Last Updated on 07/2026 by Mom Goes Camping
At 5’1”, I’m a pretty short woman. This means that most adult sleeping bags – even the ones made for women, are too large for me. Luckily, there are a few brands which now make sleeping bags for short women. There are also some kids sleeping bags which will work for petite women too. Here are the best options.
How to Pick the Right Sleeping Bag If You’re Short
The main problem with standard sleeping bags for short women and teen girls is dead air space — all that extra room at the foot of the bag takes your body heat all night to warm up, which means you sleep colder than the temperature rating suggests. A bag that fits your actual length solves this immediately.
The sizing breakdown:
- Under 5’0″ — a kids bag (sized to 60″) is often the best fit. The Big Agnes Wolverine fits to 5’0″ exactly and is warmer and lighter than most adult bags at the same price.
- 5’0″–5’5″ — look for bags labeled “petite” or “short.” The Big Agnes Sidewinder SL Petite (fits to 5’5″) is the best dedicated short women’s bag currently available.
- 5’5″–5’8″ — a standard women’s bag fits well. Most are cut to 5’8″ with a narrower hip and shoulder width than a unisex bag.
I’m 5’1″ and spent years sleeping cold in standard women’s bags before switching to a petite-specific bag. The difference in warmth from eliminating that foot-box dead space was immediate, I went from adding a hat and extra socks every night to sleeping comfortably at the bag’s rated temperature. If you’re short and you’ve been sleeping cold in your bag, this is almost certainly why.
Comparison Table
| Name | Comfort | Limit Comfort | Fits up to | Shoulder Width | Weight | Stuff size | Fill | Buy At |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marmot Trestles Elite Eco 30 | N/G | 30F | 60" | 26" | 38oz | 7x17" | Synthetic | Campsaver |
| REI Kindercone | N/G | 25F | 60" | 25" | 51oz | 12x16" | Synthetic | REI |
| Kelty Mistral | N/G | 20F | 60" | 28" | 42.4oz | 10x17" | Synthetic | Amazon, Campsaver |
| Big Agnes Wolverine | N/G | 15F | 60" | 27" | 38oz | 8x10" | Synthetic | Amazon, Campsaver |
| Coleman Mummy Youth | N/G | 30F | 60" | 26" | 48oz | 10x17" | Synthetic | Amazon |
| North Face Eco Youth | N/G | 20F | 60" | 26.5" | 48oz | 9x16" | Synthetic | Amazon |
| Big Agnes Sidewinder SL (Petite) 35 | N/G | 35F | 65" | 28" | 33oz | 5.5x6.5" | Down | Amazon |
| Big Agnes Sidewinder SL (Petite) 20 | N/G | 20F | 65" | 28" | 39oz | 8x17.5" | Down | Amazon, REI |
| Big Agnes Elsie 15 Petite | N/G | 15F | 65" | 27" | 43oz | 8.5x9" | Synthetic | Amazon |
| Big Agnes Duster | N/G | 15F | 66" | 31" | 46oz | 10x11" | Synthetic | Amazon |
| Marmot Teton 15 | 15F | 0F | 66" | 29" | 58oz | 8.3x17.7 | Down | REI |
| Nemo Disco 15 | 17F | 5F | 66" | 31" | 49oz | 8.5x12.5 | Down | Amazon |
| Therm-a-Rest Questar Small | 32F | 20F | 66" | 28" | 30oz | 7.5x9" | Down | Amazon, REI |
Size Matters!
Using a too-large sleeping bag is bad for a couple reasons. First off, a sleeping bag which is too big for you won’t be as warm because of all the empty space in it. You’d need to buy a sleeping bag rated for colder temps – such as a 20F bag instead of a 30F. Guess what? Warmer bags are more expensive!
Secondly, if the bag is too big, it means you are packing more than you need to. I mostly go wild camping and backpacking, so every gram matters! By switching to a short sleeping bag which actually fits me, I can cut weight from my pack.
Heading out soon?
My printable camping cheat sheets cover everything from packing lists to campsite setup — print them before you go.
Can Short Women Use a Kids Sleeping Bag
If you are really short, then using a kids sleeping bag is one option. Just note that:
- Kids bags are narrower: If you are a curvier or plus-sized short woman, than this won’t be a good option.
- Sizes often run small: Just because the sleeping bag says that it fits up to 5 feet, it doesn’t always mean it will. If you are near the size limit, it’s probably better to get a slightly larger bag.
- Only the lower–limit rating is given: With good adult sleeping bags, you’ll get the lower limit and the comfort With kids bags, they usually only tell you the lower limit. The comfort rating is usually 10-15F higher than this, but it’s still guesswork.
Short Women’s Sleeping Bag FAQ:
What length sleeping bag do I need if I’m 5’2″ or shorter?
Look for bags labeled “petite,” “short,” or “kids” that fit up to 60–65 inches (5’0″–5’5″). Standard women’s bags typically fit up to 5’6″ or 5’8″ on a short woman these leave 4–6 inches of empty space at the foot, which reduces warmth and adds unnecessary weight. The Big Agnes Sidewinder SL Petite fits up to 5’5″ and is the best dedicated short women’s bag currently available. For women under 5’0″, a kids bag like the Big Agnes Wolverine (fits to 5’0″) is often the best fit.
Are kids sleeping bags warm enough for adult women?
Yes, with one caveat: kids bags only list the lower limit temperature rating, not the comfort rating. The comfort rating is typically 10–15°F warmer than the lower limit, so a kids bag rated to 20°F will actually be comfortable to most adult women at around 30–35°F. Account for this when choosing a temperature rating. For three-season camping in most climates, a kids bag rated to 20°F is appropriate for adult women who sleep warm, while a 15°F bag is safer for those who sleep cold.
