Summer Sleeping Bag Guide
We recommend using a sleeping bag year round, including during the hot days and nights of summer. Sleeping bags used without any additional bedding help ensure your baby or toddler is sleeping safely and stays a comfortable temperature all night.
Sleeping bags are also a strong sleep association, reminding your child that it is sleep time no matter where they are. This is especially useful when travelling or encouraging sleep while out and about during summer.
Size, fabric type, TOG rating, warmth and sleepwear combinations, zip position and more are covered and linked to from our guide to /blogs/buying-guides/baby-sleeping-bags baby sleeping bags .
We only stock brands we genuinely rate for quality and value for money. We also ensure all sleeping bags meet relevant safety standards. Along the way, we've identified some particular favourites and customer best-sellers.
What Are the Top 5 Summer Sleeping Bags?
What's the Difference Between The Sleep Store 0.2 TOG Sleeping Bags?
Our Summer Sleep Sack Collection
For room temperatures above 24°C, choose a lightweight summer sleeping bag or a bag with a TOG rating lower than 0.6.
| Sleeping Bag | Key information |
The Sleep Store 0.1 tog Pointelle Side Zip Summer Sleeping Bag |
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Woolbabe Summer Sleeping Bag |
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The Sleep Store Organic Cotton 0.2 tog Sleeping Bag |
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The Sleep Store Premium Organic Cotton 0.2 tog Sleeping Bag |
Shop The Sleep Store Premium Organic Cotton 0.2 TOG Sleeping Bag |
The Sleep Store Baby Basics 0.2 tog Cotton Sleeping Bag |
Shop The Sleep Store Baby Basics 0.2 Tog Cotton Sleeping Bag |
Ergopouch 0.3 tog Premium Sleeping Bag or 0.2 Tog Sleeping Bag |
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Jollein 0.5 tog Muslin Sleeping Bag |
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Little Unicorn Cotton Muslin Sleeping Bag |
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Purflo 0.5 tog Baby Sleep Bag |
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Mid-Weight Sleep Sack Collection
For room temperatures between 20°C and 25°C, choose a mid-weight, 3-seasons sleeping bag or a bag with a TOG rating of 1.0.
| Sleeping Bag | Key information |
Woolbabe 3 Seasons Sleeping Baag |
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The Sleep Store Organic Cotton 1.0 tog Sleeping Bag |
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The Sleep Store All Seasons Cotton & Merino Sleeping Bag |
The Sleep Store Premium All Seasons Cotton & Merino Sleeping Bag |
ergoPouch 1.0 Tog Sleeping Bags |
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Baby Basics 1.0 Tog Cotton Sleeping Bag |
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The Sleep Store Premium Midweight 100% Merino Sleeping Bag |
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Nature Baby Organic Cotton/Merino Sleeping Bag |
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What Weight or TOG Rated Sleeping Bag Do I Need?
A TOG (Thermal Overall Grade) measures how much insulation a fabric provides and is roughly equivalent to a layer of clothing or a light blanket. Many sleeping bags use the European TOG rating system to indicate warmth and seasonal suitability. The higher the TOG rating, the warmer the sleeping bag.
Summer sleeping bags are usually rated 1.0 TOG or lower, depending on your climate and room temperature. As a guide, 0.6 TOG or lower is ideal for high summer when room temperatures are 25°C or above, while a 1.0 TOG sleeping bag is generally suitable for temperatures between 20°C and 24°C.
When room temperatures can vary between 16-20 degrees a 2.5 tog rated bag is a good solution. It's important to keep baby cool and avoid overheating, after all, they can't simply throw off their sleeping bag if they get too hot. We always recommend natural breathable fibres for clothing and pyjamas, and in particular, merino as it can help with temperature regulation.
A number of external factors determine the tog rating of the sleeping bag that should be used. These include the quantity of clothing the baby is wearing, the temperature of the infant’s bedroom, the baby’s health and the amount of bedding necessary to keep an individual infant warm – this may vary, as it does for adults.
Many sleeping bags that we stock come with a free nursery thermometer to help you select which tog baby sleeping bag to use and what sleepwear to put your baby in.
Are 0.1 tog rated bags much cooler than 0.5 tog rated bags? We don't think there is a noticeable difference between these two ratings, particularly when comparing tog rating across brands. It's always important to check your baby regularly to ensure they do not overheat.
The guide below give you an idea of what tog rating or what weight of merino bag is recommended for which range of temperatures. It's important to note, this is a guide only. If you baby is red and sweaty, they are likely too hot, so remove a layer. If your baby feels cold to touch (at the back of their neck or on their check), add a layer.
Why Are Some Sleeping Bags TOG Rated and Others Are Not?
Natural fibres such as Merino are not usually TOG-rated because they adjust to changing temperatures. This is one reason they are so popular. Merino sleeping bags generally have a wider usable temperature range than TOG-rated alternatives. See the chart above for a comparison of TOG-rated and Merino sleeping bag temperature ranges.
Sleeping bags made from polyester or fibres that perform consistently within a standardised testing range, such as cotton, are more commonly TOG-rated. Merino is also excellent at wicking moisture away from the skin, helping prevent babies from waking due to cold, clammy fabric after sweating.
Woolbabe sleeping bags have one of the widest temperature ranges. The 3-Seasons sleeping bag can be used in room temperatures from 18°C to 28°C, while the Duvet Weight sleeping bag is suitable for temperatures from 14°C to 22°C.
Why Use Merino in Summer? Won't It Be Too Hot?
Merino is a highly breathable natural fibre that helps regulate your baby's temperature. This means your baby stays comfortable, never too cold and never too hot. Merino can also absorb up to 30% of its own weight in moisture without feeling damp, helping baby stay comfortable despite spills, leaks or sweating on warm summer nights.
Unlike cotton, which can become cold and clammy when damp, Merino continues to feel comfortable against the skin. This makes it a popular choice for sleepwear and sleeping bags year-round.
At The Sleep Store, we love wool not only because of its temperature regulating properties, but also because research suggests babies often sleep better in wool. Wool fibres create natural air pockets that provide warmth without reducing breathability.
Merino also helps create a healthier sleep environment because it naturally resists mould, mildew and bacteria, which can help reduce odours over time.
Which Sleeping Bag Option Can Be Used in Spring and Autumn as Well as Summer?
The Woolbabe 3-Seasons Sleeping Bag is one of the best options for use 7 throughout spring, summer and autumn. As the seasons change, simply adjust the clothing layers worn underneath the sleeping bag to keep your baby comfortable. If room temperatures remain consistently high during summer, we recommend investing in a dedicated summer-weight sleeping bag for optimal comfort.How Should I Dress Baby at Night?
The warmth of the bag will vary enormously depending on what clothing you use inside the bag. You can easily add another layer of clothing to make the bag warmer, such as using an extra merino bodysuit.
Using a room thermometer (such as a gro egg) to accurately determine the temperature in your child's room is a good idea and will be a big help, particularly when it comes to choosing the clothing and sleeping bag combination for the temperature.
Many sleeping bags, including Woolbabe, now come with a clothing guide in addition to a free room thermometer to help you decide which clothing combination to use. Use your common sense too; the clothing guides are just a starting point and you will still need to monitor your child and adjust their clothing and sleeping bag combination so that they are a comfortable temperature and don't overheat.
Sleeping Bag & Clothing Guide
The guide below will help you to choose a sleeping bag that is suitable for the temperature of the room baby will be sleeping in. Babies' warmth needs vary from child to child, just as they do for adults, so use this as a guide and adjust to suit your baby accordingly. Check your baby regularly to ensure they do not overheat or are waking up from being too cold.
The optimal room temperature is around 18 degrees Celsius. By adjusting the clothing that baby wears inside the sleeping bag you'll help to make baby more comfortable at different room temperatures. Try to keep baby's room temperature below 27 degrees so that they don't overheat. If the room temperature drops and baby is waking up from the cold choose a warmer weight sleeping bag.
Sleeping bags like the Woolbabe are fantastic at adjusting to a wider range of room temperatures because of the use of naturally temperature regulating wool.
Read our Woolbabe clothing guide here:
Sleeping Bag Features Explained
Merino/Cotton
Woolbabe sleeping bags use a unique fabric knitted from 30% Merino wool and 70% cotton. It feels similar to a cotton T-shirt while containing enough Merino to help regulate your baby's temperature.
This fabric helps babies stay comfortable across a wide range of room temperatures and remains comfortable even when damp.
Weight & Size
Choose a sleeping bag based on your child's current size and weight. Sleeping bags must fit correctly to be safe, and we do not recommend purchasing a sleeping bag for your child to grow into.
Sizing varies between brands, so always check the manufacturer's size guide. In particular, Woolbabe 2-4 year sleeping bags should not be used for children under 12kg, and we recommend waiting until around two years of age because they are generously sized.
As a general guide:
- 0-6 months: minimum 4kg
- 6-18 months: minimum 8.1kg
- 18-36 months: minimum 11.4kg
- 3-6 years: minimum 55cm chest measurement
Warmth Rating
Sleeping bags generally come in three warmth ratings:
- Summer weight (0.1-0.6 TOG)
- Midweight or 3-Seasons (1.0 TOG)
- Winter weight or Duvet Weight (2.5-3.5 TOG)
Most families will need more than one sleeping bag weight throughout the year to keep their child comfortable as room temperatures change.
The Woolbabe 3-Seasons Sleeping Bag is one of the closest options to a year-round sleeping bag and can be used in room temperatures from approximately 18°C to 28°C. However, if your child's room regularly reaches the high 20s, a dedicated summer sleeping bag is recommended.
Fabric & Layers
Summer sleeping bags are either one or two layers of fabric.
They can be made from either jersey fabric (stretchy like a T-shirt) or woven cotton (like sheets, sometimes, referred to as sheeting fabric).
Our summer bag range includes 100% cotton - in various weaves and Woolbabe's unique merino and organic cotton blend.
Buggy Slot
Some of our summer sleeping bags have a 'buggy slot', which means you can use the bag in a buggy with 5 point harness. These bags are all clearly labelled in the product description page. You can, of course, use buggy slot bags in your cot as normal.
Front-zip travel bags have a double-ended zip on the front and buggy slot in the back. Side-zip travel bags have slots in both the front and back of the bag.
Eczema-Friendly Options
Our own-brand 100% organic cotton range is a standout option here if you are looking for a generously sized option that's soft against the skin.
ErgoPouch is also a consideration for a more snug-fitting bag.
Is a Front Zip Sleeping Bag Better Than a Side Zip or Diagonal Zip?
We often get asked whether the front or side zip bag is 'better'....it's really hard to say, as our customers have different views on this!
We find a bag with a front zipper is much easier to use - simply pop your baby in and zip down the front (zips end at the bottom). Bags with front zips don't have the hassle of babies popping open the shoulder domes, generally have smaller armholes which are a closer fit and have no risk of the domes failing after lots of use. It's still easy to change a nappy with a front zip, as they are plenty long enough and the bags open wide enough to access the nappy.
Shoulder domes and side zip enable you to open the bag out flat. This can be easier for babies under 6 months who still need frequent night nappy changes. With babies who sleep through the night, the easier nappy change isn't really a factor.
Some bags have domes on both shoulders (eg Woolbabe) and when combined with a long side-zip can fold out flat for faster drying after washing, while others have 2 domes on one shoulder only.
