Estimating warmth is trickier for sleeping bags with synthetic insulation because of the variety of proprietary materials, and it makes a comparison between manufacturers nearly impossible. In the heat-retention test that I conducted on all 13 sleeping bags, the Forte was one of the top performers, so once it’s warmed up, it stays warm. The bottom of this hourglass offers an extra 12 (or more) inches of girth compared to ordinary bags, which gives side and tummy sleepers ample room to stretch their legs in any direction. The Forte also has a waterproof and breathable footbox, designed to keep any condensation out of the bag.

We're also big fans of the full-length zippers on the Feathered Friends and Western Mountaineering bags. Forte’s classic Spoon™ shape provides a generous cut at the elbows and knees so side sleepers can shift positions comfortably throughout the night. I’ve started to see this small plastic cover showing up on more and more sleeping bag zippers over the last couple of years. As these examples illustrate, a bag's comfort is inherently subjective, so it's essential to choose one that matches your preferences. They unzip to let warm air out if you get too hot at night, allowing you to vent body heat without letting cold drafts in and they work really well, especially in changeable conditions.We think you could be comfortable in this bag with a high R-value sleeping bag in temperatures around the high 30s. I chose the Forte because it has a spoon-shaped design that has interested me since I first heard about them. The no-catch zippers prevent the fabric from getting snagged, and the part of the draft collar most vulnerable to the zipper is reinforced with rugged material to make it more durable. My legs were a little cold, and every time I switched positions I could feel the cold sleeping bag material that my body hadn’t occupied in a while. We know some folks sleep colder than others, but in some cases, we believe the culprit is an inadequate sleeping pad.

Once you get inside your sleeping bag, you instantly compress all the filling beneath you, greatly reducing its efficiency. It’s worth noting that a men’s bag can’t zip to another men’s bag, and the same goes for two women’s bags.We've tested other sleeping pad attachment systems that don't offer a similar degree of adjustability. We always recommend that you choose your bag according to the coldest conditions you will experience; you can always unzip a bag if it is too warm, but trying to sleep when you’re too cold is just miserable. I took a few naps during the peak heat throughout my five days on the trail — right around 90 degrees and dry as can be — seeking the shelter and shade of my tent.

While I haven’t scraped this bag over a jagged pile of rocks, I lived in it for five days, and have not been kind to it. As a whole, I think Nemo products are thoughtfully designed but sometimes struggle with high-quality execution and quality control. I opted not to use it most of the time and just wore a beanie because I didn’t want fabric over my eyes and nose. If your sleeping bag is too roomy, your body has to heat up all that extra space, making you feel colder. Most sleeping bag zippers include a pair of the interlocking pins on one end that allow you to connect and disconnect the left and right sides of the zipper.Comfort Limit Rating: This is the lowest temperature at which an average male should experience a comfortable night’s sleep whilst laid down in a curled up position. It also has NEMO’s pillow pocket, small items zippered pocket, and Thermo Gills, which are two zippers on the front of the bag that can adjust the temperature.