I won’t ever buy an expensive sleeping bag after carrying this cheapo, unless I can find a cheap bag that weighs a lot less. Yes, it received the lowest scores available for this metric. But, thanks to its over-sized duffel, it packs up easier (not faster) than many of the smaller bags we tested.
This high-quality bag offers a lot of perks at a very reasonable price point. The value of the Polara and Siestra is more rooted in their features and construction. In the case of the Coleman Brazos, ozark trail chair its value stems from an amazing price with rock-solid construction and excellent warmth. Likewise, the Kelty Galactic 30 shows value for offering down insulation at a very reasonable price.
I had to add a fleece sleeping bag for more insulation. I used this bag from February of 2002 to June of 2002 on the Appalachian Trail, and I still have it. The first night out it was less than 14 degrees F, and I had at least 50 nights under 40 degrees F. I can’t say I was warm, but I wasn’t shivering, freezing, or cold either, although I did wear 2 layers of clothing.
Day 2 …it was closer to 6 degree and I froze…I had to hike into town, replace the bag. I could have gotten better quality from a teenager’s home ec project and lighter weight. Both the Big Agnes Echo Park 20 and the Coleman All-Weather Multi-Layer are within striking distance of top scores. The Coleman All-Weather shares a similar layering system to the Polara, which makes it very versatile. One of our favorite features is this bag’s massively roomy footbox.
The Kelty Galactic 30 takes the best features of the high-performance mummy and the traditional camping sleeping bag and blends them into one. Its rectangular shape is wide and non-restrictive, and it’s loaded with 550-fill duck down. These two features offer a near-perfect bag for campers desiring better-performing down insulation minus the cocooning nature of narrow mummy-shaped bags. The Galactic kept us warm down to 30 degrees Fahrenheit and maybe a touch colder.
The Teton Polara and REI Siesta shared the spotlight in this metric. Each has its own unique features that earned it a top score. The Polara stands out for its unsurpassed layering system that allows the bag to be customized for warmth. The Siesta’s main draw is its plush hood and several smaller design considerations that help it effectively retain heat.
Made with soft polyester, the outer layer being a diamond ripstop material, the bag is both comfortable and durable. The zippers are sturdy, with no problems in the two years we have used them. Stay cozy even on the coldest nights of your camping or hiking trips with the Everest Mummy Sleeping Bag, +5F/-15C Degree.
He avidly gets after it at every opportunity, whether hiking, backpacking, or canyoneering. He also enjoys the open road and takes car-camping road trips whenever possible. Jason has hiked or backpacked throughout the Western U.S., including Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, California, Washington, Oregon, and Arizona. He more recently has turned his interest to exploring backwoods areas of the Deep South. In total, he has 20 years of experience and extensive knowledge of camping and backcountry gear, including sleeping bags and sleeping systems.
The Alps Redwood is by far the most comfortable out of the single bags, followed by the Polara 3-in-1, Big Agnes Echo Park, Teton Deer Hunter, and Teton Celsius XXL. Other top performers include the The North Face Wawona Bed, REI Siesta Hooded, and the Coleman Multi-Layer. The Multi-Layer has removable layers of padding and soft fabrics, as does the Polara 3-in-1. When you’re already far from the comforts of home, it’s appreciated when your sleeping bag can increase your comfort level, not compromise it. That’s why we put all these sleeping bags through multiple comfort tests. Despite having twice the amount of body heat, we were surprised to see none of the double bags we studied could match our warmest single bag’s warmth.
Send me exclusive offers, unique gift ideas, and personalized tips for shopping and selling on Etsy. Our proprietary tech ensures that recalled items are never listed. I think the expensive bags are just marketing and overengineering, unless you are going to the arctic.