The Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags of 2026

The Quick & Dirty: Bags from specialty manufacturers like Western Mountaineering and Feathered Friends are some of the nicest out there, and this 20-degree option is the top of the pile in our opinion.

The Feathered Friends Swallow UL ($659) is a highly refined sleeping bag from a boutique manufacturer, and as a buy-once-cry-once option, it’s tough to do better than this. Feathered Friends does goose down exceptionally well, and it’s only the best inside this bag.

The 950+ fill-power goose down is something you’ll only really see offered from smaller manufacturers, and while you’ll pay for it, it’s tough to argue that you’d regret it. There’s 1 pound, 0.8 ounces of the stuff in the regular-size bag we tested this summer, and even for known cold-sleeper Nick Belcaster, the 20-degree rating was conservative.

Belcaster used this bag through spring and into summer in the Pacific Northwest, culminating in an 8-day traverse of the Brooks Range in Alaska. While typically a quilt-dweller, the mercurial weather of the Arctic required a full-coverage option, and Nick was glad to have the Swallow when temperatures dipped down to around the mid-30s.

Compared to the brand’s Hummingbird, the Swallow has a slightly more spacious cut to accommodate more layering. Otherwise, the interior and exterior fabrics are the same, and it uses a Pertex Endurance 10-denier shell along with a 15-denier inner that feels buttery smooth against the skin.

It’s tough to take issue with any one part of the Swallow, but the fabric strap that snaps the hood closed is a bit thin and doesn’t feel as trustworthy as if it were a bit chunkier in profile. The bag also doesn’t come with a compression sack, which would be appreciated at this price. The fact that the bag slides in over $600 may be the worst we can level at it, but we see no reason this bag won’t outlast many others.

Compared to pretty much any other backpacking bag out there, the Swallow UL 20 is about the best we’ve seen. You might also consider a bag from Western Mountaineering (the AlpinLite we’ve reviewed is top-notch), but for a bit less, this bag is every bit as good.

The Quick & Dirty: This down-filled bag is priced lower than many premium options, but it meets most of the performance metrics we’re looking for. If an ultralight backpacking bag is out of your price range, this bag will take you far.

The Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass ($315) earns its place on the podium as our best budget down bag thanks to its versatility and wallet-friendly price tag. This bag is available in 0°F, 15°F, and 30°F variations. After testing the middle-of-the-pack option for more than a year, we found it delivers ample insulation, a decent packed size and weight, and sturdy materials at a very reasonable price.

It’s 650 fill-down lofts to 5.5 inches and is protected by a DWR (durable water-repellent) ripstop nylon shell. The 20-denier shell holds up well to abuse, and the 30-denier liner is soft against the skin. At 2.25 pounds, this bag is an average weight for its class.

We also loved that it can be zipped together with other MHW bags, featuring an opposite-side zipper, to create a larger shared bed for two. While this bag might not be the warmest or lightest in the lineup, it is more durable than some of its thin-skinned competitors. The materials are a bit sturdier, which keeps this bag above 2 pounds.

One minor complaint is that we prefer a bigger, circumferential draft tube at the neck (like those on the Mountain Hardwear Phantom or Western Mountaineering AlpinLite), but the collar baffle does a decent job of keeping cold air out. Also, it doesn’t pack as small as other bags with higher down fill power, but for the price, it’s acceptable.

As a mummy-shaped bag, the Bishop Pass will be more thermally efficient than roomier bags, but if you know you’re liable to toss and turn, consider a roomier bag like the Therm-a-Rest Boost 650. You’ll only need to shell out ~$25 more, and the interior space makes it a crossover-worthy bag that can go backpacking and camping. This bag also isn’t quite the bottom dollar on down sleeping bags, and the $170 Kelty Cosmic Down will get you through similar temperatures, just with lower-quality down and shell fabrics.

If you’re on a budget but still looking for a bag that performs well, the Bishop Pass checks all the boxes without compromising too much on quality. It’s a great choice for folks who want the warmth and packability of a down sleeping bag without the high price tag of top-tier models.

The Quick & Dirty: At just over $100, the Trailmade is a budget-savvy choice for those just getting into backpacking. It won’t pack down the smallest, or be the most featured, but the value is high on this bag.

Made for hikers of all sizes, the newer-to-the-scene REI Co-op Trailmade Bags ($119) offer an impressive six sizes to fit anyone, regardless of label. But even beyond the accommodating fit, the price is the big draw here, and for a little more than a Benjamin, you get a highly serviceable camp bag that’ll stick around for the long haul.

During our inaugural camping trip with this bag in Joshua Tree National Park during spring, we tested the Regular size and found it ideal for our 5’10”, 160-pound tester, and kept us warm down to 32 degrees F. The footbox was a surprising highlight of this relaxed mummy-cut bag, which offers a roomy ‘up-kick’ of space and lets your tootsies fully extend without cold spots — very nice. The taper through the legs is a bit narrow, however, so those who aren’t used to the mummy cut might find the slumber a bit snug.

New in 2026, REI has tweaked the temperature rating on this bag to be 25 degrees, which we think is a better approximation of the lower limit (it was previously 20 degrees). The comfort rating — the temperature most sleepers should be able to sleep through the night in — is 31 degrees, and for most campers, this should get them through the entire summer without worry.

The insulating properties of the recycled polyester fill aren’t anything to rave about, but it does its job admirably in this cut and provides a predictable amount of warmth. Additional niceties on the Trailmade include a snag-free zipper guide and an exterior stash pocket for your phone, headlamp, or water filter. The exterior fabrics follow the same ‘heavier-but-durable’ ethos and, after three seasons of use, are still holding up excellently.

Perfect for those who want to fine-tune their sleeping bag fit or just get outside without sacrificing the gas to get there, the Trailmade 25 has been a welcome addition to our gear closets and is a bag that’ll serve many in their introduction to the outdoors.

The Quick & Dirty: This bag converts from a trim mummy profile to a semi-rectangular fit for warmer nights and more room. It’s a bit heavy for true backpacking, but as a bag that will work for camping as well, it’s a cozy do-it-all option.

The Therm-a-Rest Boost 650 ($340) is the backpacking sleeping bag for those who feel claustrophobic in mummy bags. This versatile option uses a ‘WarmZip’ zipper that runs along the center, allowing you to expand this relaxed mummy shape into an even wider cut when the warmth isn’t needed (or you want space to spread out).

This ability also makes this sleeping bag ideal for those who want one option for both camping and backpacking. We’ve previously recommended the NEMO Disco for this purpose, but think the Boost 650 covers the bases better, as it’s a good bit warmer in mummy mode and packs in more down across both temperature rating options. During testing this spring, we were surprised by just how toasty this bag could be, and the 20-degree bag we tested kept our tester (5’10, 160 pounds, male) warm down to just below freezing.

The material choices on the Boost 650 all lean toward comfort, and the 20-denier nylon shell and lining are both soft and cozy. Ample draft collars on all zippers also add to this, and sometimes we even forget that this bag is aimed at backpacking and not camping. The weight of the 20-degree version does dampen overall performance, however, and at 2 pounds, 11 ounces, it’s a full pound heavier than trim bags like the Feathered Friends Swallow.

Like many Sea to Summit bags, the Boost 650 lets you wear it around camp thanks to its two zippered armholes. This also gives you access to the WarmZip for easy adjustment. The system on Sea to Summit bags, however, works better as it doesn’t require two separate zippers as the Boost 650 does, and we could live without the option on the Therm-a-Rest bags.

The center WarmZip, however, we can’t live without it in this bag, and it makes the Boost 650 stand out among many backpacking bags out there. Get the 32-degree version if you’re planning on mainly summer use, and the 20-degree version if you want to push into the shoulder seasons a bit more.

The Quick & Dirty: One step down from the ultra-premium bags, this option still uses high-quality 850 fill down and lightweight 10D fabric to provide ample warmth in a lightweight package.

When it comes to ultralight and cutting-edge gear, some of the bags on our list can be pretty pricey. But for those looking for packability and customization at a great value, the Sea to Summit Spark ($349-649) line is a worthwhile option. 

The technical side is exceptional: RDS-certified 850+ fill down, PFAS-free DWR treatment, and a well-chosen 10D face fabric that feels like a dream — all combining to let you snooze in comfort.

The Spark also does a great job of showing off some well-thought-out specialized features, including a hybrid baffling system to limit down migration where it counts, a technically constructed hood that isn’t too big or too small, and a foot box design that ensures you’re not plantar flexing your feet all night. 

While it isn’t the absolute lightest bag on our list, or our top overall choice, it boasts a high degree of customization, from 0-degree to 45-degree options, half zips or full side zips, and the choice of regular, long, or women’s sizing. For those searching for a couple’s compatible bag, the full-length zip options can even zip together to form one large sleeping bag!

The Spark is a touch snug around the legs for the sizing, which won’t work for some larger folks, and it lacks a differential cut design, which we find to be an important feature for eliminating cold spots. For those looking for a bit more wiggle room, the Therm-a-Rest Parsec is a worthwhile option, and for those who don’t mind spending more, the Western Mountaineering AlpinLite gives the Spark a run for its money.

At the end of the day, the Sea to Summit Spark is a well-rounded ultralight bag that won’t let you down.

The Quick & Dirty: This backpacking quilt is ideal for those who want to carry the least on their back but still have a cozy night in the backcountry. There’s a learning curve with quilts, but once you get the hang of it, this is a great option for backpackers.

Backpacking quilts are a whole other ballgame compared to sleeping bags, and while there are a vast number available, we’ve settled on the Katabatic Alsek 22 Quilt ($389-509) as the best out there for most folks.

Besides the packed-volume and weight benefits of a quilt (on average, 20-30% lighter), the versatility of open-backed camping insulation is huge. We initially tested this quilt on a late-season PCT Section J hike, where temperatures swung widely. Thankfully, the Alsek is amenable and handled everything from sub-30 to balmy 55-degree temps overnight.

The Alsek’s pad-attachment system is the best we’ve used. It consists of 2mm cords that encircle your sleeping pad and attach to the quilt in four different spots. These can be snugged in to close or widened to provide more ventilation. Add an elastic binding on that back opening that keeps drafts at bay, and we’ve been cozy all night in this quilt.

Compared to standard bearers like the Enlightened Equipment Revelation (which we’ve previously awarded), we found the finish on the Katabatic line of quilts to be a cut above, with high-end Pertex fabrics being used. Also, while the temp ratings of EE quilts are a bit optimistic for some campers, the Alsek swings in the opposite direction and can often be taken down to its rating.

While the Alsek can’t be fully unzipped, we found we lost less heat from its footbox than with quilts that turn into blankets. So you’ll trade some versatility, but for taking the quilt right down to the limit, we found it a worthy compromise. It’s also still quite easy to pop a leg or two out overnight if things warm up too much, and for those after the full blanket experience, Katabatic also makes its Flex line of bags, which open entirely.

Price is the trade for performance here, but starting at $389 (for a 5’6″ length and 850 fill down), this quilt isn’t unattainable, or even expensive compared to some 20-degree sleeping bags. With the ability to dial in your perfect quilt (six different sizes are available and two down types), we think the Alsek 22 Quilt is an excellent option for lightweight hikers.

The Quick & Dirty: If you need high-powered warmth in a trim silhouette and light fabrics, the 0-degree Phantom is an excellent option. The materials and down are top-notch, and the cut is highly efficient for maximum warmth. It is also pretty expensive and can be snug for those who want a more casual bag.

The Mountain Hardwear Phantom ($510-740) borrows fabric from the brand’s legendary wisp of a down jacket, the Ghost Whisperer, and generally turns the dials in a bit more to create an even more fine-tuned sleeping bag for those headed into the alpine. Other notable updates include the pivot from a 20D nylon taffeta to a more premium (and lighter) 15D ripstop, as well as an even lighter weight.

The tradeoff to a lighter fabric set throughout seems to have worked, as even though the bag pivots to a slightly lesser 800-fill goose down (the previous version was 850), it is no heavier for it and still achieves the same comfort and temperature ratings. The climbers and mountaineers among us flocked to the 0-degree version ($710) of this bag during testing, and after returning from far-flung exploits, they provided a unanimous “yea.”

We’ve also now tested the 15-degree version of the Phantom ($610) on a backcountry mission to paddle two different Arctic rivers this summer and found it to be primed for 3-season adventures, where weight still matters. There is a 10-ounce difference in fill weight, which makes the lighter version ideal for temperatures that frequently dip below freezing.

The large foot box and 58 inches of shoulder girth provide comfortable sleeping, with enough room to tuck a hot Nalgene at your feet to keep your toes warm. We found the 10-denier nylon fabric is tougher than most bags in its class. On cold nights, 6 inches of down and large baffles keep the draft and cold air out.

Unfortunately, all of this bag’s warmth comes at a high price. Our biggest complaint is that it is not in the budget for many shoppers, but that’s the price you pay for a hyper-specialized bag. A similarly specced option (at a more palatable price) is the REI Co-op Magma, which we’d recommend to folks who the Phantom appeals to but don’t have any big-mountain needs.

Overall, the Phantom is a must for any serious climber or winter backpacker looking for a lightweight adventure bag that doesn’t skimp on warmth or quality. The Western Mountaineering AlpinLite is the logical upgrade from this bag for those looking to spend more on a true investment piece, but we think the Phantom does the job just as well for less out of pocket.

The Quick & Dirty: This bag is offered in nine different size variations, and uses top-shelf materials to offer a solid backpacking bag that should fit just about anyone.

Newly revamped in 2024, the REI Co-op Magma ($349-399) is back in a big way, having been totally rebuilt from the ground up and designed to offer 9 (!) total sizing combinations. From Short and Narrow to Long and Wide, REI has also ditched the standard gendered convention to get more people in better-fitting sleeping bags, and our side-by-side testing shows that it’s working.

Thankfully, REI retained all that we loved about the previous version of the Magma: the 850-fill-power down, the lightweight 15-denier Pertex nylon shell, and excellent packability are still standouts, but those added sizings are what really won us over in the new version. We put in evenings in the Medium-Medium and Medium-Long cuts, and they were sized perfectly for the 5’10, 160 pound and 6’2, 170 pound testers.

Abandoning the traditional gendered style of sizing sleeping bags may be a little confusing for some, which is why we highly recommend trying out the Magma in person before making a purchase. To be sure, the Magma is still a mummy bag through and through, which makes it ideal for backpacking; however, accurate sizing is still crucial for a proper fit. Thankfully, an ample vaulted footbox provides plenty of room for your feet.

One of our bigger gripes with the previous iteration of this 15-degree sleeping bag was a decided lack of warmth for such a rated bag, but no longer. REI added an average of 7 extra ounces of down across the size range, making it a toasty-warm bag. Now, if they can overhaul the included stuff sack (which, unfortunately, lacks a compression system), we’ll be set.

The mummy-cut Magma is pretty comparable to the Sea to Summit Spark or Feathered Friends Swallow, but we found the bag’s more generous leg cut to be a winner for those of us who toss and turn in the night. When you’re checking out the Magma in-store to dial in your fit, make sure that the snug profile is to your liking.

If finding the perfect fitting sleeping bag has you tossing and turning, the Magma offers up a new way. With a recently boosted warmth, trim backpacking mummy cut, and overall light weight, this bag has backpacking chops, and it doesn’t ask you to cram yourself into it to take advantage.

The Quick & Dirty: This premium sleeping bag uses some of the nicest materials out there to craft a buy-once, cry-once option. The price is almost too high for us to recommend it to everyone, but if you want a legacy bag, this is it.

The Western Mountaineering AlpinLite 20 ($745-765) is built to mimic everything fans loved about its UltraLite bag, but with the addition of extra shoulder room. Indeed, the size long offers up to 65 inches of shoulder girth, affording a few extra inches over most of the competition at a similar weight — and all trimmed out in some of the nicest materials you can get your hands on.

The brand designed the 12D shell fabric to be extra breathable, promoting as much loft as possible from the 1 pound 3 ounces of 850 goose down (that’s ~2 ounces more than the Feathered Friends Swallow 20, for those counting). The result is a finely tuned bag that is super warm, backed by a jumbo, 3D-insulated collar that helps seal in as much heat as possible for alpinists and serious backpackers.

The larger-than-normal cut is also a step above most ultralight bags, and can accommodate tucking in some clothes or a warm water bottle beside you. Tester Bergen Tjossem found that this extra space also makes this bag a bit more versatile for venting, as you’ve got a bit more room to move around when the zippers are pulled down.

This is one of the most expensive bags on our list, but it deserves consideration for those committed to quality. The high loft and down rating may well justify this expense for some, and like Feathered Friends’ sleeping bags, it should be considered an investment from a boutique gear manufacturer.

For most, however, we tend to believe that a more general bag like the Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass is a better bet. Yes, it’s a slightly heavier bag, and yes, it’s not quite as warm, but for the extra $415, you start to hit diminishing returns unless you really need the performance. To be sure, this is one sweet bag — but be sure you really need all of it before pulling the trigger.

The Quick & Dirty: This budget-minded down and synthetic bag makes a perfect next step for those ready to graduate from a synthetic bag and into something with a bit more performance.

The REI Co-op Radiant 20 ($199) is a value-packed sleeping bag that doesn’t compromise on warmth, and it allows for some space to toss and turn while still keeping the weight down.

Offered as an affordable alternative to the Magma series, the Radiant uses a polyester shell and 600-fill down to slide in under $200. However, it borrows many design features from high-end bags. REI gave this bag the same nine-size-profile treatment as the Magma bags, so it’s easy to get into a bag tailored to you. Senior Editor Nick Belcaster used the medium size this summer and found the sizing to be spot on.

In addition to the 600-fill down, the footbox tucks in synthetic insulation to prevent moisture where your feet meet the tent walls. Smart. The bag’s shape lets in some extra space in the shoulders and hips, and our resident toss-and-turners had no complaints about being able to move around.

REI didn’t skimp on the Radiant’s little features to hit the price point, either: a decent draft collar encircles the face opening to trap warmth, an interior pocket secures your headlamp, and snag-free zipper sliders won’t damage your sleeping bag fabric in the middle of the night.

The Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass 15 isn’t a vis-à-vis comparison to this bag, but the Radiant does pack in about 5 ounces more down in the same size, and that’s with a slightly warmer bag rating. The tradeoff is in weight, and the added synthetic fill in the REI bag does give it a ~5-ounce penalty. For the wallet savings, however, it’s a savvy trade.

Quick & Dirty: A comfortable spoon shape makes this bag super comfortable for those who can’t stand mummy bags, and the ventilation system helps modulate warmth when conditions change. The bag is fairly heavy for backpacking however, and won’t be as warm when temperatures dip near the rating.

With 60 inches of shoulder girth and venting options for when things get too toasty, the NEMO Disco ($300) is one of our favorite bags for active sleepers. The ample room is complemented by two of NEMO’s Thermo-Gill vents that zip open to allow for more space in the torso. Zip them shut on especially cold nights to keep more heat in and lessen the dead air space.

It’s that ‘spoon’ shape that really won us over, however, and for those with wider hips, it can be a game-changer. While the middle of this bag tapers a bit (to keep some thermal performance around your core), the footbox expands out to nearly the same width as the shoulders and allows for a number of different sleeping positions.

The 30-denier ripstop shell feels sturdy and held up well in testing on rough terrain. The nylon liner is also super soft and pleasant to sleep against. A final touch we appreciated is the breathable, waterproof foot. Down loses its warming power when wet, and our feet are the first place to get saturated from condensation in the tent. It also touts one of our favorite bonuses: a compression sack.

Heavier fabric and plenty of fill mean the 15-degree Disco we tested weighs a hefty 3 pounds, 5 ounces in the regular. This is still way lighter than many bags, but a full pound heavier than some of the ultralight bags tested.

If you sleep on your side and dislike sleeping on your back, try the Disco — we prefer the 30-degree version for summer use and the 15-degree version for shoulder season backpacking. This bag is well-suited to those who need to dial in their temperature throughout the evening or who need some extra room to stretch out or move around.

The Quick & Dirty: This is the bottom dollar on down-filled bags, and for warm summer use, it’s a good option. The materials used are notably heavier than those of other, more efficient bags, and we think that the Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass is a better option if you can swing it.

For hundreds less than many other bags on the market, the Kelty Cosmic Down ($180-210) does a lot for a little. By using a budget-friendly 550-fill down and leaving out a few features, you get a perfectly serviceable sleeping sack for backpacking through the summer months.

There are two major differences between budget and higher-end sleeping bags: insulation and trim. In the Cosmic 20, a lower fill power of 550 down means it’s not quite as thermally efficient as, say, the 950-fill in a Feathered Friends bag, but it’s still nicer to pack than synthetic. You’ll mostly notice the difference in packed size with lower fill power, and while a 10-liter compressed size isn’t bad, higher-performance bags can get down to 7 or 8 liters.

The cut of the Cosmic Down is a classic mummy with a bit of space left in, which helps shore up the lesser fill-power down but still isn’t a constrictor. This is where we notice some of the cost-saving measures, however, and notably, the zippers on the Cosmic are less quality than other bags we’ve tested and don’t incorporate any anti-snag sliders. Still, with a careful touch, they work a treat, but need to be treated nicer than most.

While the Cosmic is undoubtedly bottom-dollar, you can get a better bag if you’re willing to spend a little more. The Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass 15 uses a nicer 650-fill down and a ripstop nylon shell (compared to the taffeta used in this bag), is a bit warmer, and is lighter. You’ll need to pay about double for the privilege, but after three seasons on both bags, the Bishop Pass is holding up a good bit better, so it’ll last longer.

Still, there’s plenty of other backpacking kit to buy, and if you just need a bag to get you through (or want to pad out your closet with a loaner bag), the Cosmic Down 20 is well up to the task. For the price, we think it’s one of the better budget options out there today.

The Quick & Dirty: If you want a backpacking quilt that is totally customizable, this is the one to snag. We aren’t the biggest fans of the cinch cord at the neck, and think that sewn footboxes on quilts hold more heat, but it’s still a good choice.

Ultralight backpacking quilts are gaining in popularity, and the Enlightened Equipment Enigma ($355) is certainly to thank for part of that rise. The Enigma is designed for the dedicated, weight-conscious backpacker wanting the most dialed, no-frills ultralight setup.

Enlightened Equipment is known for the high level of customization it offers for its quilts, allowing the weight, warmth, size, durability, and style to be perfectly dialed for whatever adventure lies ahead. Check out the fully custom Enigma to find your perfect style. Just beware, these have some long lead times.

You can also choose between 7D, 10D, or 20D fabrics for the outside, and 7D or 10D for the inside, to adjust the quilt’s durability. We found that a 10D outside and 7D inside held up just fine over months of abuse. The baffles are thoughtfully designed into a continuous U shape, which reduces feather shifting, and the stitching between the baffles doesn’t go all the way through the quilt, eliminating cold spots.

The quilt also comes with an elastic strap attachment system for securing it to sleeping pads and a cinch cord at the neck to further eliminate drafts. We wish they had placed the pull cord on the side of the quilt, rather than right in the middle above your face, as it can get annoying while trying to sleep — really, one of our only complaints.

In short, the Enigma Quilt is a reliable, ultralight, and super warm alternative to traditional sleeping bags while backpacking. For long thru-hikes spanning months or fast and light forays in the mountains, this thing will keep you toasty without weighing you down.

The Quick & Dirty: This synthetic bag has a few fun features such as added zippers that allow you to wear it around camp. That said, it’s a bit pricey for a synthetic bag, and we think the REI Trailmade is a better option.

The Sea to Summit Hamelin ($176) combines all the camp-savvy functionalities of the brand’s higher-end bags into a budget-friendly synthetic option. This bag quickly became one of our bash-around favorites for chucking in the back of the truck and warm-weather camping trips, where down-filled bags can overheat in certain conditions.

Backpacker Nick Belcaster (5’10, 160 pounds, typically a colder sleeper) tested the 30-degree version this summer in the Pacific Northwest, where the ventilation options on the bag made it workable for outdoor overnight temperatures ranging from the low 40s to the high 70s. It’s tough to get a budget bag that covers a wide range, but the Hamelin does it well.

Like the brand’s more premium down-filled Ascent bags, the Hamelin hosts the ‘Free Flow’ full-length side zipper, which encircles the bag and opens up a multitude of different venting options. During testing, Belcaster most often started the night with the footbox unzipped and then would pin things up once the coldest part of the night had passed. You can even wear the bag around camp by using the snaps on the collar.

The packed size of this bag is pretty bulky, and certainly the largest relative to the temperature rating in our recommendations. That said, it’s certainly not as large as a rectangular synthetic bag, and in the 30-degree version — the one we recommend more — it’s manageable to even get into an ultralight backpack for a quick overnight.

Why do we recommend the REI Trailmade over this bag? A few reasons: First, the Trailmade is offered in six different sizes, compared to the four sizes of the Hamelin (men’s and women’s, plus regular and long). This provides more backpackers with an affordable option for entering the sport. Second, while the Trailmade has become slightly pricier since its debut (now priced at $119), it remains approximately $50 cheaper than the Hamelin.

That said, if you’re after the versatility and venting options that Sea to Summit has baked into this bag, the added spend might be trivial — it’s certainly a roomier and more comfortable bag than the Trailmade. Consider your needs before going either way.