your sleeping pad into can be very attractive too.
With all that in mind, we have reviewed the best sleeping bags on the market, and our choice for the best sleeping bag for hammock camping is the OneTigris Featherlite Ultralight Sleeping Quilt.
Our list of the best sleeping bag for hammock includes:
- OneTigris Featherlite Ultralight Sleeping Quilt—Best Overall
- Hyke & Byke Crestone 15F Sleeping Bag—Most Versatile
- Coleman 0°F Mummy Sleeping Bag—Best for Cold Weather
- Snugpak Hammock Cocoon—Best Value
- Outdoor Vitals Aerie Series Sleeping Bag—Most Sustainable
- Winner Outfitters Mummy Sleeping Bag—Most Lightweight
Reviews of the Best Sleeping Bags for Hammocks
The best hammock sleeping bag models available right now are:
OneTigris Featherlite Ultralight Sleeping Quilt—Best Overall
Specs
The OneTigris Featherlite Sleeping Quilt is a step up from ordinary sleeping bags. It offers the same protection as other hammock sleeping bags but is lighter and more compact. It also can be used as a top quilt or a bag to suit your needs.
The outer shell is made from 20d (denier) ripstop nylon, and it has a polyester lining. The quilt has a synthetic lining to keep you warm and is suitable for temperatures down to 41 degrees Fahrenheit. It is 6 feet 6 inches long and 2 feet 8 inches wide when spread out.
Verdict
What customers like about this is the lightweight design that doesn’t compromise the comfort or warmth of the bag. It’s less expensive than other sleeping bags but offers great value for money and is well constructed and durable.
Customers also like the fact that it can be machine washed on a gentle cycle, so it’s easy to keep clean. With regards to hammock camping, this model has the right size to fit in smoothly and feels roomy but snug at the same time.
In Summary
The OneTigris Quilt gives you the comfort and warmth of a sleeping bag with none of the bulk of a zipper. It’s easy to get in and out of when in a hammock and keeps you warm and cozy throughout the night. You can also use it as a top quilt if you need another layer.
It’s long enough for the tallest of people and can be folded down into the bag for easy carrying. It’s an all-around great addition to your summer hammock sleeping experience.
Hyke & Byke Crestone 15F Sleeping Bag—Most Versatile
Specs
The Hyke & Byke Crestone 15F sleeping bag is a high-quality duck down bag with a ClusterLoft base. ClusterLoft is a high-performing insulation that’s warm and soft like down but is also water-resistant and durable.
The mummy-style sleeping bag is made from 20d ripstop nylon and has a center zipper with an anti-snag slider. It comes in two sizes: Regular for up to 6 feet and Long for up to 6 feet 6 inches. It can be used in cold weather temperatures, down to 15 degrees Fahrenheit.
Verdict
Customers like how easy it is to use in a hammock for camping. They also like the fact that there’s lots of room for movement in the sleeping bag. It keeps you warm and comfortable and is also light to carry. The sleeping back can be easily compressed in a compact stuff sack that is included.
It should be noted that the temperature ratings that the sleeping bag can be used in are a guide. Always look to buy a bag that is warmer than you need, that way you won’t be cold at night.
The lifetime warranty on this model means you can be sure you’re investing in a quality product for hammock sleeping. It’s a versatile sleeping bag that can be used in a hammock or on the ground with a sleeping pad.
In Summary
The Hyke & Byke Crestone sleeping bag comes at a mid-range price point with a high-quality finish and design. It’s soft, comfortable, and keeps you warm in the coldest of temperatures. It comes in two sizes and five colorways to give you more choice.
Coleman 0°F Mummy Sleeping Bag—Best for Cold Weather
Specs
The Coleman 0°F Mummy bag will keep you warm no matter what weather conditions you’re in.
The outer shell is made from ripstop polyester material for durability. The insulation is Coletherm, which is a non-allergenic polyester fiber, exclusive to Coleman. The hollow core fibers give you an extra barrier with pockets of air to keep you warmer.
The Coleman bag is suitable for extreme temperatures as low as 0 degrees Fahrenheit. The sleeping bag fits a person up to 6 foot 2 inches.
Verdict
The best thing about this sleeping bag is the warmth that it offers, even on the coldest nights. Customers have said that they are kept warm and cozy, even when camping in the snow. It has a foot insulation box to keep your feet warm and toasty all night, but in warmer weather, the bottom can be opened up for extra ventilation.
The sleeping bag has a ZipPlow system that prevents snagging when zipping the bag. Another nice feature is the hood, which can be tightened with a drawstring to seal in heat as much as possible.
Users have said the sleeping bag is quite heavy and is not the most compact to carry, especially if you’re backpacking.
In Summary
The Coleman 0°F Mummy sleeping bag is an excellent choice for hammock camping in extremely cold weather. The design of a mummy sleeping bag makes it narrower than standard sleeping bags, which will keep the insulation closer to you and encapsulate your body heat.
Snugpak Hammock Cocoon—Best Value
Specs
The Snugpak Hammock Cocoon has been designed to encase you and keep you warm. It fits around your hammock to trap the heat and insulate you inside the cocoon.
It has a water repellent micro diamond ripstop outer shell. This has been treated with a paratex treatment to give it antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. This reduces odors and the need for regular laundering.
The cocoon is 9 feet 8 inches long and 2 feet 8 inches wide when zipped. It has central YKK zippers that make it easy to get in and out of.
Verdict
Customers like that this is a complete cocoon and is wind-resistant and water-resistant. It keeps out all of the elements when completely zipped up, and it retains the heat inside so hammock campers can sleep soundly.
The wraparound design acts as a hammock pod system and is ideal for spring and summer nights camping in your hammock. The low cost is attractive for customers, and the quality is not affected by the price.
The model is lightweight and super compact to carry, making it ideal for backpackers and hikers.
In Summary
The Snugpak Hammock Cocoon is an innovative design to wrap around your hammock, giving you the cover that you need. On warmer nights, the cocoon works well, and there is no need for an additional sleeping bag. It’s great value with high-quality water-resistant materials.
Just be careful when moving around in your sleep or sleeping on your side. This hammock pod system doesn’t quite offer the security of a close-fitting sleeping bag.
Outdoor Vitals Aerie Series Sleeping Bag—Most Sustainable
Specs
The Outdoor Vitals Aerie sleeping bags are made with a 20d ripstop material with a VitalDry coating. This is a unique coating to repel water from your sleeping bag, keeping you warm and dry. The lining is also made from 20d ripstop material.
You can choose from duck down or LoftTek hybrid insulation, giving you 800 fill power insulation for your sleeping bag. These are both coated with a hydrophobic coating making them water repellent, which will give you a comfortable night’s sleep.
It has a different temperature rating available for summer use and extreme winter conditions. The sleeping bag is also very light and compresses smaller, which makes it easy to carry.
Verdict
What customers like about this sleeping bag is the multiple functions of it. It can also be used as a hammock pod or an underquilt as well as a sleeping bag. The sleeping bag has heavy-duty YKK zippers that zip the full length of the bag.
The insulation gives you a warm and cozy night’s sleep, and the water repellent materials used help to keep you comfortable.
Outdoor Vitals uses premium materials that cut down on waste, making them more sustainable. The sleeping bags are durable, so there’s no need to buy a new one regularly.
They challenge you to ‘Live Ultralight’ with better materials and less landfill. They donate 1 percent of revenue to sustainable poverty projects around the world to help others in their sustainable plight.
In Summary
The Outdoor Vitals Aerie hammock sleeping bag gives you versatility with the many options available. There are different temperature ratings and many different colors to choose from. Each gives you a high-quality sleeping pad that is suitable for your needs.
Winner Outfitters Mummy Sleeping Bag—Most Lightweight
Specs
The Winner Outfitters mummy sleeping bag is made from water-resistant ripstop material. It has a synthetic insulation and has a special quilting construction to keep warmth in the bag.
The bag is 7 feet long and 2 feet 6 inches wide, so it has plenty of room for even the tallest of people. It is designed to be used in temperatures between 35 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit but can be used in as low as 20 degrees.
The sleeping bag weighs just 2.8 pounds and is easy to compress into the small sack for those of you who want to carry it on the trail.
Verdict
Customers love the lightness and compactness of the mummy-style sleeping bag. It offers a warm and comfortable experience and has a double zipper for a smooth opening.
The sleeping bag is machine washable, which helps to keep it fresh and odor-free between trips. The hood is helpful in colder temperatures to keep your head warm, and you can easily adjust it with the drawstring.
In Summary
The Winner Outfitters sleeping bag is a low-cost mummy-style sleeping bag that keeps you warm. It has draft tubes around the zippers to keep the heat in. The double zipper allows you to control the heat and also is an anti-snag design.
The sleeping bag is the lightest of the ones reviewed, which is ideal if you’re hiking long distances on your hammock camping trip.
How to Choose the Best Sleeping Bag for Hammock Camping
When choosing a sleeping bag for hammock camping, you’ll need to think about where you’ll be using it and in what temperatures.
Your sleeping bag should be warm, comfortable, and cozy, giving you a great night’s sleep. The design of your sleeping bag will also affect your hammock camping experience, so you should choose carefully.
Here are some of the main considerations:
- Shell & lining
- Down insulation vs synthetic fill
- Temperature rating
- Size
Material
There aren’t any difference in materials when it comes to hammock camping sleeping bags vs a regular sleeping bag. But all the best sleeping bags, including hammock sleeping bags should have a high quality shell and lining.
Shell/Outer
Nylon and polyester are popular materials used for sleeping bag shells, along with taffeta. These are less durable than other materials but are also less expensive.
Ripstop fabric is a polyester or nylon that has been reinforced, so is more durable than the basic material. This technique strengthens the fabric while still keeping the breathability.
For the more extreme conditions, DryLoft is a technical material that is breathable and water-resistant. This is usually pricier than other materials.
Lining/Inner
A good sleeping bag lining should be breathable and soft to give you a comfortable night’s sleep. Nylon and polyester are often used for the inner lining as they are breathable and low cost. Polycotton is soft on the skin but is recommended for summer trips as it takes longer to dry.
Taffeta is also a popular material for a sleeping bag lining but is slightly more expensive than nylon or polyester. Silk is super soft and breathable and can be found in more high-end sleeping bags. However, this is less durable than other materials and can be difficult to repair.
Insulation
You can choose between a synthetic insulation in your sleeping bag or down. Synthetic insulation is made from spun and wound polyester fibers to keep you warm and is a low-cost option.
Down sleeping bags, on the other hand, tend to be pricey but offer a great weight to warmth ratio. If you want an ultralight sleeping bag (and let’s face it, a lot of hammock campers are in it for the lightweight portable rig), you should roll with down insulation because it’s so lightweight, compact and compressible.
And don’t forget that sleeping bags are only one part of the equation when it comes to keeping the cold air at bay. A high quality sleeping bag (or even a sleeping quilt) will keep you insulated on top. Underneath you should definitely invest in a decent sleeping pad or hammock underquilt (and this is even more important when cold weather camping).
Temperature Rating
The best sleeping bags for hammocks will display an internationally recognised temperature rating, which gives you an idea of the temperatures that are suitable for its use. These temperature ratings should be used as a guideline only.
Note that many temperature ratings are actually “survival ratings” rather than ratings to help you sleep comfortably. So make sure you know what you’re buying and generally buy one that’s warmer than the expected temperature you’ll be experiencing.
The general temperature rating of hammock sleeping bags are as follows:
- Summer sleeping bags: 35 degrees Fahrenheit and above.
- 3-season sleeping bags: 15–30 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Winter sleeping bags: 10 degrees Fahrenheit and other freezing temperatures.
The chances of you always reaching a comfortable temperature are slim. It’s better to aim to be a little too warm because when temperatures drop you can quickly rue the day you didn’t spring for a different bag. Again, remember that a sleeping pad will help you stay warm!
Size
The size of your hammock sleeping bag is based on your height as well as your body shape. You should make sure not to get one that’s too short or too long, as this will make it less effective. You also want to make sure it will fit in your camping hammock!
Too short will make your feet press against the end of the sleeping bag. This is uncomfortable and reduces the insulation at the top of your sleeping bag.
Too long will give you lots of empty space at the bottom of your sleeping bag.
Too narrow will make it difficult for you to move around in.
Too baggy and you will have a lot more space inside to fill with warm air and it will generally make staying warm a little harder. (The flip side to this is if you are a side sleeper or quite an active sleeper, the extra room allows you wiggle room to move around in – The Coleman 0 degree is a good example of a bigger bag for hammock camping because most other sleeping bags for hammocks aren’t as roomy – unless you spring for a double sleeping bag).
Storage
Most sleeping bags for hammocks are easily folded and come with a compression sack making it easy to carry them when thru hiking.
Once you get home from your hammock camping trip, you should make sure that you look after your sleeping bag. You should air dry your sleeping bag for around 24 hours before storing it. Don’t store it in the stuff sack—if you keep it compressed, it will lose insulation.
Shake it to fluff up the insulation, then store it flat or hang it in your closet, making sure that it’s stored in a cool, dry place.
Washing
Your sleeping bag should be washed when needed and this will depend on how often you use it. Maybe once a year if it starts to smell or look dirty, or after a particularly adventurous trip. Many sleeping bags can be machine washed on a gentle cycle.
Be careful when transferring the wet sleeping bag from the washer to the dryer, as it could easily become damaged. The dryer will help to fluff up the insulation. You can improve this more by adding around six tennis balls to the dryer. It should be dried on the lowest setting, so this could take a while.
Make sure that you check the washing and drying instructions before adding it to the washer or dryer.
Best Hammock Camping Sleeping Bag Suppliers
Any good outdoor store will have a range of sleeping bags suited to different budgets, temperatures, sleeping styles, body shapes and activities. Including hammock camping sleeping bags.
Check out any of the following web shops:
- Sleeping Bags at CampSaver >>
- Sleeping Bags at Klymit >>
- Sleeping Bags at Nemo >>
- Sleeping Bags at Kelty >>
- Sleeping Bags at Sea to Summit >>
FAQs
Can you use a sleeping bag in a hammock?
Yes! You can definitely use a sleeping bag in a hammock! Some people prefer to use top quilts or underquilts. It’s dependant on personal preference and (of course) the temperature. But most people probably opt for using a sleeping bag.
Do you need a sleeping bag with a hammock?
No, you do not need a sleeping bag for a hammock. Lots of people do use a sleeping bag for a hammock but many people prefer to use a top quilt or an under quilt or even just a blanket if the weather is especially warm.
How to get into a sleeping bag in a hammock?
It can be tricky to get into a sleeping bag in a hammock. The easiest way is to step into your sleeping bag, hang the hood on your head and keep the zip halfway down. Then sit in your hammock before lying down, wriggling a little and zipping up.
Our Favorite
Our choice of the best sleeping bag for hammock camping would be the OneTigris Featherlite Ultralight Sleeping Quilt. This sleeping bag offers use as a sleeping bag or a top quilt for use in your hammock when camping.
It doesn’t have a zipper, so it’s less bulky and is easier to get in and out of. It’s warm enough for use in the spring, summer, and autumn months. The sleeping bag is a lightweight design and is of great value. It’s a good all-around sleeping bag for hammock camping and is our overall winner.
If mummy bags are more your style, the duck down Hyke & Byke Crestone 15F Sleeping Bag is compact, lightweight, and comfortable in all weathers.
