A side sleeper trying to spend the night in a regular sleeping bag often feels like a square peg in a circular hole. The size fits correctly, the sleeping bag is warm, but still, the side sleepers can’t find any comfort at all.
The next day, everyone wakes up chirrupy and ready for the day’s activities. Meanwhile, the sleep-deprived side sleeper is too groggy to enjoy anything at all.
Interestingly, most people normally spend some time sleeping on their sides. And a sizable amount can’t sleep in any other position. That’s why several camping gear manufacturers designed sleeping bags specifically for these folks.
In this article, we reviewed the best sleeping bags for sleepers, in addition to a full guide on how to choose the right one. Here’s a quick list of our top picks:
The 5 Best Sleeping Bags for Side Sleepers Reviewed
When it comes to giving comfort and warmth to a side sleeper, there aren’t too many sleeping bags that fit the bill. The following list is a carefully selected and thoroughly vetted list of the finest in the market.
We also made sure to provide various options for the different genders, styles, weather conditions, and budgets.
1. Big Agnes Sidewinder Sleeping Bag
The best thing about this sleeping bag is that it’s designed for side sleepers from the get-go. It’s not just a good fit or a usable option, but rather a product that tackles all the inconveniences of regular sleeping bags. On top of that, it adds a bunch of brilliant features to maximize the comfort of side sleepers.
Its contours allow you to roll over from one side to the next, bend your legs, and all the while have your pillow under your head. There’s extra padding around all the possible pressure points, so as you change your position, you wouldn’t feel the hardness of the ground.
In addition, the thermal insulation of the Sidewinder is even all around the sleeping bag. So it doesn’t matter which way you roll, you still would feel warm and toasty all around. Thanks to the water-repelling 650 patented down, you have high insulation while keeping the sleeping bag light.
This easy-to-pack lightweight sleeping bag comes in 20 degrees and 35 degrees varieties. It’s a bit pricey but totally worth the cash. And it comes with a lifetimes warranty, which definitely sweetens the deal.
2. Nemo Disco Sleeping Bag
The Nemo Disco sleeping bags are a whole range of gear that caters to various temperatures, sizes, and genders. It’s just so easy to find your dream sleeping bag from this brand.
In addition to the fit, Nemo Disco sleeping bags are optimally designed to give side sleepers the comfort they need, while keeping the weight and size of the bag at the lowest possible end. If this is not a good design, then what is?
Coziness is the name of the game for the Nemo sleeping bags. There’s a generous amount of soft toasty material around the head and shoulders, and this cuddly sensation is definitely welcome for a good night’s sleep.
If the weather becomes too warm, there are ‘Thermo Gills’ around the middle section of the sleeping bag. Opening them up will increase the ventilation, and hence, add the comfort of the sleeper.
That’s barely scratching the surface, as the Nemo Disco bags are packed with amazing features. It all justifies the hefty price tag, and it’s not a surprise at all that this sleeping bag is a hugely popular brand.
3. Sierra Designs Cloud DriDown Sleeping Bag
This ultra-light sleeping bag is simple yet brilliant. The Sierra Cloud gets rid of the one thing that irritates most side sleepers: the zipper! Once that protrusion is out of the way, the happy campers can sleep in any position they like.
The Sierra comes in three varieties; regular, long, and women. It might not provide the huge selections that the Nemo does, but there’s a good chance that you’ll still get a correct fit.
The 800 fill DriDown is among the noteworthy features of the Sierra. It gives tons of comfort and warmth while keeping the sleeping bag light and easily packable. Additionally, it comes with a lifetime warranty, which is always a big plus.
4. Western Mountaineering TerraLite Sleeping Bag
If you’re into hardcore mountain hiking, then you’d need a sturdy ultralight sleeping bag that’s capable of keeping you warm in freezing weather. In that case, you should consider the Western Mountaineering TerraLite.
This sleeping bag weighs slightly over a pound, and it comes with a 12 D shell, that’s also water-resistant. As you might expect from this prime-quality sleeping bag, the fill is goose down, with 850 plus power.
The design of the TerraLite caters to both types of side sleepers by offering left or right zippers. It comes in three sizes that fit medium to large men and women.
5. TETON Sports Outfitter XXL Sleeping Bag
Last but not least, the TETON is an old-school sleeping bag that provides comfort through extra space. This is one of my personal favorites, especially while car camping, as it’s a bit heavy and bulky.
This three-season sleeping bag is convenient and easily accessible through the various zipping options. It’s both warm and breathable, so if you’re not sure how the weather would be, it would keep you comfortable either way.
How to Choose the Right Sleeping Bag if You’re a Side Sleeper?
Side sleepers often feel that they landed on a treasure when they find a sleeping bag that suits their sleeping position preferences. However, there are some essential points to consider before committing to a product. These things can be quite pricey, so we try to choose well!
Size, Weight, and Packability
Long hikes mean that a camper needs to travel light. And hence, the popularity of body-fitting mummy-sleeping bags. Side sleepers need a bit more wiggling space though, so they either size up or look for models that fit their size and sleeping habits simultaneously.
Temperature Rating
Both the EN and ISO systems provide temperature ratings for sleeping bags. They are comfort, upper limit, and lower limit. These temperature recommendations are guidelines for what a sleeping bag can be used for.
Generally speaking, there are spring, all-weather, and winter varieties. It’s of paramount importance to choose a setting that matches the expected temperature of your destination.
Fill Type
The best-case scenario in sleeping bags is high warmth and lightweight. That’s exactly what high value down fill provides, but it comes at a price. Also, many types are affected by water, so a little drizzle would compromise the thermal properties of the sleeping bag.
Synthetic insulation is another option, which saves the day if it rains. This type is also more economic, so you’ll see it a lot in budget-friendly brands. It’s not as effective in warming up though, and it’s significantly heavier than down.
Durability
The D-number reflects how far the sleeping bag can resist rough handling. Normally, camping in green areas where the sleeping bag is always well taken care of and used only inside a tent doesn’t require a high D-rating.
Contrary to that, using a sleeping back on hard ground or thorny forest definitely calls for a D-rating well above 10.
In Conclusion
It’s hard to pick a single product from the list as the best sleeping bag for side sleepers. They’re all great choices, and the one that best fits your personal style is the right one.
Having said that, the Big Agnes Sidewinder is an amazing choice that’s hugely popular. It’s specially designed for side sleepers, it’s comfortable, lightweight, suitable for all-weather, and it comes at a reasonable price.