I currently have an older Big Agnes 15° synthetic bag which works ok, but I'm looking to possibly upgrade. I'm looking at an Alps Zenith 30° down bag (price is a driving factor). We always trip around fishing opener, so there are many night down in the 30's. I'm usually fairly skeptical of temperature ratings. Would a 30° down bag do the trick? Any other recommendations under $200?

Spend the $200 on a good insulated sleeping pad.

I always add at least 10-15° to the manufacturer's temperature rating when choosing a bag. And I'm a very warm sleeper. So I would pick a 20° bag if I expected temps to get down into the 30s. That's with a good insulated sleeping pad, too.

I would agree that you probably want a 15 or 20 degree bag to be comfortable in those temps. I don’t personally have one but have heard good things about the Kelty Cosmic down 20 degreefor an economically priced bag. I think you can grab one for well under $200, especially with it being sale season.

A very lightweight sleeping bag spread out over the one you are sleeping in will increase its ability to keep you warm immensely.

The sleeping bag rating assumes you're wearing a thermal base layer. Wear a thicker fleece layer or a supplemental down sweater to add warmth when necessary. Alternatively, add a down top quilt that would fit over your sleeping bag to increase insulating capacity.

The cold temp I have experienced while sleeping outside was -37*F. This was on an Outward Bound Dogsled trip originating out of HomePlace outside Ely. On that trip I wore mid-weight baselayer and slept in a synthetic bag inside a down bag. I couldn't tell you the bag ratings, but I did maintain enough warmth to sleep through those nights.

Good Luck

How much of a concern is space and packability? Are you car camping, base camping in the BWCA, or doing a full trip and attempting to single portage? Also, are you going to be using the sleeping bag exclusively in colder weather or is that just the coldest you want to plan for and also be able to use the sleeping bag in the summer?

If this is the only use for the bag, you are going to be cold. The rating is for survivability, not comfort. Get a 10-20 degree bag. If this is only the most extreme use for the bag, just get a bag liner or toss a camp blanket over yourself at night. A yoga mat can also help insulate you from the ground if your sleeping pad isn't the warmest. Adding more layers is a pretty effective method of dealing with the cold.

As someone who used to lead larger groups of people camping in colder temperatures I usually advise people to choose a bag rated 20 degrees lower than the temps you plan to sleep in. Some people may get away with 10-15 degrees lower, but 20 seems to cover pretty much everyone and never had any complaints about being too warm. I don't think you will be happy with a 30 degree bag for the temps you're looking at. As others have stated the pad makes a big difference as well.

I would stick to a down bag like you were already planning. Down quality doesn't make a huge difference in weight or packing size unless you're getting into bags rated well below 0 so don't worry too much about that. Synthetic stuff is pretty much always significantly bulkier and heavier especially going below a 20 degree rating and I'm not convinced they even insulate much better when wet than down.

Lots of good deals on sleeping bags out there right now.

keth0601: "I would stick to a down bag like you were already planning. Down quality doesn't make a huge difference in weight or packing size unless you're getting into bags rated well below 0 so don't worry too much about that. Synthetic stuff is pretty much always significantly bulkier and heavier especially going below a 20 degree rating and I'm not convinced they even insulate much better when wet than down."

Synthetic is only better than down for long term continuous use, and only when it is a bag, not a quilt. Synthetic resets better than down and will do a better job after a month or so. I've heard of people having issues with down compressing on the bottom of the bag over long periods of time when they used the same bag every night.

Saberboys: "I currently have an older Big Agnes 15° synthetic bag which works ok, but I'm looking to possibly upgrade. I'm looking at an Alps Zenith 30° down bag (price is a driving factor). We always trip around fishing opener, so there are many night down in the 30's. I'm usually fairly skeptical of temperature ratings. Would a 30° down bag do the trick? Any other recommendations under $200?"

the topic of sleeping bags can be a difficult one. there are so many variables and everyone has different tolerances.

the rating is only a guideline. some bags have 2 or 3 different ratings. it depends on the manufacturer and how they test their product.

but in general, it can be wise to get a bag that is rated for colder temps than you expect to be in. how much colder depends on how warm you are in general at night and what you are comfortable wearing when you sleep.

for me....i use a marmot yolla bolly 30. it is a bit different of a design where it is a mummy style bag, but not very slim. it also has an extra inner layer that you can choose to use or not, depending on the temps. so it works well for me as a 3 season bag. i have been out multiple nights when temps got well below 0c (32f), but i also wear a dicky, toque, wool socks, and merino wool undies when it dips that low.

my wife has an exped mega sleep 25/40. she really likes it but there is no way it is as warm as mine. but she only comes in summer or in fall when temps are fairly warm. it is synthetic but packs pretty small. and it is nice having one side being thicker than the other so she can choose which side goes on top, based on the temps. it also opens up as a nice blanket seeing as it is rectangular.

besides choosing a bag based on temps, you need answer a few other questions as well, and then decide which of these are priorities.

does weight and bulk matter? synthetic bags can be great, but they wont pack as small, or be as light as a comparable down bag.
they also make hybrid bags where the bottom is a synthetic, and only the top and hood are down. these can be great especially if you only have a thin pad, and if weight and bulk are not an issue.
remember....down is useless on the bottom as it has no insulating value when compressed (when we lay on it). so having a comfortable, high R value sleeping pad is a must in cold weather with a down bag.
you could also use a fully synthetic bag in summer, and bring a down blanket / quilt to throw over top in colder temps.

are you comfortable in a mummy style bag? i was never comfy in a slim mummy style bag. i much prefer a rectangle shaped bag. but i found my marmot to be doable for me.

what is your budget? when choosing a down bag for cold weather, the price can get extreme. typically the warmer and lighter the bag is, the higher the cost. so knowing your weight/bulk tolerance, along with what rating you may require, should help narrow the choices.

get an idea what you need and then keep your eyes open for sales. bags get deeply discounted all the time depending on the season.

good luck

Normally, I would just recommend a new bag to suit the temps so you're not carrying extra gear. But for $200 budget, that's out of the question.

I bought a down quilt from Hang Tight to use like this, they fit your price range, pack relatively small, and are pretty lightweight. I can just drape it over my existing bag, and it adds quite a lot of warmth. In the Winter, I dedicate it to the dog and string one side of it up on my tent poles so he can just crawl right inside it.

I'm actually surprised he doesn't get more attention here on this Forum. Is it Western Mountaineering or Feathered Friends quality? No. But for the price, you can't beat it, and it's made in USA and true "garage grown gear". I think it's perfect for backup and/or supplemental gear.

I'll echo what other people said too, invest in a proper sleeping pad. Early Spring trips, I bring my coldest rated pad.

A1t2o: "
Synthetic is only better than down for long term continuous use, and only when it is a bag, not a quilt. Synthetic resets better than down and will do a better job after a month or so. I've heard of people having issues with down compressing on the bottom of the bag over long periods of time when they used the same bag every night."

I vehemently disagree. Down retains its loft over time much better than synthetics- even the most modern of synthetic fill loses its loft through repeated compression while down can last decades without a noticeable loss of loft. Main synthetic advantage is in dealing with moisture and ability to dry. If you go down have a good tent and a good waterproof stuff sack (Seatosummit E-vent compression are excellent). Another key to life with a down bag is to air it in the sun whenever you get the chance while camping- keeps it fluffy and fresh.

Thank you all for the input! I am mainly looking at down for its compressibility and that warmth to space savings ratio. My BA synthetic is fine, but somewhat bulky. I only trip once or twice a year, May and late September, and that's what the new bag would be for. I have a great pad and also use both in my warbonnet ridgerunner hammock.

I am totally gobsmacked to learn that a "dickey" can still be purchased in 2025.

Unas10: "I am totally gobsmacked to learn that a "dickey" can still be purchased in 2025."

haha i have not bought one in many years but still have two. essential gear when we used to own snowmobiles. amazing how much warmer you can be with a toque and a dickey added to the mix.

I am really looking for 2 bags for my family's 1st trip this summer. I have 25 trips, my son 1 and wife and daughter are newbies. (it took years of arm twisting)

I really want bags that dont cost an arm and a leg since this could be the girls only trips. Daughter is 16.

I really want them to be around a football size, be around 30 or 40 degree bags and cost around $60.
Thoughts?

MarshallPrime: "I am really looking for 2 bags for my family's 1st trip this summer. I have 25 trips, my son 1 and wife and daughter are newbies. (it took years of arm twisting)


I really want bags that dont cost an arm and a leg since this could be the girls only trips. Daughter is 16.


I really want them to be around a football size, be around 30 or 40 degree bags and cost around $60.
Thoughts?"

Find yourself a Sierra store (online too if you don't have one nearby) and they should have plenty of options for this type of bag. I was in the same boat a few years back and picked up a few 40-degree bags that pack down quite small for pretty cheap.

MarshallPrime: "I am really looking for 2 bags for my family's 1st trip this summer. I have 25 trips, my son 1 and wife and daughter are newbies. (it took years of arm twisting)


I really want bags that dont cost an arm and a leg since this could be the girls only trips. Daughter is 16.


I really want them to be around a football size, be around 30 or 40 degree bags and cost around $60.
Thoughts?"

I guess my question to you would be do you want this to be the only trip for the girls? They are going to spend a third of their time in the sleeping bags on the trip, getting them a decent ground pad and sleeping bag will keep them a lot more comfortable and more likely to want to trip again.

Banksiana: "

A1t2o: "
Synthetic is only better than down for long term continuous use, and only when it is a bag, not a quilt. Synthetic resets better than down and will do a better job after a month or so. I've heard of people having issues with down compressing on the bottom of the bag over long periods of time when they used the same bag every night."

I vehemently disagree. Down retains its loft over time much better than synthetics- even the most modern of synthetic fill loses its loft through repeated compression while down can last decades without a noticeable loss of loft. Main synthetic advantage is in dealing with moisture and ability to dry. If you go down have a good tent and a good waterproof stuff sack (Seatosummit E-vent compression are excellent). Another key to life with a down bag is to air it in the sun whenever you get the chance while camping- keeps it fluffy and fresh."

I agree with Banksiana, but would also add - don't store a down sleeping bag in a small stuff sack or compression sack when not in use. Leave it "loose" at home.

After many nights out in both synthetic and down bags, I only use down sleeping bags at this point.

Thanks again everyone! I decided to go with the Big Agnes Torchlight 20° bag. It was on sale at Backcountry. I like the BA option of strapping a pad to the bag so you don't roll off in the night while in the tent, and my hammock has a pocket for the pad while hanging. Buy once, cry once always applies to camping gear!

Saberboys: "Thanks again everyone! I decided to go with the Big Agnes Torchlight 20° bag. It was on sale at Backcountry. I like the BA option of strapping a pad to the bag so you don't roll off in the night while in the tent, and my hammock has a pocket for the pad while hanging. Buy once, cry once always applies to camping gear!"

I think you'll be very happy with that bag. I have one and I like it a lot. Definitely worth the money, especially if you can get it on sale.

Ahahn366: "

MarshallPrime: "I am really looking for 2 bags for my family's 1st trip this summer. I have 25 trips, my son 1 and wife and daughter are newbies. (it took years of arm twisting)

I really want bags that dont cost an arm and a leg since this could be the girls only trips. Daughter is 16.

I really want them to be around a football size, be around 30 or 40 degree bags and cost around $60.
Thoughts?"

I guess my question to you would be do you want this to be the only trip for the girls? They are going to spend a third of their time in the sleeping bags on the trip, getting them a decent ground pad and sleeping bag will keep them a lot more comfortable and more likely to want to trip again. "

Yes, I hear ya there. Also is a balance between making packs huge with really big, comfy bags and smaller packing, not as comfy smaller bags and then of course $$$$.
We do always use good sleeping pads. In my mind, sleeping pads are a top 5 item for the trip. A good night sleep is SO important. I even take an extra smaller, not as great of a pad as a backup because of one gets a small leak, that can ruin a trip.

Sunburn: "

Banksiana: "

A1t2o: "
Synthetic is only better than down for long term continuous use, and only when it is a bag, not a quilt. Synthetic resets better than down and will do a better job after a month or so. I've heard of people having issues with down compressing on the bottom of the bag over long periods of time when they used the same bag every night."

I vehemently disagree. Down retains its loft over time much better than synthetics- even the most modern of synthetic fill loses its loft through repeated compression while down can last decades without a noticeable loss of loft. Main synthetic advantage is in dealing with moisture and ability to dry. If you go down have a good tent and a good waterproof stuff sack (Seatosummit E-vent compression are excellent). Another key to life with a down bag is to air it in the sun whenever you get the chance while camping- keeps it fluffy and fresh."

I agree with Banksiana, but would also add - don't store a down sleeping bag in a small stuff sack or compression sack when not in use. Leave it "loose" at home.


After many nights out in both synthetic and down bags, I only use down sleeping bags at this point."

I will concede that in my experience having synthetic insulation under you adds a bit more padding and improves comfort a bit if you have a less than ideal sleeping pad, but I think that's more because it doesn't compress to nothing like down does and not so much that it "rebounds" more. If you have a good pad it shouldn't make a difference.

I don't find that either of them dries more quickly than the other, the outer material seems to have more of an impact on dry time than the insulation material itself (avoid waterproof breathable material on sleeping bags!), and I always try to let my bags breath in the sun and wind whenever possible regardless of the insulation.

A good study in long term use is to look at what folks use for something like a polar expedition or a Denali climb. It's common practice to use a VBL for a reason, and on a sunny day you'll see lots of sleeping bags out on top of tents, etc letting them breath and dry out (and letting them move around in the wind brings that loft back really well too).

Sunburn: "

Banksiana: "

A1t2o: "
Synthetic is only better than down for long term continuous use, and only when it is a bag, not a quilt. Synthetic resets better than down and will do a better job after a month or so. I've heard of people having issues with down compressing on the bottom of the bag over long periods of time when they used the same bag every night."

I vehemently disagree. Down retains its loft over time much better than synthetics- even the most modern of synthetic fill loses its loft through repeated compression while down can last decades without a noticeable loss of loft. Main synthetic advantage is in dealing with moisture and ability to dry. If you go down have a good tent and a good waterproof stuff sack (Seatosummit E-vent compression are excellent). Another key to life with a down bag is to air it in the sun whenever you get the chance while camping- keeps it fluffy and fresh."

I agree with Banksiana, but would also add - don't store a down sleeping bag in a small stuff sack or compression sack when not in use. Leave it "loose" at home.


After many nights out in both synthetic and down bags, I only use down sleeping bags at this point."

I agree with both of you and will add that with down you may not always have the opportunity to air your bag out in damp conditions, and being how sensitive down is to moisture, you have to be very careful about introducing moisture to your bag beyond natural sweating. Don't get in your bag with damp clothing or body, and try not to overheat to the point of sweating. Down is superior in every other way.

Saberboys: "Thanks again everyone! I decided to go with the Big Agnes Torchlight 20° bag. It was on sale at Backcountry. I like the BA option of strapping a pad to the bag so you don't roll off in the night while in the tent, and my hammock has a pocket for the pad while hanging. Buy once, cry once always applies to camping gear!"

Big Agnes makes great stuff!