If you’re camping as a couple in cold weather, you need to stay warm at night, which is where our guide to the best double sleeping bag can help.
Double sleeping bags are a good idea, as they allow you to share warmth at night, which makes them great for cold-weather camping. The question is – how can you find the best one?
The bottom line up front: We like the Browning Double Sleeping Bag. It’s super-warm and cozy, and the storage pockets are a good extra feature.
We also like:
- TETON Sports Mammoth Double Sleeping Bag – Best for cold and frosty weather
- Sleepingo Double Sleeping Bag – a good versatile option
We’ll be looking at:
- What to look for in a double sleeping bag
- 5 of our favorites, including their key features, pros, and cons
- Some of the most frequently asked questions about double sleeping bags
- Which one we think is the best, and why
Keep reading to find out more …
Table of Contents
- Best Double Sleeping Bags Compared
- What to Look for in a Double Sleeping Bag
- Top 5 Best Double Sleeping Bags
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Our Final Thoughts – Which is the Best Double Sleeping Bag?
Best Double Sleeping Bags Compared
What to Look for in a Double Sleeping Bag
Let’s take a quick look at what you should look for in a double sleeping bag.
Size
Size is an obvious thing to look out for. You’ll want enough room for two (or maybe even enough room to squeeze your kids in with you). Although they’re still advertised as a double sleeping bag, some models go all the way up to queen-sized – giving you plenty of room.
Double sleeping bags tend to be rectangular and sometimes come with hoods (but more on that a little later).
Temperature Rating
The temperature rating is really important. This will show you how warm your sleeping bag will keep you at night. Usually, you’ll see a temperature limit. For example, if it says it has a limit of -4°C (24.8°F), that means it will keep you safe if the temperature drops that low, but if it gets any colder than that, it’s not going to be able to keep you warm.
REI Co-op has a more detailed guide to sleeping bag temperature ratings if you want to know more.
Seasons
Sleeping bags have season ratings (a bit like tents – like those in our 3-season vs 4-season tent comparison). Here’s what the season ratings mean:
- 1 season – this is designed for an overnight temperature of 10°C (50°F) or higher. This makes it perfect for warmer weather.
- 2 seasons – this is designed for an overnight temperature of 5°C (41°F) or higher. This will keep you warm if the temperatures drop a little lower – good for spring as well as summer
- 3 seasons – this is designed for an overnight temperature of 0°C (32°F). This is ideal for colder nights, but won’t protect you against frost
- 4 seasons – this is designed for an overnight temperature of -5°C (23°F or higher. This should keep you warm even in snowy or frosty conditions
Materials
There are three main areas to look at here: the outer shell, the inner filling, and the inner lining.
The outer shell can be made from a variety of materials, including:
- Polyester, nylon, or taffeta – these are synthetic materials that are soft and smooth to the touch. They’re breathable and comfortable and tend to be quite cheap. However, they’re not as durable as some of the other materials you can get, and they’re not great for waterproofing either in comparison to, say, ripstop, or dryloft.
- Ripstop – ripstop is made from nylon or polyester, but the threads are reinforced, so it’s a much heavier material. This makes it durable, and it keeps out moisture while remaining breathable.
- Dryloft – this tends to be quite expensive. It’s very waterproof while still being breathable and comfortable.
- Microfiber – Microfiber is lightweight and repels water. It’s also quite good in terms of wind-proofing.
- Gore-Tex – this is waterproof but isn’t that breathable, and can cause some problems with moisture being trapped inside the bag.
Inner filling
The inner filling is typically made from one of the following:
- Down – down feathers tend to be warmer than synthetic-filled sleeping bags. It’s lightweight, soft, and comfortable, and can be ‘fluffed up’ again if it becomes a little flat over time. It’s great in terms of compression, which means it can be rolled up smaller. The downside is, it may lose some of its insulating properties if it gets wet. It’s really important to keep the sleeping bag dry. Down can be expensive, but it does last a long time.
- Synthetic – made from polyester fibers, synthetic-filled sleeping bags are good at insulating and retaining heat (even if it does get wet). They do tend to be heavier, and they don’t compress as well as down sleeping bags. They’re not as durable as down sleeping bags either. They are, however, much more affordable and can usually be washed in a washing machine.
Inner sleeping bag liner
Finally, there is the inner sleeping bag liner to consider. These tend to be made from:
- Nylon, polyester, and taffeta – these are soft, smooth materials that won’t cause you to overheat. They’re good for warmer weather.
- Fleece – fleece, meanwhile, is great for colder camping because it traps heat nicely, keeping you snug. It’s also soft to lay on, but hot sleepers might want to avoid it as it does get quite warm.
- Silk – silk has the benefit of being very soft and breathable. It’s great at trapping in heat, too. However, it is expensive and can get damaged quite easily.
- Cotton/flannel – these are great in terms of breathability, and they’re durable. It’s lightweight and easy to care for in terms of cleaning. It’s not going to keep you as warm as fleece or silk.
Extra Features
Your sleeping bag may come with extra features. You may see sleeping bags with hoods – these are great for keeping you extra warm and snug, as you can lose a lot of body heat through your head. If you’re camping in very cold weather, it’s worth considering looking for one with hoods.
You might also see sleeping bags with storage pockets. This is a handy way to keep your valuables safe and close to you while you sleep.
Finally, you could go for a sleeping bag with double zips. This means if one of you has to get up in the night, you don’t have to wake them by unzipping the sleeping bag on their side.
Size Packed
The last thing to consider is the size packed. Depending on the materials used, sleeping bags can compress down into a small bag. It’s worth checking the dimensions of the carry bag, especially if you plan to take it on a plane or you’re backpacking (you can also check out our guide to the best backpacking tents under $100 for some lightweight tents).
It’s also worth checking the weight – some sleeping bags are heavier than others, so if you need to carry it for long distances, you could try to find a lightweight one.
This video by Outdoor Vitals can help you to see how to compress a sleeping bag without breaking the straps.
Top 5 Best Double Sleeping Bags
Now, let’s take a look at 5 of the best double sleeping bags out there.
Sleepingo Double Sleeping Bag – Most Versatile
Key Features
- Size:
87 x 59 (in)
221 x 150 (cm) - Size packed (diameter):
17 x 37 (in)
43 x 94 (cm) - Lower Temperature Limit: 0°C (32°F)
- Outer Shell Material: Polyester
- Inner Lining Material: Tetron and Cotton
- Inner Filling Material: Synthetic
- Weight: 3lbs / 1.36kg
- Seasons: 3
The Sleepingo Double Sleeping Bag is a great multi-purpose sleeping bag. The first thing to consider is the size – it’s a queen-sized sleeping bag, so it will give you plenty of room. You can also use it as two single sleeping bags, thanks to the design of the zips. It comes with two pillows for free, although these are a little thin.
It’s a warm sleeping bag, with a bottom limit of 0°C (32°F). However, the materials feel a little cheaper than some of the other sleeping bags on this list, and where it suffers is the lack of durability – the stitching may come unraveled after a bit of use. The good thing is that the outer shell is waterproof, so if it does get damp, it shouldn’t get through to the inner lining.
It’s bulky to carry in the bag together, but if you separate them as single sleeping bags, they can be rolled up very small to be stashed into a backpack.
Pros
- Large size
- Can be used as one double sleeping bag or two single sleeping bags
- Comes with free pillows
- Good low-temperature limit
- Waterproofing
Cons
- Not very durable
- Bulky when carried in bag
TETON Sports Mammoth Double Sleeping Bag – Best for Colder Temperatures
Key Features
- Size:
94 x 62 (in)
239 x 157 (cm) - Size packed (diameter):
28 x 16 (in)
71 x 40 (cm) - Lower Temperature Limit: -17.7°C (0°F)
- Outer Shell Material: Taffeta
- Inner Lining Material: Polycotton
- Inner Filling Material: Synthetic
- Weight: 16.5lbs / 7.5kg
- Seasons: 4
The TETON Sports Mammoth Double Sleeping Bag is one of the larger sleeping bags on this list. It has three zippers – one on the left, one on the right, and one on the bottom. This means if you have to get up at night, you can unzip your side. You can’t make two separate bags, however.
Where this sleeping bag performs really well is the warmth. It has a lower rating of 17.7°C (0°F). (You can buy the -6.6°C / 20°F if you’d prefer something cooler.) It feels warm and comfortable, and in fact, may be a little too warm if you’re a hot sleeper. If you’re camping in icy or snowy conditions, it could work really well. The materials are durable, but TETON describes the outer shell as ‘water-resistant’ rather than waterproof. This means you can expect it to keep the damp out, but if it gets very wet, it might seep through to the inner lining.
It comes with a compression sack – to use it, you just feed the bottom of the sleeping bag through and squeeze the air out as you stuff it inside. It has heavy-duty straps to keep it contained. It’s on the heavier side to carry, which you might expect given how warm it is.
Pros
- Large size
- Very warm even in snowy or icy weather
- Durable
- Very low temperature limit
- Comes with compression sack to fold it neatly
Cons
- Outer shell is not completely waterproof
- Heavy to carry
Ohulu Double Sleeping Bag – Best for Spring and Summer
Key Features
- Size:
87 x 59 (in)
221 x 150 (cm) - Size packed (diameter):
19 x 12 (in)
48 x 30 (cm) - Lower Temperature Limit: – 0°C (32°F)
- Outer Shell Material: Polyester
- Inner Lining Material: Polycotton
- Inner Filling Material: Cotton
- Weight: 6.8lbs / 3.08kg
- Seasons: 2
The Ohulu Double Sleeping Bag is a decent-sized double sleeping bag. It’s versatile, as it can be used as two single sleeping bags or one double. It can also be unzipped on one side, which means you won’t disturb your partner if you have to get up at night.
It’s a warm sleeping bag, but not the warmest on this list. It may start to feel a little chilly if the temperature does get close to the bottom temperature limit of 32°F (0°C) . It’s pretty durable, holding up well to lots of use. The outer shell is not waterproof but is advertised as water-resistant. You might find that if it gets wet, it does seep through to the inner lining.
The compression sack is very tough and means the sleeping bag can be rolled up very small. The bag is also durable and waterproof, so it will protect your sleeping bag from the elements. It’s not too heavy to carry, either.
Pros
- Can be used as two single sleeping bags or one double
- Has zips on both sides
- Durable
- Good waterproof carry bag
Cons
- Won’t keep you that warm at the lower temperature
- Outer shell is not waterproof
Browning Double Sleeping Bag – Most Durable
Key Features
- Size:
80 x 68 (in)
203 x 173 (cm) - Size packed (diameter):
29 x 14 (in)
74 x 36 (cm) - Lower Temperature Limit: – 0°C (32°F)
- Outer Shell Material: Ripstop
- Inner Lining Material: Polyester
- Inner Filling Material: Synthetic
- Weight: 13lbs / 5.89kg
- Seasons: 3
The Browning Double Sleeping Bag is a great durable sleeping bag. It can be used as a double sleeping bag or two single sleeping bags. The sleeping bag also has storage pockets near the top, so you can keep your valuables close to you as you sleep. It can be unzipped on either side, so you won’t have to worry about disturbing your other half in the night.
It’s a pretty warm sleeping bag, designed to keep you very snug at night. It’s made from two layers, which are designed to prevent cold spots from forming over time. The sleeping bag is super-durable, with the ripstop outer fabric keeping water from leaking into the inner lining. It holds up well to a lot of use even in damp conditions, which is great.
It comes with a compression sack, which helps it to fold up small. However, it’s on the heavier side in terms of carrying it. If you’re backpacking, you might find it easier to roll it up and carry it as two separate sleeping bags instead.
Pros
- Can be used as two single sleeping bags or can be zipped together to use as a double
- Has storage pockets for valuables
- Warm and cozy with no cold spots
- Durable and waterproof
Cons
- Pretty heavy to carry
TETON Sports Tracker Double Sleeping Bag – Best for Backpackers
Key Features
- Size:
87 x 63 (in)
221 x 160 (cm) - Size packed (diameter):
18 x 10 (in)
46 x 25 (cm) - Lower Temperature Limit: -15°C (5°F)
- Outer Shell Material: Ripstop
- Inner Lining Material: Polyester
- Inner Filling Material: Synthetic
- Weight: 8.2lbs / 3.7kg
- Seasons: 3
The TETON Sports Tracker Double Sleeping Bag is a good lightweight sleeping bag that has great compression, meaning it can fold up very small. It’s a mummy-style sleeping bag, with hoods to keep your head and face warm. It has interior pockets to keep your valuables safe at night. It has separate zippers on both sides.
It’s designed to be very warm, with extra insulation at the feet. The inner lining is soft and comfortable to sleep in. It’s designed to be durable, but not waterproof. You might find that if it does get very wet, it may seep through into the inner lining.
The best thing about this sleeping bag is that it folds down small given the size. It has great compression, and it’s fairly easy to squash it down using the compression straps provided. It’s also not too bad in terms of carrying weight. It will suit backpackers heading off to slightly cooler climates.
Pros
- Mummy-style hood will keep your head warm
- Extra insulation at the feet
- Storage pockets for valuables
- Durable
Cons
- Not waterproof
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about double sleeping bags:
Can you connect two single sleeping bags to make a double?
Sometimes you can, yes. Two single sleeping bags can be zipped together to make one double, however, it may not work perfectly, and you might see some gaps in the zips that will allow cold air in at night. Using a dedicated double sleeping bag is usually a better option.
Outwell Tents has a guide to zipping two sleeping bags together – but bear in mind this might not work with every type of single sleeping bag.
Can I waterproof my sleeping bag?
If you’re expecting to be camping in heavy rain, you might be tempted to waterproof your sleeping bag just in case. You can use a spray, like the Kiwi Camp Water Repellant Spray. It’s worth checking if the outer materials are compatible with this type of spray first.
Check out our guide to the best family tents for bad weather if you need a good tent for rain.
How can I secure my sleeping bag to my backpack?
Your backpack may have loops, which you can use to connect your sleeping bag to. You can check out this guide to packing your backpack from the REI Co-Op for more information.
Are mummy-style sleeping bags worth it?
It depends on how you sleep, and whether you’re going somewhere cold. If you’re a hot sleeper, you might find the extra warmth around your head too much to bear. If you’re camping in snowy or frosty weather, the extra warmth may be just what you need.
Mountain Warehouse has some great winter camping tips.
Our Final Thoughts – Which is the Best Double Sleeping Bag?
We really like the Browning Double Sleeping Bag. It’s super warm, it has storage pockets, and it’s durable. If it gets wet, it shouldn’t leak through to the inner lining, which is important.
If you’re camping in cold, snowy, icy weather, you might want to look at the TETON Sports Mammoth Double Sleeping Bag, which can handle very low temperatures.
We also like the Sleepingo Double Sleeping Bag. It’s a good all-rounder and it’s versatile, too.
If you’ve used any of these sleeping bags, we’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
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