At an approximate price of $584.95 – $605.00, the Western Mountaineering Badger MF sleeping bag is an ideal alternative to the Sonic Down and costs just a bit more for an array of beneficial features. Breathability 4 / 5. All images are the property of their respective owners. Short version is- I love this sleeping bag and highly recommend it. I was able to give it a good test last night and was very pleased with it. The Kyan is neither. Those backpackers and trail seekers who dare to venture into high elevations for the breathtaking views and displays of nature or areas known for plummeting night temperatures in the north or the desert require sleeping bags that can paradoxically trap heat when and where it counts while allowing ventilation for valuable airflow. Backpacker reviews the NEMO Forte 35, the sleeping bag with the best value in 2020. The major advantage to choosing the Sonic Down over the Versalite is that you have the option to gain up to 78 inches room as opposed to only 72 inches of height. Although there are sleeping bags designed specifically for women in mind, the Sonic Down is of a unisex design and can accommodate the average backpacker. Lastly, insulation can be another determining factor in the journey to find the best solution for you. I’m one of those people that prefers a sleeping bag to blankets when I travel, and when I sleep in the outdoors, I’m looking for cozy. Furthermore, synthetic down may be more dependable for outdoorsmen heading to wet climates. Western Mountaineering Sequoia MicroFiber Sleeping Bag: Comfort and Protection... Western Mountaineering Apache GWS Sleeping Bag: Best Insulation at an Affordable... Hyke & Byke Snowmass 0-Degree Sleeping Bag: A Lightweight Bag with Perfect... Best Survival Lighter: Your Trustworthy Pal in Cold Times of Need, Best Bushcraft Knife: One Way Ticket to Comfort and Survival. The Nemo Sonic -20F Sleeping Bag is the one I tested, there’s also a Nemo Sonic 0F Sleeping Bag and for the fair-weather campers the Nemo Sonic 15F Sleeping Bag. JUMP TO A BRAND: FEATHERED FRIENDS / WESTERN MOUNTAINEERING / MARMOT / REI CO-OP / THERM-A-REST / PATAGONIA / ZPACKS / ENLIGHTENED EQUIPMENT / NEMO There are a huge number of sleeping bag brands out there, catering to all different sections of the market. Comfort/Fit 3 / 5. The general rule of thumb is to go for size L if you are taller than 6 ft. (180 cm). Ultralight sleeping bags do not come cheap, however, the REI Co-op Magma 30 is much more competitively priced than a few and worth the investment if you are a regular backpacker or intending a multi-day trek. Another key factor of the Sonic Down is its compressibility, which is a term that refers to the decrease of volume made possible by the material. Using this method, you can safely determine what features you can compromise on without giving up too many of the design details you would really appreciate having in the wilderness. When packed down for travel by foot or any other means, the Sonic Down compresses to roughly 18 by nine inches in diameter, or six-and-a-half liters in volume. This sleeping bag is available in regular and long styles to accommodate a wide range of body types and user preferences. Whether you are on the hunt for a reliable sleeping bag for your winter desert camping trip or you are headed on a summer alpine backpacking expedition, choosing the right equipment is imperative to enjoying the overall experience. Nemo's spoon shape provides more room at the knees and elbows, which allows people to shift positions smoother throughout the night. Warmth-to-weight 3 / 5. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to the use of cookies. Luckily, we are here to help. I’ve yet to wake up in the morning cocooned in a twisted mess of a sleeping bag. If you tend to explore or hike in wetter climates or during months that are known for inclement weather, the Sonic Down offers a better value than the Badger MF. As with any product you purchase in-store or online, deciding whether a product is right for you depends on the type of trips you take most often as well as your requirements for comfort, resistance to elements, and overall value. In this review, we will discuss the benefits this sleep system has to offer as well as some of the considerations you should make before deciding to invest. What makes the Nemo Forte 20 Sleeping bag so amazing? Interestingly, the Badger MF compresses down to an average weight of two pounds and eight ounces, whereas our reviewed sleeping bag ranges from approximately two pounds and six ounces to two pounds and nine ounces in total weight. We set out to explore some of the best sleeping bags in the business made by Western Mountaineering and Big Agnes. Unless you intend on towing a tent along with you, which may not be feasible for hikers with deadlines or records to beat, the sleeping bag you choose can come between you and the proportionate amount of rest you need to remain healthy and balanced while far away from home. When it comes to choosing the right sleep system for maximum comfort and protection, there are a wide variety of features you need to take into consideration. Better yet, you also gain a polyurethane coating that gives you the advantage in damp environments while remaining flexible in sleep and in packing. Founded in 2002, they’re a relatively young company and maybe that is some of the reason that I hadn’t previously taken any adventures with NEMO gear along. There are also built-in pillow pockets to accommodate your favorite pillow or one of the exclusive Big Agnes pillows. Philip Werner NEMO, Sleeping Bag Reviews, Winter Hiking Gear The NEMO Sonic 0 Down Sleeping Bag has Thermo-Gills that let you vent the warmth of the bag up to 20 degrees without introducing drafts. For starters, this sleeping bag boasts Thermo Gills that allow you to regulate the warmth factor on mild nights by as much as 20°F, without letting cold drafts inside. Most of the sleeping bags in this performance class offer three-quarter zippers to save on materials as well as heat retention. Read this review to find out more about it. Prior to this review, I had never worked with NEMO Equipment. The Big Agnes Mystic SL 15 Degree Down sleeping Bag is another choice alternative to the Sonic Down, at approximately $349.96 – $539.95. If you are camping with friends or loved ones, you can even join sleeping bags to create a large sleeping area on warm nights by mating their left and right models together. The Sonic Down boasts duck down, which offers ultimate loft and warmth at minimal weight. Best Sleeping Bag Brands of 2020. The Sonic Down, on the other hand, comes with a full-length center zipper that offers supreme accessibility without compromising on warmth. This is the smallest and lightest sleeping bag in our evaluation, and we discovered that the Magma is comfy but narrow. All 3 bags are available in either regular or long sizes. Price $350.00. Outside temperature was 37 with 78% humidity. The Mystic SL also includes a 70-inch YKK #5 zipper that comes in either left- or right-hand designs. Every top-of-the-line sleeping bag offers a unique set of design features that are of more value to some than they are to others. The comfort rating is perfect for light winter hiking, yet anything colder than 15.6°F requires additional protection. Each of these sleeping bags is comparable in cost, temperature resistance, and design. Nemo riff 15 sleeping bag is ultralight and ultra-compression as backpacking sleeping bags are all about weights. Nemo Disco 15 Review: The Sleeping Bag Made for Side Sleepers. This bag is designed with side sleepers in mind, because it has more room around the elbows and knees. Additional benefits or better-quality materials often equate to higher price points. The Sonic Down is a traditional mummy bag, so it may not be the best choice for large hikers that require a little extra space. I’m a stomach/side sleeper, and the Rhythm 25 gives me plenty of room to move around during the night. Another cool feature of the Sonic Down is its unique stretch stitching construction at the knees. Packability 3 / 5. Nemo’s Sonic Down Sleeping Bag is best suited to backpacking. and with a packed size of 11.5 X 7.5 in … Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Nemo Rhumba Down Sleeping Bag (Long) 15F/-9C at Amazon.com. Sleeping bags with low temperature ratings are notoriously heavier due to higher quality materials. Paying close to half a grand for a sleeping bag may seem a hefty investment for beginning backpackers and casual outdoor enthusiasts, but adequate rest and safety are two adventure details you cannot overlook. Mummy bags are specially designed to retain heat while saving on packed space. At a price point of approximately $429.95 – $559.95, the Sonic Down delivers a decent value. Ordinarily sleeping bags filled with synthetic insulation are heavy and bulky. As discussed, most of the top sleeping bags in the field come with a storage sack of some kind. At a medium weight of over two pounds, the down fill benefits and added features may not be worth the extra weight added to your pack. All rights reserved. Although the Sonic Down does include an internal draft collar, the Versalite boasts a full collar that is cut from a larger piece of fabric than the exterior, which creates a loose down-filled fabric that hugs your head for maximum comfort and locked warmth. Western Mountaineering relies purely on the quality and craftsmanship found in each bag they produce. Fill: 650-fill down. Sleeping bags with durable water repellants are preferred by many because they are so versatile, but check carefully as to whether the shell is nonporous. With practical features that will come in handy in a variety of landscapes and elements, the Sonic Down is a dependable sleeping bag that performs well against its direct competitors. This proprietary membrane comprises featherweight Japanese fibers that are distinguished for tear strength and lasting durability. According to Nemo, they say that 70% of people are side sleepers and that traditional mummy-style sleeping bags are incompatible with side sleepers. It is heavier than the synthetic insulated Marmot Ultra Elite and it is even heavier than several of the three-season bags we tested in another review, and those are significantly warmer and filled with more insulation. Now that we’ve covered the key factors in the decision to buy a top-rated sleeping bag, we hope that we helped you get one step closer so making the smartest investment. My Outdoors Life is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, Western Mountaineering Versalite Sleeping Bag, Nemo Mezzo Loft Duo Sleeping Bag: Reliable Sleeping Bag for a Reliable Price, Western Mountaineering Bison Sleeping Bag: A God among Sleeping Bags, Nemo Rhapsody Sleeping Bag – Spacious Three Season Bag for Women. $ 99.95 – $ 159.95 Shop Now for Tempo™ Women's Synthetic Sleeping Bag Stalker™ Down Sleeping Bag $ 519.95 – $ 549.95 Shop Now for Stalker™ Down Sleeping Bag How to Sharpen An Axe: Tips for The Average Lumberjack, How to Make Alkaline Water: Instructions and Tips for The Curious Person, How to Make A Paracord Lanyard: Practical And Cool Designs, Sunscreen With Bug Spray: Stay Safe and Protected In Nature. Copyright © My Outdoors Life. Most sleeping bags on the market include these accessories, but they are excellent features to have nonetheless. This competing sleep system boasts a temperature rating of 15ºF, just like the Sonic Down. We took the liberty of gathering some close competitors of the Sonic Down in the hope that they are worthy alternatives with the benefits you want and need. Jerry ‘Boy Scout’ Mueller spends 99% of his time camping or teaching others how to live in the wild. For ultralight hikers or thru-hikers who count on cutting weight to keep the pace for extended periods of time, the sizes of their packed sleeping bags can make all the difference. We understand how daunting shopping for outdoor gear and accessories can be. Pinpoint shoulder and hip girth specifications with any bag you’re researching to determine whether one is roomier than the other. 4 oz. I’ve used high-end down bags like the Western Mountaineering UltraLite and super basic bags like REI’s Trail Pod series. REI Magma 15 Sleeping Bag Review: Where Ultralight Meets Warmth. Resistance to temperature is paramount in choosing the best bag for your upcoming expedition. Our testers could toss and turn throughout the night to their heart's content. Your sleeping bag is one of the only barriers between you, the ground, the bugs, the cold, and a host of other impediments. Most sleeping bags on the market are available in either the mummy shape or a semi-rectangular shape. When balancing warmth to weight in your decision to purchase the Sonic Down, you should realistically invest in a sleep system with no greater (or lower, truly) a temperature rating than you explicitly need. Some of the most important characteristics for you to consider include fill power, temperature rating, water resistance, and shape. Plus, the sleeping bag is backed by Nemo’s lifetime warranty so you won’t regret trying it. The Sonic Down offers an impressive EN lower limit of approximately 6°F and an EN comfort rating of approximately 27°F. In this review, you will learn why and how this sleeping bag will be ideal for those who consider themselves to be minimalist campers of backpackers. Best of all … Both sleeping bags offer 850 fill power for supreme comfort, but this other 15ºF sleeping bag is available in your choice of zipper orientation. Set yourself up for success by joining us as we review Nemo’s Sonic Down sleeping bag. Tango Duo Slim 30. The Mystic SL features a fully integrated pad sleeve to prevent rolling in the middle of the night, which is great for backpackers that regularly sleep very warm or very cold. It is finally time to review some of the key characteristics of the Sonic Down sleeping bag, so you have a reliable outset for additional research. Review. If you choose a 15°F sleeping bag when you typically take trips to mild climates or during the warmer months, you may find that you have overstepped the essential minimum of your needs. Another advantage to making a heftier investment is that the Versalite weighs merely two pounds and would be an ideal option for anyone needing an ultralight solution with down fill for all-night comfort. At a medium weight of over two pounds, the down fill benefits and added features may not be worth the extra weight added to your pack. NEMO. I slept on a non insulated air mattress and only wore a plain tee shirt and pair … Size: Sleeping bags typically come in two sizes; regular and long. My experience sleeping in the Rhythm 25 is consistent with NEMO’s claims about their Spoon Shape. 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