Regardless of the places you stay overnights, a sleeping bag is a trusted companion to keep you safe and sound. There are two main types of sleeping bags: the mummy shape & rectangular shape.
Rectangular sleeping bags have been there for ages. They are suitable for most users, even ones with claustrophobia, providing adequate warmth and space to move.
In the former time, rectangular sleeping bags, though worked flawlessly in most circumstances, failed to deliver warmth and comfort in extreme conditions. Nowadays, with advanced technology, they can respond to any weather.
Here are the best rectangular sleeping bags (Nov 2024 Update):
- Best For Family: Teton Sports Celsius XXL Sleeping Bag
- Best For Cold Weather: Browning Camping McKinley 0 Degree Sleeping Bag
- Best For Hikers: NORSENS Hiking Camping Backpacking Sleeping Bag
- Best Budget: NORSENS Compact Ultralight Lightweight Sleeping Bag
- Best Down Model: AEGISMAX UL Goose Down Sleeping Bag
- Best Lightweight: AEGISMAX Outdoor Ultra Light Goose Down Sleeping Bag
| Top 6 Best Rectangular Sleeping Bags | ||
|---|---|---|
Best For Family | Teton Sports Celsius XXL Sleeping Bag
| Read Our Review |
Best For Cold Weather | Browning Camping McKinley 0 Degree Sleeping Bag
| Read Our Review |
Best For Hikers | NORSENS Hiking Camping Backpacking Sleeping Bag
| Read Our Review |
Best Budget | NORSENS Compact Ultralight Lightweight Sleeping Bag
| Read Our Review |
Best Down Model | AEGISMAX UL Goose Down Sleeping Bag
| Read Our Review |
Best Lightweight | AEGISMAX Outdoor Ultra Light Goose Down Sleeping Bag
| Read Our Review |
Best For Family: Teton Sports Celsius XXL Sleeping Bag
Teton Sports Celsius XXL Sleeping Bag brought me mixed feeling when I first bought it. I mean, it’s big and roomy. As far as I concern, those bulky, roomy sleeping bags are never great at maintaining heat and often leave you to freeze from head to toes. However, I was wrong. This spacious sleeping bag is top-notch when it comes to retaining heat.
There are two contributing factors to its incredible ability. Teton Sports Celsius XXL Sleeping Bag utilizes SuperLoft Elite fiber-fill as its insulator. This fiber-fill allows Teton Sports Celsius to stay extreme loft, which is a key feature to the capability to keep you toasty warm during cold nights.
This sleeping bag also adopts what’s called double-layer construction to maximize the warmth and durability. For that reason, its temperature rating is 0°F, quite impressive for a budget-friendly sleeping bag. But I would not recommend you to use this bag when the temperature drops close to the limit rating.
Looking at the specifications, you will quickly notice that this item is water-resistant, not only the fill but also shell and liner. This means even if you have to settle down in damp or wet places, you can still sleep well.
Due to its monstrous size and weight, the sleeping bag is super bulky and not very compressible. Still, it is not necessarily a drawback if you use this bag for car camping. The bag even allows you to double the size by joining two sleeping bags together. It is an excellent feature if you travel as a couple.
Want a smaller bag? Teton Sports offers sizes from regular to XL for those don’t like giant sleeping bags. Plus, you can choose different colors from black, gray to olive.
Product specifications:
| Size | 90" x 39" |
| Weight (lbs) (Short/Regular/Long) | 7 lbs |
| Insulation | SuperLoft Elite fiber fill |
| Temperature rating °F (Survival) | 0°F |
Teton Sports Celsius XXL Sleeping Bag is an ideal item for car camping, not for backpacking because it’s too bulky. Given the price, this sleeping bag can deliver the best features that can only be found in pricy high-end counterparts.
Best For Cold Weather: Browning Camping McKinley 0 Degree Sleeping Bag
Browning Camping McKinley 0 Degree Sleeping Bag is another giant sleeping bag I include in this list. Yes, you may notice that this bag is, again, not an option for backpackers.
But it’s ideal for vehicle camping. When you don’t have to worry about carrying 8 lbs of sleeping bag around, its excellent features kick in.
Browning Camping McKinley 0 Degree Sleeping Bag adopts TechLoft Silver fiber-fill. This insulation doesn’t sound familiar. It is a technique that uses fibers with the siliconized finish to enhance the capacity of keeping warm. TechLoft Silver fiber fill also generates loft that enables the bag to protect you from the extreme weather when the temperature drops to an unfavorable degree, like 0F.
I am quite satisfied with the overall quality of the bag. You will need extra layers when the temperature approaches its limit rating. When it is in the comfortable zone, around 40F, you will be fine. The design prevents synthetic fill from creating cold spots and improve the bag’s functionality.
The downside is fiber-fill is generally not famous for being compact. Many people reported that they find it hard to roll the bag and put into the stuff sack. What’s more, the zipper is snaggy, so you will see it stuck in the middle from time to time. Also, it’s hard to pull the zipper up completely, which can be a real eyesore sometimes.
Product specifications:
| Size | 36" x 90" |
| Weight (lbs) (Short/Regular/Long) | 8 lbs. 12 oz |
| Insulation | 7 Denier TechLoft Silver Insulation |
| Temperature rating °F (Survival) | 0°F |
Well, if you emphasize on portability, this bag should not be in your favorite list. But if a weighty bag doesn’t make any difference, Browning Camping McKinley 0 Degree Sleeping Bag will provide you all you need, from adequate warmth to ultimate coziness.
Best For Hikers: NORSENS Hiking Camping Backpacking Sleeping Bag
This is the rectangular sleeping bag for which backpackers are dreaming.
The overall weight is about 3.6 lbs, which - to be honest - is only acceptable if you carry it for your walking trip. But NORSENS Hiking Camping Backpacking Sleeping Bag is super compressible, so it doesn’t ask for too much room in your backpack. You can save extra space for other necessary gears.
One thing I love about the rectangular sleeping bag is that it is roomy. This sleeping bag offers enough space for you to get in, move around, and stay completely comfortable.
The spinning cotton filling together with the draft collars and hood maximize the ability to retain heat within the bag. Synthetic filled sleeping bags are easy to wash and preserve. However, you should only wash if really needed. The shell and liner are made of sturdy material that is water-resistant, enabling you to stay toasty even when in damp & wet conditions.
Another great feature I want to mention is the versatility, it can be used in 3 seasons, including summer, autumn and spring.
Using this bag, you will never have to worry about the snaggy zipper. The zipper adopts a two-way system that allows you to pull it up and down both inside and outside the bag. It includes a zipper plow that prevents snagging.
What I worry about this item is the temperature rating. I think that the rating is quite liberal. I wouldn’t recommend you to use this bag under 40F without any extra clothes or layers. After all, the weight is not in proportion with the ability to keep warmth.
Product specifications:
| Size | 90.5 x 32.6 in, fits for adults up to 6 ft. 5 |
| Weight (lbs) (Short/Regular/Long | 3.6lbs |
| Insulation | Spinning Cotton Filling |
| Temperature rating °F (Survival/Lower/Comfort) | 32/50/ 68°F |
NORSENS sleeping bag is a great catch for backpackers given its price and weight. Those who want to spend a bit less on their trip would love to have this bag as a companion.
Best Budget: NORSENS Compact Ultralight Lightweight Sleeping Bag
As the name suggested, this bag is ultralight, and it does make a great companion for backpackers. Being super light also means that this bag is highly compressible. When compressed, the size comes to 6.7x6.7”, as small as two bottles of water. It doesn’t ask for much room in your backpack at all.
NORSENS Compact Sleeping Bag uses spinning cotton as its insulation. Both shell and lining are made of polyester, which is famous for durability and water-resistance. Plus, this material brings forth extra comfort and is skin-friendly.
As for the temperature rating, you can stay cozy inside the bag when the temperature is around 50F. Again, I wouldn’t suggest you use it at the limit temperature rating, which is about 25F. You’d rather want to stay warm and continue your trip tomorrow, not to freeze the whole night.
As you can see, this is a wallet-friendly sleeping bag. It provides high-end features. Most travelers have troubles when using zippers. Some stuck inside their sleeping bags, unable to zip up and down. NORSENS Compact Ultralight Sleeping Bag eliminates this problem by featuring a dual zipper, which allows you to zip and unzip whenever you want. The zipper guard does an excellent job to keep the zipper from snagging the outer fabric.
The quality of this sleeping bag is beyond my expectation. The problem, unfortunately, comes from the stuff sack. It is poorly-made, and the straps are easy to rip off.
Product specifications:
| Size | 7.87x5.5in Fits most adults up to 6'5 |
| Weight (lbs) (Short/Regular/Long) | 2 lbs |
| Insulation | Spinning Cotton |
| Temperature rating °F (Survival/Lower/Comfort) | 25°F/ 50°F/ 59°F |
NORSENS Compact Sleeping Bag is great for backpacking in summer. Especially if you want to travel with your boyfriend/girlfriend, this bag makes an excellent deal since you can zip 2 sleeping bags together.
If the roomy option isn’t a good deal for you and you want a bag with higher capacity to keep warm under extreme weather, take a look at these mummy sleeping bags.
Best Down Model: AEGISMAX UL Goose Down Sleeping Bag
If you are a frequent backpacker, you may be familiar with AEGISMAX’s products. The company’s goal is to provide outdoor products with affordability and durability. When it comes to a rectangular sleeping bag for campers and backpackers, the first thing I think of is this item – the AEGISMAX UL Goose Down Sleeping Bag.
No need to talk too much about Goose Down and its ability to make you sweat even when the temperature drops low, yet I still want to emphasize that AEGISMAX uses high-quality 800 goose down fill for this sleeping bag, which is a premium material for sleeping bags which cost around $100.
The down fill offers a by-product feature: Compactness. Coupled with 1.5 - 1.7 lbs of weight, this is a highly compressible sleeping bag you shouldn’t miss.
As for the temperature rating, this wallet-friendly item maintains pleasant warmth at the temperature of 45°F. Down to 36°F, you can still stay somewhat comfortable with an additional under tarp. However, as the temperature approaches its limit zone, which is around 20F, you’d better put on some more clothes.
I particularly enjoy the design of this bag. Down fill is DWR-treated, so that you won’t have to mind much when you have to stay overnight in wet condition. In order to counteract for the lack of a hood, this bag features both zip draft tube and neck draft tube to maximize warmth. Another plus is the zipper works perfectly.
When you move too much, the down fill tends to make cold spots. This is the biggest drawback so far.
Product specifications:
| Size | Fits individuals from 5'9 to 6’3 |
| Weight (lbs) (Regular/Long) | 1.5 – 1.7 lbs |
| Insulation | 800 Fill Power 95/5 White Goose Down |
| Temperature rating °F (Survival/Lower/Comfort) | 20/36/45 |
AEGISMAX UL Goose Down Sleeping Bag is compatible with both backpacking and camping. The item comes with a great price and additional features to extend your comfy nights. Totally recommend this bag for regular outdoor addicts.
Best Lightweight: AEGISMAX Outdoor Ultra Light Goose Down Sleeping Bag
Compared to its brother above, AEGISMAX Outdoor Ultra Light Goose Down Sleeping Bag is a bit lighter, making it even more appropriate for backpackers. This feature comes at the expense of the ability to maintain heat. As you can see, the comfort zone where you can stay comfortably is around 52° F, higher than AEGISMAX UL Goose Down Sleeping Bag.
The 800 filling power down delivers good warmth within the safety temperature rating. Given the filling power and high temperature rating, you shouldn’t use this bag in extreme winter conditions. Another plus is that it makes the bag extraordinarily lofty and compressible.
The shell’s material is super soft and skin-friendly, creating a great feeling on the bare skin. The zipper isn’t snaggy at all.
Another great thing about the design is the vertical draft collars. AEGISMAX is not a big fan of sleeping bags with hoods as you can see. During cold nights, you may want to have little more warmth around the head. With the system of vertical draft tubes, you are able to move the fill to the direction where you need heat the most.
Things I don’t like about this sleeping bag? Well, I wish AEGISMAX could manufacture this item in different colors. I heard a couple of complaints that this bag isn’t ideal if you are an over-averaged size adult since it could make you feel a little bit unfit.
Product specifications:
| Size | 79inX32in |
| Weight (lbs) (Short/Regular/Long) | 1.2 lbs |
| Insulation | 800 Down Filling Power |
| Temperature rating °F (Survival/Lower/Comfort) | 15° F/ 43° F/ 52° F |
If you are seeking a versatile, ultralight, and reasonably priced sleeping bag for your upcoming trip, AEGISMAX Outdoor Ultra Light Goose Down Sleeping Bag is a great choice.
FAQs
How do you roll up a sleeping bag?
This seemingly easy question challenges many backpackers. If you want to fold up a sleeping bag nicely, please follow the instruction below.
- Step 1: Straighten the bag, laying it on clean ground. You can shake it to make sure there are no crumbs.
- Step 2: Fold the bag vertically, starting from the bottom. On the way, remove any remaining air inside the bag. You can use your knee to push down the bag.
- Step 3: Once you reach the top (where your head situates), secure it with bands and press down the other end of the sleeping bag while putting it into the stuff sack. Tighten the traps to pack the sack.
Can sleeping bags be zipped together?
If you want to create a doubles-sized sleeping bag, simply join two rectangular ones together. Especially, no-hood sleeping bags are easier to match. It’s quite easy to zip two rectangular bags together.
All you need to do is to unzip the two bag completely. Next, unfold the bags to put it upon each other, make sure that everything fits correctly lining to lining. Then, you can join the bag by zipping them up from the middle of the bottom around the boundary between the two bags. Done! Now you have an excellent giant sleeping bags for two people!
Notice that you have to buy one left-zipped and one right-zipped if you want to join them together.
How do you stay warm in a sleeping bag?
Most sleeping bags keep you comfy within a limited range of temperature. As the temperature descends, it is necessary to look for extra methods to keep yourself warm.
In case your sleeping bag doesn’t provide enough warmth, you should add an extra sleeping liner or sleeping pad. This will prevent excessive heat loss and intensify the warmth of the bag. Sleeping inside a tent could also shield you from the cold. Other than that, topping up with clothes is also a great idea.
In many cases, you should not put yourself in danger by not getting enough information about the place where you are going to stay overnight. If you go with a partner, cuddling up could also add up to the total heat and keep both of you warm. Additionally, a couple of jumping jacks will work correctly to heat your body up before diving in the sleeping bag.
Conclusion
Rectangular sleeping bags are traditional items providing both space and warmth for backpackers and campers. This type of shape is suitable for those who demand extra personal room to move and turn.
These best rectangular sleeping bags for camping & backpacking are carefully selected based on prices, functionality, and additional features. You will undoubtedly find a matched item among the 6 sleeping bags above.
