Made with lightweight mini ripstop fabric, the down-filled Ozark Sleeping Bag is soft to the touch. The interior of a sleeping bag varies quite a bit between designs, but one general rule of thumb is that comfort correlates closely with price. Comparing two of our top picks, Coleman’s cheap Brazos 20 uses a tricot lining that’s reasonably cozy but less soft than The North Wawona Bed (especially the smooth fleece-like panel along the top of the Wawona’s interior). For those who plan to get out a lot, opting for an upgraded design may be worth it. It introduced its sleeping bags in the 1960s and has since been a camper’s favorite. Their sleeping bags are available in a wide range of temperature ratings, designs, and colors.
This is a great summer sleeping bag that is lightweight and easy to carry. 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. I won’t ever buy an expensive sleeping bag after carrying this cheapo, unless I can find a cheap bag that weighs a lot less. Sleeping bags inherently are barebones, but we’ve seen an uptick in available features on many mid-range and high-end models of late.
When it is very cold I also use a comforter over the sleeping bags. We wear warm clothes to sleep in, including a beanie. Hand warmers in our socks and body warmers in our shirts are helpful as well. Our sleeping bags zip together, allowing us to take advantage of the shared body heat. Pairing these strategies together made it reasonably comfortable at that temperature.
Mummy bags are popular for both camping and backpacking, but rectangular bags are roomier and can offer an even better sleeping experience. Our top pick in this category is REI Co-op’s Siesta Hooded 20, which Ozark Trail Sleeping Bags replaces the Siesta 25 for 2023. For a reasonable $139, you get a high-quality bag with a useful 20-degree temperature rating, which is great for three-season car camping in a variety of conditions.
Further, when you lay on a sleeping bag, you compress the insulation, which impacts its ability to warm you (this is particularly true for down fill, but does impact synthetic as well). As a result, it’s important to choose a sleeping mattress or pad that will protect you from the ground if you’ll be camping in cooler temperatures (typically under degrees). That said, we still recommend checking the weight and stuffed size that will be listed in the product specifications to get an idea of just how large and heavy the bags are. Synthetic bags are typically made with thicker fabrics and require more insulation to provide sufficient warmth, which can add up to a surprising amount of bulk. And if you’re considering a double bag (covered in more detail below), you’re talking about packed dimensions listed in feet rather than inches.