Sleeping outdoors, especially overnight, is exciting and always feels liberating. However, raw nature can be harsh, and your night outdoors will feel more fun with some protection and basic comfort.
This is what sleeping bags are designed for. However, different sleeping bags offer varying degrees of comfort and protection.
So, how do you tell the best sleeping bags from the bad ones? Answer: look out for the factors covered in this guide. This guide also reviews five of the best sleeping bags under $100.
A Buyer’s Guide: Things to Look for When Buying A Sleeping Bag
The ideal sleeping bag should meet several requirements, including:
•     Temperature Ratings
Cold is one of the biggest concerns when spending the night outdoors. It is both uncomfortable and a health risk.Â
A sleeping bag’s temperature rating depends on its type. For example, summer season sleeping bags have a temperature rating of +300 or higher, while winter bags have a temperature rating of +150 or lower. For example, 3-season bags have a temperature rating of +150 to +300.
The sleeping bag’s temperature also depends on the type of insulation, which can be down (organic) or synthetic. Down sleeping bags retain heat better and are more comfortable than synthetic ones. However, the latter is more comfortable, and the difference in comfort is narrowing, thanks to new technology.
•     Fit
Sleeping bags come in varying shapes and sizes, which determine their accommodation capacities – and your comfort. There are varying size standards for different body shapes and sizes. These include a standard unisex size, which is primarily designed for mean.
There is also a women-specific standard, which makes more room in the middle for the hips. Kids sleeping bags are also designed to fit.
Sleeping bags also come in two standard shapes: rectangular or tapered mummy. Mummy-shaped bags are good for their heat retention, while rectangular-shaped ones allow for more space and can be unzipped to use as a duvet.
•     Weight
There are two factors to consider when in relation to weight: your weight and the bag’s weight. For starters, the bag should be strong enough to hold your weight.
Additionally, the bag should be light enough to carry around all day. Fortunately, the materials used are both lightweight and robust.
•     Zip
It’s not uncommon to find yourself entrapped in your sleeping bag – and it’s not funny, either. This is why the zip style in your bag should be easy to use. Most people prefer two-way zips that open the bag’s length, as you can open them at the bottom to give your tired feet more room to breathe.
•     Extra Features
A sleeping bag can only offer so much comfort, but some go the extra mile to make your night as comfortable as possible. Common extra features include an in-built mosquito net, which protects you from those painful bites and the risk of getting malaria. Some bags are also versatile enough to turn into a jacket to keep you warm during the day.
5 Best Sleeping Bags Under $100 Reviewed
Sleeping bags cost varying prices, from as low as $50 to as much as $100. The price difference depends on several factors, including the bag’s overall quality. Consequently, cheap sleeping bags are not always as great as your expectations.
However, these five bags are all affordable (priced below $100), and they are of exceptional quality. Here is a review of five of the best bags priced under $100:
1.    Teton Sports LEEF Mummy Sleeping Bag
The Teton Sports LEEF Mummy sleeping bag looks stylish and feels just as comfortable. Its most notable features are that it is both lightweight and warm. It’s made of thermal-enhancing material featuring a double layer of offset stitching. It comes in two temperature ratings: +200F/-70F and 00F/-180F.
Additionally, this sleeping bag features a mummy hood that lines around your head and face, essentially keeping you warm from head to toe. The zipper is also padded to keep the draft out, and the material is breathable for ventilation.
You don’t have to worry about being trapped in your sleeping bag, as the zippers are taped and feature an anti-snag solution. The zipper is also easy to open when you need some ventilation. The bottom-end part of this bag also features a separate zipper that you can open to let your feet breathe.   Â
It’s wise to sleep with your phone and other essentials close when camping out. This sleeping bag features an interior pocket big enough to hold a phone, wallet, keys, flashlight, and other small items.
This sleeping bag is also easily portable. The lightest version weighs only 2.9 pounds, while the heaviest weighs 4.2 pounds.
Pros
- It’s portable
- It’s ideal for all seasons
- It’s water-resistant
- It’s durable
- It will keep you warm from head to toe
Cons
- It doesn’t come in kids’ sizes
2.    Coolzon Lightweight All-Season Sleeping Bag
Coolzon is one of the best sleeping bag brands, and this model is designed for all three seasons. It is designed to keep you warm all year round using materials that have excellent heat-retention capability.
This sleeping bag’s interior is lined with warm fluffy cotton, and the filling constitutes hollow cotton. The outer polyester lining also ensures that heat doesn’t escape, while also keeping the cold and moisture out.
The Coolzon sleeping bag also feels homely and comfortable. The inner cotton lining is soft and smooth, and the hollow cotton filling is gentle against your back. It is also roomy inside, thanks to its rectangular shape and flexible design.
This sleeping bag is also hardy, despite its soft texture. The outer layer is made of 100% non-tearing polyester. It is also waterproof, making it ideal for wet seasons and conditions. Additionally, it is breathable to facilitate ventilation when heat builds up. It also comes in varying sizes, including Coolzon kids sleeping bags.
This bag is also easily portable. It folds down to a size small enough to fit in an ultra-compact bag. It comes with a compression bag with in-built straps. The bag compresses on its own when you pull the straps, saving you the time and effort it would take to fold it down. It is ideal for carrying a wide range of outdoor adventures. Â
Pros
- It’s portable – thanks to its small size and lightweight design
- It’s durable
- It’s warm and spacious
- It’s easy to clean and pack
- It’s ideal for use in wet environments
Cons
- It doesn’t offer any extra features
3.    Tuphen Lightweight Sleeping Bag
This Tuphen lightweight sleeping bag is one of the most versatile options in the market. For example, it can be opened fully from end-to-end and spread out like a duvet, which is ideal for indoor use. Additionally, two or more bags can be attached to create a giant sleeping bag, ideal for couples looking to play or snuggle.
This sleeping bag will also keep you warm throughout the three seasons, ranging from the hot summers to chilly winters. A combination of the ideal materials enables its heat retention. The inner lining is made of soft and fluffy polyester pongee, while the filling is made of hollow microfiber material. This bag has two temperature ratings: 50C to -150C and 170C to -240C.
Tuphen also guarantees durability, and this sleeping bag will serve you well for years. The outer lining is made of tough, non-tearing nylon material. The soft microfiber fillings are also surprisingly tough.
This sleeping bag is also easily portable. It is spacious when unpacked, but it folds down to a small package that can fit into a compact backpack. It also folds automatically when you pull the straps, and it comes with a compression sack. It also weighs only three pounds, thanks to the lightweight materials.
Pros
- It’s great for all seasons
- It’s spacious
- Easy to pack and light to carry
- It comes with a 60-days money-back guarantee
- It’s easy to clean
Cons
- It comes in limited sizes
4.    SWTMERRY Sleeping Bag
This sleeping bag is plushy and comfortable, and the manufacturer says that it feels like sweet merry. It offers plenty of space to move around for a comfortable sleeping experience. It can also be used as a duvet, thanks to its rectangular shape and end-to-end zipper design. The zipper also allows you to let your feet out in the cool draft.
This sleeping bag is also designed to offer warmth for all three seasons, regardless of how hot or cold it gets. It comes in two versions with two temperature ratings: 41-770C/5-250C and 50-680C/10-200C. This bag is also waterproof, making it ideal for use in wet environments.
This sleeping bag is easy to carry around for a range of factors. It can be cleaned simply by wiping, for starters, meaning that you can use it repeatedly for as long as you need. It is also lightweight and easy to pack, thanks to an in-built compression strap – you don’t even need to fold it.
Pros
- It’s portable
- It’s easy to clean
- It’s easy to pack
- It’s spacious
- It’s durable
Cons
- It doesn’t offer any extra features
5.    Oaskys Sleeping Bag
Oaskys is a stylish sleeping bag that features some of the latest technologies. It is also ideal for all three seasons and varying environments, thanks to its durable construction and incredible heat retention capacity.
This sleeping bag is also filled with soft hollow cotton for warmth, making it ideal for use throughout the three seasons. To this end, the bag has a temperature rating ranging between 10 and 20 degrees Celsius. Moreover, its tough material also enables it to withstand extreme environments, including wet conditions.
This sleeping bag is designed for comfort and durability. The inner lining feels smooth and soft, while the hollow cotton feels gentle against your fatigued muscles. Additionally, the outer layer is made of anti-tearing polyester, while the inner layer is lined with polyester pongee.
Oaskys sleeping bag also features a versatile design. For starters, it can be unzipped from one end to the other. It also features a separate zipper at the bottom to let your tired, hot feet out into the cool draft. Â
This sleeping bag is also easily portable, as it weighs only three pounds. It is also easy to fold, as it comes with a compression sack and in-built straps that you can pull on for folding. Finally, the manufacturer offers a no-questions-asked money-back guarantee if this bag doesn’t meet your expectations.
Pros
- It’s versatile and ideal for use in extreme environments
- It’s light and easy to carry on long adventures
- It’s quick to pack
- It features a versatile design
- You are guaranteed your money back
Cons
- It does not offer any extra features
The Optimal Choice
These are the best sleeping bags because they all are marked by exceptional quality. Every sleeping bag on this list is guaranteed to meet your expectations. Nevertheless, one of these bags stands out – Tuphen Sleeping Bag.
It stands out for its versatile design, and it can serve as a duvet, which is ideal for use indoors. Two or more Tuphen sleeping bags can also be attached to make one big bag, ideal for couples.
Oaskys Sleeping Bag also comes in as a close second. Oaskys is just as comfortable and durable as the Tuphen sleeping bag, but it lacks its versatility and extra features.
You can now save time looking for the best affordable sleeping bag. These five are the best sleeping bags for kids and adults of all shapes and sizes.
Remember to ask yourself the following questions when picking out the ideal sleeping bag for your needs:
- How long will I be camping outside?
- When will I be camping outside (summer or winter)?
- What’s my size and weight?
Each bag has something unique to offer, but they come in varying designs. These questions will function as a pointer to ensure that your choice meets all of your needs.
