Nemo Tempo 20 Camping Sleeping Bag Review
Warmth
Comfort
Durability & Quality
Features
Weight & Packed Size
Sustainability
Temp Rating
20˚F (35˚F)
Shape
Mummy (hourglass)
Insulation
Synthetic
Weight
4 lb.
Pros
Cons
Nemo Tempo 20
For this season's top models, see our guide to the Best Camping Sleeping Bags.
The Nemo Tempo 20 offers impressive warmth for a synthetic sleeping bag, thanks to its hourglass mummy shape and well-executed design. Compared to a traditional rectangular camping bag, the tapered dimensions reduce dead air space for better thermal efficiency, while the cinchable hood, oversized draft collar, and draft tube along the zipper help seal in heat and block out drafts.
Because it includes a hood, the Nemo Tempo 20 is one of the few camping sleeping bags with an official ISO rating—the “20” in the women’s version I tested refers to a 23˚F Comfort Rating and 12°F Lower Limit (the men’s 20-degree has 31/19˚F ISO ratings). In practice, it held true: I stayed warm even when temperatures dropped unexpectedly and found its warmth comparable to The North Face Dolomite One, which is rated to 15°F. All told, the Tempo 20 is a great option for shoulder-season camping and even mild winter nights, especially if you value the reliable performance of synthetic insulation in damp conditions.
The Nemo Tempo 20 is one of the coziest camping sleeping bags I've tested, thanks to its thoughtful shape and plush interior. Its hourglass silhouette—wide at the shoulders and feet, narrower at the hips—gave me enough space to move around without the overwhelming sprawl of a rectangular bag. As a side sleeper, I appreciated the extra wiggle room at my knees and feet, and I never felt constricted when changing positions throughout the night.
The Tempo’s comfort-focused details really stood out. The hood had a cushy, padded feel that cradled my head nicely, and the built-in pillow pocket helped keep my pillow in place so it didn’t slide out from under me. I also loved the oversized draft collar—it’s wide and soft, and while it’s technically there for warmth, I found it added a cozy, tucked-in feel even when temps were mild. The polyester taffeta liner was softer than I expected from a synthetic bag, and I never noticed the zipper pressing into me while I slept. Overall, the Tempo felt more like curling up in a real bed than roughing it at a campsite.
The Nemo Tempo 20 feels like it’s built to last. Its 50-denier recycled ripstop polyester shell and equally tough 50-denier recycled taffeta liner gave me confidence that I didn’t need to baby this bag around camp. Both fabrics are treated with a DWR finish, and paired with the synthetic insulation, the Tempo held up well in damp conditions and didn’t soak through or lose loft.
The fabric is right in line with some of the burlier bags we’ve reviewed—on par with the Kelty Galactic and Cosmic and The North Face Dolomite One—and I never had issues with snagging or wear. I especially appreciated the snagless zipper design, which worked smoothly throughout the trip and never caught on the shell. For a synthetic bag at this price point, the Tempo strikes an impressive balance of ruggedness and thoughtful construction.
The Nemo Tempo 20 is one of the more feature-rich synthetic sleeping bags I’ve tested. I loved the built-in pillow pocket—it kept my pillow from sliding around during the night and made a noticeable difference in comfort. The cinchable hood, full-length draft tube, and oversized draft collar all added effective warmth and temperature control when conditions got chilly. There’s also a convenient zippered stash pocket that kept my phone secure and easy to find in the dark.
Another thoughtful touch: men’s and women’s Tempo bags have zippers on opposite sides (left for men’s, right for women’s), so they can be zipped together into a roomy double bag—similar to the Kelty Galactic. That said, I did find myself wishing for a few more extras. A bottom zipper would have been nice for ventilation or just poking my feet out, and dual zippers would make it easier to get in and out. I understand why Nemo skipped the temperature-regulating vents found on their higher-end bags like the Disco, but it would’ve been a nice bonus. Still, for a $160 bag, the Tempo 20 packs in a lot of functionality.
At 4 pounds for the women’s version (3 lb. 13 oz. for the men’s), the Nemo Tempo 20 isn’t ultralight, but it’s relatively svelte for a synthetic sleeping bag—only the Exped MegaSleep Uno (3 lb. 11.6 oz.) and REI Co-op Trailmade 20 (3 lb. 4.6 oz.) are lighter in this category. What impressed me most was its packability: with a compressed volume of 9.7 liters, it’s the most compressible synthetic bag we tested. It even packs down smaller than the Trailmade 20, which is a big win for car campers short on space or those considering a short backpacking trip.
That said, if you’re planning a multi-day backcountry adventure, I’d still recommend going with a down bag like the Kelty Cosmic 20 or Galactic 30, which compress smaller and weigh less overall. But for occasional overnights or shoulder-season backpacking, the Tempo strikes a nice balance between weight, warmth, and comfort—especially for a synthetic model.
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Longevity
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Recycled Materials
Recycled materials are prevalent in outdoor gear, with nylon, polyester, wool, and down among the most common, but the composition varies widely. A green check mark indicates the product is made with a substantial amount of recycled materials (100% recycled or the core fabric that makes up most of the product is recycled), a yellow check means it contains a moderate to small amount of recycled materials, while a red X means there are no recycled materials in the product.
Bluesign Approved
Bluesign Technologies, based in Switzerland, operates a third-party textile management system that ensures materials are manufactured to strict environmental, chemical, and worker safety standards. A green check mark indicates a product is either a Bluesign Product (contains at least 90% Bluesign-approved fabrics and 20-30% Bluesign-approved accessories) or features a significant amount of Bluesign-approved materials. A yellow check mark means it uses some Bluesign-approved materials but less than the aforementioned category, and a red X means there are no Bluesign-approved materials in the product.
PFAS-Free DWR
Durable water-repellent (DWR) finishes can contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These highly persistent “forever chemicals” are used in outdoor gear for their strong resistance to water, oil, and heat, but are linked to environmental contamination and a range of health concerns. A green check mark indicates the product uses a PFAS-free DWR, while a red X means the DWR contains PFAS.
Responsible Manufacturing
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Recycled and/or Reduced Packaging
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Repair Services
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Resale and/or Recycling Services
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Carbon Footprint Tracking
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Annual Impact Report
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The Nemo Tempo 20 features a distinctive hourglass shape, offering generous room at the shoulders and feet while narrowing through the hips. For me, it hits a sweet spot between a traditional mummy and a rectangular bag: cozy enough that you’re not swimming in space (or losing warmth), but still roomy enough to shift positions comfortably through the night.
I tested the women’s version, which comes in both regular and long sizes. The regular fits users up to 66 inches (5’6”) with a 60-inch shoulder girth, 56-inch hip girth, and 58-inch foot girth; the long accommodates sleepers up to 72 inches (6’) and adds a few inches across all measurements. The Tempo is also available in men’s-specific models in 72- and 78-inch lengths, with similarly shaped dimensions. Compared to many camping sleeping bags—like the Big Agnes Echo Park, which stretches 78 inches long with an 80-inch shoulder girth and 74-inch hip girth—the Tempo is on the snug side. That said, it still feels far roomier than Nemo’s backpacking-focused designs: their Riff measures 58, 52, and 55 inches at the shoulders, hips, and feet.
Big Agnes Echo Park 20 ($200): For Maximum Wiggle Room
If the Tempo’s hourglass shape still feels too restrictive, the Echo Park is your answer. With the most generous dimensions in its class—80 inches at the shoulders, 74 at the hips, and 64 at the feet—it’s a dream for sprawling sleepers and side-sleepers alike. Dual zippers on both sides also make for easier entry, exit, and ventilation. That said, it’s not without compromises: the 40-denier shell isn’t as rugged as the Tempo’s 50D build, and its heavy, bulky construction makes it impractical for anything beyond frontcountry camping. The roomy cut and lack of bottom insulation also limit the Echo Park’s warmth, which simply doesn’t match that of the Tempo. At $200, it’s a steep investment for a car-camping-only bag—but if maximizing space is your top priority, it might be worth it. Otherwise, stick with the more versatile Tempo. For more, read our Echo Park review.
REI Co-op Trailmade 20 ($100): More Mummy, Less Money
If you’re willing to sacrifice some comfort for warmth and weight savings, the Trailmade 20 is a solid budget-friendly alternative to the Tempo. With its traditional mummy shape and 20°F rating, it offers better thermal efficiency and packs down smaller than most synthetic bags at this price point. It’s also the lightest synthetic model we tested, weighing just 3 pounds 4.6 ounces. However, the narrow cut leaves little room to move around, and its basic design lacks the thoughtful touches that make the Tempo so cozy—there’s no pillow pocket, draft collar, or room to sprawl. But if your goal is to keep warm and carry less, the Trailmade gets the job done at a very approachable price. For more, read our review of the REI Co-op Trailmade 20.
With Nemo’s classic hourglass shape, the Tempo offers a best-in-class balance of thermal efficiency and roominess. You’d be hard-pressed to find a softer, plusher camping bag. Our one gripe is its lack of ventilation.
Warmth
Comfort
Durability & Quality
Features
Weight & Packed Size
Sustainability
The Echo Park is incredibly spacious, but keeps warmth a priority with its semi-rectangular mummy design. However, it’s bulky and heavy, the generous dimensions may overwhelm smaller users, and the uninsulated bottom could be a drawback.
Warmth
Comfort
Durability & Quality
Features
Weight & Packed Size
Sustainability
An entry-level sleeping bag designed for beginner campers, the Trailmade’s best attributes are affordability and a relatively streamlined weight and packed size. However, its warmth and aggressive taper left us wishing we’d ponied up more cash for a better bag.
Warmth
Comfort
Durability & Quality
Features
Weight & Packed Size
Sustainability
Is the Tempo 20 for You?
The Nemo Tempo 20 is a standout choice for car campers heading into colder conditions who don’t want to sacrifice the comfort and roominess of a traditional camping sleeping bag. It backs up its warmth claims—the women’s version has a lower limit of 12°F—and the hourglass shape offers ample space for side and active sleepers. Comfort-minded details like the oversized draft collar, pillow pocket, and buttery-soft interior make it one of the coziest synthetic bags available. While it’s too bulky for serious backcountry use and lacks the advanced venting or full-zip versatility of higher-end or rectangular bags, it nails the balance of comfort, warmth, and value for most frontcountry adventures. If you want a plush, durable, and well-insulated bag that still packs down reasonably small, the Tempo 20 is one of the best synthetic options in its class.
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