8 Of The Best New Sleeping Bags

From luxury doubles for family camping trips to cosy mummy bags for outdoor adventures, sleeping bags really do come in all shapes and sizes, plus specifications.

Here’s eight of the best along with some advice on how to bag yourself a good night’s sleep

TOP TIPS

1 Think shape. Mummy bags are cosier, rectangular tend to be bulkier but offer more internal space, ie wriggle room. It’s all too easy to end up with a bag that’s too warm, too. Consider the conditions in which you want to use it.

2 Buy a liner. They’re easier to clean than a whole bag and they offer an additional layer of protection. Indeed, keep your sleeping bag cleaning to a minimum, it’s the best way of maintaining its original weatherproof, insulation and more properties.

3 If possible, hang your sleeping bag (look for fitted loops) for long-term storage rather than keeping it compressed in a stuff sack.

4 Sleeping bags for the kids? Just remember, small children grow fast. Fast enough to outgrow an expensive sleeping bag.

VANGO FLARE DOUBLE
Expect to pay £85
vango.co.uk
New to the Vango line-up for this season, the Flare Double is a two-season bag for two that keeps its weight down thanks to a 60% siliconized hollow fibre/40% polyester filling. Inside, there’s a brushed 190T lining called Polair. Vango suggests a maximum user height of 190cm. Included here are items like hanging loops for storing (or drying) your bag, and a baffle to minimise heat loss along the length of the zip. 
Key features Single-layer stitch construction, fibre fill, integrated pillow section, two-way auto-locking zip, 8-tog rating, 54cm x 31cm pack size, zip guard and baffle.

MOUNTAIN WAREHOUSE APEX 250
Expect to pay £22.99
mountainwarehouse.com
Check out the colourful designs here. Another two-season bag, most suited to milder nights under canvas, although it’s assessed as being suitable for temporary use at temperatures down to 0 deg C. It’s nice and light (1.2kg) and packs down to some 18cm x 35cm. At the time of researching, this was priced at £45.99, but as of May 2019 it was reduced to £22.99.  If you want to keep it in the family, there are also Apex Mini models, for children.
Key features All-polyester, hollow fibre filling, left handed zip, carrybag

OLPRO HUSH
Expect to pay £25
olproshop.com  
A three-season bag with hollow fibre filling and an up-to-the-minute look. It’s all-polyester, with a softer feel to the inner and hollow fibre filling. Size is 190cm x 75cm. The Hush range also includes a double and solid colour finishes. Olpro sells direct from its website, with postage free on items costing Expect to pay £25 or more, with a no-quibble returns policy. At the time of writing, this Hush was reduced from £39.
Key features Polyester outer, hollow fibre fill, drawstring storage bag, 365-day warranty

HAGLOFS TAURIUS -5
Expect to pay £120
haglofs.com
Everything you want in a mummy-shaped bag. Body-hugging shape. Small pack size (as little as 24cm x 26cm thanks to the four-way compression bag). Light (1.69kg for the 190cm version). The Taurus -5 also has a spacious footbox, three-quarters zip (left- or right-side), internal pillow pocket, internal pocket and more. In a choice of three body lengths – 175cm, 190cm, 205cm. Look out for a whole range of other Taurius models, too, to suit your specific needs.
Key features Offset construction with 50D polyester ripstop shell, Tri-Fusion fill, hanging loops, internal pillow pocket, anti-snag tape, machine washable

SNUGPAK SOFTIE EXPANSION 2
Expect to pay £94.95
snugpak.com 
From a comprehensive line-up of Softie bags, look for Expansion versions if you want some extra versatility. They’re the ones that offer an easy way of expanding your bag’s dimensions when you want to – that’s thanks to a zipped EEP (elasticated expander panel). Clips at the bottom of the bag also allow you to shorten the overall length by 30cm, again as required. The little LED torch that clips into the hood is another neat touch. All-in weight, including stuff sack, is 1.2kg.
Key features Softie insulation plus Reflectatherm technology, shortening clips, synthetic fibre fill, drawcord hood, hanging tabs, anti-snag zip, compression stuff sack

REIMA VIRKATEN
Expect to pay £57.40
reima.com
No chance your toddler will wriggle out in the night with this versatile piece of kit. Not only can it be used as a sleeping bag, during the day a bit of magic with the zips and it’s a super-cosy overall. Aimed at 0-one year-olds, long side zips make access easy. The outer is Bionic-Finish Eco, a fluorocarbon-free fabric with water and dirt-repellent finish. It can also be machine washed and tumble dried. Maker Reima says it uses no chemicals or toxins that could be deemed harmful to the wearer, or indeed the environment.
Key features RDS certified down/feathers, polyester lining, detachable hood, elasticated leg ends, detachable foot loops

EASY CAMP MOON DOUBLE
Expect to pay £62.99
easycamp.com
Top value double bag that doesn’t lack for features. Hence, items like the ridge hood, full-length baffle for the anti-snag zip, hood with drawcord, hanging loops and more. Easy Camp says the Moon is designed for use from spring to autumn. Also, the beauty of double bags like this is they can be fully unzipped and used more as a duvet. Dimensions are 220cm x 150cm, for body lengths up to 195cm. Pack size is 60cm x 29cm and it weighs 2.5kg. The Moon is also available as a single.
Key features 190T brushed microfibre polyester shell and lining, single layer construction, two-way zip, internal pocket, hanging loops, Oxford polyester stuff sack

OUTWELL CAMPION
Expect to pay £37.99
outwell.com
The Campion name appears on a range of rectangular sleeping bags, single and double, from Outwell. This is the standard single (there are also Lux variants), aimed at two-season (ie late spring through to early autumn; go Lux if you want more extended) use. For body lengths up to 185cm, actual dimensions are 215cm x 80cm. It packs downs to some 38cm x 21cm. Details include the small internal pocket (ideal for a torch or phone), two-way auto-lock zip with anti-snag guard, shaped hood etc. It’s available with a left- or a right-hand zip.
Key features 190T brushed polyester shell and lining, 800g Isofill filling, single layer construction, full-length zip baffle, liner attachment points, cap compression sack