Gear Review: NEMO Jam 15 Women's Sleeping Bag

The Bottom Line: The key things to know about this bag are that it has features galore, it is warm, and the 30-denier nylon taffeta lining will have you feeling like you are sleeping on a cloud, even on chilly nights in the backcountry. Though it is a bit pricier than other similar options, the Jam's unique spoon shape and extra features make it a must-have bag for side sleepers.

Enjoying a sunrise with the NEMO Jam 15. Photo by Emily Pennington.

As a side and stomach sleeper, I found the spoon shape a welcome respite from ordinary mummy bags that leave my feet constricted when I'm trying to snuggle up in my tent after a long day out trekking. There's a fluffy extra neck warmer that wraps around the top of the bag as well for that tucked-in at home feeling.

If you're the type that likes to cut weight by any means necessary, you'll love the built-in head pocket into which you can stuff extra clothes or a warm jacket to form an instant pillow and cradle your weary head. No more awkward camping jacket pillow nightmares! Of course, you could also BYO backpacking pillow and fit it into the sack for stability if you're feeling fancy.

Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night, needing to remove a layer or take off your socks because you were too warm? NEMO has a solution for you. The Jam 15 sleeping bag has zipped, vertical "gill" vents that are lined with thin fabric to let out excess heat during shoulder season without allowing wind or drafts inside.

The NEMO Jam 15 has a right side double zipper, allowing for easy ventilation around the footbox should you wish to unzip the bottom half a bit. This feature also allows the bag to be zipped together with a second bag (their men's Riff is compatible), in case you have a friend or significant other that wants to cuddle.

Other fun extras:

The footbox itself is made from a separate, waterproof material to protect against tent condensation and keep your feet dry and toasty!
The Jam 15 comes with its own compression sack, so you can stuff the sleeping bag down to its smallest volume with ease. It also includes a large cotton sack for dust-free storage.
Has hanging loops on the footbox for storage or to dry after washing!

At the end of the day, the NEMO Jam 15 Women's Sleeping Bag is a bit pricier than other down bags in this temperature range, but NEMO has worked hard to ensure that you're getting an amazing array of features for that extra dough. Plus, the "spoon" shape is unlike other bags on the market. If you're a side sleeper (like 70% of the population), this is one ultra-comfy sleeping bag for female backpackers not to overlook!