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.
We inspected everything from the zipper function to how well they rolled up. Generally, bags with the coolest additions received the best scores. However, even basic bags have features that are often missed, like recycled materials, cool colors, or unique insulation. I bought the zero degree bag and nearly froze to death. Day one, night one…the zipper tore and cord in hood broke.
For example, the warmest bag may not be as important to you if you only camp in the summer or at lower elevations where the air is warmer. In the end, the best camping sleeping bag for you is the one that gives you the most value by matching your specific needs. Each metric was then weighted or assigned a factor based on relative importance.
With the return of the colder weather, it is time to pull out our winter sleeping bags. Mummy bags are very effective for keeping warm, but I am not comfortable in a confining bag. Trailspace’s community of gear reviewers has field-tested and rated the top warm weather synthetic sleeping bags. However, our two personal favorites of the single bags on our list are the Redwood and Deer Hunter.
Our testing confirmed that shelling out three figures will generally get you a higher-performing bag. Most of the top bags we reviewed all fit in this price profile. In general, more warmth (i.e., more insulation), more features, and more comfort (i.e., higher quality materials and typically more spacious dimensions).
The Deer Hunter simply cannot provide the same comfort level as cotton materials found on the Redwood. As anticipated, the Alps OutdoorZ Redwood handily outperformed all the rest, followed closely by the Teton Polara 3-in-1 and REI ozark trail sleeping bag Siesta Hooded. When comparing the warmest bags side by side, the Redwood led in warmth. It is incredibly cozy, and we found it a challenge to want to unzip and get up for the day after sleeping in it — so consider yourself warned.
Both are over-sized, traditional canvas bags with tons of space and padding. When comparing the two side by side, the Redwood is more comfortable because of its fabrics. It’s lined with cotton flannel and enveloped in a cotton canvas shell. These materials are weighty, soft, and very comfortable. It’s also spacious, eliminating the claustrophobic feeling of narrower bags on the market. The Deer Hunter is constructed of synthetic fabrics that are silky, smooth, and comfortable, but there is a distinct difference between the two bags.
It’s also the only bag on our list with a 100% cotton flannel liner, providing a soft next-to-skin feel and by far the coziest experience. Cotton generally offers a more even temperature, resulting in fewer cold spots. The Redwood’s heavier cotton canvas external fabric also provides a tucked-in feeling that most of our testers loved. Snoozing in the REI Co-op Siesta Hooded 20 is like sleeping in a giant-sized version of your favorite hooded parka.
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.