Have you ever wondered what the warmest sleeping bag in the world was? I have. Naturally, I had to do some searching to see what it was. I also discovered that I hope to never find myself in a location so cold that I would need a sleeping bag that extreme. If you are wondering what the warmest sleeping bag in the world is, then keep reading.
So, what is the warmest sleeping bag in the world? The warmest sleeping bag in the world is the Snowy Owl EX -60 Sleeping bag sold by Feathered Friends
Some things come to mind when you are talking about the warmest sleeping bag in the world like “what is it made of?” and “how does it work?” Among others like “when would someone use something like this?” Still, it is pretty cool to see these extreme sleeping bags that can be used in some of the harshest regions in the world. Luckily, most of us will never need to use a sleeping bag that is so extreme.
By the way, If you are in the market for a new sleeping bag, then you should click here to see the one I recommend on Amazon.
What is it made of?
A lot of materials and designing go into making this sleeping bag. It is the best of the best when it comes to cold weather and as such, it weighs in at 5lbs of thick, comfy, warm material. The manufacturer makes this sleeping bag with the most innovative fabrics available. The sleeping bag shell fabric is made from Pertex® Shield EX waterproof/breathable material. Pertex® is a leading brand of cutting-edge lightweight fabrics used by some of the most prestigious and successful brands in the outdoor industry. Here is a link
to check the sleeping bag out.
The Snowy Owl EX -60 sleeping bag specifications consist of 15 denier by 15 denier, 209 x 158 thread count with a 40 denier ripstop weave. Denier is a unit of measurement that is used to determine the fiber thickness of individual threads or filaments used in the creation of textiles and fabrics. If you are curious to see for yourself the company explains in detail what its fabrics are here.
To make the sleeping bag soft and warm it is filled with “900+ Goose Down”. Goose down is the soft layer of insulation underneath feathers that geese, ducks and other waterfowl have to keep them warm and dry. The same idea has been replicated and applied to this super warm sleeping bag. It is often from nature that we find the best solutions to our problems.
How does it work?
Just like with all other sleeping bags, this one seeks to eliminate body heat loss and instead trap the warm air that your body makes. This is known as “dead air” and it is kept warm by the heat generated from your body’s metabolism. This sleeping bag works the same way except that is does it on the largest scale possible right now.
To make things safer in such extreme temperatures, the manufacturer has developed a double zipper system so that if one zipper were to fail, there is a backup. This is important when you are dealing with such cold temperatures. In fact, it could save your life. If you were exposed to such freezing temperatures and your zipper did not work then the sleeping bag would not be able to function correctly in trapping your body heat.
When would you use this sleeping bag?
A sleeping bag of this magnitude would only be needed in the coldest and harshest of environments. The manufacturer seeks to associate this bag with “expedition” which when you think of the word “expedition” you can’t help but not think of somewhere like Antarctica. In fact, Antarctica would be the perfect place to use this bag. Not at all times though as the coldest recorded temperature on earth from a satellite was in Antarctica at a staggering −144 °F. Even this sleeping bag would not save you in that kind of temperature!
Actual users of this sleeping bag report using it in places like Alaska as well which is known for its extremely cold temperatures. Anywhere on earth with very cold temperatures would be a good place to use this sleeping bag. It could be too warm if you weren’t in at least -20°F, which makes it only useful for a very very small amount of users. If you are planning a trip to Alaska to go camping in the winter then this sleeping bag might be on your gear list.
Do I need a sleeping bag like this?
You probably don’t need a sleeping bag like this unless you are planning a really intense camping trip. If you are then you are in the wrong place. If you are going to be camping somewhere cold, you still won’t need a sleeping bag with this rating 99 times out of 100. Most of the time we won’t be camping at below zero, even in the winter, unless you are crazy then be my guest. If you camp mainly in the spring, summer, and fall then try out a basic sleeping bag like the one I use.
If you want to do some winter camping then no doubt you will need a good sleeping bag, among other good gear. Typically, you can categorize sleeping bags into three categories based on their temperature ratings as such:
- Summer: +30° or more
- 3-season: +15° to +30°
- Winter: +15° or less
Most people go camping in the summer and if you live somewhere where the summers are nice and warm then getting a sleeping bag with a rating of +30° or more is probably good enough for you. This is the rating of a sleeping bag that I personally use most often.
If you enjoy extending the camping season from spring and into fall then a 3-season sleeping bag may be more appropriate. If it is too warm, you could always unzip your sleeping bag to allow some warm air to ventilate out. I believe that the 3-seasons will fit the needs of most people that go camping and you can enjoy camping for a longer part of the year. 3-season sleeping bags are probably the most versatile sleeping bags. However, if you live in a warmer climate then a 30 sleeping bag could be adequate for you like it is for me (link to a review of the sleeping bag I use).
If you want to go camping year-round no matter how cold it is, you might want a good winter sleeping bag. These are usually the “mummy-style” sleeping bags that you see. These are the usually the warmest and highest quality, they also show their quality with their pricing. You might not need the warmest sleeping bag in the world, but you will want to make sure that your winter sleeping bag is adequately warm enough for the temperatures that you will be camping in. If you are expected to be in temperatures below 15° then a winter-based sleeping bag is right for you.
Conclusion
The “Snowy Owl EX -60 Sleeping Bag” is the warmest sleeping bag in the world and is only necessary for visiting and camping in the coldest and harshest locales in the world. Places like Antarctica, Alaska, and Canada are places where this sleeping bag could be useful. It is designed and made with the most innovative fabrics in the world and the manufacturer has a very good reputation. Most of us, however, will never need a sleeping bag this warm, it can only realistically be used in temperatures at least below -20°. You will never catch me anywhere near that cold of temperature and I think it is probably similar for most other people. For the rest of us, we have to decide if we want a Summer, 3-season, or Winter sleeping bag.
Related Questions:
Do sleeping bags lose their warmth?
Over a long period of time and prolonged usage, a sleeping bag may begin to lose some of its warmth ratings due to wear and tear. This typically takes several years, but it shouldn’t be a problem unless the sleeping bag is failing to keep YOU adequately warm in temperatures it was designed to do so.
How long does a sleeping bag last?
Sleeping bags should last for several years. It depends a lot on the frequency of usage, how much it is cared for, and if it is properly stored when not in use. Expect a decent quality sleeping bag to last for at least 5 years. 10 years if you take good care of it, but really there is no one answer.
My Favorite Camping Gear
- Air Mattress: click here to check out my favorite on Amazon.
- Tent: click here to see my favorite tent available on Amazon.
- Sleeping Pad: click here to check out the one I love on Amazon.
- Sleeping Bag: click here to see the one I recommend on Amazon.
- Camping Stove: click here to see the best camping stove on Amazon.