3-SEASON SLEEPING BAGS

In order to sleep snugly through spring, summer and autumn, a 3-season bag is what you need!

Vaude Sioux 1000 Syn £105

Many low-priced bags aren’t warm, but with this synthetic option you get a very acceptable comfort temperature rating. There is also a shoulder baffle, a feature often missing from cheaper bags. This is very comfy, with an excellent fit. The drawbacks are the 1845g weight and packed size. If you’ll be mostly camping near the car on occasional backpacking trips, then this bag is great and highly recommended.

Weight 1845g Fill synthetic polyester 3D Sensofiber Packed size 22x28cm Bag size 220x80cm Temperature rating -6 deg C + price; shoulder baffle; temperature rating; synthetic insulation performance if damp

- very heavy for regular backpacking Trail tested June16 4.2/5

Rab Ignition 4 £160

This is a fantastic bag for the money and you have to pay a lot more to see a worthwhile improvement, although some lower-priced bags do have specific benefits. You get a full shoulder baffle with dedicated drawcord, and a full-length side zip with a very wide baffle too. The insulation is within a ripstop nylon outer and nylon inner for durability. In terms of comfort and fit, this is superb, but the drawbacks are the weight and packed size.

Weight 1719g Fill synthetic Pyrotec polyester microfibre

Packed size 24x45cm Bag size 220x80cm Temperature rating -7 deg C

+ temperature rating; price; shoulder collar with drawcord; large internal space - very high weight Trail tested June16 4.4/5

Snugpak Softie 9 Hawk £120

Made in West Yorkshire, this synthetic bag has a Paratex nylon shell and lining. There is a full-length side zip with a good baffle, but no shoulder baffle. It is slightly heavy; but it does have a good temperature rating. The shoulder drawcords provide a neat fit but they aren’t as easy as they could be to tell apart. High-priced bags fit more closely and are more comfortable, but the packed size is reasonable. This is a good general sleeping bag.

Weight 1566g Fill synthetic Softie Premier Packed size 26x20cm

Bag size 220x77cm Temperature rating -5 deg C + price; synthetic insulation performance when damp - not the lightest option; no shoulder baffle Trail tested June16 4.2/5

Montane Direct Ascent £300

This is not the lowest-priced bag, but you are getting a good temperature rating, weight and packed size, and that is reflected in the cost. The insulation is not hydrophobic, but it is very impressive in terms of adjustment and fit. There is a fulllength zip and shoulder baffle and you also get soft brushed microfleece around the chin area. A nice extra feature is that the outside of the bag has silicone patches on it to help reduce slippage on a sleeping mat. Weight 1051g Fill 800 fill power down Packed size 25x21cm Bag size 205x78cm Temperature rating -5 deg C

+ weight and packed size; shoulder baffle; hood fit

- price; not quite as warm as some bags; down isn’t water-resistant Trail tested June16 4.4/5

Mountain Hardwear Lamina Z £140

Welded construction reduces bulky seams and maximises the ‘loft’ (air-trapping ability) of the synthetic insulation, which is ‘zoned’ so you have more where it is needed most. The outer is ripstop nylon for durability, while the lining is polyester for comfort. The weight is very good for a synthetic bag with its temperature rating. It is roomy and there is a shoulder baffle, but no drawcord, so the fit could be better. The packed size and weight are more impressive than most synthetic bags, and the side zip has a very good anti-snag design.

Weight 1310g Fill synthetic Thermal Q insulation Packed size 18x39cm Bag size 205x85cm Temperature rating to -6 deg C + price; weight for a synthetic bag with this temperature rating - down-insulated bags are even lighter Trail tested June16 4.2/5

Rab Neutrino 600 £380

With this bag you get top-quality materials, more waterresistant down and a very good temperature rating. The outer is made from Pertex Quantum, which is durable, very breathable and very lightweight. You get a fulllength side zip with an excellent internal baffle, as well as a shoulder baffle with drawcords. Get inside and the drawcords on the shoulder baffle and hood ensure a really good fit. The whole bag just oozes snuggly comfort. The down is held in a trapezoidal baffle system, which means any cold spots are unlikely.

Weight 1188g Fill hydrophobic 800 power fill down Packed size 22x24cm Bag size 223x80cm Temperature rating -8 deg C

+ weight and packed size for temperature rating; hydrophobic down; shoulder baffle

- price; potentially warmer than you need; colour-coded drawcords would be nice

Trail tested June16 4.6/5