Sierra Designs Verde 40 Sleeping Bag

The ideal sleeping bag is warm when you travel north, cool when you travel south and has minimal volume when packed. Like me, Sierra Designs has grown tired of hearing the word "green" everywhere, so the company named its eco-friendly slumber sack the Verde 40 Sleeping Bag. From head to toe, this bag takes it easy on the planet, thanks to its Climashield Green recycled insulation, EcoSensor recycled shell fabric and Cocona wicking liner (made from recycled coconut shell scraps). The Verde's light weight makes it ideal for backcountry pack trips or lazy nights in the campground.

Most backpacking happens in the warmer times of the year with summer as the peak. A zero-rate bag is usually overkill and may bust your budget. The Verde has a full-on separating zipper and will be way more comfortable for camping in a steamy, hot jungle environment. The Verde is also a synthetic fill, called Ecopet, which performs much better in wet environments, retaining warmth when damp. The Verde 40 has straps to fasten your sleeping pad to the bag. A stuff sack and a bag for storage are also included. And if you're tall, for $20 more you can get a long version. -Mike Calabro

Sierra Designs
www.sierradesigns.com; 800/736-8592
Price: starts at $149.95

||| |---|---| | +| Light weight and cosy| | -| Slightly cold with temperatures under 40 degrees| | =| Comfortable even in hot, steamy jungles| Rating: 4/5