Tuck in with comfortable sleeping bags

Nothing beats climbing into your soft, warm sleeping bag after a long day of exploring the outdoors. At MEC, you’ll find a wide variety of sleeping bags made for any kind of outdoor adventure you’re craving, from backpacking to winter camping. Take a look at the different sleeping bags from top outdoor brands like our very own MEC Label, Nemo, The North Face, Mountain Hardwear and more. Learn how to choose a sleeping bag and more on our website so you’re fully prepped before making your choice.

Sleeping bag temperature ratings

When choosing a sleeping bag, the temperature rating of your sleeping bag is one of the most important things to consider. The number tells you the lowest temperature that the bag is intended for. These ratings also assume you’re using a sleeping pad for insulation and are wearing warm clothes like long underwear. If you're planning on camping mostly in the summer, you might only want a sleeping bag that will keep you warm up to 1 degree C. If you think you'll be camping during a chillier season, you’ll want to consider a 3-season sleeping bag, which will typically keep you warm between 1 to -10 degrees C. For winter camping in cold climates, you'll want a sleeping bag that can handle temperatures as low as -18 to -30 degrees.

Sleeping bag sizing

Most sleeping bags come in a variety of different lengths. The size you decide on should match your height, plus an extra inch or two. If your sleeping bag is a lot longer than you, you’ll have unused space to heat and you’ll feel colder as a result. If your bag is too short, you’ll press up against the hood and footbox, which squishes the insulation and leads to cold spots. There are specific sleeping bag sizes like women’s, kids’ and double as well if you need something even more specific.

Synthetic sleeping bags

Sleeping bags typically come made with either down or synthetic materials for insulation. Synthetic insulation uses polyester threads spun in continuous long filaments mixed with short pieces, called staples. Many bags contain a mix of thinner and thicker pieces, as thinner threads fill empty spaces and trap warm air effectively, while thicker strands provide loft and durability.

Down sleeping bags

Down insulation is made up of thousands of plumules – fluffy filaments from goose or duck feathers. Down fill-power is a good indicator of quality, and higher fill-power provides more warmth for the same weight. About 500 is good, 600–700 is better and above 700 is excellent. A down sleeping bag is a great long-term investment if you plan to use it a lot. Keep in mind that when down gets wet, it forms clumps and no longer retains warmth. So, for extended trips, wet weather or anywhere that dampness is likely to accumulate, down insulation might not be the best choice.