NEMO Rhythm 25 Sleeping Bag

Pillow Pocket

The Rhythm has a sleeve in the headbox that can be stuffed with a jacket or loose clothing to make yourself a pillow. I think NEMO was smart to include this feature, though others may enjoy it more than I have. Namely I like to use a really big pillow, so the pillow pocket is a little small for my liking, and yet it also takes up a lot of space in the Rhythm’s headbox. You don’t have to use the bag’s pillow pocket, of course, but it seems like the pocket could be sewn in behind the headbox (with its opening on the exterior of the bag) which would still let you build a pillow without sacrificing room in the headbox itself.

Mike Thurber reviews the NEMO Rhythm 25 sleeping bag, Blister Gear Review
Black jacket being stuffed into the pillow pocket of the NEMO Rhythm 25.

Waterproof / Breathable Footbox

This is a great feature of the Rhythm 25. The bottom portion of the bag is made with a DWR-treated exterior fabric which protects the bag from condensation on the inside of the tent. I was a little worried that this design would cause additional buildup of condensation inside the bag (feet can get really sweaty), but this has never been an issue. The material also results in only a minor weight penalty, while going a long way in maintaining the bag’s loft and warmth on longer trips.

Mike Thurber reviews the NEMO Rhythm 25 sleeping bag, Blister Gear Review
Footbox of the NEMO Rhythm 25.

Drawstrings and Zipper

The Rhythm 25’s zipper is great, with a webbing strip sewn along the zipper baffle to keep the zipper car from catching.

As for the elasticized drawstring in the bag’s headbox, I only have one gripe which may just be a subjective preference. The quick-lock cord adjustment for the opening around the headbox is on the outside of the bag. Personally I like to be able to manipulate the drawstring from inside of the bag as temperatures change, though again, this might not bother other folks.

Durability

As with other NEMO gear I’ve used in the past, the Rhythm appears to be very well made, and I haven’t had any issues with durability. I haven’t noticed any delamination or stitching issues with the bag in the time I’ve used it and the insulation continues to compress and loft well.

Bottom Line

The NEMO Rhythm 25 isn’t quite as thermally efficient as a traditionally-shaped mummy bag, but its shape provides a lot more freedom to move around and get comfortable than any other mummy bag I’ve had in the past. And while the Rhythm 25 isn’t as comfy as my (very heavy) rectangular Coleman bag, it’s close, and is suitable for use on a backpacking trip where a bulky rectangular bag would be far from ideal.

If you’re a side or stomach sleeper, check it out.

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