With these survival sleeping bags, your sleep system won’t be interrupted even in the amazing and wonderful great outdoors.
Going on an adventure?
This is the best stopover you could’ve ever landed on! Because here, you’ll find your new best friends in the wilderness – survival sleeping bags!
We’ve gathered our experiences with these emergency sleeping pads that we’re able to find on the market. After trying them all out on camping trips, we bring you:
- Our Editor’s Choice, Best Value, and Top Pick awardees;
- Why we came up with these verdicts;
- How each product on the list compare with each other;
- The metrics that we considered;
- What particular features stood out about each item; and
- So much more!
If you’re looking for the most affordable yet exceptional quality, you’ll find it in our Best Value product.
But don’t be too quick to judge!
Who knows? You might be willing to shell out a few more bucks once you see how impressive the other items are.
Now, let’s get warm and cozy…
Introduction
Camping or hiking is so much fun – we can all agree with that. But we also can’t deny the danger.
That’s why…
Your go-bag must be filled with complete survival gear. That includes your survival or emergency sleeping bag.
You might get stuck out there and be forced to spend the night in a chilly jungle. Or in the cold desert night air.
Wherever you are…
You’ll need to conserve body heat as much as possible. These sleeping bags are specifically made for that.
But not all of them are equal. And you can’t just do trial and error risking your own life, right?
It’s a wild, wild world, buddy. You need all the help that you can get.
So…
We took the liberty of trying out different bags from different brands so you won’t have to.
Now scroll down to find the best sleeping bag that will complete your gear!
Best Survival Sleeping Bag
Best Multipurpose Survival Sleeping Bag – Editor’s Award
Emergency Sleeping Bag 2 Pack Lightweight Survival Sleeping Bags
- Material: Nylon Mylar
- Size: 78.74 x 47.24 x 0.01 inches
- Temperature Rating: 15 F and lower
- Fill Type / Insulation Type: Foil
- Brand: Zmoon
Overall Score:
96
The Bottom Line:
With Zmoon, you’ll have a warm and durable sleeping bag, poncho, windbreaker, ground cover, water collector, etc. – all in one lightweight emergency bag!
What’s Good
- Weighs only 4.1 oz each
- Includes two single sleeping bags
- Versatile
- Affordable
What’s Bad
- Lacks comfortability
Summary
Zmoon might not look much, but this high-quality sleeping bag will surprise you. And by the way…
It’s not just a sleeping bag.
It doesn’t have all the stuffy insulation and snug fit like most sleeping bags. And that’s what makes it very versatile.
Because of its blanket-like structure, you can use it for many other purposes. That’s a huge plus when it comes to camping!
And even better…
It weighs only 4.1 ounces and measures about 11 x 7 x 7 cm when folded. You can also fold it into a very small roll that you can carry with one hand.
Its portability gave it a really great score.
When we used it…
Some of us weren’t satisfied with the comfort it brings. Yes, it’s warm enough. It even got us through an autumn night.
But the insulation is flat foil, not fluffy stuffing like you’d usually expect from other products. Nevertheless, the Zmoon sleeping pad can trap heat just as well as its stuffed counterparts.
And to top it all off…
You’ll get two sleeping bags for a very affordable price. Add it up to the durability and versatility of this product, and it deserves the Editor’s Choice Award!
Related: Best Camping Hatchets
Best Budget Survival Sleeping Bag – Best Value Award
UTOOL Emergency Sleeping Bag, Thermal Blanket Survival
- Material: Nylon
- Size: 84 x 36 x 0.01 inches
- Temperature Rating: 15 F and lower
- Fill Type / Insulation Type: Foil
- Brand: UToolTech
Overall Score:
94
The Bottom Line:
Durable, versatile, and compact sleeping pads of great quality don’t come as affordable as UToolTech’s thermal blanket.
What’s Good
- Durable material
- Waterproof and windproof
- Lightweight and compact
- Versatile
- Very affordable
What’s Bad
- Comfortability could be better
Summary
Nothing beats a good sleeping bag that you can buy with what cash you have in your pocket. This UToolTech lightweight bag takes it to another level.
We’re not exaggerating.
By the time that we tried this product, we’re already convinced about bivvies. These sleeping bags trap heat by reflecting it through the foil wrapped around your body.
In other words, we knew what to expect. And we’re still pretty surprised!
If you prefer the fluffy ones, there might be a problem here.
But…
If warmth is your priority, then this is the right sleeping bag for you. It’s specifically designed to trap body heat. And though it looks paper-thin, it’s not going to disappoint you.
It works so well in cold temperatures.
And speaking of paper-thin…
This lightweight bag weighs only 4.9 ounces. And you can fold and roll it, stuff it in a compact bag that comes with the package, and go on your adventures as if you’re carrying nothing.
And you don’t have to add more to your gear because this sleeping bag has many other purposes. You may use it as a poncho, water collector, sun cover, etc.
In emergencies, you may also reflect sunlight through the metallic side and make a distress signal!
All of those…
You’ll get it from an affordable purchase! That’s why we awarded this product Best Value!
Related: Best Water Storage Containers
Best Survival Sleeping Bag For Extreme Weather – Top Pick Award
Go Time Gear Life Bivvy Emergency Sleeping Bag
- Material: Nylon
- Size: 7 x 3 feet
- Temperature Rating: 15 F and lower
- Fill Type / Insulation Type: Foil
- Brand: Go Time Gear
Overall Score:
90
The Bottom Line:
No need to worry about cold weather with this versatile sleeping bag from Go Time Gear.
What’s Good
- Lightweight and compact
- Retains more than 90% of body heat
- Comes with a survival whistle
- Affordable
- List item Five
What’s Bad
- Not a very sturdy make
- Slightly less comfortable
Summary
The Go Time Gear won our Top Pick Award because we found no other warmer bag of the same quality and price out there.
You can take this car camping, or on a mountain hike, or in the middle of the desert – it can help you stay warm even under extremely cold weather.
Only…
Be careful while handling it. It’s not the most sturdy nylon and foil insulation we’ve seen. And since it’s not as soft as a down sleeping bag, don’t expect hotel comfort from it.
But given its price, we could live with that.
The important thing…
Is that it retains most of your body heat.
And it’s not just for sleeping. You can also use it as a poncho and rain collector since it’s waterproof and windproof.
And as a bonus…
The compression bag comes with a loud whistle (around 120 decibels) to give you that full survival package!
Related: Best Tactical Multi-Tool
Best Compact Survival Sleeping Bag
DIBBATU Emergency Survival Sleeping Bag
- Material: Mylar
- Size: 80 x 35 inches each
- Temperature Rating: 15 F and lower
- Fill Type / Insulation Type: Foil
- Brand: DIBBATU
Overall Score:
88
The Bottom Line:
The DIBBATU wearable sleeping bags are big enough to be bag liners, yet so compact you can carry them on your palm.
What’s Good
- You can roll it to a compact size
- Comes in a package of four pieces
- With four compact bags
- Wearable sleeping bag
- It can be used as a sleeping bag liner
What’s Bad
- Too thin that it’s not as sturdy as other bivvies
- Not so versatile
Summary
In cold weather, you’ll need more than your mummy sleeping bag.
So if you don’t want to lose body heat during the night – especially for cold sleepers – you’ll have to add a sleeping bag liner to your sleeping kit.
This is where DIBBATU comes in!
It’s shaped like a rectangular single sleeping bag, so it’s wearable.
You can just climb in and sleep in it as is when you go car camping. Or, if you prefer the comfort of a synthetic or down sleeping bag – just line it with this bivvy, and you’ll be warm throughout the night.
Just be careful.
The Mylar material is too thin, so it lost a little bit of its durability. But it serves well at body heat retention. Sadly, since it’s so shaped, you can’t use it for any other camping purposes.
And it might be affordable, but we’ve seen other brands that cost less than this. We chose this, however, because it’s the most sturdy out of all of them.
Plus…
It comes in fours. Your whole family or group of friends would be in on the fun, warm night.
Best Lightweight Survival Sleeping Bag
Red Cloud Lightweight Waterproof Survival Bag
- Material: Mylar
- Size: 5.12 x 3.31 x 3.23 inches
- Temperature Rating: 15 F and lower
- Fill Type / Insulation Type: Foil
- Brand: Red Cloud Co.
Overall Score:
88
The Bottom Line:
Lightweight sleeping bags don’t go as big as Red Cloud’s – with an extended hoodie too!
What’s Good
- It rolls and fits into a 3×4-inch compression sack
- Has a hood for head warmth
- Weighs only 4 ounces
- Wearable
- Can be used as a sleeping bag liner
What’s Bad
- Relatively expensive
Summary
When you find a big sleeping bag, it’s most probably heavy. And if you have one that’s light, it’s probably small.
So we think that the best sleeping bags are those that are big yet so lightweight you’d forget you’re carrying one.
Fortunately, we found the Red Cloud!
The compression bag that comes with it is so small. So imagine our surprise when we pulled out a 98×36-inch sleeping pad!
It’s sturdy and durable, and it retains body heat well. We didn’t mind that it’s more expensive than the others that we found.
And our favorite thing about it…
Is the hoodie! The top part extends over your head for full protection.
It can’t be used as a poncho or for other survival purposes, but that hood for sure is something.
Lastly…
This sleeping pad can serve as a liner for your favorite synthetic or down bag.
It’s shaped like those semi-rectangular sleeping bags, but you can line mummy sleeping bags with it too.
Best Portable Survival Sleeping Bag
2 Pack Emergency Sleeping Bags Survival Bivvy Sack
- Material: Mylar
- Size: 78.74 x 47.24 x 0.01 inches
- Temperature Rating: 15 F and lower
- Fill Type / Insulation Type: Foil
- Brand: Go Good
Overall Score:
88
The Bottom Line:
This 6-in-1 Go Good sleeping kit has all the warmth you need in a nice, compact portable drawstring bag.
What’s Good
- Has two sleeping pads and two compression bags
- Comes with four thermal foil blankets
- Very affordable
- Retains body heat well
What’s Bad
- Mylar blankets are not so durable
Summary
Do you want sleeping pads to serve as bag liners for your mummy-style bags? Or do you just want a bivvy with extra warmth?
What if you can get it all?
Cold sleepers are going to love this whole package.
It has two sleeping bags to protect you from the cold ground. And if it’s not enough, just cover yourself with an additional mylar blanket to give you warmer nights.
By the way, this Go Good pack has four of those blankets! Plus, two bags that keep the sleeping pads compact and portable.
All of those…
For a very affordable price!
You need to be careful with it though. The blankets may tear under careless handling. You can’t expect the most sturdy product for such a price, right?
But…
It can keep you warm even under extreme cold weather. That’s the main purpose of a sleeping pad!
Tact Bivvy 2.0 Emergency Sleeping Bag
Tact Bivvy 2.0 Emergency Sleeping Bag
- Material: Nylon
- Size: 5 x 2.5 x 2.5 inches
- Temperature Rating: 15 F and lower
- Fill Type / Insulation Type: Reflective polyester film
- Brand: Survival Frog
Overall Score:
86
The Bottom Line:
The Survival Frog sleeping pad will keep you warm and protected with its tear-resistant nylon and polyester make.
What’s Good
- Durable and tear-resistant material
- Keeps and adds warmth to your body
- Large size
- Comes with a whistle and firestarter
What’s Bad
- Collects condensation
- Expensive
Summary
Cold weather has got nothing on this sleeping pad from Survival Frog.
It doesn’t just retain your body heat – it adds about 20 degrees to your temperature. That’s a very important feature for when you camp under extreme cold.
Just a fair warning:
It’s not suitable under damp weather. Sleeping pads like these collect condensation like crazy. It’s going to soak up your mummy bags too, so it’s best not to use them as bag liners.
But that’s about the only problem we had with this product.
Of all the sleeping bags that we’ve tried…
This is one of the most durable items – if expensive and heavy. You can pull this out of its bag, roll it over the course ground, and you’ll find it intact in the morning.
The material is so sturdy, and you can’t tear it easily.
And as a huge bonus…
The compression bag is just as durable. And it comes with a survival whistle and a firestarter!
With all those features, who would mind the price?
Best Protection Survival Sleeping Bag
Q’s INN Survival Sleeping Bag
- Material: Mylar
- Size: 79 x 47 inches
- Temperature Rating: 15 F and lower
- Fill Type / Insulation Type: Foil
- Brand: Q’s INN
Overall Score:
86
The Bottom Line:
These Q’s INN sleeping bags will keep you and your buddy warm all night and will help you survive with two survival whistles, a paracord bracelet, and a compass.
What’s Good
- 2-in-1 package
- Compact and lightweight
- Affordable
- Comes with two whistles
- Comes with a paracord bracelet and compass
- Water repellent
What’s Bad
- Relatively small
- Slightly less durable than others
Summary
This Q’s INN item is more than just a sleeping bag pack.
Where else can you find two sleeping pads with a whistle on each stuff sack, a paracord bracelet, and a compass? All of it for such an affordable price!
It has some issues, of course.
These sleeping bags are small compared to other products that we found. And though it’s tear-resistant, it’s not the most durable out there.
But those are minor inconveniences.
Still…
A tall person can fit in this mylar bag. And the warmth it will give you will last you in the wilderness overnight.
There’s no condensation, too, because it’s both waterproof and water-repellent. So these bags will work either in damper, colder, or warmer weather conditions.
To top it off…
They’re compact, lightweight, and very portable.
Best Survival Sleeping Bag For Kids
MalloMe Sleeping Bags for Kids & Toddler
- Material: Polyester
- Size: 18.42 x 13.3 x 7.83 inches
- Temperature Rating: 15-30 F
- Fill Type / Insulation Type: Polyester
- Brand: MalloMe
Overall Score:
82
The Bottom Line:
Keep your kids warm and comfortable in this double-wide sleeping bag from MalloMe.
What’s Good
- Comfortable
- Waterproof
- Durable material
- Comes with a durable stuff sack
What’s Bad
- Expensive
- Heavy
- Lacks warmth
Summary
After seeing some lightweight products, we thought that 7.4 ounces is a little bit heavy. And it’s also relatively expensive for a child’s sleeping bag.
But then again…
You can’t trade your child’s comfort and warmth for anything, right? This product has both of those important features, plus it’s so durable.
This is the only double sleeping bag that made it to our top ten, and that’s saying something!
Plus…
Its temperature range is for a three-season sleeping bag. Meaning, this will work well in spring, summer, or winter.
It’s waterproof, so your kid will be safe from rain and dew as well.
Best Survival Sleeping Bag For Camping
SE Survivor Series Emergency Sleeping Bag
- Material: Soft linen
- Size: 84 x 36 x 0.1 inches
- Temperature Rating: 15 F and below
- Fill Type / Insulation Type: Aluminized PE
- Brand: Sona Enterprises
Overall Score:
80
The Bottom Line:
Here’s another sleeping pad that you can use as a liner to keep you warm and cozy all night in any weather.
What’s Good
- No crunching noise
- Retains more than 90% of body temperature
- Durable and tear-resistant
- Comes with a durable drawstring stuff sack
What’s Bad
- Expensive
- Relatively heavier than other sleeping bags
Summary
This product doesn’t make that crunchy noise that you’ll usually hear from other foil insulated pads. That’s a big advantage when in a survival situation!
But that’s not all there is to it.
It’s a bit heavy on the bag and in the wallet – but its durability and the material’s sturdiness exceeds a lot of the other sleeping bags we’ve tried.
Even its compression sack is of high quality.
So…
Although we were expecting more additional features like the other products on this list, we still highly recommend this one.
After all, warmth retention is still the most important purpose of a sleeping bag. And this product does the job so well.
Why Trust Us
Being out on the Great Outdoors every once in a while will gain you some valuable experiences.
Well…
We’ve been going out camping, hiking, backpacking, and climbing for years. As far as experiences go, we like to think that we’ve gained enough.
Mostly, we’ve learned by knowing what not to do out there!
So…
We want to prevent others from making the same mistakes as we did. Hence, this website and these reviews.
We’ve been through a lot in our expeditions.
Sometimes, everything’s so calm that the most exciting thing is one of us finding a skunk for a game. But other times, we get ourselves trapped and lost.
Luckily…
We’re all still alive and kicking – bringing with us new knowledge that will hopefully help you have a better experience when you go out on adventures of your own!
Buyers Guide: How To Choose The Best Keyword
1 – What are the different types of sleeping bags
Sleeping bag types in terms of temperature ratings:
- Summer – 30 degrees Fahrenheit or higher
- Winter – 15 degrees Fahrenheit or lower
- Three-season – 15 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit
Sleeping bag types in terms of shape:
- Rectangular – as the name suggests, this type has plenty of room for your hands and feet.
- Semi-rectangular – it squares at the feet but is rounded at the head, making it a warmer option.
- Mummy style – outlines the general shape of a human being, making it snug and warm, but you won’t have a lot of room.
- Double sleeping bag – like a twin bed, this bag is good for two people.
Bivvy – a blanket-like sleeping pad that uses foil as insulation (most commonly known as survival bag). It’s warm and compact, but not the most comfortable choice.
2 – Features to look out for
- Since these sleeping bags are made for survival, look for brands that add other survival gear. For example, compass, firestarters, ropes, etc.
- Pads with extra space at the head give more warmth and protection.
- A durable compression sack is very important because you can’t just stuff a delicate sleeping pad in your go bag with the rest of your gear.
3 – Sleeping bags and specifications explained
Sleeping bags or sleeping pads are compact beds brought to camping or other outdoor activities as sleeping gear. They have a lining and insulation, and they vary in shape and warmth.
- Material – this refers to the lining, whether nylon, silk, cotton, fleece, etc. It has the largest contribution to comfort.
- Size – this specification will tell you if you’ll fit inside the sleeping bag or not.
- Temperature ratings – this tells you if it can keep you warm in a certain temperature range.
Fill type/Insulation – Either bonded synthetic, loose-fill synthetic, or down insulation. They differ in warmth, weight, and how long the sleeping bag can retain body heat.
4 – These are things to consider
- Foil or film insulation gives off a crunchy noise when you move around in it.
- These emergency sleeping pads come in a variety of colors. If you’re not hiding from enemies, it’s best to choose the neon orange one so rescuers can easily spot you in distress situations.
Jargon buster
Cold sleeper – someone who wakes up in the middle of the night shaking and chilly.
Sleeping Bags Top Tips
- Choose a sleeping bag that’s easy to carry rather than a comfortable yet overstuffed one.
- Double sleeping bags may sound nice, but out there, the extra space will compromise warmth.
- For the same reason, two singles are better than a two-person bag.
How To Wash A Sleeping Bag?
Handwashing is the best way. But if you’re going to use a washing machine, set it to gentle washing. And use soap that’s specifically formulated for the material used for your sleeping bag’s insulation.
What are the Types Of Sleeping Bags?
Sleeping bags can be three-season, summer, or winter – classified by temperature ratings. But in terms of shape, there’s a rectangular shape, mummy shape, double-wide sleeping bags, elephant’s foot, etc.
How Long Does A Sleeping Bag Last?
Sleeping bags with down insulation may last from ten to 15 years before losing warmth. On the other hand, synthetic insulation can last only three to four.
Our Analysis. Comparisons & Test Results
All those qualities we’ve detailed out have corresponding numerical scores. So, we can see how each product fared against the other in terms of every metric that we measured them with.
This way…
If you prioritize one quality or feature over another, you’ll know what sleeping bag to get!
Value for Money
Sleeping bags aren’t the most expensive things to bring on a camping trip. But you don’t want your money wasted, no matter how small it is, right?
This metric measures if the product is satisfactory or even more than that. Considering, of course, the price we paid for it. It’s not just about being affordable, but whether the product gave us at least what we expected given its price.
Value for Money Ratings
Warmth / Fill
What’s a sleeping bag without all the warmth and coziness that it gives? But this metric isn’t just how much the bag is filled up. It considers the durability of the insulation, how much warmth it gives, and how long it lasts.
Warmth / Fill Ratings
Fit / Shape
Sleeping bags are sometimes classified in terms of their shapes. There’s no one-size-fits-all shape, but we decided that this metric is still important.
This is the measure of how snugly we fit inside the sleeping bag. That is, given that my friends and I are not one in size and shape ourselves.
Fit / Shape Ratings
Overall Quality
This metric is where we consider the durability and sturdiness of the lining, insulation, and the overall make of the sleeping bags.
Overall Quality Ratings
Portability / Weight
On a camping trip, the lighter the load, the better. That includes your sleeping bag. But it has to be lightweight without compromising the comfort and warmth it provides.
And it also helped if the package included compression sack add-ons or any similar feature.
Portability / Weight Ratings
Our Final Verdict: Best Sleeping Bag
Now the trial’s over!
And the best sleeping bag for survival is…
Our Editor’s Choice, Zmoon emergency sleeping pad. Thanks to its affordability, warmth, and overall durability!
And equally impressive is the Best Value UTool emergency thermal pad. And you can’t go wrong with our Top Pick, Go Time Gear bivvy with its exceptional warmth and coziness.
All of these sleeping bags…
Will give you more than what you ask for!
Best Overall Score
Conclusion: Best Sleeping Bag
Isn’t it great?
Now your sleep system will be uninterrupted even in the outdoors!
And the choice is solely yours…
Are you all for the warmth? Then take the Go Time Gear pad! But if you don’t mind putting a few extra bucks in, you’ll get warmth and durability with our Editor’s Choice, Zmoon.
But if you’re thinking about the budget, you can still have the best quality with UTool. It’s our Best Value for a good reason!
Whatever you pick…
Surely it will upgrade your camping experience. We hope we gave you some valuable insight in completing your bug-out gear.
So, we’ll see you in the wild!
