We’ve spent hours examining each bag, prioritizing warmth, comfort, thoughtful features, spacious cuts, and more. For our take on how each bag ranks against one another, we compiled an extensive review aiming to help lead you to cozy, restful nights in the outdoors. 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.
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). 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. I didn’t test the big and tall version, but the hood design, insulation, draft tube, neck collar and zipper are all the same. You want to choose a sleeping bag with a temperature rating that correlates with the anticipated nighttime temperature of where you are camping.
However, the compression sack only comes with two straps, instead of the industry standard of four straps. This greatly reduces the ability to compress the bag if trunk or storage space is an issue. Car camping bags tend to have many features, which we found to be true with the models we tested. We inspected everything from the zipper function to how well they roll up. The following list is what we liked and disliked about the bags’ features. For six years running, the Coleman Brazos has reigned supreme as our favorite low-priced model.
They come with a water-repellent finish to keep them moisture-resistant for all backpacking and hiking trips. You don’t need to wash your sleeping bag after every camping trip, but you should clean it once or twice a year, depending on how much you use it. Coleman recommends using a fabric softener, but do not use bleach. Tumble dry on low heat in as large a dryer as possible (high heat can burn the fabric or insulation).
If you’re looking for more heat retention with less weight, the Coleman Kompact sleeping bag is for you. With Coletherm Max premium fill, this bag is lightweight yet offers plenty of warmth for most camping trips. Most standard-size sleeping bags are designed coleman sleeping bags to fit people less than 6 feet tall. For larger campers, a big and tall sleeping bag offers extra room for sleeping comfortably. Big and tall sleeping bags are also great for people who prefer a bit more space to move around while they sleep.