For a full explanation of the two insulation types, see our article on down vs. synthetics. With the return of the colder weather, it is time to pull out our winter sleeping bags. Of course, I wanted something that would keep us warm. Mummy Ozark Trail Camping Chairs bags are very effective for keeping warm, but I am not comfortable in a confining bag. If you’ve ever had a pad deflate or slept directly on the ground in cold weather, you know firsthand the importance of an insulated pad beneath you.
Weather camping in a tent or roughing it under the stars, this bag features a quilted outer shell and an attractive inner liner made of soft comfortable materials. Also great for overnight guests, slumber parties or opening it up to use as a blanket or comforter. A third type is the no-zip style, which is limited to a couple designs (none of which made our list), including a handful from Sierra Designs. The large oval opening requires some modest flexibility and patience to get out of, but going zipper-less can be nice. There’s no fumbling in the night for the zipper pull, and you don’t have to worry about snags or heat loss (if the bag lacks a good draft tube). But in the end, we don’t see the zipper-less concept completely taking over the market.
I notice this isn’t the first review with this complaint. The zipper broke on my warm weather bag on the second night out. Too bad too because overall I’ve had good luck with Ozark Trail stuff. Too bad the buyer at Walmart has gone to sleep on quality control on this product. Inside the sleeping bag, the manufacturer skimped on the softer inner lining, by making four inches around the interior zipper, and about two feet from the interior bottom of the bag, a rough cheaper vinyl or nylon fabric. And every time you move your feet you get to hear the crinkle of the fabric on the bottom.
If weight and packed size become important, a crossover backpacking/sleeping bag like the still-roomy NEMO Forte reduces both. Colorado-based Kelty has been in the camping business for a long time, and we like what they’ve come up with in the Galactic 30. What makes this bag unique is its combination of quality 550-fill-power down with a rectangular shape.
When it is very cold I also use a comforter over the sleeping bags. We wear warm clothes to sleep in, including a beanie. Hand warmers in our socks and body warmers in our shirts are helpful ozark trail tent as well. Our sleeping bags zip together, allowing us to take advantage of the shared body heat. Pairing these strategies together made it reasonably comfortable at that temperature.
Mummy bags are popular for both camping and backpacking, but rectangular bags are roomier and can offer an even better sleeping experience. Our top pick in this category is REI Co-op’s Siesta Hooded 20, which replaces the Siesta 25 for 2023. For a reasonable $139, you get a high-quality bag with a useful 20-degree temperature rating, which is great for three-season car camping in a variety of conditions.
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. That’s why for camping, we prefer a bag that fully unzips. 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.
To complete your camping kit, we’ve also tested and written about camping mattresses and camping tents. 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.