Gear Review – Zpacks Sleeping Bags

Zpacks Sleeping Bags

I bought my Zpacks 20degF sleeping bag after nearly freezing to death one night at Boulder Pass during my 2018 Glacier National Park hike. I’ll write about that ‘fun’ night in another post but suffice it to say it convinced me I needed a warmer sleeping bag than the old 30-deg Montbell bag I bought in 2009. My quest for a new sleeping bag didn’t start that night. I had already been researching sleeping bags. Numerous reviews pointed me to the Zpacks line of sleeping bags. They are expensive, but Zpacks sleeping bags’ warmth-to-weight ratio is hard to beat.

Overview and Weight

The Zpacks sleeping bags come in three temperature ratings (10deg=$469, 20deg=$449, and 30deg=$429). There are four color choices (blue, green, black, and orange), three bag lengths, and three bag widths for whichever bag temperature rating you choose. I am a ‘grande’-size person (6’4″, 250 pounds), so the ability to get a longer, wider bag was a huge selling point for me. I bought the 20deg ‘classic’ sleeping bag in the ‘long’ length (up to 6’6″ height) and ‘broad’ width (up to 60″). That version of the 20deg bag costs $489 currently. The longer and broader choices cost more. The Zpacks website lists my bag version as 595 grams (21 ounces). I weighed my bag at 654 grams, though it’s been repaired twice, adding some weight.

Construction of the Zpacks Sleeping Bags

All Zpacks ‘classic’ sleeping bags are stuffed with DownTek PCF-FREE water-resistant 900 fill goose down. DownTek is a treated down that stays dry 90% longer than untreated. Each compartment is overstuffed with 30% more 900 Fill Power Premium Goose Down than is necessary for maximum loft to account for any future down compression. The bags are sewn with vertical baffles on the upper body that keep down from migrating to the sides. The foot box is narrower than the upper body area but is still roomy. It fits the shape of your feet comfortably in all sleeping positions. The liner and the shell are treated with C0 durable water repellent to resist rain spray and body moisture. In the field, I found the sleeping bag roomy and comfortable.

Cinch system to seal head opening

The Zpacks sleeping bags use a stretch string and line lock to create a cinch system to seal the head end of the bag. The classic bags are not mummy bags, so the cinch system allows you to create a mummy bag-like head cover or seal the bag tighter around your neck. I rarely feel the need to use the cinch system in practice though it is a welcome addition on frigid nights.

I’ve found the Zpacks sleeping bag to be fragile

I think the Zpacks sleeping bag is fantastic, but it isn’t perfect. The bag is fragile, and its durability is questionable based on my field experience. I’ve had to have my bag repaired twice by Zpacks. The first repair was to replace the zipper (which had failed) and fix a reasonably large hole that occurred when the zipper got caught in the outer material (ok, my fault, but it still shouldn’t have torn the fabric so easily). The second was to repair a huge hole that occurred on our March 2022 Smokies hike.

Conclusion – Zpacks Sleeping Bags

Despite being a bit ‘delicate,’ I would never trade my Zpacks sleeping bag for any other sleeping bag. I love it! The sleeping bag is amazingly warm for its weight, and it is very comfortable. Before my Zpacks bag, I used a Montbell 30-degree bag. Not only does the Zpacks bag weigh 4 ounces less than my Montbell bag, but it is also rated 10 degrees warmer. It is also roomier and more comfortable than my Montbell bag. Yes, Zpacks bags are crazy expensive. But I think it’s worth the cost for a fantastic sleeping bag that will last you many years in the field. I highly recommend Zpacks sleeping bags, but handle them gently.