There are all kinds of sleeping bags for sale designed for cold-weather use, but what about warm weather sleeping bags? It’s just as important to sleep comfortably in the summer as it is the rest of the year, so we took a deep dive into the warm weather sleeping bag market.
When buying a sleeping bag for warm weather camping, we’re looking for rectangular sleeping bags that have high-temperature ratings above 50 degrees. Ventilation is also a huge plus!
Keep reading to see our favorite warm weather sleeping bags. We’ll also walk you through all the things to consider before buying a warm weather sleeping bag and frequently asked questions by buyers.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
Coleman All-Weather Sleeping Bag
Best for Budgets:
SWTMERRY Sleeping Bag 3 Seasons
Best 2-Person Sleeping Bag:
CANWAY Sleeping Lightweight Waterproof Sleeping Bag
Best for Tall People:
Coleman Kompact 40 Big & Tall
Best for Kids:
REI Co-op Kindercamp 40 Sleeping Bag
Best Overall
Coleman All-Weather Sleeping Bag
Buying a different sleeping bag for every season can really add up. The Coleman All-Weather Sleeping Bag is the solution. This sleeping bag comes with three layers and four comfort options, so you can stay comfortable when it’s 60 degrees and higher or below freezing!
No matter what time of year it is, you’re going to sleep well with this perfect-for warm weather sleeping bag. Remove all the layers and then cover up with the lightweight fleece sheet, permitting breathability and warm-weather comfort.
This sleeping bag is also machine washable, so you can easily throw it in the washer when you get home. This sleeping bag is ideal for people up to 5 feet 11 inches.
Pros
- One sleeping bag set does it all
- Two zip together for double the room
- Easy to pack up
Cons
- Takes up a lot of space
- Not for people 6 feet and over
Best for Budgets
SWTMERRY Sleeping Bag
If you’re on a budget, the SWTMERRY 3-Season Sleeping Bag is an excellent choice. Rated for temperatures 41 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit with comfort temperature being between 50 to 68 degrees, this sleeping bag will keep you comfortable on most warm summer nights.
This sleeping bag has a foot zipper, so you can vent your feet at night. It also packs up small for backpacking trips.
The dimensions are 86.6 H x 29.5 W, and tall people have mixed reviews about whether or not this sleeping bag is comfortable for them.
Pros
- Weighs just 3 pounds
- Added ventilation
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Zipper doesn’t stay up
- Cheap materials that will fall apart if machine washed
Best 2-Person Sleeping Bag
CANWAY Sleeping Lightweight Waterproof Sleeping Bag
If you’re camping with someone special or just want a sleeping bag with more room, consider buying the CANWAY Sleeping Lightweight Waterproof Sleeping Bag for all your warm weather sleeping bag needs. This perfect-for-warm weather sleeping bag is also designed for all seasons.
This 2-person sleeping bag can be combined for one large cozy bed or separated for use as two separate sleeping bags. A compression bag with straps is included in that package, so you can conveniently store and carry your sleeping bag.
It’s great for summer nights around 50 degrees, and its dimensions are 87” L x 60” W. The lining is designed from skin-friendly flannel. It also comes with a 2-year warranty.
Pros
- Easy to clean and machine washable
- Let your feet out to cool down
- Unzips all the way for ventilation
Cons
- Pillows are smaller than an iPad
- Difficult to roll back up
- Too small for tall people
Best for Tall People
Coleman Kompact 40 Big & Tall
Being a tall person comes with struggles, and finding a sleeping bag that fits perfectly is one of them. If you’re tall and prepping for a summer camping trip, look no further than the Coleman Kompact 40 Big & Tall.
This sleeping bag provides plenty of room for taller people and has a comfort limit of 50 degrees Fahrenheit, certified by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards. It fits people who are as tall as 6 foot 5 inches and fits shoulder girths up to 78 inches.
This is a semi-rectangular sleeping bag, which makes it good for mid-temperature ranges seen on summer nights since it retains heat better than rectangular designs.
Pros
- Coleman offers a 5-year warranty
- Easy to clean
- Snag-free zipper
Cons
- Heavier tall people may not find this sleeping bag comfortable
Best for Kids
REI Co-op Kindercamp 40 Sleeping Bag
Summer means backyard campouts and scout trips. Make sure your kids have the REI Co-Op Kindercamp 40 Sleeping Bag for warm weather camping. This rectangular sleeping bag is made from durable water repellent to help moisture bead down the surface (making it more water resistant).
Designed specifically for people who love the environment, this sleeping bag was crafted with recycled materials. Its square shape gives kids plenty of room to move around, and it can also be used as a quilt. The 2-way zipper allows your kids to easily allow air in their sleeping bag on hot nights!
The warm weather sleeping bag weighs only 3 lbs 1 oz, making it a great fit for backpacking or overnight scout trips in the wilderness. It fits kids up to 5 feet tall.
Pros
- Easy to vent
- Versatile sleeping bag
- Fun colors that both boys and girls love
Cons
- Difficult for kids to roll up on their own
Warm Weather Sleeping Bags Buyer’s Considerations
Temperature Rating
A sleeping bag’s temperature rating is the lowest degree a sleeping bag will keep the average sleeper warm.
When looking for warm weather sleeping bags, ideally, you want a sleeping bag that is rated for temperatures 50 or greater.
However, keep in mind that even warm summer days can turn into cool summer nights, so sleeping bags rated for 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit can still make great warm weather sleeping bags, especially if they have the right ventilation or the ability to unzip completely for use as a blanket.
Zippers
Warm weather sleeping bags often have added zippers near the feet or in other parts to allow ventilation. A 2-way zipper can also function as ventilation because you can zip the sleeping bag all the way down, then open it where you need to.
With all sleeping bags, pay attention to whether the main zipper is on the left or right side. A right-handed person will find it easier to open a right-sided zipper and vice versa.
Insulation
Two types of insulation are common in all types of sleeping bags: down and synthetic, and the type of insulation does make a difference.
Down
Down insulation is known for being made from birds of a feather, and it is actually made from duck or goose plumage. The plumage is the soft material under the feathers, so technically it’s not the feather themselves.
This type of insulation is warm and known for having a long lifespan. However, it is not perfect, and there are downsides to down insulation.
One, it can be known as a skin irritator, and down allergies are the number one cause of itchy sleeping bags. Two, down insulation is not breathable and loses its ability to insulate in wet conditions.
We do not recommend down sleeping bags for warm weather camping because they tend to be too hot in the summer.
Synthetic
Synthetic insulation is popular for warm weather sleeping bags. It is man-made and can be made from a variety of different types of materials. It’s safe to assume that if it’s not down, it’s synthetic.
This type of insulation is also hypoallergenic, which those with sensitive skin can appreciate. It is not as warm as down insulation, which makes it a great choice for warm weather sleeping bags.
Synthetic insulation is also the best choice for rainy conditions because it holds up better when wet and dries quickly. It’s more breathable than down insulation and is cheaper.
However, because it is cheaper, synthetic insulation wears down over time faster than its down counterpart.
Materials
Outer
Polyester and nylon are common outer materials for all types of sleeping bags because they are water-resistant and easy to clean.
Pongee is an anti-mold material appearing in present-day warm weather sleeping bags because it is durable and finer than nylon and polyester. This allows manufacturers to weave a higher thread count to strengthen the material while remaining lightweight and strong.
However, purchasing nylon and polyester sleeping bags with lower thread counts is not a bad idea because they are cooler than higher thread counts, making them ideal warm weather sleeping bags.
Pongee also does not fade as easily in sunlight when compared to nylon and polyester, so you don’t have to worry about leaving it out in the sun on warm summer days.
Inner
You need breathable, lightweight materials inside your sleeping bag. Flannel and cotton make excellent inner materials for warm weather sleeping bags.
Look for flannels that are made from 100% cotton! Cotton is one of the best warm-weather materials, period.
Length and Width
Sleeping bags are sized by their length, so this is the first number to pay attention to when buying a warm weather sleeping bag (or any sleeping bag at all). People 6 feet and taller tend to have the most difficulty finding a comfortable fit, especially if they carry a little extra weight.
Sleeping bags generally don’t fit like gloves, even those designed for taller people. Ideally, you should have extra room because when we lie flat, our spines decompress, causing our feet to stretch forward.
So just because a sleeping bag says it is 78 inches long, that doesn’t mean you will find it comfortable at 6 feet tall. Generally, you want at least 8 extra inches.
The width should come into play when finding a sleeping bag that’s the right size. A sleeping bag should be the length of your shoulders plus 10 inches to fit comfortably.
Weight
The good news is most warm weather sleeping bags are fairly lightweight, which is great news for backpackers. The best backpacking sleeping bags are around 2-3 pounds.
Generally, extra weight comes with added warmth. A sleeping bag that is too heavy is not going to be great for camping in hot weather.
Shape
The three most common shapes of sleeping bags are mummy, rectangular, and hybrid.
Mummy
A mummy sleeping bag is designed to look like an Egyptian mummy case, and they have less room at the bottom to keep your feet warm. These sleeping bags make excellent winter sleeping bags, but warm weather sleeping bags, not so much.
Rectangular
These sleeping bags are the traditional rectangular sleeping bags you’re familiar with and work best as warm weather sleeping bags. They are breathable and allow you to be less constricted in your sleeping bag.
Semi Rectangular
These sleeping bags are a mix of mummy and rectangular. They’re sometimes referred to as the “modified mummy” or the “barrel” shape. They can work as warm weather sleeping bags. In fact, we recommend them for cool summer nights as they offer a mix of roominess and warmth.
Warm Weather Sleeping Bags Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a sleeping bag in warm weather?
A warm weather sleeping bag is not the best fit for every type of camper. If you are someone who’s over 6 feet tall, you might have better luck sleeping in a hammock on warm summer nights. If you’re tall and heavy, we recommend the Covacure Camping Hammock.
Hammock camping also has some amazing health benefits to consider, like less snoring, acid reflux reduction, and reduced chronic headaches.
Another perk to hammocks is they tend to be more lightweight and compressible than most sleeping bags, so they’re easier to carry on camping trips.
Are 3-season sleeping bags good for warm weather use?
Most 3-season sleeping bags work well as warm weather sleeping bags. A 3-season sleeping bag is considered one of the most versatile types of sleeping bag and performs well in most weather conditions.
Wrapping Up Warm Weather Sleeping Bags
Now you know all about the best warm weather sleeping bags.
Looking for more gear recommendations? Check out our Camping Gear section.
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
Nicole Kinkade grew up in campgrounds in the Midwest with her family in their RV and has many fond memories around the campfire. She and her husband took many tent camping trips at the beginning of their relationship, and she looks forward to sharing the outdoors with her young son as he gets older.
She loves discovering new camping techniques and sharing them with the world. With a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Media Communication, she is a passionate writer who loves sharing her knowledge online.
Nicole can be reached at nicolek.author@gmail.com