In this Nemo Riff 30 review, we’ll share our thoughts on what makes it a fantastic sleeping bag. Why the Nemo Riff 30 is excellent for side sleepers, extends the temp range you can use the bag, and how it feels like your sleeping at home with a quilt wrapped around you.
6 Reasons to Love The Nemo Riff 30 Sleeping Bag
- Spoon Shape – provides more room in the knees and elbows for side sleepers
- Blanket Fold – tuck it in to keep the cold drafts out and ultra comfort
- Thermo Gills – zippered vents for mild nights so you don’t overheat
- Pillow Pocket – a handy pocket to stuff a shirt or jacket creating a pillow that moves with you
- Waterproof/breathable Foot Box – keeps the condensation from wetting out your down insulation
- 800 Fill Power Hydrophobic RSD Down – economical, warm, and ethical
Available at:
– Amazon
– REI
– Backcountry
Who is the Nemo Riff 30 Sleeping Bag For?
- Side sleepers
- Car campers and backpackers looking for comfort
- 3-Season campers
Nemo Riff 30 Review
Are you a side sleeper? According to Nemo Equipment, 70% of people sleep on their sides and the traditional mummy-style sleeping bag is not conducive to move from side-to-side. To address this issue, they developed the spoon shape sleeping bag that provides extra room in the knees and elbows to make rolling from side-to-side easier. I’m a side sleeper, and the spoon shape is much nicer than a traditional mummy sleeping bag that hugs your body. In contrast, a mummy sleeping can be warmer since it’s snugger. But, I’ll take the comfort any day.
The Nemo Equipment Riff 30 is an exceptional sleeping bag that is loaded with modern features. So, let me tell you about a couple of things that I like about the Riff 30. First of all, I love the blanket fold. The blanket fold is a smart design that helps seal out cold outside air around your neck. And, if it’s warm, you can flip the blanket fold to the outside of the sleeping bag to let warm air easily escape.
Second, their Thermo Gills is a clever design. The Thermo Gills are two zippered vents that run vertically in the torso region of the sleeping bag. If it’s a mild night, you can unzip the Thermo Gills to let warm air escape. By doing this, it keeps you from overheating, yet still keeps cold drafts out! So, it allows you to use the sleeping in a wider temp range setting.
What to do About a Pillow?
I’ve always had a hard time with pillows while camping. So, do I use an inflatable pillow? A sweatshirt? What happens when I roll over? As a result of this dilemma, Nemo designed a handy pillow pocket in the sleeping bag that you can stuff a sweater, fleece, inflatable pillow, or whatever to create a pillow that moves with you! I love this design element.
Have you ever woke up in the morning and found the foot box of your sleeping bag wet from touching the condensation on the walls of your tent? The crew at Nemo had this problem as well, so they designed the Riff with a waterproof/breathable fabric around the foot box to help keep the 800 fill-power hydrophobic down, dry, and warm. Furthermore, they incorporated two webbing loops at the foot box so you can easily hang your sleeping bag to air out.
Lastly, in our Nemo Riff 30 review, it uses a 100% Responsibly Sourced Down so you can trace its entire supply chain and feel confident that the down comes from animals that have not been subject to unnecessary harm.
Dislikes
The one thing I noticed is that the zipper durable. It’s not a cheap zipper, but it was harder to zip and unzip than other sleeping bags. Therefore, I’m hoping this will break-in over time with more use.
I like that Nemo included a phone pocket. But, it would be nice to have the zippered phone pocket inside the sleeping as opposed to the outside. That way, it will stay warmer and not loose as much battery power. But, that is a minor dislike.
Fit and Sizing
Being 6’2″, I require a long sleeping bag, which typically costs a bit more than the standard size. So, that’s the price of being a taller person. The regular size sleeping bag will fit people up to 6 feet tall. For women, they have two specific sizes. The regular will fit females up to 5’6″, and the women’s long fits up to 6′.
Best sleeping bag for side sleepers who toss and turn.
– Philip
Do you have space restrictions in your backpack? If so, you’ll be glad to know that the sleeping bag compresses down to 5.67 liters (7″ round x 9″ tall stuff sack). Therefore, it takes up much less space in your pack than a synthetic sleeping bag.
Common Questions
Compression and Stuff Sacks
Question: How small does it compress?
Answer: My large version compresses to 5.67 liters. So, that’s approximately a 7″ round x 9″ tall stuff sack.
Question: Does it come with a stuff sack?
Answer: Yes. It comes with a stuff sack with compression straps. It also comes with a mesh storage bag. When backpacking, I prefer to use a waterproof 8-liter stuff sack from Sea to Summit so that it doesn’t get wet.
Fit and Sleeping Attire
Question: I’m 6′ and weigh 250 pounds. Will I fit in it?
Answer: It should. The shoulder girth is 60″, the hip is 54″, and knee girth is 59″.
Question: What do you typically wear when sleeping in this bag?
Answer: That all depends on the night-time temperature. If it’s mild, I’ll sleep in my shorts. When it’s cold, I’ll sleep with my socks, base layers and possibly a mid-layer. And if it’s really cold (winter) I’ll sleep with down booties, my base layer, mid-layer, a micro-puffy, balaclava, beanie, and lightweight gloves.
Size and Warmth Options
Question: Are there other sizes and warmth options?
Answer: Yes. The Riff comes in a regular length that fits people up to 6′. While the long version fits people up to 6′ 6″. Also, there are 30º and 15º warmth options. In addition, they have a regular version that fits females up to 5′ 6″ and the long version up to 6′.
Question: What temperature would you feel is the lower limit for the 30ºF bag?
Answer: According to Nemo Equipment, they say it has an ISO comfort rating of 31ºF. In my usage, it really depends on what you wear when sleeping and if you use a sleeping bag liner. If you are sleeping with base layers on a sleeping pad with an R-Value of 3 or more, the 30ºF bag will sleep comfortably down to 40º and even lower if you are a hot sleeper. Everyone sleeps differently, so it’s tough to give an exact answer.
Do you have a question or comment about the Nemo Riff sleeping bag? Leave us a note in the form box at the bottom of the website and we’ll get back to you with an answer.
Specs
- Weight: 871 grams (1.92 pounds) – without the stuff sack
- Packed Size: 5.67 liters (7″ round x 9″ tall stuff sack)
- Insulation: 800 Fill-Power Hydrophobic RSD Down
- Warmth: 30º F (3-seasons)
- MSRP: $349.95 regular, $369.95 long
- Cost per Gram: $0.42 (long version)
Bottom Line
The Nemo Equipment Riff 30 sleeping bag is an excellent choice. Its price from $349.95 to $369.95 (regular vs large) and is a great value! Plus, it’s excellent for side sleepers due to its spoon shape. The Thermo Gills provide options to not overheat on warm nights. And, the blanket fold feels like you have a comforter wrapped around you like at home!
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