$120 Teton Sports Sleeping Bag vs. $600 Nemo Sleeping Bag!

Which winter sleeping bag is BEST for the price - the $600 Nemo Sonic 0-degree F (-18 C), or the budget friendly $120 Teton Sports Altos 0-degree? If the far cheaper Teton Sports Altos can keep me warm on cold nights just like the pricey Nemo Sonic, is the $500 price difference really worth spending? To find out how well each sleeping bag performs I took them both out for a night camping on the snow in my backyard! I figured the Nemo Sonic would be vastly better based on its price, but (spoiler alert) the results of this test genuinely surprised me... 👀

Intro: 00:00
Nemo Sonic 0-degree technical specs: 0:39
Teton Sports Altos 0-degree technical specs: 3:47
Why I love LMNT electrolytes (sponsor): 8:07
Sleeping in the $600 Nemo Sonic: 9:12
Sleeping in the$120 Teton Sports Altos: 11:15
Teton Sports Altos vs Nemo Sonic conclusion: 12:52
Outro: 15:49

Gear in this video -

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The Miranda Goes Outside crew:

Director and Producer: Rainer Golden
Sr. Editor and Videographer: Abby Hagan
Videographer and Editor: Chelsea Newton
Videographer and Editor: Kyle Roof
Editor: Katie Van Fleet
Editor: Doug Linstedt
Dog: Tucker
Cat: Oscar

This video was filmed by Rainer Golden and edited by Katie Van Fleet!

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$120 Teton Sports Sleeping Bag vs. $600 Nemo Sleeping Bag!
#sleepingbags #backpackinggear #winter #snow #backpacking #hiking #camping #2024 #adventure #mirandagoesoutside #mirandainthewild

[Telecraster]

"Synthetic insulation actually continues to keep you dry, even if it gets soaked through". Now THAT is a feature 😂
(We know you meant "warm", hahaha)

[tc]

I live in Colorado and sleep cold. I was looking at negative 10° and negative 20° bags from Feathered Friends and Western Mountaineering. Thankfully someone suggested I try stacking bags I already have. I spent multiple nights in my backyard trying various combinations. Every combination I tried worked well. But my favorite was pairing a 25° bag with a 10° quilt. Combined, they weigh 5oz less than the “winter bags” I was looking at and compress down pretty well. I was able to fit both bags and my gear in a Gossimer Gear Mariposa. Slept cozy all night with just merino base layers and a beanie.

[ncpinky]

I like the “cheap vs expensive” format, but how about adding a “best of the middle of the road price point” option?
Thanks again for making your videos fun, entertaining and informative!

[rabid]

I had a Teton agree with your issues around the hood. I bought a small cheap sherpa blanket I would use to wrap around my head and shoulder area using the excess as a pillow. Unintentionally used it on a -5 night and was surprisingly comfortable. On the flipside if it was even slightly warm it would get uncomfortably warm. Not great temp regulation but still a good deal.

[backpacker]

30 years ago, I learned the hard way that if there is ONE single thing in your entire loadout that you DO NOT want to skimp on, it's your sleeping insulation. You can manage a cheap tent. You can manage a cheap backpack. Your kitchen, water purification, food, clothes, all the rest, can be dirt cheap, and you can still have a lot of fun. But spend one night with no sleep shivering violently so you don't die in the woods from hypothermia, and you will realize that a premium sleeping bag is where you want to put your money FIRST and a high quality sleeping pad is second. Then go for the tent. After that it's dealer's choice, because all the rest is fluff compared to those.

[bethrichards]

Thank you for these compare vids. Wait till you're older, you'll burn through the permafrost at menopause. When I was young and had low body fat, the Army stuck me in the coldest places with gear rated only to 32 degs. Gorgeous places, but it's so nice to get to pick my own gear now, with your help. Thank you!

[RainerGolden]

I was pretty blown away at how good the Teton performed while filming this. When I left Miranda out there to sleep in it in 30 degrees I was sure she'd freeze out there. When she said it was actually fine I was very impressed with that little $120 bag! Something to consider if you're looking at the Teton now - Teton has a 1 year warranty kinda similar to REI's return policy, whereas Nemo has a lifetime warranty on all their products. Definitely $600 to spend all at once is good chunk of change, but if it is something reasonable to do for you that does buy you a lifetime of repairs or replacement for that bag. But if that upfront cost barrier of entry exists the Teton is a stellar bag for $120. I might borrow it from Miranda sometimes to use, honestly. Also a great beater bag or loaner bag as well for friends who want to join you backpacking to try it out but don't have a sleeping bag yet! I'd still go for the Nemo personally, but well done Teton. Good bag at a very good price!

[russelljackman]

As always, another GREAT video! Thank you!
I love the pure joy that you and Rainer share together--it is infectious!
My thoughts, while the video was rolling was, "You could double the Teton bags, and still come out a lot cheaper in the end." As I read the other comments, I noticed others sharing their stories of doubling up on bags. It may not be right for backpacking, but it would work well for car camping (I have done it, as well). My other thought is, let's do a test with sleeping bag liners! Are they worth it, or not? Thanks Miranda and Rainer and Crew for all you do to make our lives better and happier! Big hugs! ❤, Russ

[dashingpanda]

thanks you for roughing it so I didn't have to! you are my hero 🤗

[JonOfNoTrades]

I love how we went from "neck hole" and "face part" to "chevron shaped baffles" in less than 5 seconds. I love when Miranda hits both ends of the knowledge spectrum 🙂

[RainerGolden]

I would like to apologize for my incredible Eminem impression. It's probably too good. I'm sorry.

[LushLofiBeats]

As a NewZealander who goes hiking late 3 seasons early 4 my sleeping bag is a macpac sleeping bag limit rated to 15 farenheight. Had it down to about 20 and been super comfortable I am a warm sleeper and if i was going to do winter camping I would probably get a sea to summit bag liner that adds warmth and call it a day

[bryanarri]

Seriously, your videos kill it. Such an incredible blend of honesty and vulnerability alongside dedicated gear reviews.

I love watching your videos. Your work vs the gear bros with an insatiable approach had no small part in getting my wife into the woods this weekend, and now she’s hooked. Thank you so much 🙏

[amiejo]

I have the older version of the teton bag for my kids for Cub scouts and it works well for us, and is budget friendly. I think adding a liner could boost the warmth if needed, and still be much more cost efficient for casual campers

[fairwind]

This is cool, my style! My family has Nemo bags and Teton bags, love them both. We tend to use the Nemo’s backpacking, and Teton’s for car camping or boat

[rachaelhoffman-dachelet]

I had to pause the video while you’re sleeping in your yard to tell everyone the funniest story of winter camping. I am a retired teacher. A fellow teacher built a teepee with his class in the area behind our school and then had a series of overnights with students and parents winter camping in the teepee, as well as a night for any teachers that wanted to stay. The night myself, a sixth grade teacher, and the dance teacher stayed out it ended up being-8 degrees! The sixth grade teacher got super sick, fever around 103, and ended up going into his classroom to sleep. The dance teacher and I stuck it out, and honestly it was a blast. I had a 30 degree bag at the time, and a standard thermarest. I added an extra closed cell foam pad under, and slid my entire sleep system inside a flannel rectangular bag. With a down vest, down booties, I survived. The teacher who built the teepee stoked the fire and brought us coffee in our bags, then we got up, went into school and showered in the gym changing rooms and taught! Wild times.

[iammckenna]

I absolutely LOVE my Nemo Disco 15–it was worth every penny! 🙌 I tend to be a very hot sleeper, but I tend to camp quite a bit in the winter. If anything, I have been *too* warm in my Nemo Disco 😅 Oftentimes it really is worth saving up for the higher quality product. And you seriously can’t ever go wrong with Nemo—it’s one of my favorite brands for outdoor gear!

[pyronymph-]

Would you ever consider doing a comparison of the various Stand To Pee devices for females available out there?
Specifically;
1. Shewee Extreme
2. Pstyle
3. Tinklebelle
4. Any silicone pee funnel
5. Any disposable (cardboard) pee funnel
6. Portable pee pouch (aka gel pouch)

I personally like the Shewee but it took me awhile practicing before I was confidant. I am wondering if the Tinklebelle (it comes in glow in the dark!) would be easier.

[grimgranite]

Such a wonderful comparison video with loads of great information AND laughs!

[mandyrunonvegemite]

Paused the video halfway through to get my next order of LMNT on the way. Thanks for reminding me. I love that stuff.