NEMO Disco 15 Endless Promise Review

Bottom Line

Whether car camping or backpacking, you’ll sleep like a baby with the extra roomy NEMO Disco 15 Endless Promise sleeping bag. Tested over a several weeks across camping trips in Utah, as well as backpacking in Colorado’s Sand Dunes and the canyons of northern Arizona, it’s versatile and functional for any outdoor adventure from spring until fall.

This bag stands alone on our best backpacking sleeping bags list when it comes to comfort: NEMO’s spacious spoon shape makes this one a dream for side sleepers and tosser-turners who like to spread out. The Disco’s durability, generous down collar, and draft tube effectively block chills, and the waterproof footbox sheds condensation with ease. And NEMO’s Endless Promise guarantee means every part of the Disco 15 is fully recyclable.

That said, this bag is heavier and bulkier than other backpacking sleeping bags on our list, so we don’t recommend it for long backpacking trips or thru hikes. And, it isn’t as heat efficient as some. But for those who want the best in versatility and comfort, this is the bag for you.

Warmth

The NEMO Disco Endless Promise is Comfort Rated to 25°F, and we find that rating is a bit conservative. Gear Analyst Ian Krammer slept in this bag for a week in 15°F – 20°F temps in the Utah desert with just a base layer, and it was more than capable at keeping him warm from sunset until sunrise. The massive down collar is one of our favorite elements on any backpacking bag: leave it outside the bag to dump heat, or tuck it inside to block wind and chill. The cushy full-length draft tube offers an excellent barrier against cold air and the high-quality recycled down insulation stays evenly distributed throughout the bag, even after dozens of times packing and unpacking. Plus, the waterproof footbox and hood will keep the bag dry all night when the inside of the tent is dripping with condensation.

On the flip side, roomy bags like the Disco are less heat efficient because your body has to warm up the extra space. This shouldn’t be a big deal if you’re mostly using the Disco in temperatures that are above freezing, but it’s something to consider if temperatures are going to dip consistently below 20°F to 25°F.

Comfort

If you’re looking for one of the comfiest bags, you’ve found it in the NEMO Disco 15 Endless Promise. If you’re a side or stomach sleeper, this is the bag of your dreams: it’s so roomy you’ll be able to toss, turn, flip and flop unencumbered all night long. The roomy “spoon” shape offers a ton of space through the shoulders and the hips to spread out naturally, leaving those snug, traditional mummy bags in the dust.

The huge down collar – a billowy extra flap of material that uses the same buttery soft polyester as the liner – and a large draft tube work together to block out the chill and keep you toasty warm all night. Two zippered vents on top of the bag allow you to dump heat and regulate your temperature without needing to unzip the side of the bag. The footbox and hood are waterproof to keep you comfy when condensation inevitably builds overnight. NEMO includes a pillow pocket to keep your pillow locked in place. Smooth zippers make getting in and out of the bag fast and easy, and we love that you can zip two Disco 15s together for shared space with a partner, family, or dog. 

What’s the sacrifice for this level of comfort? Bulk. We think of this model as a crossover between a car camping and backpacking bag. Because of its wider size and tons of features, the Disco 15 is heavier and larger than many other backpacking sleeping bags, so we recommend it for short to moderate backpacking trips (one to seven nights). We find the extra room makes it less heat efficient than snugger mummy bags with zero room for dead space – which means you’ll begin to feel the cold air when temperatures hit freezing. That said, these are small gripes – if your top priority is comfort, the Disco is the champ.

Weight & Packability

The Disco 15 is one of the heaviest bags we tested, coming in at 2 pounds, 11 ounces. This is on the higher end of what we consider reasonable for backpacking, so it gets lower scores for packability and weight compared to ultralight options. But don’t let the bulk deter you – the extra ounces are 100% worth it for the ridiculously cozy and luxurious feel this bag offers after long miles over rough terrain. Keep in mind this is still an excellent weight for  shorter and moderate-length backpacking trips where the comfort and features far outweigh the slight weight penalty. At this weight, the Disco 15 is one of our all-time favorite crossover options – which is why it’s also listed on our Best Camping Sleeping Bags Guide – because its one of the most versatile options out there for both backpacking and car camping adventures.

That said, if your kit is ultralight, you’re hiking for more than a week at a time, or simply want to keep your base weight down, there are much lighter and more compressible options out there. If you aren’t a side, stomach, or starfish sleeper, the weight penalty might seem unnecessary. The Disco 15’s heft is not a good fit for extended trips where every ounce matters, and it will certainly take up more room in your backpack than a quilt, reducing space for other essential gear.

Features

The Disco 15 is loaded with unique and functional features that leave the competition behind. NEMO includes “thermo gills”, two compartments with  internal and external zippers with mesh in between – to dump heat and enhance airflow without unzipping the bag lengthwise. The huge internal  stash pocket provides ample storage for your essentials, and the oversized hood with a pillow pocket adds an extra touch of luxury. The zippers glide smoothly without snagging, making it easy to get in and out of the bag. One of our favorite touches is waterproofing at the hood and foot for protection against the elements, keeping you dry and warm, and making it one of the more durable bags we’ve tested. 

Although this isn’t a tangible feature of the bag per se, the Disco 15 benefits from the Endless Promise program: it’s fully recyclable, making it one of the most sustainable and eco-friendly bags on the market. When your Disco is at the end of its life, send it back to NEMO. They take full responsibility for recycling every single component of the bag, from fabric and down to baffling and zippers. 

Should You Buy the NEMO Disco 15 Endless Promise?

The NEMO Disco 15 is perfect for people who do it all: backpackers, car campers, side sleepers, and those who want comfort over technical performance. Its roomy spoon shape offers tons of room for any style sleeper, so it’s an excellent choice for people who feel cramped in traditional mummy bags. And when it comes to features, the Disco 15 is tough to beat due to a waterproof footbox, pillow pocket, stash pocket, and ventilation “gills” that will only enhance the livability and convenience of this bag. And if sustainability is important to you, this is one of the most eco-friendly sleeping bags on the market due to its fully recyclable design.

However, the Disco 15 may not be the best fit if you’re looking for the lightest, most compressible, or most heat-efficient option out there. It’s undeniably bulkier than competitors and the extra space in the bag can lead to occasional cold spots, a drawback in colder temperatures. 

What Other Backpacking Sleeping Bags Should You Consider?

REI Magma 15 Review: Like the Disco 15, the REI Magma 15 offers above-average durability, a similar temperature rating, includes a handy stash pocket, and is RDS certified for ethically sourced down. However, the Magma 15 is a better fit for folks who want a lighter, more compact bag – although it’s less roomy and more expensive.

Sea to Summit Spark 15 Review: The Sea to Summit Spark 15 also has high-quality down insulation with a comparable comfort rating, and is perfect for three-season use. But the Spark 15 is preferable if weight is a top priority: this bag is over a pound lighter than the Disco 15 and offers much better packability, making it perfect for minimalists and long-distance backpacking.

Feathered Friends Swallow YF 20 Review: The Feathered Friends Swallow YF 20 offers one of the highest fill powers on our list (900) and is very close to the Disco 15 in terms of comfort and features. The Swallow YF 20 is much lighter and more packable, though, catering to backpackers seeking high performance and a stellar warmth-to-weight ratio.