The search for the best lightweight sleeping bag for backpacking and hiking

Have you ever been cold while camping in the mountains? I have! I did a few hikes in the mountains of Central Asia with only my MacPac 150 summer sleeping bag, of course, it was absolutely freezing at night.

So, for this years hiking and backpacking trip to the Caucasus, I was clearly in need for a sleeping bag designed for winter temperatures. This new sleeping bag also had to be: extreme lightweight, compact and affordable. These days I bring my own camping equipment (tent, sleeping mat, sleeping bag) on all my backpacking travel adventures. Therefore, it was really important that the new sleeping bag easily fits in my backpack and that it can be used in different types of climates.

After comparing about ten different sleeping bags, I finally opted for the Nomad Pegasus 450 sleeping bag and used it during my 2-week backpacking trip in Georgia. Is this Nomad sleeping bag truly the best lightweight sleeping bag for backpacking and hiking? Or should I continue my search?

Left: camping in Kazbegi with a view on Gergeti church, Georgia Right: hiking to Gergeti glacier (3250 meters), Georgia. Copyright Bunch of Backpackers
About the Nomad Pegasus 450 sleeping bag

I brought my Nomad Pegasus 450 sleeping bag on a 2-week backpacking and hiking trip to the Caucasus in Georgia. The Nomad Pegasus 450 sleeping bag is extreme lightweight, has a Down insulation and comes with a compression stuff sack.

Some details of the Nomad Pegasus 450 sleeping bag
Pack size: 27×15 cm
Weight: 810 grams (!) (27 oz)
Comfort temperature: 1 degrees Women, -4 degrees men
Insulation: 3D-Polardown
Max body length: 195 cm
Size in cm: 215 x 80 cm
Fabric shell: 20 Superlight polyester ripstop, breathable, water-repellent finish
Inner pocket: Yes
When temperature drops: hoodie with draw strings
When temperature goes up: open the zipper at the bottom
Costs: 230 euro

Review Nomad Pegasus 450 sleeping bag
What I love:
    • Strong material
    • The sleeping bag felt super comfortable, soft and fresh (slept like a baby every night!)
    • The hoodie provided much extra warmth
    • Extreme lightweight
    • Affordable (especially compared to similar sleeping bags of other companies)
    • It’s easy and quick to pack
    • it comes with a mesh storage bag, which is great for storage at home
    • Suitable for different temperatures as you can adjust the hoodie or the zipper
Best Lightweight Sleeping Bag for Backpacking camping Georgia
Left: View from my tent Right: Camping at Kuraldi Lakes in Georgia. Copyright Bunch of Backpackers
If I was the boss of Nomad, I would improve:
  • Although it is still very small in the compression stuff sack, I couldn’t get it to the promised 27×15 cm.
  • As a small woman of 1.60, the sleeping bag is fairly large! Maybe it’s an idea to also offer the sleeping bag in a slightly smaller size.
Instead of the Nomad Pegasus 450 sleeping bag, these are some other good candidates for the Best Lightweight Sleeping Bag for Backpackers’ title:
  • Lowland Serai 1 sleeping bag: 895 gram down sleeping bag with a comfort temperature of 0 degree for men and a pack size of 28×20 cm’s. Costs 229,95 euro
  • Mountain Equipment Helium 600 sleeping bag: 1070 gram down sleeping bag with a comfort temperature of -1 degree for men and a pack size of 26x23x20 cm. Costs 329 euro.
  • Fjallraven Singi 3-season sleeping bag: 1120 gram down sleeping bag with a comfort temperature of -2 degrees for women and a pack size of 20×34 cm.
Bunch of Backpackers final verdict. Is it truly the best lightweight sleeping bag?

I’m very satisfied with the sleeping bag! It’s perfect for both hiking and backpacking trips as it’s ultra light and does not take up too much space in my backpack. It’s also comfortable and soft. Furthermore, the Nomad Pegasus 450 is probably one of the best value for money lightweight sleeping bags out there. 

View during the Mestia-Ushguli hike in Georgia. Copyright Bunch of Backpackers. 

Do you bring a sleeping bag on your hiking and backpack trips? What type of sleeping bag do you have?

Disclaimer: The Pegasus 450 sleeping bag was provided by the Dutch company Nomad. Views and opinions are as always my own.Find out what I bring on my trips in my Ultimate Packing List!!
Review of the Nordisk Telemark 1 LW tent 

3 COMMENTS

  1. Hi Manouk,
    During my search for reviews on the Pegasus 450 I came across your blog. In the meantime I bought one at baxrecreatieshop.nl in sale for €185 euro., seems like a pretty good deal right? I’m happy to read that you are satisfied with this sleeping bag and that it does what it says. I was wondering what kind of temperatures were you facing at night?

    Best regards,
    Benjamin Onghenae | the Netherlands

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