If you are one of those who love to have space to sprawl in a sleeping bag, check this selection of the best down rectangular sleeping bags from the top brands in the outdoor industry.
When we think about down sleeping bags, we usually imagine a mummy-shaped structure, and this is mostly so. Down sleeping bags are usually built narrow, ultralight, and ultra-packable so that they can be carried on the trail.
On the other hand, the usual perception of rectangular sleeping bags is that they are heavy synthetic constructions, sometimes even filled with cotton, and generally suitable for car camping.
But there is a small number of down rectangular sleeping bags on the market, so this type is in focus here. You will realize that some of them are also in the category of ultralight and ultra-compact backpacking sleeping bags.
My list of best rated down rectangular sleeping bags
The sleeping bags in the list below are ordered by weight from heavier to lighter:
Note that the brands presented in the list above are the best known in this industry.
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1. Kelty Galactic 30 Sleeping Bag
Here you have a rectangular sleeping bag but with a down 600 fill. This is their DryDown fill, it is treated to perform better than an untreated down. The plumes are treated with a spray-on polymer that resists water while at the same time maintains loft. They claim it dries faster than untreated down if it gets wet.
The shell in the picture is a 50D downproof polyester taffeta. The same material is the liner. Note that this bag can be unzipped and then zipped to yet another bag of the same type, so you can have a double-wide sleeping bag to share with your partner.
The official temperature rating is 30 F (-1 C) so this is a 3-season bag, but it is without hood. They build it in three sizes, so you have R & L, and women-specific. Here are some numbers:
- Weight:
– R: 2 lb 10 oz (1.2 kg).
– L: 2 lb 14 oz (1.3 kg).
– WSD: 2 lb 8 oz (1.14 kg). - Stuffed size:
– R: 15 x 7.5 in (38 x 19 cm).
– L: 15 x 8.3 in (38 x 21 cm).
– WSD: 15 x 7.5 in (38 x 19 cm).
What I like:
- Versatile.
- Pleasant.
- Comfortable.
- Very good price.
What I dislike:
- A bit heavy.
2. Big Agnes Camp Robber Bedroll Sleep System
This product is a 3-in-1 sleeping system. It includes a poly-cotton sheet that doubles also as a pad sleeve, and a detachable comforter that works as a double-wide quilt and it zips to the sheet/sleeve. In such a configuration it looks like a bottomless double sleeping bag. But the comforter can also be folded and zip into itself so that it becomes a single sleeping bag. This is why it is included here in the list.
When used as a solo sleeping bag, its dimensions are 78 x 25 inches (198 x 64 cm), the picture above shows how it looks. This is what they call the Wide Long version, but they have 3 sizes in total. Its weight is 2 lb 4 oz (1.02 kg) and packed size is 13 x 9 inches (33 x 23 cm).
So this is a very pleasant sleeping bag with the temperature rating 45 F (7 C). This makes it suitable for 2-3 seasons. The insulation is a 650 fill DownTek, a treated water repellent down that uses a PFC-Free and bluesign-approved chemistry.
What I like:
- Unique design.
- Bluesign approved.
- Comfortable.
What I dislike:
- Not very wide when used as a solo sleeping bag.
- Expensive.
3. Exped Versa Quilt
They use the word Quilt in the official name of this item, so you can use it as a blanket or quilt, but you can fold it and close it as the picture shows and this is then a rectangular sleeping bag. It is very lightweight, only 27.5 oz (780 g), and the packed size is also excellent 13.4 x 7.5 inches (34 x 19 cm).
Note that it is with toggles and not zippers, and this also allows it to be combined with yet another piece and you can create a double-wide slepping bag. The fill is a 650 duck down, and the shell fabric is a very lightweight 30D nylon, Oeko-Tex 100 class 1. This implies the finest materials that are normally used for babies and toddlers up to 3 years of age. So it is unlikely you will find something more pleasant.
The dimensions when used as a blanket are 210 x 135 cm (6.8 x 4.4 ft). It fits users up to 180 cm (5.8 ft). For the bag width just take the half mentioned for the blanket. The temperature rating is Comfort: 10 °C (50 F), Limit: 5 °C (41 F), and Extreme: -7 °C (19 F).
What I like:
- Versatile product.
- Oeko-Tex approved.
- Very fine materials.
What I dislike:
- Not very wide.
- Expensive.
4. Naturehike 1.28 lbs Ultralight 800 Fill Power Goose Down Sleeping Bag
This is an ultra-compact and ultralight sleeping bag, the packed size is (L x D) 10 x 4.5 inches (25.4 x 11.2 cm), and its weight is 1.28 lb (0.58 kg). Note this is for its regular size, but they also have an XL version that weighs 1.74 lb (0.79 kg). The dimensions of the two bags are (R) 74.8 x 28.35 inches (190 x 72 cm) and (XL) 78.74 x 31.5 inches (200 x 80 cm).
No matter which you use, these bags are a great option for backpackers and hikers. But this also means they are suitable for practically any outdoor use. The official temperature rating is in the range 32 ℉ to 42.8 ℉ (0 – 6 Celsius).
The fabric is very thin, this is a 15D/400T nylon, and they claim it is waterproof up to 3000 mm which is incredible assuming it is true. They make this sleeping bag in two different colors. The zipper is a top-quality Japanese YKK. The insulation is a great quality 800 fill power pure white goose down.
What I like:
- Packed size.
- Weight.
- Quality materials.
- Price.
What I dislike:
- A bit narrow.
Final thoughts
So this was my list of best down rectangular sleeping bags, and you realize that some are with truly unique features. All of them are light enough to be carried on the trail, but there are significant differences in the weight, by a factor 2 or so. This is why it is important to check the numbers. Prices are also very different so this is yet another thing to bear in mind if you are on a budget.
Editor’s Choice
The bag below is my choice because of its overall features & price combination. It is by far the lightest here in the list. There is no hood here, but the same is with the other sleeping bags in the list.
Ultralight & ultra-compact sleeping bag
Product Name: Naturehike 1.28 lbs Ultralight 800 Fill Power Goose Down Sleeping Bag
Product Description: This is a rectangular bag yet it is ultralight and ultra-compact, very much suitable for the trail.
Brand: Naturehike
SKU: B076F13CKF
MPN: NH17Y010-R
- Features - 9.5/109.5/10
- Design - 8/108/10
- Quality & craftsmanship - 9/109/10
Summary
The construction of this sleeping bag is simple but you do not need much, and the overall rating is still very good.
User Review
( votes)Here is a bit more, see how it looks:
With a sleeping bag you will need a pad, so check this list of best compact sleeping pads for backpacking. You might want to see also my list of best lightweight synthetic sleeping bags.
Let me know if you have questions, there is a comment box below.
