If you want to use the Big Bay to test out backpacking on a one- or two-night trip, it’s manageable. Although it’s already been stated a couple of times already, it’s still worth noting—this bag is only 35 bucks! You can’t get much more budget than the Coleman Brazos, but it’s also not a do-it-all kind of sleeping bag. It’s more built for a night of car camping or even a kid’s sleepover party. Still, it’s capable of handling three seasons, and Coleman even managed to throw in a couple of party pieces. The bag is also machine washable and comes with a 5-year warranty that covers wear and tear.
The Big Bay is also available in a Big and Tall Contour version for $130, which is a few inches taller and broader in the shoulders, hips and feet, so it’s not quite a mummy bag and not quite a rectangle. I didn’t test the big and tall version, but the hood design, insulation, draft coleman sleeping bag tube, neck collar and zipper are all the same. Fiberlock construction prevents insulation from shifting, extending life of sleeping bag. Can easily be opened fully to use as a comforter and use on top of a bed. Attach another bag to double its size and sleep more than one easily.
It also outperformed more expensive bags during our ice test. For the extensive sleeping bag review, I also interviewed experts who could speak to what makes a great sleeping bag and how to choose coleman sleeping bag the right one for your needs. I talked to an assistant professor at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), Preeti Arya, who’s an expert in technical fabrics and sustainability.
Extremely comfortable and wide enough to turn around in without getting tangled. Looks good after first wash and fits in front loader washer-dryer. Mummy bags typically have a ¾-length side zip that requires some wriggling to get in and out of and can’t be opened up completely should you want to zip the sleeping bag together with another compatible bag. Not only is it easy to create a large and comfortable space for two if you zip it to another bag, but unzipping the bag on its own opens it up for use as a blanket. And if the bag has a tough exterior shell, you can use it as an outdoor picnic blanket in a pinch. 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.
We covered Nemo’s Disco above, which is a nice crossover option for those who like to get out into the backcountry on occasion. 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. I love my memory foam mattress at home so I knew I would love the Coleman memory foam sleeping bag. This synthetic sleeping bag has a layer of memory foam for luxurious camping comfort.
We feel the Brazos is relatively durable, fairly warm, and quite inexpensive. Durable zippers and a draft tube allow coleman canopy for easy entry and exit. Outside fabric is too silky, making bag hard to roll tight and get back into carry bag.
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. For having a knit liner and far from space-age insulation, the Brazos still managed to come in at a reasonable 4.1lb, which is just a hair lighter than its main competitor on our 2021 list, the $45 Kelty Callisto 30. Packed size, i.e., compressed volume is pretty much negligible with this bag; it’s simply not built for backpacking but rather for camping. That being said, the bag comes with a stuff sack that does a decent job of keeping everything together.
During summer months or warm nights, you can use the basic synthetic-insulated bag with its 40-degree limit. Then, as the temperature drops, zip on the 800-fill goose down midlayer (to 20°F) or add the third section on top for winter camping (5°F rating). At less than 4 pounds with all layers connected, the One Bag is streamlined, lightweight, and reasonably packable. The rest of the design is equally premium, including a water-resistant YKK main zipper, roomier-than-average hood, and fleece-lined compression sack that can pull double duty as a pillow.