I have a summer bag. And I have a an older synthetic -20 degree bag, which I like but it doesn't pack very small. So I'm looking for a new bag to be used mostly during shoulder seasons. I don't anticipate doing any real winter camping anymore. So what I think I'm looking for is: a 20 degree bag, less than 3 pounds, packs compactly, roomy (I'm a side sleeper who turns a lot), women's. I don't like mummies but know they are more heat efficient.

Any favorite bags ?

If cost isn’t an issue then Western Mountaineering Megalite would be a good bag. Roomier/wider than most, light weight (1.5#), it is rated to 30 degrees but a WM 30 degree bag is equivalent to most other companies 15-20 degree bags—they don’t exaggerate like many companies do.

It’s expensive but you won’t ever buy another bag.

Megalite

T

I own a western mountaineering summerlite, rated 32. love it. if it were me, i would spend the money, buy a bag from w.m., and be set for life. they are truly a thing of beauty, inside and out! get the megalite!

You could consider a quilt from Enlightened Equipment since you are a side sleeper. Customize it to your liking. If you’re worried about a lack of hood you can buy the hoodlum from them to be your hood.


I’ve been very impressed by the Marmot sleeping bag I own. I highly suggest you check them out if possible at an REI store. Though I don’t know if they make a modified mummy since you dislike them.

Otherwise I’m sure people will suggest Big Agnes bags. Nemo makes some nice bags as well. A quick search of REI’s website will help you narrow your search to woman’s bags.

My wife loves her Nemo Aria 20 degree bag. It is what they call a "spoon" bag. Definitely roomier than a mummy-style bag, but more efficient than a regular rectangular bag, and includes a hood with pillow pocket. I think that specific model is discontinued now, but they have several different models, each with a trade-off between cost, weight, material etc. They make women-specific bags that are temp rated more appropriately for women and have higher fill levels in the foot box etc.

I have the men's version and love it too.

Check out the REI Magma 17. It's just over 2 lbs, packs quite small, and only costs $350.

May I suggest a 20 degree bag and a fleece liner to use when needed. It works well for me. Very cozy! Marc

I was in the sort of same boat last year. I went with an EE +10 degree quilt. I am a side sleeper who turns and I couldn't be happier. I have used it in the winter (mild at 20) and into the summer as it's just so comfortable. 21 oz for 900 fill 10 degree revelation.

When I would turn in a mummy bag, I would end up with the hood in all kinds of odd spots. If I would have a cap on, good luck. The quilt solved this issue and is just more comfortable.

I had strongly considered one of those nice WM bags after visiting a couple of retailers, asking questions and giving the all-so-important fondling test. I just thought the quilt sounded like a better fit because of the turning..... and it absolutely is for me.


John

quote Laketrout58: "May I suggest a 20 degree bag and a fleece liner to use when needed."

What Laketrout58 said. Same suggestion that I would make. And make it a down bag. Well cared for, it'll last many, many years.

Here is an option with some HUGE caveats :

Aegis down


I have one and have used it 2 nights as a top quilt in a hammock. The low temp was in the upper 50's and I was hot.

Caveats:

1. it is shipped/made from China. Shipping took weeks.
2. baffles are through sewn so that will result in heat loss.
3. zipper seems cheap


It is dang packable, lightweight and inexpensive. Wouldn't want to do really cold weather camping with it, but I personally would try it down to 35F.

I'll third the suggestion of a quilt. I went from a 20 degree mummy bag to a 20 degree quilt and couldn't be happier.

My wife is not a fan of mummy bags but likes to be warm. Ended up with thermarest adara which is rated colder than you're looking but she loves it.

Another proponent for anything from Western Mountaineering. I have hundreds of nights in the 5° Antelope, and nearly a hundred nights in the 32° Summerlight.

For a dedicated shoulder season bag I'd consider something in the 15-25° range, tailored to one's preferred sleeping temp and mummy vs semi rectangular preferences. Find a quality WM retailer who carries the full lineup and aim for the red carpet experience after all, one is paying for it.

Thanks for all the responses. A lot of quilt and wm supporters here. The only thing I have decided is I will definitely get something with down.

The WMs look nice, but a little pricier than what I can spend now. The memo aria 20 is not available on the 2 websites I checked ( not sure if out of stock or if discontinued) but I have not checked other nemo bags.

The EE quilts look to be very popular. I really wasn't sure what they were exactly, but I watched their videos and must admit I kind of like the idea.
Maybe I'll have to experiment one night with a down bed quilt outside just to get a rough idea how I'd like it without the investment.

Too many choices, so some serious thinking needs to be done. And a trip to rei to try out the spoon bags. Decisions, decisions.

Thanks again.

I was in the same spot as you at this time last year. I wanted 10 degree and down so it was light and packed down small. Sleeping bags that fit the bill were way to expensive so I went with an EE Revelation 10degree because of the love they get on this website and they had a Black Friday week sale.

I used it on my May 5 solo and my Memorial Day weekend daddy/daughter trip and will never go back to a sleeping bag. I love it. In fact... I'm getting Hammock Gear Econ Burrow Quilts for my daughters for Christmas because they love my quilt and the HG Econ quilts are less expensive than the EE.

Another Western Mountaineering fan here !

quote walllee: "Another Western Mountaineering fan here ! "

Here too. I haven't regretted it at all.

Several years ago I traveled with my wife from Arizona to Montana stopping at many outdoor specialty shops. Looked long and hard at some high end down bags including Western Mountaineering, in a search for a 3 season down bag. Mont-Bell, Feathered Friends, Western MT bags were very well constructed of high quality materials. I had budgeted $500 for a 35 degree bag, but only spent $200 on a discontinued BA Horsethief. Really enjoy the concept of an integrated sleeve for a mattress, and at 850 fill it was just what I wanted. Been in use now for 3 years of camping probably totaling close to 200 nites of sleep. Also tried a down quilt as it seemed a great alternative, did not like it at all and prefer the confines of a mummy style bag.
Long story and I apologize for wordiness but look and get in before spending to be sure you get a bag that suits you, when looking be sure to use a mattress similar to the one you want to, already use, it really is a sleeping system dependent on the individual parts to work well together.

butthead

A few people have a bag with integrated sleeve for a pad. Does the sleeve accommodate the thicker pads like exped? That was our last upgrade.

I wish we lived closer to more out door stores. It would make it easier to try the various bags out.

Yes BA integrated selves can accept thick pads, I use an Exped DownMat 9 in colder weather with all my BA bags, Horse Thief, Pomer Hoit, Lost Ranger, and Zirkel.

butthead

Last summer I purchased a Cotopaxi Sueno 15 degree bag and I love it. Favorite bag I have owned (other bags were a MH Phantom 15 and TNF Blue Kazoo 20.

The Blue Kazoo was awesome but after 20+ years it was time for a new one. The Phantom 15 was great, super light and comfortable but the shell was very delicate with no DWR coating.

I landed on the Cotopaxi after months of looking/comparing. It's amazing. Ultra comfortable, DWR coating, snag proof zippers, full zipper to vent just the foot box or use it as a blanket, built-in pillow sleeve....amazing features. It's heavier than other bags I looked at, coming in a 2 lbs 13 oz, but it does pack very small and worth the weight in my opinion. It was hard not to be skeptical considering they are a young company and only make 1 sleeping bag, but super happy and wouldn't trade the bag for any other.


They currently have 15% off if you sign up for their mailing list.

Cotopaxi Sueno

LL Bean down tek 20 deg rectangular bag. VERY roomy, affordable and under 3# in spite of the size. And no ridiculous hood, Just wear a beanie. They also have it in 0 deg.

quote mgraber: "LL Bean down tek 20 deg rectangular bag. VERY roomy, affordable and under 3# in spite of the size. And no ridiculous hood, Just wear a beanie. They also have it in 0 deg."

I second this. Been using Bean bags (zero, 20, 35) for the last 10 years, very satisfied, especially love the rectangular 20. The semi-rectangular 35 is interesting if you don't like mummies but if you can only afford one sleeping bag I think it should be a 20 degree. Check the Bean outlets if there's one near you. They usually have discounted down bags in stock there. Online the mummy 20 is on sale for $229 right now: https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/77725?feat=506831-GN3&page=l-l-bean-down-sleeping-bag-with-downtek-mummy-20&csp=f&attrValue_0=Apricot%20Orange/Cool%20Silver&productId=1287261 I tried that in the store and found it reasonably roomy.

If you want to save money also consider the Kelty Cosmic Down 20, $159 minus 20% at Backcountry Edge: https://www.backcountryedge.com/kelty-women-s-cosmic-20-degree-2016.html. Should come out to about $127. You really can't beat that. The Kelty Cosmic is usually at the top of the list in backpacking forums when people ask for a "cheap, good quality sleeping bag." Personally I think it's a mistake to automatically equate high price with high quality in sleeping bags (and tents). My philosophy is to start at the bottom of the price range and go up only when cheaper things don't meet my needs. So the question is, what does the Kelty Cosmic Down lack that you really need?

Regarding hoods, I find I need no head wear until the temperature gets below freezing. A hood will make a difference in very cold temperatures by closing all possible gaps. But between 20 and 32 I use a beanie from the dollar store and that works great, much more freedom of movement.

Big Agnes Lost Ranger. It's 15 degrees, but close enough to your 20 degree preference.

Big, roomy, warm, perfect size for this side sleeper with wide shoulders (and gut.) It's also not full mummy - a little wider at the feets than my other mummy bags.

If you get the down version, it packs down smaller than a volleyball.

No insulation on the bottom, but there's a sleeve where you insert your sleeping pad. This reduces the weight and packed size of the bag, plus has the added bonus of your bag never twisting up when you turn from side to side at night, and your bag will never slide off during the night. Since you mash down all the insulation on the bottom anyway, nullifying its effectiveness, you're not going to miss anything, as long as you use a sleeping pad.

Best nights of sleep in the wilderness I've ever had. Can't recommend it enough.

quote mgraber: "LL Bean down tek 20 deg rectangular bag. VERY roomy, affordable and under 3# in spite of the size. And no ridiculous hood, Just wear a beanie. They also have it in 0 deg."

I'll cast a vote against Bean's bags. I have a Katahdin 40 that packs down nice and small, but it just about useless for warmth and always has been. It's essentially a 60 degree bag. They seem to *really* overestimate the warmth of their bags.

I have a rectangular 20° bag from Cabelas and I love it. Not sure the weight, but it isn't bad. I can't do the mummies either. Been using it for 4 years now in temps as low as 26 and no problems. It is long enough to hide in and I'm 6'1" and move a lot.

Don't know if you're still looking, but I'll throw in my two cents. I think the Nemo Nocturne fits your requirements very well. It's much roomier than an actual mummy, but still weighs under 3 lbs (for the down versions). I can't sleep on my back, and many lightweight mummies make me claustrophobic, so I tried a Nemo and I'll probably never go back. It's designed for side sleepers and has enough room to roll over, but packs small and weighs in at 2lbs 5oz (I have the 700-fill down version). It also has a pillow sleeve and a waterproof-breathable foot section. If you go to a store like REI or Midwest Mountaineering and climb inside one, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at how comfortable they are.

quote HotDog: "Don't know if you're still looking, but I'll throw in my two cents. I think the Nemo Nocturne fits your requirements very well. It's much roomier than an actual mummy, but still weighs under 3 lbs (for the down versions). I can't sleep on my back, and many lightweight mummies make me claustrophobic, so I tried a Nemo and I'll probably never go back. It's designed for side sleepers and has enough room to roll over, but packs small and weighs in at 2lbs 5oz (I have the 700-fill down version). It also has a pillow sleeve and a waterproof-breathable foot section. If you go to a store like REI or Midwest Mountaineering and climb inside one, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at how comfortable they are."

Another Nemo Nocturne fan here. Definitely worth your consideration.
Nemo Nocturn

quote JackpineJim: "

quote HotDog: "Don't know if you're still looking, but I'll throw in my two cents. I think the Nemo Nocturne fits your requirements very well. It's much roomier than an actual mummy, but still weighs under 3 lbs (for the down versions). I can't sleep on my back, and many lightweight mummies make me claustrophobic, so I tried a Nemo and I'll probably never go back. It's designed for side sleepers and has enough room to roll over, but packs small and weighs in at 2lbs 5oz (I have the 700-fill down version). It also has a pillow sleeve and a waterproof-breathable foot section. If you go to a store like REI or Midwest Mountaineering and climb inside one, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at how comfortable they are."

Another Nemo Nocturne fan here. Definitely worth your consideration.
Nemo Nocturn "

Another Nemo Nocturne fan. I have the regular sized 15F rated version and love it.

Check out offerings from Steep and Cheap. Marmot bags are nice (have 3 of them, -25F to +15F), and they can be had at great discounts https://www.steepandcheap.com/down-sleeping-bags

Well, my North Face down bag was bought in 1976 and is still going....and going....and going.... But, I liked the idea of something with an integrated pad sleeve and I like NEMO products, so I bought this:
NEMO Mezzo Loft_
So comfortable and I have a Klymit pad that I just leave in the sleeve and my pillow in the pillow sleeve and pack it together. In cold weather, I add my old North Face down bag. Besides being so comfortable and versatile, the material has a nice "Feel" to it. Don't figure I'll need another sleeping bag in this lifetime, now? I have, however, thought about a NEMO sleeping pad as an upgrade? But so far the Klymit is holding me up fine.

quote ozarkpaddler: "Well, my North Face down bag was bought in 1976 and is still going....and going....and going.... But, I liked the idea of something with an integrated pad sleeve and I like NEMO products, so I bought this:
NEMO Mezzo Loft_
"

Oh, wow, I'm liking the looks of that! Just found the down version which is a little lighter and a little more compressible.

Quilts from Enlightened Equipment.

Western Mountaineering are the best bags I have used and I have had most of them. Much better bag than Marmont which would be my number two choice.

quote arm2008: "

quote ozarkpaddler: "Well, my North Face down bag was bought in 1976 and is still going....and going....and going.... But, I liked the idea of something with an integrated pad sleeve and I like NEMO products, so I bought this:
NEMO Mezzo Loft_
"

Oh, wow, I'm liking the looks of that! Just found the down version which is a little lighter and a little more compressible. "

If I didn't already have an old down bag to supplement mine, I too would choose the down version. Unlike many folks, I cannot give a "Review" of a bunch of other sleeping bags because my 1976 North Face down bag is still in use!