The 9 Best Double Sleeping Bags

Courtesy of Sierra Designs

Double sleeping bags are often overlooked by long-distance hikers who focus instead on ultralight, single-person sleeping bags. These two-person bags have their advantages, though.

They allow couples who are hiking together to share some closeness at night. Though bigger than a singleton, a double sleeping bag may even save you some weight.

We've rounded up the best double sleeping bags on the market and provide you some tips about what to look for when buying.

Couple Backpacking: Double Sleeping Bag or Two Singles?

Couples who are hiking together have a choice when deciding on what type of sleeping bag is best for them. A double sleeping bag provides a closeness you can't get when sleeping separately in two single bags.

Double sleeping bags tend to be heavier than their singleton counterparts, but there are a few lightweight options. If you want to go as light as possible, count ounces as these lightweight double bags may actually weigh less than two separate single bags.

Not everyone wants to share a sleeping bag, even if it is oversized. Packing two single sleeping bags may be preferable, especially if one person is a restless sleeper or a blanket thief.

Two single sleeping bags also tend to be more comfortable than one big bag with two sleeping pads. Two sleeping pads under a double bag create a crevice in the middle that you can slide into when you are sleeping.

Some common features of double sleeping bags.

Considerations

TYPE: QUILT VS SLEEPING BAG

Some sleeping bag manufacturers have chosen to sell quilts instead of the traditional sleeping bag. A quilt functions like a blanket allowing you to drape it over yourself and a partner. It opens freely so you can vent off heat, but can be drafty in the cooler weather. Quilts also are more compact than sleeping bags and easier to use since there are no zippers.

A sleeping bag wraps around you like a cocoon. It has a hood to keep your head warm and overall, extra insulation in the feet and baffles to combat defy zipper.

Overall, a sleeping bag does a better job holding in your heat than a quilt. This increased warmth comes with a tradeoff -- weight.

Sleeping bags have more material and cannot compress down as much as quilts. They also are heavier because they have zippers, cinch locks, and other hardware that adds to their overall weight.

SIZE: DOUBLE, QUEEN AND KING

Choose a double sleeping bag that is large enough to accommodate you and your partner. You need room to move inside the bag and space to open the bag so you can vent some heat. If you purchase a double bag that is too small, you will feel cramped and overheated.

You may run across different sizes for your sleeping bags or quilt. A double is slightly larger than a twin and can fit two people who don't mind sleeping very closely. A better option is a queen, which is much larger than a double but not as significant as a king. A queen easily fits two people but isn't so large that you are lugging around extra, unnecessary weight. 

© Corey Perkins

WEIGHT: KEEP IT UNDER 4 LBS

Double sleeping bags range in weight from lightweight (under 4 lbs) to heavy (over 9 lbs). The most significant difference is in materials. Heavier bags use synthetic insulation or a heavier down (650 versus 800). Heavier double bags tend to be designed for car camping or van life and not backcountry hiking.

FILL MATERIAL: DOWN VS SYNTHETIC

There are two major types of insulation found in sleeping bags -- down and synthetic. Down is lighter, warmer, and packs smaller than synthetic insulation. It also is more durable and more expensive than synthetic insulation. Down has a major drawback: it loses loft and its ability to keep you warm when it gets wet. Most down-filled sleeping bags have been treated with durable water repellent (DWR) to resist moisture, but you still want to prevent it from getting soaking wet.

A synthetic sleeping bag stays warm when it is wet and dries faster than down, making it an attractive alternative to down in wet climates. Synthetic insulation is heavier, though, and it doesn’t compress as much as down. When you do compress it, the synthetic fibers break down, reducing the insulating power of the material. Synthetic insulation is popular among consumers because of its affordable price point. Many synthetics bags are half the price of their down counterparts. 

TEMPERATURE RATING: COMFORT RATING, LOWEST RATING AND SLEEPING PAD R-VALUE

You should look closely at the temperature rating of the sleeping bag. Sometimes you will see a comfortable temperature and a lower limit. The comfort temperature is the lowest temperature you can use the bag and remain entirely comfortable while you sleep. The lower limit temperature is the lowest temp you can use the bag and not freeze.

When purchasing a bag, give yourself a buffer of about 20-degrees. If you know the temperature will be around 40-degrees, you may want to get a bag that can handle down to 20-degrees. You also should consider the insulation, or r-value, of your sleeping pad. A sleeping pad with an R-value of 4 or higher will protect you from the cold emanating from the ground.

VERSATILITY: TWO BAGS IN ONE

Some double bags are versatile and can be used either as a single bag or a double bag. These bags can be unzipped, separated, and turned into two solo bags.

Packed double sleeping bag (left - Klymit KSB) vs single sleeping bag (right)

PACKED SIZE: THESE THINGS ARE BIG!

Because they are larger, double bags won't compress as much as an ultralight single sleeping bag. They will take up more space in your backpack. Many double sleeping bags do include a stuff sack to make compressing them down a little bit easier.

COMFORT FEATURES: FOR TEMPERATURE REGULATION

Like most single sleeping bags, double bags include the standard comfort features. You'll see foot vents for temperature regulation and pillow holders to secure your pillow in place. Other luxuries include no draft-collars and built-in blankets for warmth.

You may also find some bags are equipped with a zip-off top that you can remove to save weight or a removable liner that you can wash when needed.

SAFETY: DON'T LOSE YOUR PARTNER

Presumably, you are bringing a double sleeping bag so you can share it with your partner at night. Carrying only one bag between two people may be convenient, but there are some safety concerns. If you and your partner get separated, you may have a long, cold night if you are not the one carrying the sleeping bag.

© Scott Daniels

Best Models

Enlightened Equipment Accomplice 20

Bag Weight: 2 lb 5 oz (36.75 oz)

Fill Weight: 1 lb 11 oz (27.76 oz)

Type: Quilt

Insulation Material: Down 850 Fill

Temperature rating: 20℉

The Accomplice 20 from Enlightened Equipment is a warm quilt full of high-quality 850 fill down. It's lightweight, weighing less than some single sleeping bags. You stay super warm at night thanks to draft blockers on the side and the neck closures that cinches tightly to seal in your heat. One of the most overlooked yet appreciated features is the sleeping pad attachment system. It helps the quilt stay securely in place and minimizes the crevice between the two pads. Nothing is worse than losing your quilt and slipping into the crack between the sleeping pads at night. The Accomplice 20 may be pricey, but you pay for the quality materials, solid craftsmanship, and all these little extras that make a big difference.

Klymit KSB Double Sleeping Bag

Bag Weight: 5 lbs (80 oz)

Fill Weight: 1 lb 15.7 oz (31.7 oz)

Type: Sleeping bag

Insulation Material: 650-fill-power Down on top, synthetic insulation on the bottom

Temperature rating: 30℉

A solid performer in three-seasons, the KSB Double is the two-person version of Klymit's popular single KSB sleeping bag. The KSB Double has a boxy shape that'll take up most of the floor space in a two-person tent. Despite its size, it still packs down smaller than two full-size sleeping bags.

The KSB Double is ideal for mismatched couples where one tends to be hot, while the other is always cold. Klymit wisely added individual draft covers so each person can choose how much warmth they need. It also has a unique design that lets you remove the top and use the sleeping bag as a comforter in warmer weather. It even has a hood snap that creates two separate hoods in the sleeping bag. On a cold night, the hood cuts down on drafts and helps keeps each person warm.

Sierra Designs Backcountry Bed Duo 20 (37 oz)

Bag Weight: 4 lbs 10oz (74 oz)

Fill Weight: 2 lbs 5.1 oz (37 oz)

Type: Sleeping Bag

Insulation Material: 700Fill PFC-Free DriDown

Temperature rating: 20℉

While many quilts try to emulate sleeping bags, the Sierra Designs Backcountry Bed Duo 20 is a sleeping bag that looks and feels like a quilt. You can slide into the zipperless Backcountry Bed Duo just like a sleeping bag, but that is where the si. Here's an integrated blanket on top that is similar to a quilt. You can fold down the top blanket when it is warm or tuck it under you to protect against the cold. The Duo has a dual sleeping pad sleeve that holds two regular-sized sleeping pads. There's a vented foot box for ventilation and a cinch hood for warmth. There are even pockets for storing small items. It's a feature-filled sleeping bag with everything you need for a good night's sleep.

Therm-a-Rest Vela Double Quilt 20

Bag Weight: 2 lbs 13 oz (45 oz)

Fill Weight: 1 lb 15 oz (31 oz)

Type: Quilt

Insulation Material: 650 Fill Duck Nikwax Hydrophobic Down RDS

Temperature rating: 20℉

The Therm-a-Rest Vela Double 20 quilt takes a sleeping bag's best features and bundles them into a quilt. It wraps around you with full-length baffles that block all drafts. To keep your feet warm, you can stuff them into an insulated foot box that has just enough elastic to trap in the heat. It's a roomy quilt, so you can curl up into the quilt and not worry about playing tug-of-war with the blanket all night.

Exped Mega Sleep Duo 25

Bag Weight: 4 lbs (64.1 oz)

Fill Weight: Unknown

Type: Sleeping bag

Material: Synthetic microfiber

Temperature rating: 25℉

We can't talk about the Exped Mega Sleep Duo 25 without mentioning its versatility. Position the bag with the light blue side facing upwards, and you'll sleep inside a 40℉ bag. Flip it over, so the dark blue side is up, and you'll be comfortable down to 25℉. It also splits into two single bags so you can use it when you are traveling solo. It's a synthetic bag that stays warm when it is wet outside but is only slightly heavier than its down counterparts. At 4 pounds, it is backpackable as long as you are splitting the weight of other gear with your hiking partner.

Big Agnes King Solomon 15

Bag Weight: 4 lbs 5 oz (69 oz)

Fill Weight: 1 lb 14 oz (30 oz)

Type: Sleeping bag

Insulation Material: 650-fill-power DownTek™ water-repellent down

Temperature rating: 15℉

The Big Agnes King Solomon 15 is one of the best three-season double sleeping bags you can purchase. Comfort literally is king, and King Solomon 15 delivers everywhere it counts. It is filled with warm down insulation. It is compressible down to 5 liters, so it easily fits in your pack. Most important, it is filled with comfort features, like a no-draft zipper and no-draft collar. There is even a pillow holder for each person and a dual sleeping pad sleeve. It'll give you such a good night's rest you'll forget you are no at home in your bed.

The North Face Dolomite Double 20

Bag Weight: 8 lbs 14 oz (142 oz)

Fill Weight: 2 lbs 4.9 oz (36.9 oz)

Type: Sleeping bag

Insulation Material: Heatseeker Eco

Temperature rating: 20℉

The North Face Dolomite Double 15 is a roomy sleeping bag -- you'll never have to worry about getting an elbow in the ribs or someone stealing the sleeping bag in the middle of the night. It uses synthetic insulation, which weighs more than down, and it shows. With a weight of nearly nine pounds, that places it squarely in the car camping realm. The zippers can be a weak point on the Dolomite Double. The zipper tends to snag and break more than we like.

Tracker +5F Double Sleeping Bag

Bag Weight: 8 lbs 2 oz (130oz)

Fill Weight: Unknown

Type: Sleeping bag

Insulation Material: PolarLite micro synthetic insulation

Temperature rating: 5℉

With a price tag under $200, the Teton Sport is a sleeping bag with a budget-friendly price tag. Simply put, the Teton Sports Tracker will keep you warm without busting your wallet.

It has a slim mummy cut that helps trap heat so you and your partner can stay warm while you sleep. Though rated for 5℉, the Tracker is more suitable for three-season use. It's a heavy bag, one that you should throw in the back of your car and not try to pack for a long-distance trip.

Teton Sports Mammoth 20

Bag Weight: 15 lbs (224 oz)

Fill Weight: Unknown

Type: Sleeping bag

Insulation Material: SuperLoft synthetic insulation

Temperature rating: 20℉

Not all double bags are meant for backpacking. Some, like the Teton Sports Mammoth, are unashamedly heavy. THat's not necessarily a bad thing. People who enjoy car camping need a reliable double bag two. For these people, the Teton Sports Mammoth is a top pick.

Because it's Teton Sports brand, you know it is not going to be expensive. Lined with flannel and filled with synthetic insulation, you'll stay toasty warm even when a storm is raging outside.

How to Wash a Double Sleeping Bag?

Most of the time, all you need to do is spot clean your sleeping bag with a small amount of soap and a toothbrush or face cloth.

When spot cleaning, hold the bag so the outer shell you are cleaning does not come in contact with the insulation.

If your bag is beyond spot cleaning, then you may have to give it a full washing. Before you toss it into your washing machine, look for the washing instructions. You can find the instructions printed on a tag inside the bag or on the bag itself. Follow these instructions if you can find them as every sleeping bag has different washing requirements.

However, if you cannot find the instructions, use a gentle detergent for a synthetic bag or a down-friendly detergent, like Nikwax Down Wash Direct, for a down bag.

Wash the sleeping bag in a front-loading washing machine in a gentle cycle. Avoid a top loader as the sleeping bag can get tangled up in the washing machine's agitator.

If your washing machine can't handle a large sleeping bag, you can visit your local laundromat and use a commercial-sized washer and dryer. You also can bring it into a professional laundry service, but don't have it dry cleaned. Dry cleaning uses harsh chemicals that can ruin your bag.