Bought this for backpacking because it is lightweight and packs small, but it is a complete waste of $45. Even with clothes, a thin ozark trail sleeping bag liner and a fleece liner inside it, the bag could not dispel the cold. There was zero insulation properties as far as I could tell.
For example, the warmest bag may not be as important to you if you only camp in the summer or at lower elevations where the air is warmer. In the end, the best camping sleeping bag for you is the one that gives you the most value by matching your specific needs. Each metric was then weighted or assigned a factor based on relative importance.
It’s lightweight, packs up nicely, and can be compressed even further in a compression sack. Whether you’re a car camper or a weekend backpacker, the Galactic is worth a look if you prefer ozark trail chair down fill but aren’t a fan of constrictive mummy-style bags. Over the last 11 years, we’ve purchased dozens of the best camping sleeping bags, with 14 top models in this review.
You can buy an expensive bag if you think it will make you more hardcore, but I will gladly tell everyone how hardcore you are if you pay me to do so. I was on a budget so I figured I would go with a less expensive bag. I got in the bag, tried to zip it and the zipper tore immediately.
I had to add a fleece sleeping bag for more insulation. I used this bag from February of 2002 to June of 2002 on the Appalachian Trail, and I still have it. The first night out it was less than 14 degrees F, and I had at least 50 nights under 40 degrees F. I can’t say I was warm, but I wasn’t shivering, freezing, or cold either, although I did wear 2 layers of clothing.
Day 2 …it was closer to 6 degree and I froze…I had to hike into town, replace the bag. I could have gotten better quality from a teenager’s home ec project and lighter weight. Both the Big Agnes Echo Park 20 and the Coleman All-Weather ozark trail chair Multi-Layer are within striking distance of top scores. The Coleman All-Weather shares a similar layering system to the Polara, which makes it very versatile. One of our favorite features is this bag’s massively roomy footbox.
The Kelty Galactic 30 takes the best features of the high-performance mummy and the traditional camping sleeping bag and blends them into one. Its rectangular shape is wide and non-restrictive, and it’s loaded with 550-fill duck down. These two features offer a near-perfect bag for campers desiring better-performing down insulation minus the cocooning nature of narrow mummy-shaped bags. The Galactic kept us warm down to 30 degrees Fahrenheit and maybe a touch colder.
He avidly gets after it at every opportunity, whether hiking, backpacking, or canyoneering. He also enjoys the open road and takes car-camping road trips whenever possible. Jason has hiked or backpacked throughout the Western U.S., including Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, California, Washington, Oregon, and Arizona. He more recently has turned his interest to exploring backwoods areas of the Deep South. In total, he has 20 years of experience and extensive knowledge of camping and backcountry gear, including sleeping bags and sleeping systems.