Having a comfortable and roomy sleeping bag for couples is a necessity to improve your overall outdoor experience. But with all the technical details and choices, you might feel a bit confused and overwhelmed. To help you out, we’ve put together a list of best double sleeping bags for couples.
Main Considerations When Buying Double Sleeping Bags
Whether you’re going to spend $50 or $400 for a double sleeping bag, it’s important to know what you’re buying to get the best value for your money. Here are four main considerations to bear in mind to ensure you get the right double sleeping bag for you and your partner.
Determine Your Purpose
When and where do you plan to use it? What type of camping are you planning to do?
Answering these simple questions will help you narrow down your choices. For instance, if you want to go backcountry camping or ultralight camping every summer, choose a double sleeping bag filled with down and has a rating of approximately 2ºC (around 35ºF).
Know Your and Your Partner’s Body
One of the first things you need to know is an accurate measurement of your height. The rule of thumb is the length of a double sleeping bag should be based on the user’s height—in this case, yours and your partner’s. Some experts recommend picking one size longer than your height.
This can be tricky since the two of you might not have the same height.
Aside from height and body shape, another consideration is how your body usually responds to cold or warm weather conditions. If you get cold easily, don’t get a double sleeping bag that has a temperature rating of around -5°C (23°F).
Learn about Sleeping Bag Ratings
Sleeping bags are rated according to season and temperature, which usually go together:
- Season one (1 Season) – best for warm summer nights only, temperatures 10°C or higher
- Season two (2 Season) – best for cooler nights (late spring to early autumn), temperatures 5°C or higher
- Season three (3 Season) – best for cold nights but not below freezing temperature, temperatures 0°C or higher
- Season four (4 Season) – best for weather with frost and snow, temperatures -5°C or higher
- Season five (5 Season) – best for expedition camping, temperatures from -10°C down to -40°C
Tip: If you’re having a hard time deciding, a 20-degree sleeping bag should be able to keep you relatively comfortable through most of the year.
Choose Your Sleeping Bag’s Fill
Sleeping bags are usually filled with two types of fill to trap body heat and protect you from the cold air:
- Down – When it comes to their ability to keep you warm, sleeping bags filled with 100% duck or goose down are still considered the best options. Plus, they’re usually lighter, take less space in your backpacks, and more long-lasting (with proper care).
- Synthetic – Sleeping bags with synthetic fill are more affordable, easier to clean, and more efficient in maintaining insulation when wet. The downsides are they’re bulky, heavy, and don’t last a long time.
Tip: If a sleeping bag doesn’t indicate a fill power (quality of the down), it usually means it doesn’t compress well and could be made from poor-quality and unethically-sourced materials.
These are just some of the basic things to keep in mind when shopping for double sleeping bags. Now, let’s go through some of the best ones that can make your camping trips more comfortable and memorable.
The Best Double Sleeping Bags for Camping Couples
L.L.Bean Adventure Sleeping Bag, 30° Double
The L.L.Bean Adventure double sleeping bag is rated at 30 degrees Fahrenheit. This means it works best in keeping you comfy and warm if you go backpacking or camping in places where the weather is typically dry and warm (between 40 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit).
It offers a lot of wiggle room for two and is long enough to accommodate anyone who’s up to 6 feet and 6 inches tall. It has a full zipper at the bottom to prevent stuffiness and allow you to stretch out without disturbing your partner.
The shell and liner are made of soft and durable ripstop polyester. For the insulation, L.L.Bean used polyester, which is a great material if your partner has allergies. The design also includes an integrated sleeping pad sleeve that fits pads (not included) measuring 78” x 25” or 78” x 50”.
Canvas 20˚F Mammoth Double Sleeping Bag
Teton’s Canvas 20˚F Mammoth is the perfect sleeping bag for summer or “shoulder season” camping. Whether you’re camping alone or with a special someone, it can keep you exceptionally comfortable and warm down to -10 to -5 degrees Celsius (14 to 23 degrees Fahrenheit).
It measures 94” x 62” (when in use) and could easily fit two people who are a little over 6 feet tall. The shell is made from soft and scratch-resistant 600D polyester canvas, complete with a cozy polyester flannel liner. It uses the SuperLoft Elite Single Channel Hollow Fiber, which is a chemical-free polyester fill that makes this double sleeping bag fluffy, soft, and warm.
Note: Each Teton Canvas 20˚F Mammoth double sleeping bag comes with its own compression sack for easy storage.
Big Agnes King Solomon 35°
The Big Agnes King Solomon is best used as a fair-weather double sleeping bag. It’s filled with water-repellent, 650-fill-power DownTek down to make sure you stay warm even when the temperature reaches 35°F (2°C). The Insotect Flow’s vertical baffles (responsible for keeping the insulation in place) conform to your body shape for a more comfortable and warmer fit.
The shell is made from polyester ripstop, which does a great job of repelling moisture and standing up against abrasion. The polyester taffeta liner is smooth and soft, and feels good on the skin.
Big Agnes opted for a semi-rectangular shape for this double sleeping bag. This is a good in-between option for those who can’t decide between a mummy-style sleeping bag and a rectangular-shaped sleeping bag.
Sierra Designs Frontcountry Bed 20° Queen
The Sierra Designs Frontcountry Bed 20° Queen is perfect for different types of camping—overlanding, van life, cabin camping, and whatnot. You can expect it to keep you comfortable and warm if the outside temperature is 20 degrees (Fahrenheit) or above.
With a total length of 84 inches, this sleeping bag with a no-zipper design can fit individuals up to 6 feet and 3 inches tall. It has a patented foot vent that’s self-sealing, so you can easily kick your feet out of the bag for cooling whenever you want.
The pad sleeve is designed to fit any queen-sized air mattress. It has a large integrated comforter, so you have additional material for snuggling and keeping warm.
The North Face Dolomite One Duo
The North Face Dolomite One Duo is a must-have if you’re looking for a double sleeping bag with a cool and functional design. It features an innovative 3-in-1 design, which allows you to remove different layers to suit your needs:
- Use the yellow mid-layer for cooler nights or an outdoor temperature of 30°F (-1°C).
- Use the blue outer layer for summer nights or an outdoor temperature of 50°F (10°C).
- Or, combine the two layers to keep you warm in negative temperatures (15°F or -9°C).
This rectangular-shaped double sleeping bag contains polyester fibers for filling (30 percent of which is made from post-consumer recycled fibers), which provide a high level of insulation. Plus, each of its layer has an interior watch pocket for storing your valuables.
NEMO Jazz Synthetic Double
The NEMO Jazz double sleeping bag can fit two people who are up to 6 feet (72 inches) in height. Like any sleeping bag with a 30-degree (Fahrenheit) temperature rating, it’s going to keep you warm during cooler summer nights.
Jazz’ featherbed-style bottom is insulated with recycled synthetic Stratofiber, while the interior is lined with soft polyester taffeta. The “Blanket Fold” collar folds within to make sure drafts don’t come inside while you sleep. To cut dead space and increase heat retention, NEMO opted for a tapered cut for this sleeping bag.
REI Co-op HunkerDown 20 Double Sleeping Bag
REI Co-op designed the HunkerDown with the environment in mind. That’s why they used recycled and ethically sourced materials for the filling and shell.
Perhaps the most appealing feature of this double sleeping bag is its wrap-around zipper. It allows you to improve ventilation, use it as a quilt, and climb in our out without causing a fuss. The hoods also have a center loop and toggle, so you and your partner can adjust them separately to meet your preferences.
This sleeping bag is for individuals who have a height of up to 6 feet and 5 inches (78 inches). Every purchase includes a stuff bag for easy storage and transport.
Therm-a-Rest Vela Double 20 Quilt
If you need a lightweight and readily packable sleeping bag for two, look no further than the Therm-a-Rest Vela Double 20 Quilt. Filled with high-quality 650 Fill Duck Nikwax Hydrophobic Down RDS, it should keep you comfortable down to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s constructed with full-perimeter box baffles and insulated foot box for better thermal efficiency.
Still feel cold? The Vela Double has perimeter snap loops, so you can integrate another blanket, sheet, or Therm-a-Rest quilt.
It’s 80 inches long and 82 inches wide. With that measurement, it should automatically fit anyone who stands 6 feet (72 inches) tall.
The North Face Eco Trail Bed Double 20 Sleeping Bag
Spacious and comfortable for two people, the North Face Eco Trail sleeping bag is definitely made for car camping. It’s sufficient for those chilly fall mornings or evenings—or for outdoor temperatures ranging between 20 and 30 degrees Fahrenheit.
North Face claims this is 100% made from recycled materials, from the collar lining to the shell fabric and right down to the insulation. On top of that, you can use it as an insulated blanket, thanks to its wrap-around foot box zipper. And in case you need to sit up comfortably, all you need to do is open the 14-inch side zipper at the collar.
Marmot Yolla Bolly Doublewide 30
When you’re out shoulder season camping with your special someone, all you want is to cuddle or sleep comfortably together throughout your trip. The Marmot Yolla Bolly Doublewide 30 lets you do that, plus more.
It’s wider than your standard double sleeping bag. So, it can easily fit two people with a maximum height of 6 feet.
The inner fabric of the hood feels silky and soft, while the silicone-printed back prevents your sleeping pad from slipping. Marmot included a slider cover to avoid snagging the fabric whenever you’re zipping up or zipping down. Similar to the North Face Eco Trail sleeping bag, the Yolla Bolly also has a wrap-around zipper to transform it into a quilt whenever you want.
