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NEMO Disco 15 Review

A mid-range sleeping bag that's comfortable but heavy
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nemo disco 15 backpacking sleeping bag review
Credit: NEMO
Price:  $320 List
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Manufacturer:   NEMO Equipment
By Jack Cramer ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Apr 30, 2021
66
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#11 of 19
  • Warmth - 20% 9.0
  • Weight - 20% 3.0
  • Comfort - 20% 9.0
  • Packed Size - 15% 5.0
  • Versatility - 15% 6.0
  • Features & Design - 10% 7.0

Our Verdict

The Nemo Disco 15 is an ideal sleeping bag for anyone who believes that bigger is always better. It boasts some of the roomiest dimensions of any backpacking sleeping bag we've tested. That makes it a great choice for side or tummy sleepers, or anyone annoyed by the cramped interiors of ordinary mummy sleeping bags. Its ample dimensions, however, require extra materials that lead to consequences when it comes to weight and packed size. If that's not a deal-breaker for you, go ahead and enjoy this decent bargain. Nemo also offers similar designs that are filled with premium down and suffer less weight and packability disadvantages.
REASONS TO BUY
Spacious
Reasonable price
Versatile
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy
Bulky
Just average down insulation

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nemo disco 15 backpacking sleeping bag review
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NEMO Disco 15
Awards     Best Buy Award 
Price $223.93 at REI
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Star Rating
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Bottom Line A comfortable mid-range sleeping bag with a bit of a weight issueAn hourglass bag with premium down and spacious lower dimensionsReasonable price for a great bagFor nearly top of the line performance, this bag costs a little less but still impressesA capable backpacking sleeping bag for an awesome price
Rating Categories NEMO Disco 15 NEMO Riff 30 REI Co-op Magma 30 REI Co-op Magma 15 Mountain Hardwear B...
Warmth (20%)
9.0
4.0
5.0
8.0
6.0
Weight (20%)
3.0
7.0
9.0
7.0
6.0
Comfort (20%)
9.0
9.0
8.0
8.0
6.0
Packed Size (15%)
5.0
8.0
8.0
5.0
8.0
Versatility (15%)
6.0
8.0
6.0
7.0
6.0
Features & Design (10%)
7.0
9.0
6.0
6.0
6.0
Specs NEMO Disco 15 NEMO Riff 30 REI Co-op Magma 30 REI Co-op Magma 15 Mountain Hardwear B...
Insulation 650 FP Down 800 FP Down 850 FP Down 850 FP Goose Down, RDS-certified 650 FP Down
Compressed Volume 10.1 liters 7.2 liters 6.7 liters 9.1 liters 7.5 liters
Measured Bag Weight (Size Long) 2.74 lbs. 1.91 lbs. 1.39 lbs. 1.85 lbs. 1.98 lbs.
Manufacturer Claimed Weight (Size Regular) 2.69 lbs. 1.80 lbs. 1.24 lbs. 1.76 lbs. 1.79 lbs.
Compression/Stuff Sack Weight 2.4 oz. 2.4 oz. 0.4 oz. 0.6 oz. 1.6 oz.
Hydrophobic Down Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Manufacturer Temp Rating 15 F 30 F 30 F 15 F 30 F
EN Temp Rating (Lower Limit) 14 F 29 F 30 F 16 F 30 F
Fill Weight 22 oz. 10.2 oz. 9.7 oz. 15.9 oz. 15 oz.
Compression or Stuff Sack Included Compression Compression Stuff Stuff Stuff
Shell material 30D Nylon ripstop Ripstop nylon (20D) Pertex ripstop nylon (15D) Pertex (15D) 20D Nylon Ripstop
DWR Treatment Yes Yes No Yes Yes
Liner material 30D Nylon taffeta 30D Nylon Taffeta w/ DWR 15-denier ripstop nylon 15D Nylon ripstop 30D Plain weave nylon
Neck Baffle Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Small Organization Pocket Yes Yes No No Yes
Zipper 3/4-length / Left side 3/4-length / Side 3/4-length / Side Full-length / Left Side 3/4-length / Left Side
Shoulder Girth 66 in. 62 in. 63 in. 63 in. 62 in.
Hip Girth 60 in. 54 in. 57 in. 57 in. 53 in.
Foot Girth 64 in. 59 in. Not stated 37 in. Not stated

Our Analysis and Test Results

Nemo currently manufactures an assortment of innovative sleeping bags. Many include an hourglass shape and impressive set that our testers near-universally appreciate. The Disco represents one of the more affordable down models in this extensive lineup.

Performance Comparison


nemo disco 15 backpacking sleeping bag review - nemo makes some excellent backpacking sleeping bags. the heavyset...
Nemo makes some excellent backpacking sleeping bags. The heavyset Disco 15 isn't our favorite, but it certainly holds its own.
Credit: Jack Cramer

Warmth


The Disco 15 is filled with 22 oz of 650FP down insulation. That earns it a respectable 14F lower limit temperature rating in the industry-standard EN test. It also features a cozy neck baffle to help prevent heat from escaping out the hood. Unfortunately, in our tests it didn't quite live up to its temp rating, feeling closer to other 20F down bags. This may be due to its spacious dimensions which theoretically require more body heat to warm. Larger folks may therefore find the 15F rating to feel more accurate.

nemo disco 15 backpacking sleeping bag review - the yellow neck baffle supplies some coziness and helps seal heat...
The yellow neck baffle supplies some coziness and helps seal heat inside.
Credit: Jack Cramer

Weight


At 2.74 lbs for a size long, this bag is on the heavier side in our 3-season backpacking sleeping bag review. This is probably a consequence of its generous dimensions. Nemo's variety of spacious sleeping bags all seem to suffer from substantial weight disadvantages. This problem is exacerbated among bags with warmer temp ratings, like the Disco 15, because more and more materials are required to insulate the extra interior space.

nemo disco 15 backpacking sleeping bag review - the disco 15, and most nemo sleeping bags, provide tremendous space...
The Disco 15, and most Nemo sleeping bags, provide tremendous space at the foot of the bag which makes stretching your legs much more enjoyable.
Credit: Jack Cramer

Comnfort


The Disco 15 performs the best when it comes to comfort. Its broad hourglass space provides an impressively roomy interior space. This is ideal for side and tummy sleepers who like to stretch their legs. It's also perfect for anyone who feels claustrophobic inside traditional mummy sleeping bags. We should acknowledge, however, that the 30-denier nylon taffeta lining fabric doesn't feel quite as luxurious as some of the fabrics found on the higher-end bags.

nemo disco 15 backpacking sleeping bag review - the disco 15 comes with an excellent compression sack for packing...
The Disco 15 comes with an excellent compression sack for packing this bag down to its minimum size.
Credit: Jack Cramer

Packed Size


To enjoy the Disco's plush dimensions you must be willing to accept a drawback in terms of packed size. We measured a size Long's compressed volume at 10.1L in a third-party compression sack. That leaves it as one of the bulkiest bags in the backpacking category. Fortunately, Nemo includes a solid compression sack with the purchase of this bag so you have the tool you need to get it packed down as small as possible.

nemo disco 15 backpacking sleeping bag review - you can open the "thermo gills" on the top of the disco 15 to spread...
You can open the "thermo gills" on the top of the Disco 15 to spread out the insulation and shed excess heat on a warm night.
Credit: Jack Cramer

Versatility


All down insulation needs to be handled carefully in wet environments. If you allow the Disco's feathers to get soaked, they will clump together and lose nearly all of their insulative power. For wet conditions, it's, therefore, better to consider a bag with synthetic insulation or waterproof shell fabric.

Our testers are pleased with the versatility advantages of this bag's unusual "thermo gills." These are a pair of tiny zippers on the top of the bag that allow you to spread insulation out and shed extra heat on warm nights. You can also zip them closed to trap heat and extend the usable temp range down a few degrees.

nemo disco 15 backpacking sleeping bag review - there is a convenient sleeve in the hood of the bag for securing a...
There is a convenient sleeve in the hood of the bag for securing a camp pillow in position.
Credit: Jack Cramer

Features & Design


The Disco is fitted with an extensive array of accessory features. There is a small zippered pocket for storing a phone or headlamp. There is also a sleeve in the hood of the bag to keep your camp pillow in place. Our favorite nicety though might be the waterproof fabric that guards the foot of the bag. This ensures that the bag's insulation stays dry even if it accidentally rubs up against a condensation-covered tent wall.

Value


This is an affordable but not quite budget sleeping bag. We think it's a good choice if you're intrigued by Nemo's spacious hourglass bags but don't want to fork over serious dough for one of their premium down models. Keep in mind though that these cost savings comes with a significant drawback in terms of heft.

Conclusion


Among a wide array of sleeping bag choices, the Nemo Disco 15 is best suited for those seeking a comfortable, mid-cost option. It doesn't win any points for its near-average warmth-to-weight ratio, but it's a capable model that's versatile enough to meet a range of conditions across a broad temperature range.

Jack Cramer