By Brian Connelly. How can we improve GearLab? This jacket uses synthetic insulation of an unspecified type and weight to fill its wide, overstuffed baffles. First off, even though the down clusters have a hydrophobic treatment, the Galactic will not perform as well as the synthetic bags above in the wet. This is a mummy bag, but it is designed with a slightly relaxed fit to balance keeping you warm while offering comfort to not constrict you while you’re sleeping. A sleeping bag that's unlikely to stay underground is the. Reviews. Comparing two of our top picks, we found the flannel lining on Coleman’s cheap Green Valley is far less soft and cozy when used back-to-back with The North Face’s Trail Bed (especially the smooth fleece-like panel along the top of the Trail Bed’s interior). 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. But who are we to tell you not to get a traditional double bag? REI Co-op Quarter DOME 1 Tent | REVIEW - … And with a quality hood cinched around the top of your head, you can really maximize the temperature rating potential. It still won’t insulate as well as a synthetic insulation when moisture enters, and as always, it’s important to keep the bag as dry as possible, but the extra protection and 20-degree rating makes it a great choice for almost any 3-season trip. Just how are you supposed to wade through all the options and pick the perfect sleeping bag for you? Teton Sports is a value-oriented brand, and their camping-ready Celsius offers a lot of bang for your buck. And the gap is much larger for premium down bags, which can cost $500 or more. At the end of a long trek, few things are as rewarding as kicking off your hiking boots and snuggling into a comfy down sleeping bag. The North Rim comes in one size designed to fit people up to 6’2’’, and even has features like a draft tube and two-way zipper. While they’re undoubtedly spacious and a touch cheaper than getting two single bags, we’ve never been in a scenario where zipping two bags hasn't worked just as well—and it gives you the flexibility to camp solo as well (Exped's MegaSleep Duo and Alps Mountaineering's Spectrum 20 are two of the few to address this issue). Shape: RectangularTemperature rating: 30°FFill: 550-fill DriDownWeight: 2 lbs. As with any sleeping bag, drying out the REI Magma each day is a good practice to retain loft. Most campers stick to the more spacious rectangular shape: these versatile bags can often be completely unzipped down one side and the bottom to be used as a large blanket for two. When it comes to camping gear, REI has the budget end of the spectrum dialed in nicely, and their new-for-2020 Groundbreaker 30 is a great example. And keep in mind the temperature rating is closer to a survivability rating rather than being comfortable and warm. In practice, the Alps Mountaineering Spectrum 20 is one of the most adaptable bags on this list. Check out our super in-depth REI Magma 15 review. What makes this bag unique is its combination of quality 550-fill power down with a rectangular shape. Wood, Sleeping Bag Care , REI , December 3, 2014 Notify Me Shop New. The Teton Sports Celsius, which can be found on Amazon for around $60, is a great example. This limits its usefulness in wet conditions, but in most situations, it's possible to keep it dry and performing well. What we don’t: Pricey for a synthetic-insulated bag. For $60, you get a 0-degree temperature rating and a unique construction that attaches a mummy bag’s hood to a rectangular bag. First up, this is a 3-season sleeping bag meaning it is generally good to use in cold, but not freezing conditions. Shape: RectangularTemperature rating: 30°FFill: SyntheticWeight: 4 lbs. Be advised that you will need to accept compromises when it comes to versatility, and the whole bag weighs at least a … After an epic day on the mountain, give your feet a rest in the roomy, wrap-around footbox. All trademarks property of their respective owners We do really like its zipper, which is anti-snag and includes a pull tab on the inside for a more convenient escape. It's not very expensive and under four pounds. On paper, the bag pretty much has it all: 5-degree temperature rating, 4-pound total weight, and a soft-touch, brushed lining. A down sleeping bag like the Kelty Cosmic 20, with average quality down (600 fill), costs $50 or more than an equivalent synthetic option like the Marmot Trestles. To complete your camping kit, we've also tested and written about camping mattresses and camping tents. Below we rank our top picks for 2020, and if you need some background information, our comparison table and buying advice dive into topics like fill type and temperature rating. Fluffy and warm, yet packable and lightweight. The MegaSleep Duo also lacks other features of a mummy bag like tapered cut and a cinched hood that seal out cold much more effectively. It’s bulky and heavy at over 12 pounds for the regular version, which is more double many single rectangular bags (for reference, the heaviest single-person bag on this list is Coleman’s North Rim at 5 lbs. For only $60, you get a comfortable, well-built, good-looking bag. And at just over $100, that’s a whole lot of mummy bag for your car camping adventures. From car camping with your family to base camping at the foot of your next serious adventure, you’ll want to have the right gear for the occasion. Let’s find out the good, the bad, and the ugly. Further, the polyester fill does not compress well and it can be a real pain trying to stuff it back into the included storage bag. A third type is the no-zip, which is limited to a couple designs, including the Sierra Designs Frontcountry Bed that made our list. There aren’t a ton of innovative ideas cropping up in the camping sleeping bag market, but we like Exped's creative MegaSleep Duo 25. Further, the rectangular shape and 30-degree temperature rating mean that it isn’t viable for most backpacking trips, which is one of the main reasons to go with a packable and lightweight down bag. The downside is that it doesn't compress the bag particularly well. For summer camping where it stays warm at night, you can use a large, uninsulated airbed, but if it’s cold, get a sleeping pad with some form of insulation (most often synthetic or foam). Keep in mind that a rectangular bag is heavier than a mummy for the warmth and doesn’t pack away nearly as small, so the Eco Trail Bed isn’t intended for traveling far from your car or stuffing down into a pack. A sleeping bag that's unlikely to stay underground is the REI Co-op Magma 30. If you've ever gone camping, hiking, backpacking, climbing, mountain biking, trail running, or nearly anything else in the outdoors, chances are you've used a headlamp. Realistically, you can get a great sleeping bag for under $100. Summer campers can get away with less, while winter adventurers will want something that exceeds 5 (and may want to consider adding a second pad for additional protection). My first impressions were good. But for couples and close friends, we like the comfort and practicality of a double bag, and the Spectrum is a nice value to boot. Synthetic insulation dominates the camping sleeping bag category because of its affordability and practicality—15 of the 17 bags on this list have synthetic insulation. When you click on links to buy products we may earn money to support, Lightweight, small packed size, quality down, nice zipper, cozy fabric. This unique design is akin to a roomy pea pod with a big opening in the top and a built-in comforter—there are no zippers here. The bag has little in the way of insulation underneath you, so you’ll need a 20-inch-wide mat at the least (check out our best camping mats for recommendations), to fit into the built-in sleeve at the bottom. Its availability at REI also means that you're much more likely to find it on sale. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. On warmer nights while the competition employs heavier materials, the Frontcountry Bed, which an... 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