The Best Sleeping Bags for Camping

Our Favorite Bag for Versatility

TETON Sports Polara 3-in-1

Temperature Rating: 0 F | Weight 8.3 lbs

Being best at nearly everything is hard to achieve, but the Teton Sports Polara 3-in-1 has pulled it off. As a result, it is at the top of our list of camping sleeping bags, and winner of our second Editors' Choice Award for overall versatility and cost. Its layering options allow it to be several bags in one. It packs up much smaller and lighter than many bags in our review. It's warm, has lots of features and options, and, importantly, the Polara 3-in-1 is reasonably priced. On the list of good stuff are loops, snaps, zippers, pockets, and drawstrings, and a detachable fleece liner. The Polara is a perfect combination of your favorite on-the-couch movie blanket and a hardcore, cold-weather camping bag.

The Polara 3-in-1 is made from cheaper, synthetic materials than top of the line bags, and will never equal the luxury of many high dollar bags. The Polara 3-in-1's interior liner and fleece blanket are incredibly soft and warm, but they're grabby when compared to the smooth, bedsheet-like interior of some sleeping bags. However, it's a toasty bag with lots of innovative options, and it's versatile, portable, packable, and affordable.

Read review: Teton Sports Polara 3-in-1

Best Bang for Your Buck

Coleman Brazos

Temperature Rating: 20 F | Weight 4.1 lbs

The Coleman Brazos is the least expensive bag on our list, but when it comes to warmth, this bag can hold its own against name brand bags that cost far more. A no-brainer for our Best Buy Award, this bag is perfect families, price-conscious buyers, or anyone else looking to save a buck.

While this bag is a great value-purchase, it is a noticeable step down in comfort and quality compared to top-shelf models we tested. This bag is narrow and short, so if you're broad-shouldered and above 6 feet, you definitely want to make another selection. But for the average camper looking to spend a few nights under the stars each year, there aren't a lot of reasons to spend more when you can get this bag at this price.

Read review: Coleman Brazos

Top Pick for a Two-Person Model

Sierra Designs Frontcountry Bed 35 Duo

Temperature Rating: 35 F | Weight 8.2 lbs

The Sierra Designs Frontcountry Bed 35 Duo has the features, comfort, weight, and warmth to cause you to reconsider zipping two bags together the old-fashioned way. This bag offers a revolutionary zipperless system that mimics your household bedding. It has a self-sealing foot box that makes it easy for your piggies to get some air. It also boasts a massive hood, over-sized top quilt, and built-in, adjustable sleeping pad sleeves. For dedicated snugglers, this bag is the bomb.

Do know, however, that this bag is pricey. You can certainly find two single bags to zip together for a wider two-person system at a lower overall cost, but then you'll be sacrificing the awesome features this bag offers. If you're looking for a bag to share with your partner, our testers found the unique design of this bag to be the most cuddle-worthy of any two-person model we've tested.

Read review: Sierra Designs Frontcountry Bed 35 Duo

Top Pick for Down

Kelty Galactic 30

Temperature Rating: 30 F | Weight 2.3 lbs

Do you love how down insulation performs but don't like feeling like a human chimichanga while sleeping in a tight-fitting mummy bag? We introduce to you the Kelty Galactic 30. Insulated with 600-fill high performance down, we feel this bag stays warmer than its 30-degree rating. It's lightweight, packs up nicely, and can be compressed even further in a compression sack. Whether you're a car-camper or backcountry fanatic, if you like down --and like rectangular bags-- you may have just found sleeping bag nirvana.

A rectangular bag filled with down is a rare find. This bag is perfect for the campground and can be brought into the backcountry, too, for double duty. But, it's not the cheapest option. Down is simply a more expensive material than synthetic insulation. This bag also comes with little extras that car-camping bags often provide. That said, this is a sweet, fluffy cocoon that our testers reached for time and time again.

Read review: Kelty Galactic

Why You Should Trust Us

OutdoorGearLab Review Editor Jason Wanlass, a Utah resident, lives in a camping paradise. He avidly gets after it at every opportunity, whether hiking, backpacking, or taking road trips. Additionally, Jason is an avid solo hiker and solo backpacker with more than 20 years of experience. He has logged thousands of hours alone on trails in Iceland, Nepal, and the Patagonia Regions of Argentina and Chile. He also has solo backpacked a large majority of Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, California, and Arizona. He has extensive knowledge of backcountry gear, including sleeping bags and sleeping systems.

The testing ground for this review was typical of Jason's outside life. These bags took a giant road trip through Utah's five national parks: Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands. At the end of the road, there was solid data.

We decided on four essential performance areas rated on relative importance. The most important were warmth and comfort. While comfort is naturally subjective, we added some rigor with tests such as the one during which we deliberately rolled around on a sandstone slab with each bag to get a true sense of relative padding abilities. With warmth, we were able to test even more scientifically with an ice-block test, and side-by-side timed tests on the same chilly night. In both tests, we utilized a laser thermometer. Features and packed size were the final performance areas of interest, and we broke features down into a list and rated each one. While a small packed size is nice, we ascribed the least importance to this metric relative to final scores.

Related: How We Tested Camping Sleeping Bags

Analysis and Test Results

Of the four metrics we tested, we care about two of them the most. When the sun goes down, and the cool mountain air begins to settle, we are most concerned with whether the sleeping bag covering us is warm and comfortable. A bag can have a zillion bells and whistles, but if it doesn't keep you toasty or swallow you up like your favorite down comforter, what's the point? For this very reason, we weighted our warmth scores the most heavily, followed closely by comfort. But we didn't do a few subjective tests. We took each bag and got an idea of how we felt about it, and then compared our opinions to basic science — and we weren't overly nice.

Related: Buying Advice for Camping Sleeping Bags

The individual metrics we studied (Warmth, Comfort, Features, Packed Size) are very important. The serve as a healthy foundation in determining which bag is right for you. However, these metrics become the most helpful to you when you have a clear idea of the type of camping you plan to do. For example, the bag with the highest scores for warmth, may not be as important to you if you only camp in the summer or in lower elevations where the air is warmer. In the end, the best sleeping bag for you is the bag that gives you the most value.

Value

In this category, 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. So what exactly does the extra dough get you? In general, more warmth (through more insulation), more features, and more comfort (higher quality materials and typically more spacious dimensions). All these things add up to costing more overall.

Products like the Teton Sports Polara 3-in-1 have some of the highest value, because they perfectly balance warmth, comfort, features, and cost. However, for occasional use, or in friendly summer temperatures, you can usually get away with spending much less. For example, the Coleman Brazos or the The North Face Dolomite will absolutely suffice for camping across America on a summer road trip. When it comes to two-person bags, the REI Co-op Siesta Double 30 costs the least of the doubles we tested. If you're strapped for cash as a couple, this bag keeps costs low and does its job fine.

Warmth

When it comes to thermal insulation, it doesn't matter whether it's keeping something cool or something hot, it all works the same way — by trapping temperature in dead air space.

We used this concept to try a little reverse psychology on each bag. We figured if they could keep things (us) warm, then they should be able to keep other things (a large block of ice) cold. If our theory proved correct, the warmest bags should also keep a massive block of ice the coldest. Our hunch was right.

In short, we conducted several tests to determine each bag's ability to retain temperature. We used laser thermometers to help us determine how each performed. Then we compared these results to what our sleeping tests told us. Our warmth scores accounted for 35 percent of each bag's total rating.

The Teton Sports Polara 3-in-1 handily outperformed all the rest, followed closely by the Coleman All-weather Multi-Layer and The North Face Homestead Bed. If all the elements of the perfect cup of hot chocolate were turned into a sleeping bag, the result would be the Polara 3-in-1 — it simply comes down to how much you're willing to pay for this cup of hot chocolate. It is incredibly cozy and warm. In fact, we found it a challenge to want to unzip and get up for the day after sleeping in it.

Despite having double the occupants, we were surprised none of the double bags we studied could match the warmth of our warmest single bags. The two that came the closest are the Sierra Designs Frontcountry Bed 35 Duo and the Kelty Tru.Comfort 20 Doublewide. Both of these bags employ a hooded design that traps in heat around the head, allowing them to handily out-perform both the REI Siesta Double 30 and the Exped MegaSleep Duo.

The bag that surprised us the most was the Coleman Brazos. Since it's the cheapest bag we looked at, we were prepared to be underwhelmed. However, the Brazos' warmth ratings outperformed several other bags with double or triple the price tag. It beat the The North Face Dolomite and nearly tied with bags like the TETON Sports Celsius XXL . We were also very impressed with the Kelty Galactic, particularly its warmth to weight ratio. The Galactic just may be the only down-insulated car-camping bag on the market. Its feather interior allows it to be the lightest bag we tested, and still one of the warmest. Finally, the bag that disappointed us the most in this metric is the Exped MegaSleep Duo. Its microfiber insulation simply did not keep us as warm as we had hoped. The bag is still incredibly warm when compared to its overall size, weight, and volume. Just not as warm as its rating, according to our testing.

Comfort

Ever felt trapped and uncomfortable in a sleeping bag? When you're already far from the comforts of home, nothing's worse than being trapped like a buried mummy all night. That's why we tested all of our bags for more than one type of comfort.

For weeks, we squirmed back and forth in each bag to find out which one allowed for the easiest tossing and turning, which fabrics felt the best against our skin, and which bag had the most natural plush padding. We combined all of our data together and came up with a solid list of the most comfortable bags.

The Polara 3-in-1 and Coleman Multi-Layer scored the highest out of the single bags. The Multi-Layer has layers of padding and the softest fabrics.

Of the two-person bags we tested, the Sierra Designs Frontcountry Bed 35 Duo smashed its competition. From its fabrics to our ease of movement, we loved this bag. The Kelty Tru.Comfort was a close second for comfort. This is the largest double bag on our list, making it very comfortable. We found the REI Co-op Siesta Double 30 to be a little narrow and average. The Exped MegaSleep Duo 25 Double is designed to be very thin. It has virtually no padding, but it is very easy to move and twist in. Our biggest complaint is its lack of padding and its silky interior and exterior fabrics. The fabrics themselves are very nice on the skin, but they soak up the cold, creating multiple icy spots outside and inside the bag.

The Coleman Brazos was our worst performer. Its interior is less comfortable than its competition, and tends to grab onto a tossing and turning sleeper, ending up a bit twisted in the middle of the night. The bag is also a bit small and confining. If you camp regularly, it's probably a good idea to find a more comfortable option. We like the fabrics used in The North Face Dolomite 20, but we also feel the bag is a little narrow.

Features

In all, there were a lot of features we explored with each bag. Everything from zipper function and neck baffles to water-resistance and warranties were on our list. We'll spare you the comprehensive list, but we will give you a taste of what we liked and didn't like about each bag's features.

Likes

TETON Sports Polara 3-in-1

Removable fleece liner, two interior pockets, lifetime warranty, compression stuff sack, ample zipper and shoulder baffles, water-resistant shell

Coleman All-weather Multi-Layer

Patented ZipPlow zipper design prevents snags, multiple layering options, removable fleece liner

Sierra Designs Frontbed 35 Duo

Zipperless design, large hood, over-sized top quilt, lifetime warranty, built-in sleeping pad sleeve, water-resistant shell

Kelty Galactic

High-performance treated down insulation, quality zipper, lifetime warranty, water-resistant shell

Kelty Tru.Comfort 20 Doublewide

Massive design, large hood, Lifetime warranty, removable top quilt, additional individual side quilts, water-resistant shell

TETON Sports Celsius XXL

Large design, massive hood, velcro zipper closure, adjustable hood and shoulder baffles, lifetime warranty, water-resistant shell

The North Face Homestead Bed

Boxy 3D shape, large hood, removable top quilt, lifetime warranty, built-in sleeping pad sleeve, water-resistant shell

The North Face Dolomite 20 Sleeping Bag

Quality draft tube, velcro zipper closure, lifetime warranty, water-resistant shell

REI Co-op Siesta Double 30

Bag can be unzipped and made into two individual bags, velcro zipper closure, lifetime warranty, vented storage bag, water-resistant shell

Coleman Brazos

Patented ZipPlow zipper design prevents snags, interior pocket

Exped MegaSleep Duo 25 Double

Quality zipper baffle, vented storage bag, two-sided design, bag can be unzipped and made into two individual bags, water-resistant shell

Dislikes

TETON Sports Polara 3-in-1

Must be washed by hand and left flat to dry, zipper catches at times

Coleman All-weather Multi-Layer

Thinner shell fabrics may be prone to wear, no lifetime warranty, shell is not water-resistant

Sierra Designs Frontbed 35 Duo

Top quilt is wide but should be a little wider

Kelty Galactic

Down insulation requires specific cleaning detergent and instructions

Kelty Tru.Comfort 20 Doublewide

Built-in side quilts are too narrow to fit over body effectively

TETON Sports Celsius XXL

Must be washed by hand and left flat to dry, zipper catches at times

The North Face Homestead Bed

Built-in sleeping pad sleeve system hangs down and is prone to catch and snag

The North Face Dolomite 20 Sleeping Bag

Lacks quality shoulder baffle

REI Co-op Siesta Double 30

Zipper function is a little cumbersome and awkward

Coleman Brazos

No lifetime warranty, lacks shoulder baffle, shell is not water-resistant

Exped MegaSleep Duo 25 Double

Drawstring system for top opening is strange and not very intuitive

Packed Size

Traditional sleeping bags are known to be a little big-boned, so packed size was not a complete deal-breaker for us. But, space is rarely unlimited, so we rated each bag according to its stowed size.

We asked: Does the bag fit in its designed storage bag? We also questioned: "Does it fit easily into its storage bag? Shoving your bag into its stuff sack should not involve more action than an MMA fight. Most of the bags fit effortlessly into their storage bag. Testing determined that the Teton Sports Celsius XXL and Coleman All-Weather Multi-Layer are the most difficult to store, but with a little elbow grease, we were able to get them back into their storage devices.

Additionally, we determined whether each bag could legitimately fit on or in a backpack and whether its weight was acceptable to carry. In a pinch, could one double as a backcountry bag on a multiple-day backpacking trip? Although this feature isn't a necessity, it's still a nice feature. We found a few that could fit the bill.

The top scorer is the Kelty Galactic. Weighing 2.3 lbs, the Galactic is a very lightweight bag among the rectangular, traditional car-camping models. It's not exactly built for backpacking, but it also packs small enough that we would certainly consider it for short hike-in campsites. Most will find it more comfortable than a mummy-style sleeping bag, and easily worth it when your camping goal is a few miles from the car. It does the job in a pinch or for a beginner who doesn't want to invest a lot of money on a quiver of multiple sleeping bags. We were also stunned by the packed size of the Exped MegaSleep Duo 25 Double. This two-person bag has a smaller packed size than all of the double and single bags we've ever tested — that's a lot of bags. Both the Galactic and the MegaSleep can be placed in a compression stuff sack and reduced even smaller.

Conclusion

Throughout our review, we didn't give these bags any leeway. Regardless of price or prestige, we held all to high standards, and we were not afraid to score them according to their performance. We researched everything we would want to know if we were buying these bags for ourselves. In the end, we hope our efforts will benefit you in your decision making.