No matter where your travels take you, from national parks to backwoods to back porches, a camping sleeping bag remains a trusty companion. Since space and weight are not at a premium when you can drive to your destination, the comfort dial can get turned way up. There’s no need to suffer through the night in a constricting mummy bag, so options in this category tend to lean more towards a traditional rectangular shape or a roomier mummy.
When it’s time to pack up, the included stuff sack makes storage a cinch. The compromises in choosing the cheaper fill type are relatively minimal for camping. With a car or camper to transport all of your gear, the larger stuffed size and extra weight are much less of a concern than when your sleeping bag has to be crammed into a pack and carried on your back.
The Big Bay is a mummy-style sleeping bag, starting wide at the shoulders and tapering around the feet. Mummy bags are becoming more popular because they’re lightweight and packable, and they’re easier for your body to heat up and keep warm (a sleeping bag is not inherently warm—your body heat gets trapped inside). However, close-fitting mummy bags, like those designed exclusively for backpacking and alpine pursuits, can feel claustrophobic for most people because there’s not a lot of room to toss and turn. The open footbox design adds space, and the bag has enough room for me to side sleep and bend my knees.
That said, we still recommend checking the weight and stuffed size that will be listed in the product specifications to get an idea of just how large and heavy the bags are. Synthetic bags are typically made with thicker fabrics and require more insulation to provide sufficient warmth, which can add up to a surprising amount of bulk. And if you’re considering a double bag (covered in more detail below), you’re talking about packed dimensions listed in feet rather than inches. If weight and packed size become important, a crossover backpacking/sleeping bag like the still-roomy Nemo Disco 15 reduces both. We covered Nemo’s Disco above, which is a nice crossover option for those who like to get out into the backcountry on occasion.
Stay warm on camping and hunting excursions in the Coleman Heritage Big and Tall sleeping bag, which is rated to temperatures as low as 10 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s filled with five pounds of Hollofil 808 insulation, which offers high-loft, hollow-core fibers that prevent body heat from escaping, thus holding more air inside the bag. The Heritage rectangular sleeping bag measures 40 by 84 inches folded, and will fit most sleepers up to 6 foot, 5 inches tall. Mummy sleeping bags trim away material in the shoulders, hips, and feet for a shape that mimics your body. The advantage of having a tapered cut is there is little extra space for cold spots to creep in. And with a quality hood cinched around the top of your head, you can really maximize the temperature rating potential.
However, that bag doesn’t come cheap at $320, and car campers uninterested in roughing it can save a considerable $100 with the Forte Endless Promise 20. In this case, Nemo opted for synthetic rather than down fill, which translates to a higher weight and bulkier packed size. All told, it’s another thoughtfully made Nemo bag that’s high on comfort and quality.
Our annual family camping trip does not involve hiking and then camping so we weren’t looking for tiny sleeping bags. We take day hikes and do outdoor activities from our drive up camping spot in the Smoky Mountains. Therefore, I was looking for sleeping bags for camping that offered comfort. I also wanted them to keep us comfortable in cold weather down to degrees.
I didn’t test the big and tall version, but the hood design, insulation, draft tube, neck collar and zipper are all the same. Sleeping bags inherently are barebones, but we’ve seen an uptick in available features on many mid-range and high-end models of late. Notable extras worth calling out are built-in pillows or pillow sleeves coleman sleeping bag (the Nemo Disco and Forte Endless Promise boast the latter), which are a nice luxury for those annoyed by camp pillows that tend to move in the night. Additionally, integrated blankets, interior pockets for stowing small items like a headlamp, and draft tubes at the collar for trapping warmth are becoming more common.
Hybrid-shaped bag, with a mummy-shaped head and a rectangular bottom for extra foot space. coleman canopys are known for being one of the most affordable options available while being durable and comfortable. There are many model types that allow you to choose between cold weather as well as different sizes that cater to youth and adults. Typically, you can find a quality Coleman sleeping bag for as low as $30. The Hikenture 4 INCH Thick Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad is a premium camping mattress designed to provide exceptional comfort and insulation for a restful night’s sleep in the great outdoors.