The 7 Best Extreme Cold Weather Sleeping Bags in 2022
The ability to camp in extreme cold may be one of the best survival skills to have.
Obviously this particular talent requires the harmony of many skill sets, but the sheer ability to brave the elements without giving in is what separates the Rugged Man from the rest.
If you are to tolerate such an environment, you are going to need some proper equipment. We are, by not entirely our fault, soft.
Our hardiness and constitution are not up to the snuff of our ancestors even 60 or 70 years ago.
This can be trained away of course, so in order to make yourself tougher to the elements you will need to at least begin with a quality set of tools to complete such an adventure.
A quality, properly rated sleeping bag is a must have when venturing out overnight in extreme temperatures.
Today we are going to answer some common questions and take a look at some considerations when choosing The Best Cold Weather Sleeping Bag. Let’s climb in!
What is the Best Sleeping Bag for Cold Weather?
Extreme conditions require extreme gear. For cold weather camping, making the proper investment in a sleeping bag rated for -20 degrees or better is a must. Even temps as warm as 20 to 30 degrees can be really comfortable with a -20 sleeping bag.
If you have ever spent a cold night in a tent, then you know it can dampen the energy of your trek.
I have spent a few nights cold camping with a sleeping bag that was not up to snuff and it is absolutely not worth it, now that I am older, it’s non-negotiable.
WHY NEGATIVE 20, OR BETTER?
If you are like me, when it’s bone chilling cold, there is really no such thing as going overboard. Again, even temps as warm as 20 to 30 degrees can be really comfortable with a -20 sleeping bag.
I personally pack an older model -20 Kelty and it has an excellent range of comfort.
If you are further north than my usual camping grounds, then you may want to consider upping the ante even more and going to a negative 30 or 40 bag.
Again, I don’t mind being a little extra warm, so temper my advice with your personal preference.
My region may have anywhere between 1 and 4 weeks of extreme temperatures in a normal winter, so if you have 4 to 12 weeks of likely more extreme temperatures you might consider a heavier duty bag than what I use.
Remember, the conventional wisdom on sleeping bags is that you should go 10 to 20 degrees colder by rating than the temperatures you’ll be braving.
What Temperature Rating Should a Winter Sleeping Bag Be?
There are a variety of cold weather sleeping bags out there, and that includes extreme weather AND casual family camping style sleeping bags. Another major element to examine prior to making your sleeping bag purchase is what the purpose of this sleeping bag will be.
If you are a rugged family man, you may be looking for a two-person sleeping bag for yourself and the Mrs.
If you are a rugged man flying solo, you may be looking for something lean and minimally invasive on your loadout.
No matter what type of rugged man you are, rest assured there is a sleeping bag for your extreme weather needs.
KNOWING YOUR ENVIRONMENT
Part of knowing which cold weather sleeping bag is right for you lies in knowing your environment.
If you are in the Tetons or Northern Minnesota, you are probably going straight past my -20 suggestion and looking at -40s.
But if you only deal with extremes when arctic blasts hit in a more temperate climate, then -20 will likely get you by.
If you are buying a sleeping bag for a trip to an extreme environment, then it behooves you to study it well and take heed of the temperature potential.
Do not underestimate the danger of sleeping in extreme conditions. If you are going to Montana to fish for winter trout, and it says -40 wind chill potential, then you damn well need to get yourself one of The 7 Most Extreme Cold Weather Sleeping Bags in 2022!
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The 7 Best Sleeping Bags for Extreme Cold Weather in 2022
ALPS OutdoorZ Redwood -25 Degree Flannel Sleeping Bag
The ALPS OutdoorZ Redwood is an incredibly comfortable sleeping bag that is also easy on the wallet.
The rectangular design offers amazing leg room and at -25 degree rating, you should be able to make it through some intense nights while enjoying the extra comfort this bag provides.
The oversized design and extra leg room comes at a cost as this sleeping bag is extra heavy at 13lbs. The 38”X80” dimensions also make the ALPS OutdoorZ Redwood a challenge if you are planning on making a long backpacking trek. What this sleeping bag is perfect for is a light to medium overnighter in a tent.
With all that said, if you pack a light load out or construct your shelter from bush materials while on a long trek, then perhaps this sleeping bag is right for you, as it is plush and cozy which is a nice reward for the hard work of building up your winter camp site, and the roll up straps compress the bag slightly offering a little assistance.
If you are going on winter hunting expeditions, especially in the mountains where more snowfall is prevalent, you may want to keep looking down this list; the 100% cotton construction is only protected by a canvas outer layer, and likely not ideal for excessive moisture.
I chose ALPS OutdoorZ Redwood -25 Degree Flannel Sleeping Bag in large part because of its quality, but also due to it’s incredible affordability, and consider it the luxury sedan of the list, because sometimes a little extra effort in hauling rewards you with an excellent night's sleep.
FEATURES & SPECS:
38” X 80” - dimensions
Zipper closure
100% Cotton (Canvas outer layer)
Flannel lined
Two-Layer Construction gives optimal heat retention and keeps out cold
-25 degree rating
13lbs total
8lbs fill weight
The High Peak Cascade -40 is a brute. There are a few features on this bag that made it stand out to me.
First off, it is ideal for winter expeditions, hunting in mountainous terrain, and the nylon outer layers make it more tolerant of wet conditions.
This depth makes the High Peak Cascade -40 a fine sleeping bag for your bug out pack too! I chose the extra large 34” wide X 86” long X 22” wide at the foot.
I like extra room in my sleeping bag, because I tend to turn from back to side. Despite the extra size, this sleeping bag weighs 8lbs in total and compresses down to 18”x12”x12” which is great for storage in your expedition pack.
The hood and drawstring is another feature I really like, the ability to pull the hood of the bag in around your head is absolutely crucial for the extreme elements and you will thank yourself for the ability to shut out cold air from circulating around your head.
To add to this, the High Peak Cascade -40 is equipped with a thermal collar to ensure your head and neck have the tools they need to stay warm. Remember, up to 70% of escaping body heat leaves you through your noggin, so take care to cover it in the extreme cold and you’ll save yourself from waking up with the sniffles or worse.
The final feature that really stands out about this sleeping bag is that it can be joined together with another sleeping bag by zipping them together side by side. So if you hit the backcountry hard, but occasionally like to have a nice night out with your honey, this bag is ideal for you.
I chose the High Peak Outdoors Cascade -40 Degree Sleeping Bag as the Sport Utility Vehicle of the list, because it can handle the extreme environments well, is lean enough to pack without a headache; and with the joining feature, can be converted into a two person sleeping bag with another compatible bag.
FEATURES & SPECS:
86”x 34”x (22” at the foot) - Extra Large
Zipper and drawstring closure type
Nylon outer material
Hood and drawstring closure with barrel lock
Thermal Collar
-40 degree rating
Can be joined side by side with another sleeping bag
If you plan on doing some serious expedition hunting, or trekking through extreme wintery conditions then we may have found your sleeping bag.
Made by the same company that made the first sleeping bag on our list, ALPS Mountaineering, the Browning Camping McKinely -30 Degree Sleeping Bag is perhaps the best-all-around.
At 36” x 90” it is massive, and there is no taper at your feet which means more leg room!
At 12lbs 12oz it is not light, but this bag is worth the extra effort to carry it through the wilderness. A compression stuff sack is included to help you wrangle the bag and make it manageable for transporting.
This sleeping bag also uses a two-layer construction to mitigate cold getting in and heat escaping. Browning has filled the Camping McKinley -30 with 7 denier TechLoft Silver insulation, which helps ensure that -30 rating means what it says.
The outer shell is made of 210T Nylon diamond rip-stop fabric with a brush polyester liner, which will go a long way towards repelling moisture. It’s hard to really pick a favorite feature for me on this sleeping bag because I like them all.
The Browning Camping McKinley -30 Sleeping Bag has everything you need to make it through a Northwestern hunting trip, while still being an amazing bag for short cozy jaunts. This is the crew-cab 4x4 full size pick-up of this list.
FEATURES & SPECS:
36” X 90”
12lbs 12oz total weight
Zipper Closure
210T diamond ripstop nylon outer material
Brushed Polyester liner
Filled with 7 Denier TechLoft Silver insulation
-30 Degree rating
Insulated chest and zipper baffle
Two-Layer Construction to trap heat and prevent cold getting in
Limited Lifetime Warranty
When it comes to preparedness, less than a few institutions rival a well-trained and well-provisioned military unit. It only follows that when preparing for the possibility of some of the coldest climates on earth while also needing range for milder temperatures, the United States military has developed one of the best sleeping bag systems you can own.
Other sleeping bags on this list are excellent, but to stay with the vehicle analogies, the US Military Genuine Issue Complete 4-Piece Modular Sleeping Bag System is the Mad-Max dune buggy of this list.
It can be assembled or disassembled to fit a range from 50 degrees to -40 degrees. That in and of itself makes this sleeping bag the most versatile on this list.
If you are going to the snowy and wet mountains, you absolutely cannot go wrong with this sleeping bag. It is a tad bulky at 10-12lbs, but keep in mind you are basically getting three sleeping bags and a bivy in one bag.
I recommend the Military Genuine Issue Complete 4-Piece Modular Sleeping Bag System for any prepper or survivalist who is looking through this list. It has all of the capabilities of the others on this list, with more warm weather versatility and a rain repelling bivy, which includes a gore-tex cover.
If you are an avid hunter and trek regularly into the wet mountains, you may want to take on the extra weight of this bag for it’s incredible effectiveness; because though it deploys to 76” X 35” X 23” it can be packed down to 17” X 13” X 13” with the attached stuff sack.
The Military Genuine Issue Complete 4-Piece Modular Sleeping Bag System is sold as new and as surplus, so check out your purchase prior to finalizing so that you are selecting the desired condition. If you are looking for which sleeping bag John J. Rambo would get, this is the one.
FEATURES & SPECS:
76” X 35” X 23” Deployed
Stuffs down to 17” X 13” X 13” in attached stuff sack
4 season rating: 50 degrees F to -40 degrees F (-50 degrees F “with proper clothing”)
Includes: Standard Patrol Sleeping Bag, with Intermediate, a Bivy, and a stuff sack
Genuine U.S. military issue, Made in the U.S.A.
Gore-Tex cover on Bivy
Mummy Style
9-12lbs depending on assembly
Nothing really insulates like down.
The Western Mountaineering Bison GWS -40 Degree Down Sleeping Bag is built to keep you insulated, and warm.
The Ruff & Offset Insulated Draft Tubes keep heat sealed in, and the collar is fully down with an external hood that is insulated as well.
42oz of 850+ down gets this sleeping bag a negative 40 degree rating and makes it perfect for any extreme cold environment.
The Gore windstopper fabric may be my favorite feature of this bag, as we all know it’s not the air temperature, but the wind that takes the gusto out of you.
The V-block baffles and side baffles keep the down from bunching and shifting, and ensures extended life.
The massive hood and collar are sealable, allowing you to put your entire face within the bag if you wish. We’ve all seen a photo of a bison with snow and ice caked on its face, this is the sleeping bag version of that.
With all that cold stopping power, the most amazing feature of the Western Mountaineering Bison GWS -40 Degree Down Sleeping Bag is hands down the size and weight.
The 6’0” model is 64” at the shoulder, 55” at the hip, 39” at the foot, and with 10” of heat trapping loft just weighs in at 4lbs and 10oz! That weight rating alone makes this bag a must if you are trekking many miles or expedition hiking through extreme colds.
This is the most durable and comfortable sleeping bag on the list, between the dimensions, the heat retention/cold prevention, and the virtually non-existent pack weight; it really can’t be beaten.
With all this comfort and capability paired together, it’s hard not to consider the Western Mountaineering Bison GWS -40 the Safari ready, snorkel equipped Range Rover from yesteryear.
FEATURES & SPECS:
6ft in length, 64” across shoulder, 55” across hips, 39” across feet
42oz of 850+ fill power Down
Gore windstopper exterior fabric
Double-Interlocking draft tubes
Gore windstopper collar
Insulated external hood
Totally sealable with external hood ruff
Rated for -40 degrees F
4lbs 10oz
Packs down to an 11” X 22” stuff sack
Marmot is one of the most dependable outdoor brands around. From jackets to sleeping bags, they make quality products that tend to be quite durable as well. The Marmot CWM -40 Down Sleeping Bag is no exception.
Much like our previous entry, this bag is built with all the comfort and durability you would expect from a top-of-the-line product. Marmot suggests this model for destinations such as the Himalayas and the Andes, so I think we can trust it is rated for the most extreme of extremes.
The outer membrane is a 2-layer Pertex Shield, and 30D nylon lining (pertex microlight). This makes the Marmot CWM -40 Down Sleeping Bag a worthy opponent to the rain and snow.
This sleeping bag is equipped with 800 fill goose down and is designed with the Alaskan interior in mind, as goose down is some of the warmest and most effective down product you can get.
Again, I have selected the 72” model, but 78” models are also available, and they taper gently also much like the Western Mountaineering Bison.
The Marmot CWM -40 Down Sleeping Bag is also quite light at 5lbs, and it packs down to 15” X 15” X 15” which makes it ideal for your winter wilderness long-hauls.
I personally like the perpendicular layout of the baffling, Marmot doesn’t really claim any added benefit from it other than it has more baffling than standard competing sleeping bags, which will absolutely lead to greater longevity, but I believe it makes the lay of the bag more comfortable.
The Marmot CWM -40 Down Sleeping Bag is definitely our oversized luxury SUV of the list. With a number of bags available that presumably can handle the toughest colds on earth, why not pick one whose inherent design is more durable and cozy?
FEATURES & SPECS:
72” in length
5lbs in weight
Mummy style
Packs down to 15” X 15” X 15”
800 Fill Goose Down
Rated for -40 degrees F
Outer membrane 2-layer Pertex Shield
Lining 30D Nylon (Pertex Microlight)
Reinforced Linings for added protection
Extra Baffling for greater service life
We are going to break our -20 rule for the sake of love. We all enjoy time with those we care for, and if you both have a passion for the outdoors then why sleep in separate sleeping bags? Body heat is a great way to stave off the extreme colds, and makes this 0 degree bag perform as if it’s a -20 rated.
The TETON Sports Fahrenheit Mammoth Queen-Size Double Sleeping Bag is probably the best double sleeping bag on the market for the extreme cold.
It is spacious at 94” X 62” and the soft flannel lining makes this bag so comfortable you and your love will not want to get out of it to stoke the fire the next morning.
Filled with SuperLoft Elite fill and the Taffeta shell make this sleeping bag no slouch on the tactical front either, so for all you preppers who are also family men, this bag is an excellent get.
The Fahrenheit Mammoth 0 is approximately 16.5lbs and packs down to 28” X 15.75” X 15.75” which makes it pretty reasonable to pack for its capability. The draft tubing definitely reinforces this sleeping bag’s cold weather credentials, and mummy style hood allows you both to hunker down tight if the night winds get cold.
I recommend this bag above all others for couples looking to make treks together in the extreme cold and consider it the conversion van of the list for its capacity.
FEATURES & SPECS:
94” X 62” Dimensions
Rated for 0 degrees F
16.5lbs in weight
Packs down to 28” X 15.75” X 15.75”
Taffeta Shell
Soft flannel lining
SuperLoft Elite Fill
Mummy-Style hood for added warmth and protection
“What would have become of Hercules, do you think, if there had been no lion, hydra, stag or boar, and no savage criminals to rid the world of? What would he have done in the absence of such challenges? Obviously he would have just rolled over in bed and gone back to sleep. So by snoring his life away in luxury and comfort he never would have developed into the mighty Hercules.”
— Epictetus
Remember venturing out into the extreme cold overnight is a dangerous endeavor. If you are new to it, you should spend some time studying the skills and knowledge available, and acquiring the equipment necessary.
Sleeping bags are only part of that equation. This list of The 7 Best Extreme Cold Weather Sleeping Bags in 2022 has given you just one of the tools needed to keep you resting a bit easier and warmer.
Stay right here with Rugged Man and take a look at a few more posts that can help to provide you with a well-rounded and enjoyable cold season in the great outdoors. Check out these articles:
The Best Cold Weather Hunting Gear: A Complete Checklist
Cold Weather Preparedness: Caught Off Guard, Hunting In The Mountains Of The Inland Northwest
Being aware of the basic and most important components of your cold weather gear and preps will free your mind to thoroughly enjoy some of the most majestic and awe-inspiring scenes mother nature has to offer.
Would Hercules have become the great and mighty Hercules if he had just rolled over in his warm bed and not pursued greatness? I think we know the answer, and I think those of us who seek nature be it warm, cold or in-between are in pursuit of our own version of that greatness.
Here’s to your pursuit. Remain Rugged!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ryan Smith is an avid hunter, angler, and outdoorsman based in central Kentucky.
Ryan spends between 60 and 110 days fishing each year.
He is a carpenter by trade, rugged by nature.
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