The most important (or more heavily weighted metrics) for us are warmth and comfort. Comfort was assessed by sharing the bag with multiple testers to garner diverse opinions. We also conducted specific tests involving ease of movement, bag dimensions, and natural padding. For warmth, we were able to test even more scientifically with an ice-block test, a laser thermometer, as well as side-by-side timed tests on the same chilly night. Features and packed size were the final performance areas of interest, and we broke features down into a list and rated each one. While a small packed size is nice, we ascribed the least importance to this metric.
The fabrics feel super nice on the skin, but they seem to soak up the cold, creating multiple icy spots outside and inside the bag. We found it a challenge to want to unzip and get up for the day after sleeping in it. When comparing the warmest bags side by side, the Redwood led in warmth. It’s also the coleman cabin tent only bag on our list with 100% cotton materials, providing a soft next-to-skin feel and by far the coziest experience. Cotton generally offers a more even temperature, resulting in fewer cold spots. Its heavier canvas external fabric also provides a tucked-in feeling that most of our testers love.
Individual, built-in blankets allow sleepers the ability to customize personal warmth preferences. A U-shaped, top-side zipper bypasses the foot box, allowing toes to stay warmer, while a massive hood keeps pillows in place and helps trap heat escaping from the top of the head. These features and other add-ons create one of the best systems we have seen to allow two sleepers independent customization of personal temperature.
And should the insulation get wet, synthetics continue to keep you warm, unlike down feathers. For a full explanation of the two insulation types, see our article on down vs. synthetics. The Coleman Big Bay 20° mummy bag emerged as the best value pick in my sleeping bag review, and the Nemo Forte Synthetic Sleeping Bag (available in men’s and women’s) was given the top overall spot. The Nemo Forte is a more luxurious-feeling synthetic sleeping bag—the fabric is more supple and the insulation loftier—but the Big Bay doesn’t feel as slick as many bags around the same price do.
Kelty’s popular Cosmic Down 20 has been a mainstay in their lineup for years and remains a popular choice among campers and backpackers alike. Along with a healthy dose of 550-fill down, the bag offers cozy warmth and good compressibility. And considering the typical price of a down bag, the Cosmic Down’s $165 MSRP really stands out.
For example, if you’re camping somewhere where temperatures regularly drop into the 20s at night, you should choose a 20-degree sleeping bag or warmer. Throughout our review and testing tent side, we didn’t give these camping sleeping bags any leeway. Regardless of price or prestige, we held all to high standards and the same test methods. We researched and tested for what we would want to know if we were buying these bags for ourselves. In the end, we hope our efforts benefit you in your decision-making and camping gear kit. Traditional camping sleeping bags are known to be a little big-boned, so packed size was not a complete deal-breaker for us.
Your kid will be the star of the sleepover with this adorable glow-in-the-dark firefly sleeping bag. Rated for warmer temperatures, your child won’t overheat during indoor slumber parties, yet this bag is still warm and cozy enough for summer camping trips with the family. The Big Game has a cozy flannel liner and an integrated pillow for even more comfort in freezing temperatures.
When it’s time to head home, packing is easy with fasteners that lock in place as you roll and an included stuff sack. With thousands of positive customer reviews and an affordable price coleman sleeping bags point, the Brazos camping sleeping bag is an excellent choice for most cold weather adventures. The compromises in choosing the cheaper fill type are relatively minimal for camping.