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In particular, the Echo Park packs down smaller and lighter than the Siesta or Wawona because its entire back side lacks insulation, which saves on weight and volume. The sleeping bag sources all of its bottom insulation from whatever sleeping pad you put beneath you. However, I used this bag two nights last weekend and found it was too cold on its own—lowest temp was 51 degrees each of those nights. I was in a large tent (admittedly, a smaller tent would have been better) with one other person.
This bag is perfect for the campground and can also be brought into the backcountry. However, its down insulation and increased capability come at a higher price. It doesn’t pack down as small as many modern, mummy-shaped backpacking sleeping bags, and it also lacks some of the extra features often provided by car-camping bags.
Looking at the modest price tag, we expected to be quite underwhelmed by its performance. However, its warmth ratings outperformed several of the more expensive bags. It performed very well in all of our warmth tests, as did the Coleman All-Weather Multi-Layer and The North Face Wawona Bed 20. These three bags were slightly bested by the Kelty Catena 30, a somewhat basic, inexpensive bag that somehow performed slightly better during our controlled body-heat tests. It’s easy to use, and has an inside zipper pocket, anti-snag zipper, full neck baffle, and ClimaTech fiber for warmth. The bag is machine-washable and the lightweight design fits easily in both the washer and dryer.
Both the Nemo Jazz Double and Kelty Tru.Comfort are chock full of extras, including storage pockets, optional layers, spacious hoods, and over-sized top quilts. We scored the Nemo Jazz slightly higher because we absolutely grooved on its generous pillow sleeve that runs the entire width of the bag. No more searching for your pillow in the middle of the night. Car camping bags tend to have many features, which we found to be true with the models we tested.
It’s also the only bag on our list with a 100% cotton flannel liner, providing a soft next-to-skin feel and by far the coziest experience. Cotton generally offers a more even temperature, resulting in fewer cold spots. The Redwood’s heavier cotton canvas external fabric also provides a tucked-in feeling that most of our testers loved. Snoozing in the REI Co-op Siesta Hooded 20 is like sleeping in a giant-sized version of your favorite hooded parka.
This high-quality bag offers a lot of perks at a very reasonable price point. The value of the Polara and Siestra is more rooted in their features and construction. In the case of the Coleman Brazos, its value stems from an amazing price with rock-solid construction and excellent warmth. Likewise, the Kelty Galactic 30 shows value for offering down insulation at a very reasonable price.
The bag on its own is very comfortable down to the 30-degree range. Comfort was assessed by sharing each sleeping bag with multiple testers to garner diverse opinions. We also conducted specific tests involving ease of movement, bag dimensions, and natural padding. For warmth, we got more scientific with an ice-block test, a laser thermometer, and side-by-side timed tests on the same chilly night. Features and packed size were the final performance areas of interest, and we broke features down into a list and rated each one.
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.
Whether you’re living the van life full-time or stocking up for your first camping trip, there’s a lot of essential gear to consider. We’ve tested just about everything you could want for your next camp trip and can recommend the warmest sleeping bags and the most functional top-rated backpacks. If you find yourself overwhelmed by our vast selection of gear and aren’t sure where to start, we recommend taking a look at our complete camping checklist. Trailspace’s community of gear reviewers has field-tested and rated the top warm weather sleeping bags. GearLab Review Editor Jason Wanlass lives in a camping paradise. If not already in the outdoors, he’s certainly busy planning his next adventure.