The official temperature rating is in its name so this is indeed a true 3-season bag. The reason we picked the Brazos for our Best Buy on a Tight Budget is because it perfectly balances cost with basic necessities. For the price, it really holds its own against bags that are much more expensive, especially in the areas of warmth and durability. This sleeping bag has an interior tuck pocket where you can stash valuable small items such as money or a flashlight. Storing the Autumn Glen is also easy with a Roll Control system for keeping the bag straight while rolling and a Quick Cord for packing without tying.
For anything colder than that, you’ll need extra layers as well as a beanie, or you’ll want to consider another bag altogether. Most recreational campers won’t be sleeping in temperatures that low (it’s already transitioning into winter for coleman tents me at that temperature), so this bag is practical for most people’s needs. There are advantages and disadvantages to both synthetic and down insulated sleeping bags. Down is more expensive, but can offer more insulation with less weight.
Sleeping bags inherently are barebones, but we’ve seen an uptick in available features on many mid-range and high-end models of late. Notable extras worth calling out are built-in pillows or pillow sleeves (the NEMO Forte boasts the former), which are a nice luxury for those annoyed by camp pillows that tend to move in the night. Additionally, integrated blankets, interior pockets for stowing small items like a headlamp, and draft tubes at the collar for trapping warmth are becoming more common. If you plan to camp a lot and see backpacking in your future, the Nemo Forte is a worthy upgrade for a synthetic sleeping bag. If you plan to camp a few times a year, and mostly at campsites, the Big Bay will save you money and keep you as warm. Choose from these high-quality children’s sleeping bags to make sure your kiddo stays warm and cozy.
When it comes to packed size, the Brazos lands right in the middle out of all of the bags we tested. We also scored each bag on how easy it rolled up and fit into its storage bag. It rolls up easily and fits into its stuff sack with a little bit of effort. It’s also quite a stretch, but it could double as a backpacking bag if you’re in a pinch. When not using the Big Bay sleeping bag, store it in a large, breathable bag.
We combined all of our data to determine the most comfortable bags. When it comes to thermal insulation, it doesn’t matter whether it’s keeping something cool or something hot. We conducted several tests to determine each bag’s ability to retain temperature. We figured if they could keep things warm, they should keep other things cold. We used laser thermometers to help us determine how each performed.
The sleeping pads in the list are ordered by weight from heavier to lighter. We also found the No-Snag patented zipper plow does an excellent job at preventing snags. We found that the manufacturer’s Fiberlock Construction really did prevent insulation from shifting and moving after the bag had been extensively used. We feel it would be great for kids or teens, both of which tend to be hard on shoes, clothes, cars, and just about everything else.
Both the Galactic and the MegaSleep can be placed in a compression stuff sack and reduced even smaller. The North Face Dolomite One comes in several packed sizes, depending on the layering system you choose. Compared to others we tested, the entire 3-in-1 system packs up relatively small. If only the top 50-degree quilt is attached, this bag’s packed size is dramatically reduced. Synthetic sleeping bags are a dime a dozen in 2023, but Coleman continues to stand out for their strong focus on value.
But, space is rarely unlimited, so we rated each bag according to its stowed size. The Alps OutdoorZ Redwood is the most comfortable out of the single bags, followed by the Teton Sports Deer Hunter, TETON Sports Polara 3-in-1, and Coleman Multi-Layer. The Multi-Layer has removable layers of padding and coleman tents soft fabrics, as does the Polara 3-in-1. However, the two most comfortable single bags on our list are the Redwood and Deer Hunter. Both are oversized, traditional canvas bags with tons of space and padding. When comparing the two side by side, the Redwood is more comfortable because of its fabrics.