Three-season backpacking rewards a bag that’s warm enough for cool nights but light enough to carry all day. So this list shows only options standardized to roughly 30°F comfort or colder, then ranks them on warmth-to-weight, weight, packed size, and value.
Sleeping Bags | Gear Matrix
| Product | GearScore (3-Season) | Style | Fill | Comfort | Weight | W/wt | $ / warm | Packed | Fill Pwr | Price | Rating | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 87 | Quilt | Down | 32 °F | 19.0 oz | 7.1 /100g | $12 /warm | 3.1 L | 900 FP | $460 | Lab · ISO 23537 | ||
| 83 | Quilt | Down | 15 °F | 29.5 oz | 6.6 /100g | $8 /warm | 9.5 L | 850 FP | $439 | Maker rating | ||
| 82 | Quilt | Down | 25 °F | 26.0 oz | 6.1 /100g | $9 /warm | 8.0 L | 850 FP | $419 | Maker rating | ||
4 | 82 | Quilt | Down | 30 °F | 24.8 oz | 5.7 /100g | $6 /warm | 8.5 L | 850 FP | $250 | Maker rating | |
5 | 81 | Quilt | Down | 32 °F | 23.3 oz | 5.7 /100g | $11 /warm | 6.5 L | 850 FP | $399 | Maker rating | |
6 | 81 | Quilt | Down | 15 °F | 29.9 oz | 6.5 /100g | $8 /warm | 12.5 L | 850 FP | $449 | Maker rating | |
7 | 80 | Quilt | Down | 25 °F | 26.8 oz | 5.9 /100g | $10 /warm | 9.5 L | 850 FP | $429 | Maker rating | |
8 | 80 | Bag | Down | 31 °F | 22.3 oz | 6.2 /100g | $20 /warm | 5.0 L | 950 FP | $775 | EN/ISO tested | Buy |
9 | 80 | Quilt | Down | 32 °F | 23.9 oz | 5.6 /100g | $11 /warm | 8.0 L | 850 FP | $409 | Maker rating | |
10 | 79 | Bag | Down | 30 °F | 23.9 oz | 5.9 /100g | $16 /warm | 9.0 L | 950 FP | $639 | Maker rating | |
11 | 78 | Quilt | Down | 30 °F | 25.5 oz | 5.5 /100g | $14 /warm | 8.0 L | 950 FP | $559 | Maker rating | |
12 | 78 | Bag | Down | 20 °F | 29.8 oz | 5.9 /100g | $13 /warm | 11.0 L | 950 FP | $669 | Maker rating | |
13 | 77 | Bag | Down | 30 °F | 26.1 oz | 5.4 /100g | $14 /warm | 9.0 L | 900 FP | $569 | Maker rating | |
14 | 77 | Quilt | Down | 30 °F | 28.0 oz | 5.0 /100g | $12 /warm | 8.0 L | 900 FP | $499 | Maker rating | |
15 | 76 | Bag | Down | 21 °F | 2 lb 3.6 oz | 4.9 /100g | $8 /warm | 8.0 L | 850 FP | $399 | Lab · ISO 23537 | Buy |
16 | 75 | Quilt | Down | 30 °F | 18.3 oz | 7.7 /100g | $10 /warm | n/s | 950 FP | $419 | Maker rating | |
17 | 75 | Bag | Down | 20 °F | 2 lb 1.4 oz | 5.3 /100g | $13 /warm | 11.0 L | 900 FP | $639 | Maker rating | |
18 | 75 | Bag | Down | 26 °F | 2 lb 0.6 oz | 4.8 /100g | $15 /warm | 5.7 L | 800 FP | $680 | Lab · ISO 23537 | |
19 | 75 | Bag | Down | 30 °F | 29.2 oz | 4.8 /100g | $15 /warm | 9.0 L | 900 FP | $589 | Maker rating | |
20 | 74 | Bag | Down | 26 °F | 2 lb 5.4 oz | 4.2 /100g | $8 /warm | 8.1 L | 650 FP | $335 | EN 13537 tested | |
21 | 73 | Bag | Down | 27 °F | 2 lb 2.7 oz | 4.4 /100g | $12 /warm | 9.2 L | 800 FP | $499 | Lab · ISO 23537 | Buy |
22 | 73 | Bag | Down | 30 °F | 31.5 oz | 4.5 /100g | $15 /warm | 9.0 L | 900 FP | $599 | Maker rating | |
23 | 73 | Bag | Down | 29 °F | 2 lb 4.0 oz | 4.0 /100g | $10 /warm | 7.5 L | 750 FP | $419 | ISO 23537 tested | Buy |
24 | 72 | Bag | Down | 28 °F | 2 lb 7.0 oz | 3.8 /100g | $9 /warm | 6.2 L | 800 FP | $360 | Lab · ISO 23537 | Buy |
25 | 72 | Bag | Down | 12 °F | 2 lb 10.4 oz | 4.8 /100g | $13 /warm | 9.7 L | 800 FP | $780 | Lab · ISO 23537 | |
26 | 72 | Bag | Down | 25 °F | 2 lb 4.4 oz | 4.4 /100g | $16 /warm | 6.5 L | 800 FP | $720 | EN/ISO tested | Buy |
27 | 71 | Bag | Down | 27 °F | 2 lb 11.0 oz | 3.5 /100g | $7 /warm | 6.4 L | 650 FP | $300 | Lab · ISO 23537 | Buy |
28 | 71 | Bag | Down | 31 °F | 2 lb 7.0 oz | 3.5 /100g | $5 /warm | 10.7 L | 550 FP | $190 | Lab · ISO 23537 | Buy |
29 | 71 | Quilt | Down | 25 °F | 24.3 oz | 6.5 /100g | $8 /warm | n/s | 800 FP | $365 | Maker rating | |
30 | 71 | Bag | Down | 28 °F | 21.3 oz | 7.0 /100g | $15 /warm | n/s | 900 FP | $625 | Lab · ISO 23537 | |
31 | 70 | Quilt | Down | 30 °F | 19.2 oz | 7.4 /100g | n/s | n/s | 850 FP | n/s | Maker rating | |
32 | 70 | Bag | Down | 13 °F | 3 lb 2.1 oz | 4.0 /100g | $7 /warm | 11.3 L | 650 FP | $385 | EN 13537 tested | |
33 | 70 | Bag | Down | 32 °F | 20.0 oz | 6.7 /100g | $16 /warm | n/s | 900 FP | $600 | Lab · ISO 23537 | |
34 | 70 | Bag | Down | -2 °F | 3 lb 3.0 oz | 5.0 /100g | $14 /warm | 14.0 L | 850 FP | $984 | Lab · ISO 23537 | Buy |
35 | 69 | Bag | Synthetic | 31 °F | 2 lb 15.1 oz | 2.9 /100g | $3 /warm | 8.0 L | n/s | $129 | Lab · ISO 23537 | Buy |
36 | 68 | Bag | Down | 27 °F | 2 lb 12.0 oz | 3.4 /100g | $9 /warm | 10.7 L | 650 FP | $400 | Lab · ISO 23537 | Buy |
37 | 68 | Bag | Down | -8 °F | 3 lb 14.0 oz | 4.4 /100g | $9 /warm | 12.5 L | 800 FP | $680 | Lab · ISO 23537 | Buy |
38 | 68 | Bag | Down | 14 °F | 3 lb 4.0 oz | 3.8 /100g | $11 /warm | 9.6 L | 800 FP | $600 | Lab · ISO 23537 | Buy |
39 | 68 | Bag | Synthetic | 27 °F | 2 lb 14.0 oz | 3.3 /100g | $7 /warm | 11.2 L | n/s | $320 | Lab · ISO 23537 | Buy |
40 | 67 | Quilt | Down | 30 °F | 21.2 oz | 6.7 /100g | n/s | n/s | 850 FP | n/s | Maker rating | |
41 | 67 | Bag | Down | 13 °F | 3 lb 4.7 oz | 3.8 /100g | $10 /warm | 12.9 L | 650 FP | $560 | EN/ISO tested | |
42 | 67 | Bag | Synthetic | 24 °F | 3 lb 8.4 oz | 2.9 /100g | $4 /warm | 9.1 L | n/s | $179 | Lab · ISO 23537 | Buy |
43 | 66 | Quilt | Down | 32 °F | 26.0 oz | 5.2 /100g | $8 /warm | n/s | 650 FP | $310 | Lab · ISO 23537 | |
44 | 66 | Bag | Synthetic | 29 °F | 3 lb 5.0 oz | 2.7 /100g | $5 /warm | 10.6 L | n/s | $200 | Lab · ISO 23537 | Buy |
45 | 66 | Bag | Down | 22 °F | 2 lb 13.6 oz | 3.7 /100g | n/s | 7.9 L | 650 FP | n/s | ISO 23537 tested | Buy |
46 | 66 | Bag | Down | 29 °F | 25.7 oz | 5.6 /100g | $13 /warm | n/s | 850 FP | $549 | Lab · ISO 23537 | |
47 | 65 | Bag | Down | 25 °F | 28.6 oz | 5.6 /100g | $12 /warm | n/s | 800 FP | $550 | Maker rating | |
48 | 65 | Quilt | Down | 30 °F | 26.5 oz | 5.3 /100g | $12 /warm | n/s | 850 FP | $465 | Maker rating | |
49 | 65 | Bag | Down | 30 °F | 27.3 oz | 5.2 /100g | $11 /warm | n/s | 800 FP | $435 | Maker rating | |
50 | 64 | Quilt | Down | 30 °F | 29.1 oz | 4.8 /100g | $7 /warm | n/s | 850 FP | $285 | Maker rating | |
51 | 64 | Quilt | Down | 25 °F | 2 lb 1.0 oz | 4.8 /100g | $5 /warm | n/s | 800 FP | $220 | Maker rating | |
52 | 64 | Bag | Synthetic | 12 °F | 4 lb 2.1 oz | 3.1 /100g | $5 /warm | 11.3 L | n/s | $280 | Lab · ISO 23537 | |
53 | 64 | Bag | Down | 20 °F | 32.0 oz | 5.5 /100g | $15 /warm | n/s | 850 FP | $735 | Maker rating | |
54 | 63 | Bag | Down | 29 °F | 29.0 oz | 5.0 /100g | $11 /warm | n/s | 900 FP | $470 | Lab · ISO 23537 | Buy |
55 | 63 | Bag | Down | -30 °F | 3 lb 9.1 oz | 6.2 /100g | $10 /warm | n/s | 800 FP | $960 | Maker rating | |
56 | 63 | Bag | Synthetic | 27 °F | 3 lb 10.3 oz | 2.6 /100g | $6 /warm | 13.2 L | n/s | $239 | Lab · ISO 23537 | Buy |
57 | 63 | Bag | Synthetic | 25 °F | 3 lb 1.1 oz | 3.2 /100g | n/s | 8.8 L | n/s | n/s | Lab · ISO 23537 | Buy |
58 | 63 | Bag | Down | -10 °F | 3 lb 1.4 oz | 5.7 /100g | $10 /warm | n/s | 800 FP | $810 | Maker rating | |
59 | 63 | Quilt | Down | 30 °F | 27.9 oz | 5.1 /100g | $14 /warm | n/s | 950 FP | $579 | Maker rating | |
60 | 63 | Bag | Synthetic | 32 °F | 3 lb 10.0 oz | 2.3 /100g | $4 /warm | 12.9 L | n/s | $170 | Lab · ISO 23537 | Buy |
61 | 62 | Bag | Down | 14 °F | 2 lb 7.0 oz | 5.1 /100g | $11 /warm | n/s | 900 FP | $600 | Lab · ISO 23537 | |
62 | 62 | Bag | Down | -15 °F | 3 lb 12.4 oz | 5.0 /100g | $12 /warm | 30.0 L | 900 FP | $1009 | Maker rating | |
63 | 62 | Bag | Down | 20 °F | 2 lb 4.3 oz | 4.9 /100g | $12 /warm | n/s | 800 FP | $580 | Maker rating | |
64 | 62 | Bag | Down | 12 °F | 3 lb 12.0 oz | 3.4 /100g | $8 /warm | 21.0 L | 650 FP | $470 | ISO 23537 tested | Buy |
65 | 61 | Bag | Down | 30 °F | 29.0 oz | 4.9 /100g | $16 /warm | n/s | 850 FP | $630 | Maker rating | |
66 | 61 | Bag | Synthetic | -10 °F | 5 lb 1.1 oz | 3.5 /100g | $4 /warm | 16.2 L | n/s | $340 | Maker rating | |
67 | 61 | Bag | Down | 10 °F | 2 lb 10.0 oz | 5.0 /100g | $13 /warm | n/s | 800 FP | $750 | Maker rating | |
68 | 60 | Bag | Down | 30 °F | 2 lb 4.0 oz | 3.9 /100g | $6 /warm | n/s | 650 FP | $250 | Lab · ISO 23537 | |
69 | 60 | Quilt | Down | 30 °F | 2 lb 1.5 oz | 4.2 /100g | $11 /warm | n/s | 850 FP | $425 | Maker rating | |
70 | 60 | Bag | Down | -15 °F | 3 lb 7.0 oz | 5.5 /100g | $12 /warm | n/s | 850 FP | $1040 | Maker rating | |
71 | 59 | Bag | Down | 25 °F | 32.0 oz | 5.0 /100g | n/s | n/s | 850 FP | n/s | Maker rating | |
72 | 59 | Bag | Down | 30 °F | 31.0 oz | 4.6 /100g | $19 /warm | n/s | 850 FP | $767 | Maker rating | Buy |
73 | 59 | Bag | Down | 30 °F | 2 lb 3.6 oz | 4.0 /100g | $11 /warm | n/s | 700 FP | $440 | EN/ISO tested | |
74 | 59 | Bag | Down | 0 °F | 3 lb 2.0 oz | 4.9 /100g | $14 /warm | n/s | 850 FP | $950 | Maker rating | |
75 | 59 | Bag | Down | 10 °F | 2 lb 12.0 oz | 4.8 /100g | $15 /warm | n/s | 850 FP | $922 | Maker rating | Buy |
76 | 59 | Bag | Down | 26 °F | 2 lb 0.3 oz | 4.8 /100g | n/s | n/s | 800 FP | n/s | Maker rating | |
77 | 59 | Bag | Down | 32 °F | 2 lb 3.0 oz | 3.8 /100g | $11 /warm | n/s | 650 FP | $400 | Lab · ISO 23537 | |
78 | 58 | Bag | Down | 30 °F | 2 lb 4.0 oz | 3.9 /100g | $11 /warm | n/s | 850 FP | $450 | Maker rating | |
79 | 58 | Bag | Down | 14 °F | 2 lb 7.3 oz | 5.0 /100g | n/s | n/s | 850 FP | n/s | Lab · ISO 23537 | |
80 | 58 | Bag | Down | 15 °F | 2 lb 7.0 oz | 5.0 /100g | n/s | n/s | 850 FP | n/s | Maker rating | |
81 | 58 | Bag | Down | 12 °F | 3 lb 0.9 oz | 4.2 /100g | $10 /warm | n/s | 800 FP | $579 | Lab · ISO 23537 | |
82 | 57 | Bag | Down | 25 °F | 2 lb 5.0 oz | 4.3 /100g | $17 /warm | n/s | 850 FP | $785 | Maker rating | |
83 | 57 | Bag | Down | 0 °F | 3 lb 5.0 oz | 4.7 /100g | $13 /warm | n/s | 900 FP | $929 | Maker rating | |
84 | 57 | Bag | Synthetic | 30 °F | 2 lb 13.0 oz | 3.1 /100g | $3 /warm | n/s | n/s | $110 | Maker rating | |
85 | 57 | Bag | Synthetic | 10 °F | 3 lb 8.3 oz | 3.8 /100g | $3 /warm | n/s | n/s | $209 | Maker rating | Buy |
86 | 57 | Bag | Synthetic | 30 °F | 2 lb 11.4 oz | 3.3 /100g | $5 /warm | n/s | n/s | $200 | Maker rating | |
87 | 57 | Bag | Down | -21 °F | 4 lb 3.7 oz | 4.7 /100g | $8 /warm | n/s | 700 FP | $700 | Maker rating | |
88 | 56 | Bag | Synthetic | 32 °F | 2 lb 12.0 oz | 3.0 /100g | $4 /warm | n/s | n/s | $160 | Lab · ISO 23537 | |
89 | 55 | Bag | Down | 25 °F | 2 lb 6.0 oz | 4.2 /100g | n/s | n/s | 850 FP | n/s | Maker rating | |
90 | 55 | Bag | Synthetic | 30 °F | 3 lb 3.0 oz | 2.8 /100g | $2 /warm | n/s | n/s | $79.95 | Maker rating | |
91 | 55 | Bag | Synthetic | 30 °F | 3 lb 0.0 oz | 2.9 /100g | $5 /warm | n/s | n/s | $220 | Maker rating | |
92 | 55 | Bag | Down | 30 °F | 3 lb 0.0 oz | 2.9 /100g | $6 /warm | n/s | 550 FP | $230 | Maker rating | |
93 | 55 | Bag | Down | 30 °F | 2 lb 4.2 oz | 3.9 /100g | n/s | n/s | 600 FP | n/s | Maker rating | Buy |
94 | 54 | Bag | Down | 12 °F | 3 lb 7.7 oz | 3.7 /100g | $10 /warm | n/s | 700 FP | $600 | EN/ISO tested | |
95 | 53 | Bag | Synthetic | 30 °F | 5 lb 7.3 oz | 1.6 /100g | $4 /warm | 19.0 L | n/s | $149 | Maker rating | Buy |
96 | 53 | Bag | Down | 18 °F | 3 lb 10.0 oz | 3.2 /100g | $9 /warm | n/s | 650 FP | $470 | ISO 23537 tested | Buy |
97 | 53 | Bag | Down | 15 °F | 3 lb 4.0 oz | 3.7 /100g | $18 /warm | n/s | 850 FP | $990 | Maker rating | |
98 | 51 | Bag | Synthetic | 32 °F | 2 lb 9.6 oz | 3.2 /100g | n/s | n/s | n/s | n/s | Lab · ISO 23537 | |
99 | 51 | Bag | Synthetic | 30 °F | 2 lb 12.0 oz | 3.2 /100g | n/s | n/s | n/s | n/s | Maker rating | Buy |
100 | 50 | Bag | Down | 15 °F | 4 lb 5.5 oz | 2.8 /100g | $6 /warm | n/s | 550 FP | $310 | Maker rating | |
101 | 49 | Bag | Synthetic | 30 °F | 3 lb 1.0 oz | 2.9 /100g | n/s | n/s | n/s | n/s | Maker rating | Buy |
102 | 49 | Bag | Down | -10 °F | 4 lb 7.3 oz | 4.0 /100g | n/s | n/s | 800 FP | n/s | Maker rating | |
103 | 48 | Bag | Synthetic | 30 °F | 4 lb 6.9 oz | 2.0 /100g | $3 /warm | n/s | n/s | $109 | Maker rating | |
104 | 43 | Bag | Synthetic | 30 °F | 5 lb 10.0 oz | 1.6 /100g | $3 /warm | n/s | n/s | $110 | Maker rating | Buy |
105 | 43 | Bag | Synthetic | 30 °F | 6 lb 0.0 oz | 1.5 /100g | $4 /warm | 38.2 L | n/s | $180 | Maker rating | Buy |
106 | 37 | Quilt | Down | 30 °F | n/s | n/s | $6 /warm | 8.5 L | 850 FP | $240 | Maker rating | |
107 | 29 | Bag | Synthetic | 30 °F | 9 lb 8.0 oz | 0.9 /100g | $5 /warm | n/s | n/s | $220 | Maker rating | Buy |
108 | 24 | Quilt | Down | 30 °F | n/s | n/s | $7 /warm | n/s | 850 FP | $275 | Maker rating | |
109 | 19 | Quilt | Synthetic | 30 °F | n/s | n/s | n/s | n/s | n/s | n/s | Maker rating | |
110 | 19 | Quilt | Down | 30 °F | n/s | n/s | n/s | n/s | n/s | n/s | Maker rating |
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Scatter plot
Plot any spec against any other to see the tradeoffs. Point color is the GearScore; size and shape are yours to assign. Hover any point for the details.
The full picture
A comfort rating near 30°F is the widely used three-season target, since it covers spring, summer, and fall nights on cool but not frozen ground. We gate this list at that mark using a standardized comfort temperature. Lab EN/ISO numbers are used as published, and maker numbers are standardized to a comfort-equivalent, so every option here is warm enough before ranking begins.
Once a bag clears the warmth gate, the ranking leads on warmth-to-weight and low weight, because those are what you notice on the trail once you’re warm enough. Quilts and minimalist bags place well here. Dropping the hood, back insulation, and full zip sheds ounces for the same top-side warmth, as long as you pair a quilt with a warm pad. If you’d rather weight things differently, the presets and the GearScore algorithm re-sort around your priorities.
For most backpackers, three-season is the sweet spot. A ~30°F bag handles the majority of nights without the weight of a dedicated winter bag. Match the rating to the coldest ground you’ll realistically sleep on, not the coldest you can imagine. Chasing an unnecessarily cold rating mostly costs you ounces that you feel on every mile.
Common questions
What temperature rating do I need for 3-season backpacking?
A comfort rating around 30°F suits most spring-through-fall trips. If you run cold or camp at elevation in the shoulder seasons, stepping toward 20°F adds margin for a small weight cost. This page gates at roughly 30°F comfort, so every option shown clears the three-season bar.
Is a quilt a good 3-season choice?
Yes, for many backpackers. A quilt removes the crushed insulation under your body (which does little anyway), the hood, and the full zip, which saves weight and bulk for the same top-side warmth. That only holds if you use a pad with enough R-value, since the quilt relies on it for your underside. Side sleepers and cold sleepers sometimes prefer the enclosure of a bag.
Down or synthetic for 3-season use?
Down gives the best warmth-to-weight and packs the smallest, which is why down options rank high here. Synthetic is cheaper and more forgiving when wet. For typical three-season trips where you can keep gear dry, most weight-conscious backpackers choose down.
Can I use a 3-season bag in winter?
It’s a gamble. A ~30°F bag is built for cool ground, not snow, where heat loss climbs sharply. For reliable winter warmth, choose a bag rated near 15°F or colder, add an insulated liner, or pair it with a warmer pad. On cold ground the pad matters as much as the bag.
Bang for Your Buck
Dollars per point of GearScore. The lower the number, the more quality you get for your money. Each bar carries both metrics at once: a solid bar for the highlighted one over a faded ghost of the other. Sorted to the best value first, and always scored by the algorithm you've set above.
GearScore Algorithm
A GearScore ranks products on objective, published specs only, never opinions. It starts on a pre-tuned default; make it yours below, or pick a "Best for" preset up top.
Customize your algorithm
Answer a few quick questions, or grab the sliders yourself. Nothing changes the ranking until you apply it. Then everything re-sorts.