Despite this advantage of synthetic insulation, most serious backcountry travelers still prefer down over synthetic bags for most applications. The weight savings and differences in packed size are just that significant. But synthetic sleeping bags continue to be popular due to their lower cost. Broadly speaking, we recommend beginners and occasional backpackers choose a synthetic sleeping bag, while more devoted outdoor people splurge for a down model.
Overall, try not to stress too much about the purchase of a car camping sleeping bag. Simply find a bag that matches your plans and budget, and it should ozark trail sleeping bag be up to the job. These bags are ideal for those following “ultralight” guidelines to keep their packs as light as possible, typically under 10 pounds.
To better make sense of it all, we highlight some of our favorite bags that span different materials, weights, warmth ratings, and applications. We tested these bags on family camping trips, fast and light backpacking adventures, and remote winter expeditions. We present them here in the hope that you can find the best sleeping bag for you, no matter your needs or budget.
For many years now, the Coleman Brazos has been a notable contender for those on a budget. Time and again, it has impressed us with its rugged durability and warmth, especially when considering how stiff the competition is in the world of sleeping bags. This review is the culmination of a decade of hands-on testing by ten separate GearLab expert reviewers. These reviewers included backpacking guides, mountaineers, backcountry skiers, wilderness rangers, guidebook authors, and thru-hikers. The lead author, Jack Cramer, is a former member of Yosemite Search and Rescue and an accomplished climber who has now personally tested more than 70 different sleeping bags. Jack is assisted by Ian McEleney and Jessica Haist, both professional guides with decades of experience and Jason Wanlass, a world-traveler and seasoned backpacker and hiker.
One obvious drawback to the Flicker 40 UL is its expensive price tag. We think its quality matches its price, but that price may not be justifiable for all but the most serious ultralight aficionados. Its warmth-to-weight ratio is certainly outstanding, but you can attain an even higher warmth-to-weight ratio with a hooded mummy design, like the Therm-a-Rest Hyperion 20. Still, we believe the added versatility of the Flicker is worth this compromise. By the time we got back from camping the next weekend three out of four sleeping bags had the zippers broken.
The only way you would sleep well in this bag is if you are under 5’5″ and very slender and use it summer nights or maybe push it to early fall. When it’s time to enjoy a tasty meal outdoors, you’ll need somewhere to cook. The waterproof and rust-resistant cooktop is great for other events, too, like tailgates and backyard barbecues.
Don’t be afraid to spend a little more for a lighter or more compressible sleeping bag if you plan to venture deep into the backcountry. After all, your knees and back are more valuable than even the priciest sleeping bag. A sleeping bag’s weight and packed size should be major considerations for any type of human-powered overnight trip. An extra pound or two might not seem like a lot, but that weight can become significant on an extended backcountry sojourn. Larger packed size can also be an issue because it increases the size of your backpack, which can end up placing the weight you’re carrying farther from your center of gravity.
Depending on your preferred camping style, we’ve also outlined some of our favorite tents to help you set up your perfect home away from home. Our testers are always on the hunt for the best sleeping bags that can make their outdoor overnights more comfortable, more fun, and hopefully more affordable. Sleeping bag designs, however, can be as complicated and varied as the people who snuggle up inside them.
What bothers me the most, (and the main reason I gave it 2 stars) is that the fabric is hidden and not obvious until you get it out of the ozark trail sleeping bag package and unzip it all of the way. If they wanted to skimp on fabric, it should have been used on the outside and bottom of the bag!