Sea to Summit Ascent AcII ($399)
We’ve seen the trend in jackets and tents, and now it’s come for sleeping bags: weight savings, warmth, and comfort are no longer at odds. Sea to Summit loaded its Ascent AcII with niceties, like an oversize shape that accommodates all sleeping positions and three zippered openings—full-length on one side, half-length on the other, plus a slit around the footbox—to regulate temperature. It boasts 19.4 ounces of 750-fill down, with a mix of vertical and horizontal baffles that keep the insulation in place and prevent cold spots, and a large draft collar to lock in heat. The result is a no-compromise sleeping bag that weighs just 2.4 pounds. “It’s much roomier than most light bags, but still toasty warm,” said one tester. On a backpacking trip in British Columbia’s Chilcotin, we found it true to the 15-degree temperature rating, but the easy venting system meant we slept great at 60 degrees. That’s an impressive range, especially for such a feathery bag. Sure, there are cozier options. But we have yet to find a worthier bag for three-season use. 2.4 lbs
Mammut Relax Down Bag ($320)
Best in Summer
Claustrophobic sleepers will appreciate the 750-fill Relax Down, which has a wide torso so you can wiggle into a comfortable slumber. The men’s version is rated at 28 degrees (the women’s is four degrees warmer), and a two-way zipper slices up the middle for easy temperature regulation. The included earplugs and sleep mask were nice luxuries. 2.1 lbs (men’s) / 2 lbs (women’s)
NEMO Flyer Pad ($120)
NEMO’s new hybrid design marries the durable nylon exterior of an inflatable pad with the structure and comfort of open-cell foam. The Flyer has about 60 percent less foam than similar pads, replacing the balance of its internal volume with air. Bonus: it takes less than ten breaths—about 30 seconds—to inflate. 1.4 lbs
Marmot Paiju Bag ($564)
Best Year-Round
For an October outing in British Columbia, our tester gambled on the minus-five-degree Paiju’s storm readiness (the threads are waterproof and the shell water-resistant) and went sans tent. Dew shook right off, and the 800-fill water-resistant down kept him toasty even on a windy ten-degree night. Superb packability makes it an ideal choice for summer trips with unpredictable weather. 3.7 lbs
Zenbivy Light Mattress Pad ($159)
Your bag is only as warm as the pad beneath it. Unlike most lightweight air mats, Zenbivy’s has an R-value of five-plus, thanks to 180 grams of synthetic fill. Still, it’s only about the size of a football when packed down. The pad’s rectangular shape means that even restless sleepers will avoid the sting of waking up on the cold, hard ground. 1.3 lbs
NEMO Forte 35 Bag ($160)
Best on a Budget
Finding a high-performance sleeping bag for $150 is hard. Enter the Forte. With 80 percent recycled, moisture-resistant polyester fill, it kept us warm during a wet, near freezing trip. Extra room at the elbows and knees for side sleeping plus zippered ventilation gills are smart details that will make a camping fan out of anyone. 2.1 lbs
Klymit Static V Luxe SL Pad ($120)
The Luxe SL is a lofty 3.5 inches high and 27 inches wide, enough that active sleepers won’t slide off, and it comes at an affordable price. To shave grams, Klymit used a thin 30-denier fabric and narrowed the bottom third of the pad. This translates to a high and dry night of rest on V-shaped baffles so pronounced, they gave back sleepers gentle acupressure therapy. 1.3 lbs
Rab Mythic Ultra 180 Bag ($550)
Best Fast-and-Light
To manufacture a bag that weighs less than a pound, crams into a three-liter stuff sack, and still performs at 32 degrees, Rab used responsibly sourced 900-fill down and a reflective lining made from titanium-coated fibers that capture radiant heat—an industry first. During a fall trip to Greenland, even amid snowfall, our tester slept like a baby. 14 oz
Big Agnes Insulated Axl Air Pad ($180)
For the Axl Air, Big Agnes upgraded one of its most popular lightweight sleeping pads with PrimaLoft’s new synthetic insulation, which includes a warm, ultralight aerogel. It then thermally bonded that fill to the top and bottom of the pad, reducing air movement. The resulting pad has an R-value of three—great for three-season use. It also packs down to Nalgene size. 14 oz