The narrower shape of the ExPed Deep Sleep doesn’t offer as much room to move around, but its length provides plenty of space from head to foot. – Photo Credit: Marion Tucker (CleverHiker.com)
Bottom Line
The Exped DeepSleep 20F makes cold weather coziness its primary objective, offering high-quality warmth at an affordable price. This mummy bag has a snug fit that heats up quickly. Thick synthetic filling delivers head-to-toe comfort and cushioning, helping the bag stay cozy in freezing temperatures. The incorporation of draft tubes and a 360° draft collar further enhances the DeepSleep’s ability to provide excellent insulation and reliable heat retention.
The severe tapering at the leg is a bit narrow for our taste and doesn’t offer much flexibility for side sleepers or night shifters. When temperatures hit the low 50s, the DeepSleep’s insulating prowess becomes too thorough to serve as a comfortable sleep system for summer.
However, when your adventures take you to cooler climates or into the shoulder seasons, the Exped DeepSleep will ensure your whole body stays toasty. One of the most budget-friendly options we’ve encountered, it’s proof that you don’t need to break the bank for quality comfort and warmth.
Quick Specs
Exped DeepSleep 20F
Best Cold Weather Sleeping Bag
CleverHiker Rating:
4.2/5.0
Price:
$150
Temperature Rating:
20°F
Weight:
4 lb. 0.4 oz.(Medium)
Fill Type:
Synthetic
Pros
Accurate temperature ratingPlush insulation equipped to handle colder tempsThoughtful design features to trap heat
Cons
Very tapered design — might be too tight a fit for someBulky design
The plush filling of the ExPed Deep Sleep makes it comfortable to use anywhere. – Photo Credit: Marion Tucker (CleverHiker.com)
Comfort
The Exped DeepSleep’s plush filling is primarily designed to keep the bag well-insulated. But it also makes for a highly comfortable, cushioned surface to sleep on. Exped uses a smooth interior fabric that’s gentle on the skin, and the thickness of the bag’s hood almost negates the need for a pillow.
We found sleeping in the DeepSleep generally cozy, but our biggest complaint about its design is its severely tapered mummy shape. A hallmark of mummy bags is the narrow footbox, but Exped takes this to an extreme, with the bottom of the bag being significantly narrower. The shape of the DeepSleep feels much more restrictive. We found there was much less room to move around than in other mummy bags.
For those who change positions in their sleep or want more space to spread their limbs, the especially narrow cut will prove a less comfortable option. However, if a closer-fitting shape isn’t a bother, the DeepSleep’s slimmer design is incredibly efficient at heating up quickly and staying warm.
The hood on the ExPed Deep Sleep fits snugly around the head to trap heat. – Photo Credit: Marion Tucker (CleverHiker.com)
Warmth
The Exped DeepSleep 20F stands out for its emphasis on creating a warm, comfortable sleep experience. Each element of its design prioritizes heat retention, making this a practical choice for camping in chillier conditions.
The bag has a narrow mummy shape, making it easier to heat up its interior quickly and keep it warm. A cinchable hood insulates the head and also features a neck collar that wraps around the entire circumference of the bag. Heavily padded, the collar traps heat from escaping the bag’s interior and even has a button to secure it around the neck.
Exped also adds extra insulation to the bottom of the bag and, most uniquely, integrates an interior pocket at the foot as a designated spot for hand warmers or a hot water bottle to keep feet toasty all night long. For chilly nights or cold sleepers, the DeepSleep’s thoughtful design elements are made with warmth in mind.
The DeepSleep is rated for 20°F, though Exped recommends 32°F for optimal comfort. We used it for car camping in the low 30s, and even with light layers on, the DeepSleep kept us comfortably warm. Based on our testing, we would anticipate feeling adequately warm in the DeepSleep, even in colder temperatures, as long as we were dressed in heavier layers.
The bag doesn’t fare as well in warmer weather, though. We attempted to use the DeepSleep during an unseasonably warm March night in the low 50s and were immediately way too hot. Even with the bag unzipped, we had to swap it out for a lighter option to get some rest.
With its hood and other insulating features, the ExPed Deep Sleep is one of the warmest camping sleeping bags we’ve tested. – Photo Credit: Marion Tucker (CleverHiker.com)
Weight & Packed Size
The Exped DeepSleep 20F falls in the middle of the pack in terms of weight and packability. The bag itself is quite dense. Exped uses a generous amount of synthetic fill for the DeepSleep, which helps it handle cooler temperatures but ultimately adds to the bag’s weight. As far as a weight-to-warmth ratio, the DeepSleep favors insulation over saving ounces. At 4 pounds, though, the bag might be too heavy for backpacking, but it is a lighter-weight choice for car camping.
Due to the density of its fill, the DeepSleep doesn’t pack down as easily. Exped doesn’t provide a normal stuff sack or mesh bag for storage, but packages the DeepSleep in a compression sack. When fully compressed, we were able to squeeze the bag to a packed size of 12 by 8 inches, which won’t pose any problems when finding a spot for it in a fully loaded car. But it is a comparable size to many of the bags we tested in normal stuff sacks. The compression sack will definitely help manage the DeepSleep’s overall packed size, but won’t make it smaller than average.
The ExPed Deep Sleep comes with a compression sack, making it easier to squeeze it into a smaller shape. – Photo Credit: Marion Tucker (CleverHiker.com)
Features
The Exped DeepSleep 20F has a fairly straightforward design, but it does include a few features we found practical for use while camping. The bag has a full-length, two-way zipper. Given how toasty the DeepSleep gets, we greatly appreciated the ability to unzip the bottom of the bag and get some airflow near our feet. The zipper draft tube also has a strip of nylon sewn along its entire length, making it easier to pull the zipper in either direction without snagging.
The DeepSleep has an interior stash pocket large enough to fit a phone or headlamp. Unlike many bags’ pocket designs, we liked that this one has a button closure to keep stashed items inside. The only downside to the pocket is its placement on the chest. Whether sleeping on your back or side, the weight of objects in the pocket rests on your body, which we found somewhat uncomfortable.
A double zipper on the ExPed Deep Sleep allows for ventilation options. – Photo Credit: Marion Tucker (CleverHiker.com)
Should You Buy the Exped Deepsleep 20F?
It shouldn’t cost more to stay warm, and the Exped DeepSleep 20F’s top-notch insulation at an approachable cost is perfect for cooler conditions or campers who just run cold. The bag’s mummy design features an array of features that help trap heat and boost its insulating capabilities, making it a comfortable choice even in temperatures dipping into the low 30s. For three-season camping, the Exped fares especially well on cold nights thanks to its plush synthetic filling.
The DeepSleep’s design is akin to more technical sleeping bags, but its weight and dense bulkiness prove restrictive for backpacking use. The incredibly narrow cut of the DeepSleep will also prove a challenge for those who like to move in their sleep or want more flexibility. Particularly around the legs, the bag is tight and leaves little space to spread the limbs.
When warmth is a priority and budget is a factor, it’s hard to find a better option than the Exped DeepSleep 20F. It’s a high-quality sleeping bag designed to provide reliable insulation at a low cost.
The ExPed Deep Sleep has a plush filling that’s comfortable even without a sleeping pad. – Photo Credit: Marion Tucker (CleverHiker.com)
What Other Camping Sleeping Bags Should You Consider?
Are you wondering how the Exped DeepSleep 20F stacks up against our other top picks? Find out on our best camping sleeping bags list. And consider these awesome alternatives:
Teton Sports Celsius XXL 0F Review: Another bag whose design prioritizes excellent insulation, the Celsius’s rectangular shape makes it a great option for those who need a reliable cold-weather sleeping bag but want more room to spread out.
Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass 15 Review: A solid choice for cooler temps, the Bishop Pass 15 has one of the best warmth-to-weight ratios we’ve encountered in a camping sleeping bag. Lightweight and down-filled, its crossover design will keep you warm whether backpacking or car camping.
The North Face One Bag Review: It may be on the pricier end, but the North Face One packs three sleeping bags into one, thanks to its layered design that lets it be used comfortably across a wide range of temperatures. Its hybrid down and synthetic fill, along with its mummy shape, keep things warm and cozy in cooler climates, while offering a wider fit than the Exped.
The ExPed Deep Sleep is a mummy bag with a narrow fit. – Photo Credit: Marion Tucker (CleverHiker.com)
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