We just wouldn’t stretch using this bag too far into the shoulder season. It’s rated to 23 degrees Fahrenheit, but we would not be comfortable bringing it along if the temperatures were below freezing. It’s just a tube with few bells and whistles, but that means it’s also pretty light to carry. Weight and packed size generally correspond closely to one another, so you don’t need to spend too much time trying to consider them separately. However, it’s important to recognize that warmer bags are generally bulkier and heavier than colder bags. Therefore, try only to analyze weight and packed size between bags with similar warmth.
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.
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.
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 ozark trail sleeping bag 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.
Just be aware that lighter and more compressible bags and usually more expensive. We recommend most shoppers select a sleeping bag with a temperature rating of around 30° F because these models are suitable for a range of conditions. However, feel free to tailor ozark trail chair your selection for your unique situation. Folks that live in colder climates, for example, will probably want a warmer model. On the other hand, people planning a summer camping trip in the south might be happier in a bag that has a higher temperature rating.
As is common, there are some tradeoffs with budget products. The Brazos isn’t as comfortable or as high-quality as the premium sleeping bags. It’s also got a smaller fit, so it won’t be the right choice for those who are tall or broad-shouldered. If that sounds like you, consider checking out The North Face Wawona Bed 20, which is larger and overall of higher quality — but also more expensive. This is our overall favorite sleeping bag for camping near civilization, but it’s not suited for backpacking or any sort of human-powered excursions. With an enormous packed size and at 11.7 pounds on the scale, it’s far too bulky and heavy to carry any significant distance.