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. That’s why for camping, we prefer a bag that fully unzips. 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.
You do pay a premium compared with our top picks at $200, but we think the Forte hits a great middle ground for mixed car camping and backpacking use. In the end, the temperature rating does have value and you should use it as a basic guideline. In choosing the proper approximate rating, try to get an idea of the very coldest temperature you’ll be experiencing overnight.
For those who run cold or simply want to bring their bag into lower temperatures, adding a sleeping bag liner can help keep you cozy without breaking the bank. Liners are made of soft materials like fleece, wool, polyester, or silk and typically add around 5 to 15 degrees to the warmth rating of your bag. They also serve as a barrier between you and your bag’s interior, which can help boost lifespan (you can wash the liner after use rather than getting your bag dirty). Liners typically cost between $30 and $60, and a couple of our favorite options are Sea to Summit’s Thermolite Reactor for mummy bags and their Silk-Cotton Blend Liner for rectangular models. To be clear, liners are totally optional and not everyone needs one, but they do offer added warmth and comfort and help keep your bag in good shape.
If you are thinking of enamelware, you are on the right track. You don’t have to sacrifice flavor when you go camping. Portable and electric, these grills make it easier than ever to prepare delicious meals no matter where your adventure takes you. I think the expensive bags are just marketing and overengineering, unless you are going to the arctic.
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 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.
The “L” shaped zipper configuration, and the fact that no hoods are involved, allow this simpler sleeping bag design to be mated easily. Your best bet for getting sleeping bags that mate together is to purchase them together, at the same time. Manufacturers sometimes change zipper styles, sizes, lengths etc. with each different model year. So, if you do not purchase your sleeping bags together there is no guarantee that your bag will mate with a bag purchased sometime down the road.
Mummy bags are popular for both camping and backpacking, but rectangular bags are roomier and can offer an even better sleeping experience. Our top pick in this category is REI Co-op’s Siesta Hooded 20, which replaces the Siesta 25 for 2023. For a reasonable $139, you get a high-quality bag with a useful 20-degree temperature rating, which is great for three-season car camping in a variety of conditions.
A final shape worth mentioning is the semi-rectangular bag, which—as the name implies—shares commonalities with both rectangular and mummy designs. In terms of dimensions, they’re typically roomier than standard mummy bags (particularly at the shoulders and hips) but not overly generous like some rectangular models. All in all, semi-rectangular bags typically Ozark Trail Camping Chairs offer a good mix of comfort and weight, shaving away excess material while still providing enough space to roll around during the night. For instance, NEMO’s Forte 20 has a roomier fit than most traditional mummy bags, with a noticeable boost in space around the knees and elbows. Coleman sleeping bags are only filled with synthetic polyester.
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 Ozark Trail Sleeping Bags 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.
Along with a healthy dose of 550-fill down, the bag offers cozy warmth and good compressibility. And considering the typical Ozark Trail Camping Chairs price of a down bag, the Cosmic Down’s $165 MSRP really stands out. I bought the zero degree bag and nearly froze to death.