I found that from the low 30s into the low 40s I was consistently cold using this bag, even when stacking multiple sleeping pads below me, wearing long underwear, and adding a down jacket as the temps dropped. It is just a bit too big to fit into the separated compartment of my backpack, but it’s easy enough to remove the divider and have one big space in my pack. Here’s a middle-of-the-night picture where you can see that even the heavier, less silky (black) fabric covering the draft tube gets stuck in the zipper. The bag features “gills,” which are two ventilating zippers over the torso area for warm nights that provide extra breathability without letting too much heat escape from inside the bag.

A bag that fits too tight results in your body squeezing against the insulation, reducing its ability to trap heat. This Forte sleeping bag is suitable for three-season use, meaning that in most environments, you can comfortably sleep in it from spring through fall. For this review, they consulted with Appalachian and Pacific Crest Trail thru-hikers, National Outdoor Leadership School alumni, manufacturer reps, and novice backpacker friends to ensure a diverse array of perspectives. Registration only takes effect after receipt of my confirmation; it is possible to unsubscribe at any time. We found it more effective to roll down the blanket-like top portion of the bag to release heat, or to unzip the side of the bag even further.

They're not necessary for a summer backpacking sleeping bag, but we like to see them on bags with 20°F ratings and below. Infrequent, short overnights will work with this bag, but those backpacking more often will want to gravitate toward lighter, more compressible options. Thermo Gills are zippered pockets on the chest of the bag that reveal a less-insulated section of bag underneath, so they can dump heat and allow the bag to be used in warmer temps. Though we like the interesting shape of the Nemo bags, the insulation is not particularly lofty, and the other materials aren't exceptionally soft. Traditionally sleeping bag manufacturers provided their own temperature ratings based on their experience, the product's intended end-use and the perceived environment.

The Nemo Forte Synthetic Sleeping Bag (available in men’s and women’s) is a versatile three-season sleeping bag that offers a ton of comfort and plenty of warmth for most climates.Slender backpackers, heavy sleepers, and others who don't find a mummy bag confining probably won't mind this — but for others, it might not be the best pick. 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.