Further, when you lay on a sleeping bag, you compress the insulation, which impacts its ability to warm you (this is particularly true for down fill, but does impact synthetic as well). As a result, it’s important to choose a sleeping mattress or pad that will protect you from the ground if you’ll be camping in cooler temperatures (typically under degrees). That said, we still recommend checking the weight and stuffed Ozark Trail Sleeping Bags 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.
Some bags, like The North Face’s One Bag, feature unique warmth-tailoring systems that allow you to customize the amount of insulation depending on conditions. To be sure, most of these additions won’t be deal-breakers for many, but they can be helpful in deciding between similar models (and we’ve called them out in the write-ups above whenever possible). We also found great deals on a couple of other sleeping bags! These bags are perfect for a family camping trip or if your kiddo is heading to a sleepover. The zipper is light weight and gets hung up, but really what do you expect for the money the material feel good, it’s a quality sleeping bag.
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. Below we rank our top picks for 2023, and if you need some background information, our comparison table and buying advice dive into topics like fill type and temperature rating.
Made with lightweight mini ripstop fabric, the down-filled Ozark Sleeping Bag is soft to the touch. The interior of a sleeping bag varies quite a bit between designs, but one general rule of thumb is that comfort correlates closely with price. Comparing two of our top picks, Coleman’s cheap Brazos 20 uses a tricot lining that’s reasonably cozy but less soft than The North Wawona Bed (especially the smooth fleece-like panel along the top of the Wawona’s interior). For those who plan to get out a lot, opting for an upgraded design may be worth it. It introduced its sleeping bags in the 1960s and has since been a camper’s favorite. Their sleeping bags are available in a wide range of temperature ratings, designs, and colors.
If the night gets cold, a drawcord conveniently lets you adjust the contoured hood around your neck, while a full-length side zipper makes it easy to get in and out of your camping sleeping bag. An added interior stash pocket offers a safe place to keep your valuables nearby. For the best nights sleep while camping, pack the Ozark Trail 10F Mummy Sleeping Bag and you’ll be ready to hit the trail right when the sun rises. As we touched on above, temperature ratings tend to be fairly generous and often require adding a sizable buffer to ensure you’ll stay warm throughout the night.
You can buy an expensive bag if you think it will make you more hardcore, but I will gladly tell everyone how hardcore you are if you pay me to do so.
Rated for 30-degrees, we have slept in it down to 13. The bag, by itself, is not very warm at that temperature. We layer a blanket between the sleeping pads and the sleeping bags for some extra insulation.
For a full explanation of the two insulation types, see our article on down vs. synthetics. With the return of the colder weather, it is time to pull out our winter sleeping bags. Of course, I wanted something that would keep us warm. Mummy bags are very effective for keeping warm, but I am not comfortable in a confining bag. If you’ve ever had a pad deflate or slept directly on the ground in cold weather, you know firsthand the importance of an insulated pad beneath you.
Weather camping in a tent or roughing it under the stars, this bag features a quilted outer shell and an attractive inner liner made of soft comfortable materials. Also great for overnight guests, slumber parties or opening it up to use as a blanket or comforter. A third type is the no-zip style, which is limited to a couple designs (none of which made our list), including a handful from Sierra Designs. The large oval opening requires some modest flexibility and patience to get out of, but going zipper-less can be nice. There’s no fumbling in the night for the zipper pull, and you don’t have to worry about snags or heat loss (if the bag lacks a good draft tube). But in the end, we don’t see the zipper-less concept completely taking over the market.