Snugpak Jungle Bag Review

Is the Snugpak Jungle Bag the best sleeping bag for survival?

Well, as all experienced preppers know, there is no one best survival sleeping bag. The best option for you depends on your personal needs and preferences.

That said, the Snugpak Jungle Bag is a highly versatile survival blanket perfectly suited for prolonged travel in harsh conditions, although it does have shortcomings.

Cutting right to the chase, this survival bag is made for tropical conditions (Snugpak`s recommend lowest temperature range is 45°F), so it`s really only ideal in mild to warm locales.

I`ve taken the Jungle Bag out into the field several times here in Washington State. I have a thorough understanding of how it will perform in a variety of survival situations.

Here`s what you need to know about the Snugpak Jungle Bag if you`re considering adding it to your survival kit.

Quick Thoughts

Quality of both materials and workmanship are staples with all Snugpak products.

You can rest assured that their Jungle Bag is made with the same keen eye for detail and incredibly durable materials as all of their other offerings, including the Snugpak Ionosphere Tent (my favorite one-person survival tent).

Most notable about this sleeping bag is the built-in mosquito net. You can zip it up to completely cover your face at night to keep bugs, snakes, and other critters out of your bag a must if you`re using the Jungle Bag without a tent.

Another highlight are the antibacterial and antimicrobial treatments on both the inside and outside of the bag to reduce the need for laundering during long-term travel, even in hot weather.

Despite how well these treatments work at limiting bacteria growth, they do nothing to reduce the bag`s breathability or moisture-wicking properties.

I also love the versatility of this sleeping bag. You can use it on its own, unzip it into a survival blanket, or zip it together with another Jungle Bag to create one big sleeping bag.

As mentioned above, this survival sleeping bag isn`t the warmest since it`s designed for tropical conditions.

Snugpak states that it`s good in temperatures down to 45°F, although I wouldn`t want to take it out in anything less than 55°F. And, honestly, it`s best suited for nighttime temperatures 60°F and above.

If you expect temperatures lower than 45°F or so, the Jungle Bag pairs very well with the Snugpak Jungle Blanket.

Another option is to use the Jungle Bag as a sleeping bag liner inside of a warmer sleeping bag to increase insulation to stay warm even in very cold weather.

Pros and Cons of Snugpak Jungle Bag

There`s a lot to love about the Snugpak Jungle Bag. But there are also a handful of negatives that are important to consider.

What I Like About the Snugpak Jungle Bag

A few of the things I like most about this survival sleeping bag include:

• Lightweight The Jungle Bag is very lightweight at just 32 ounces.

• Compact Thanks to the included compression storage sack, this sleeping bag`s packed size is just 6 x 7 inches.

• Hooded Design The built-in hood provides superior insulation to keep you warmer at night.

• Built-In Bug Net A roll-away bug net keeps spiders, snakes, and other critters out of your bag at night.

• Antibacterial The Jungle Bag has an antibacterial and antimicrobial treatment to reduce odors and keep you healthy.

• Breathable Since it`s designed for use in tropical conditions, this sleeping bag is extremely breathable, even when fully zipped. The interior is great at wicking moisture away from your body to keep you dry.

• Interior Pocket A small interior stash pocket allows you to keep important items close at night.

• Versatile Use as a sleeping bag, unzip and use as a blanket, or zip together with another Jungle Bag.

• Camouflaged The Jungle Bag is available in four subdued colors that blend in well with your surroundings, whether that`s forest or desert, for survival situations where stealth is required.

• Durable Every inch of this Snugpak sleeping bag is made with durability in mind. The craftsmanship is top-notch as are the materials. The bag performs well and, honestly, just feels high quality.

The Snugpak Jungle Bag isn`t my favorite survival sleeping bag, but it is in regular rotation for my wilderness outings. I expect to use it even more this coming summer.

What I Dislike About the Snugpak Jungle Bag

A few of the things I don`t like about this survival sleeping bag include:

• Not Waterproof The Jungle Bag is water resistant but far from waterproof. You can use it out in the open in dry weather, but it`s best to pair it with a shelter, such as a tarp.

• Not Much Insulation Although it performs relatively well in temperatures down to 45°F, this bag is really best for minimum nighttime temperatures about 15°F warmer than that. It`s certainly not suited for winter wilderness survival.  

• Not Mummy Shaped In my opinion, a mummy-shaped bag is best for survival situations. Not only does this shape help reduce weight even more, but it also provides superior insulations since less heat can escape. Of course, the Jungle Bag was purposely designed for warmer weather, so this isn`t a major issue.

The only other potential negative I`d like to add is this sleeping bag`s size. It`s more than spacious enough for the vast majority of users, but might be a little snug for those that are particularly tall or wide. The bag clocks in at 87 inches x 31 inches.

Snugpak Jungle Bag Specs & Features

Here are the most important features and specs for the Snugpak Jungle Bag:

Temp Rating: 45°F	Weight: 32 Ounces
Open Dimensions: 87 x 31 Inches	Packed Size: 6 x 7 Inches
Built-In Bug Net	Antibacterial/Antimicrobial
Moisture Wicking	Interior Pocket
Can Zip Two Together	Comes w/ Compression Stuff Sack

Visit Snugpak.com to learn more about the Jungle Bag`s features and specifications.

My Experience with the Snugpak Jungle Bag

My personal experience with the Snugpak Jungle Bag has been overwhelmingly positive.

I`ll be completely honest I`ve only taken it out a handful of times, but I plan to use it extensively this summer (and will update this review as I do).

So far, I`ve used the Jungle Bag mostly in colder winter weather here in Washington State. Average nighttime temps on my outings have hovered around 50°F with a low of just below 45°F.

I sleep quite warm so I personally stayed warm enough using this sleeping bag with just long underwear, although I was far from toasty.

The Jungle Bag will certainly get the job done in nighttime temperatures down to 50°F or so for most sleepers, but you`ll likely need to pair it with warm clothes, a sleeping bag liner, a mylar space blanket, or additional blanket in anything lower than 60°F.

Remember that comfortable sleeping bag temperature ratings differ for everyone.

In addition to personal preferences, note that the “œaverage woman” is generally slightly colder than the “œaverage man” in the same sleeping bag.

Snugpak states that their sleeping bag temperature ratings are “œthe temperatures the sleeping bags have been used at by fit individuals with the minimum of discomfort.”

Another thing I love about the Snugpak Jungle Bag is that it`s hooded with a built-in bug net to keep bugs away. You can use this bag straight on the ground (aka cowboy camping) without a shelter.

That said, this Snugpak sleeping bag isn`t waterproof, just water resistant. You can`t truly use it outside without shelter, except in dry weather. It`s much more practical to use the Jungle Bag with a tarp shelter (like the Snugpak Stasha G2) or inside of a tent.

Still, it`s important to note that even when wet, the synthetic insulation keeps you warm.  

I`ve yet to use the Snugpak Jungle Bag for more than a couple days at a time, so I can`t personally speak on its antibacterial, antimicrobial, and odor-reducing properties.

I plan to use the bag extensively this summer. My goal is to try to use it for a month straight to better understand how it holds up to long-term use in warm weather.

My summertime testing will also allow me to test out the sleeping bag`s breathability and moisture-wicking properties myself.

Although it`s definitely bigger and heavier than the lightest ultralight backpacking sleeping bag, it`s still very lightweight (just 32 ounces) for just how rugged and durable it is.

This survival sleeping bag was created from the ground up with wilderness survival in mind. It`s much better suited for survival than most camping and backpacking sleeping bags on the market.

It`s seriously durable thanks to its high-quality workmanship. In a survival situation you need a sleeping bag you can trust and you can certainly trust the Jungle Bag to hold up for the long haul.

Is the Snugpak Jungle Bag Right for You?

The Snugpak Jungle Bag is a great addition to any bug-out bag.

Just remember that it`s not a bivy, despite the built-in bug net. It`s definitely still just a sleeping bag that should be combined with some sort of shelter, like a tarp, whenever possible.

Because the Jungle Bag is only rated down to 45°F, I only recommend it for mild to warm weather. Unless you combine it with another survival blanket, it really is best for tropical conditions.

I can`t say that this is my favorite survival sleeping bag on the market, but it`s certainly a great option especially for those on a budget.

I recommend looking at other options for day-to-day use, long-term expeditions, or semi-permanent survival, but this sleeping bag is a fantastic addition to your emergency kit.

Personally, I like to use my Jungle Bag in tandem with my Snugpak Jungle Blanket for a one-two punch of warmth and insulation without adding too much weight to my rucksack.

Lastly, the Jungle Bag is seriously durable. It will hold up to all the wear and tear of heavy wilderness use. This is one of those survival products you buy once and have for life.

Alternatives to Snugpak Jungle Bag

Just to reiterate, the best survival blanket or survival sleeping bag is a totally personal choice.

The Snugpak Jungle Bag is hands down the best option for some people. Not so much for others.

For those that require a sleeping bag that will keep them warm in temperatures below 45°F, I recommend looking at cold-weather sleeping bags for backpacking.

The best backpacking sleeping bags are even lighter and more compact than the Jungle Bag but, at the same time, they provide even more warmth and insulation.

Of course, such top-of-the-line sleeping bags cost much more than the Jungle Bag. The majority are also slightly less durable, come without a built-in bug net, and don`t have quite as effective antibacterial properties.

Choosing the best survival sleeping bag all comes down to assessing your long-term survival needs, most notably the type of shelter you`ll construct and the expected weather conditions.

What`s the Verdict?

I immediately stowed the Snugpak Jungle Bag in my bug-out bag.

My bug-out bag is something to get me by for a few weeks at most in a survival situation rather than provide long-term support.

The goal isn`t to get me by indefinitely. The goal is to keep me safe, healthy, and reasonably comfortable until I establish a basecamp or return back home when safe to do so.

The Jungle Bag does this remarkably well. I wouldn`t want to sleep in it long-term (unless I absolutely had to), but it will keep you alive (and reasonably comfortable) in an emergency.  

This sleeping bag is also great to have on hand for summertime camping or home emergency use. It will keep you warm in a home emergency, like a power outage, and is comfortable enough to use at the campsite.

I highly recommend this Snugpak sleeping bag to anyone looking for a lightweight, ultra-durable bug-out sleeping bag for use in mild to warm weather.

Buy the Snugpak Jungle Bag from Amazon.