Fun fact for all the ladies out there: we really do sleep colder. Personally, I’ve battled cold nights in tents for years, always wondering whether everyone was shivering throughout the night or if it was just me. Turns out, it isn’t just me.
Women have less body mass than men so it is tougher for us to generate heat. Plus, extremities like our hands and feet run cooler too, creating a perfect storm on brisk evenings. When combined with our narrower shoulders and wider hips, it is clear the fairer sex can benefit from sleeping bags designed specifically for us.
But which to choose? Unfortunately, female-specific sleeping bags are few and far between when compared to the unisex variety, so it is a bit harder to find that perfect sleeping bag for you. The five listed below are a few of my favorites.
REI Co-Op Magma 30
Designed with roomier hips and a trimmer shoulder cut, the Magma 30 also boasts extra space in the knee and foot to create a fantastic warmth-to-weight ratio. But, at less than 1.5 pounds, the bag hits that sweet spot of spacious and legitimately ultralight, a tough combo to find in a sleeping bag. Even better: that price tag!
Feathered Friends Egret UL2
The Egret isn’t as affordable as the Magma, but it is filled with ethically-harvested down making this bag an eco-friendly choice (and worth the extra money). Extra fill in the foot box and chest area keeps women warm where they need it the most, and extra space allows for some wiggle room around the knees. Side sleeper, anyone?
The North Face Blue Kazoo
Thanks to The North Face’s Responsible Down Standard (RDS), the Blue Kazoo is packed with down that has not come from animals that received unnecessary harm. Thanks to the 650-fill, it is rated down to 15 degrees, but we felt more comfortable in temps ranging from 20-25 degrees. But, at around $300, it is in the lower price range on this list and definitely worth considering.
Kelty Cosmic 20
If the prices on this list are any indication, sleeping bags are expensive. Kelty clocks in at the lowest MSRP in this roundup, offering up a 20-degree bag for $170. Are there tradeoffs? Sure. It weighs over 2.5 pounds and doesn’t pack down incredibly small, but again: if your wallet is of utmost concern, definitely look at the Cosmic 20.
Sea to Summit Flame Ultralight
Backpackers looking to stay warm, shave weight, and cut space in their pack will appreciate the Flam Ultralight 15. It comes in a hair under two pounds thanks to lightweight materials, and the 850-loft (RDS) is so fluffy that it almost fills like climbing underneath a down comforter. Plus, it packs down to just smaller than a water bottle, so you won’t have to worry too much about finding space in your backpack.