Extremely comfortable and wide enough to turn around in without getting tangled. Looks good after first wash and fits in front loader washer-dryer. 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. 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. Kelty’s popular Cosmic Down 20 has been a mainstay in their lineup for years and remains a popular choice among campers and backpackers alike.
We would have expected that an everyman sleeping bag like the Brazos to fit, well, every man, but unfortunately, that is not the case. Dimensions for this bag are 75”x33”, but the Coleman website states it will only accommodate campers up to 5’11” in height. The 66” girth throughout the bag could have also benefited from a bit of expansion. For web orders returned in store, please take the item in original packaging, along with invoice to any
Camping World retail locations for a refund or exchange.
As we touched on above, temperature ratings tend to be fairly generous and often require adding a sizable buffer to ensure you’ll stay warm throughout the night. 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.
Some bags, like The North Face’s One Bag, feature unique warmth-tailoring systems that allow you to customize the amount of insulation depending on conditions. 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 coleman canopy possible). Feels more like a medium weather sleeping bag, may be too much sleeping bag for some. Might not be suitable for serious campers who need something more heavy-duty. Big and tall design can accommodate most people up to 6-foot 5-inches. Features warm cotton canvas cover, heat-locking flannel liner, and matching flannel pillow.
We feel the Brazos is relatively durable, fairly warm, and quite inexpensive. Durable zippers and a draft tube allow for easy entry and exit. Outside fabric is too silky, making bag hard to roll tight and get back into carry bag.
When I found my perfect picks, Coleman provided samples in order to facilitate review. The Big Bay is a mummy-style sleeping bag, starting wide at the shoulders and tapering around the feet. Mummy bags are becoming more popular because they’re lightweight and packable, and they’re easier for your body to heat up and keep warm (a sleeping bag is not inherently warm—your body heat gets trapped inside).
Synthetic sleeping bags are a dime a dozen in 2023, but Coleman continues to stand out for their strong focus on value. The Kompact 20 here is no exception, combining the affordability that Coleman is known for with many of the features we look for in a quality three-season bag. These include soft yet durable fabrics, an insulated draft tube to seal in warmth, and a roomy rectangular shape that’s comfortable and not restrictive. We did not have high expectations for the warmth of this $35 sleeping bag, but as it turns out, it’s sort of better than it has any right to be. It’s often listed as the Brazos 30; however, its 30°F (-1°C) temperature rating is in fact the comfort rating, while the tested lower limit is 20°F (-6.7°C). This is accomplished using Coletherm synthetic polyester insulation that utilizes what Coleman calls Fiberlock construction to keep the insulation from shifting and creating cold spots.
But in the end, we don’t see the zipper-less concept completely taking over the market. Put simply, the in-and-out convenience and ability to use the bag as a blanket with a full-zip sleeping bag is the better answer for most campers. Each year we add a few new pieces of camping gear to make our trip more comfy. This year, I focused on finding the perfect sleeping bags for camping. Our kids already had sleeping bags but my husband and I didn’t. We just used bedding from home but I don’t like lugging that around and it doesn’t pack up as conveniently as sleeping bags.
It’s not cheap outfitting an entire camping setup, and for those who plan to add backpacking into the mix, the cost can get out of hand quickly. If this sounds like you, choosing a crossover camping/backpacking bag is a viable way to save. A few models above can pull double duty for both activities with few compromises, including the Nemo Disco 15 and Kelty Cosmic Down 20.
This bag should last you for many years, and to ensure it does, it comes with a 5-year limited warranty against manufacturer defects and workmanship. coleman chair “No-Snag” patented zipper plows fabric away from the zipper to prevent snags. Added “Thermolock System” reduces heat loss through the zippers.