If you are interested in ultralight sleeping bags, you will probably be carrying yours and want to keep your load down. Beyond saving weight, you may also want to reduce bulk so your packed bag fits easily into a cycle pannier or motorcycle top box.
Here at RayonRando, we present a selection of sleeping bags weighing less than 1kg. Why this weight limit? To show you sleeping bags that are easy to carry and easy to pack into your backpack.
We have also tailored our selection to different needs:
- Sleeping under shelter, where you do not need much thermal protection.
- Sleeping in a tent in the mountains in summer, with changeable weather but no sub-zero temperatures.
- Sleeping with room to move: you want something lightweight without feeling restricted.
- Sleeping in a tent as temperatures fall, for 3-season wild camping in potentially cold conditions.
Bear in mind that the comfort temperature is a European standard, but it is by no means a guarantee that everyone, in every situation, will necessarily feel warm at that temperature. Read our article ‘Choosing your sleeping bag’ to understand the temperature ratings properly.
For sleeping under shelter:
Wilsa Down Ultralite 150:
460 g; Comfort: +10°C / Limit: +6°C
A sleeping bag weighing less than 500g and packing down to the size of a water bottle. It slips easily into a small or medium-capacity backpack for sleeping under shelter in mild temperatures. This could be useful on the Camino de Santiago, for example, or for sleeping in mountain huts. It is also an option for trail runners tackling a GR long-distance trail with an inevitably lightweight backpack.
Millet Baikal 750:
870 g; Comfort: +10°C / Limit: +6°
A balance between weight and price. It is not the lightest, but its affordable price makes it an appealing compromise. This is down to its synthetic fill, whereas most ultralight sleeping bags use down.
For sleeping in a tent in the mountains in summer:
Wilsa Down Ultralite 300:
675 g; Comfort: +6°C / Limit: 0°C
The all-rounder. This sleeping bag is compact, soft and pleasant to the touch, as well as versatile. It is well suited to sleeping in a tent in the mountains in summer, in varying temperatures. It has only a short zip, which explains its weight and performance at a reasonable price.
Millet Light Down 5:
500 g; Comfort: +10°C / Limit: +5°C
For summer temperatures. This high-performance sleeping bag uses hydrophobic-treated down to optimise loft. However, it is only suitable for summer temperatures. Avoid wild camping at altitude.
Wilsa Kl 250:
800 g; Comfort: +5°C / Limit: -1°C
A balance between weight and price. Lightweight, compact and suitable for wild camping in the mountains, this down bag also stands out for its very attractive price given its performance.
Sea to Summit Spark Sp II
500 g; Comfort: +4°C / Limit: -2°C
Super light, lofty and soft, thanks to its very high-quality hydrophobic-treated down. This is the premium sleeping bag for hiking in the mountains in summer.
Ultralight, with room to move:
Ferrino Lightec 800 Sm:
760 g; Comfort: +3°C / Limit: -2°C
This is a mummy-shaped sleeping bag, but unlike most of its competitors it has a full-length two-way zip. This means you can open it right out like a blanket on warm nights. In mild temperatures, you can open just the foot end. And of course you can close it completely when it gets cold.
Husky Drumy -10:
1 kg; Comfort: +7°C / Limit: +3°C
A rectangular sleeping bag, wide from head to foot so you can move around. Thanks to its down fill, it is one of the few rectangular sleeping bags compact enough to take wild camping. Its full-length zip lets you cover or uncover yourself to suit the temperature.
For sleeping in a tent when temperatures fall:
Thermarest Hyperion 20/-6:
600 g; Comfort: 0°C / Limit: -6°C
For 3-season wild camping where conditions may be cold. High-quality hydrophobic-treated down optimises weight and packed size. It packs down very small, but a few minutes after you unpack it, it looks as though it has been inflated.
Conclusion:
This selection of 10 ultralight sleeping bags caters for different activities and needs while meeting the requirements of ‘under 1 kg and compact’.
Be careful: choosing the lightest possible sleeping bag can be tempting, but you risk feeling cold. Always prioritise sufficient thermal protection before looking at weight.
Our range at RayonRando.com is much broader than these 10 sleeping bags. On the website, you will find bags that are sometimes a little heavier but offer features you may find useful: synthetic fill, price, a long zip, generous sizing and more.
Visit our website and get in touch for advice.