The Best Sleeping Bags Worth Buying For Camping, According To Consumer Reports

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Venturing out into the great outdoors opens up a world of adventure, discovery, and rejuvenation far removed from daily life. There is something profoundly satisfying about pitching a tent under a canopy of stars, breathing in the pine scented air, and waking to the chorus of birds. From trekking through the dramatic red rock arches and canyons of Utah's monuments or chasing fall foliage in the Midwest to catching glimpses of the wildlife in Wyoming, time outside has an allure that is near to many hearts. Yet for all its allures, it does come with its own hurdles. 

Assembling the right gear can require a significant financial investment, whether it's finding the best tents or understanding the best gadgets for hiking, it can add up and be hard to discern which gear to choose. Reliable guidance becomes essential, which is where Consumer Reports can help. A trusted organization dedicated to testing consumer products in a rigorous and unbiased way; they prioritize consumer interests over manufacturer interests. 

In their quest to identify the best sleeping bags, Consumer Reports evaluators immersed themselves in outdoor conditions for weeks, simulating real camping scenarios. They scrutinized aspects like overall comfort against skin, effective warmth in fluctuating temperatures, ease of packing and transport, and more. From a line-up of numerous reputable brands, they pinpointed four standout bags: the REI Co-op siesta hooded 20, the Sierra designs night cap 20 degrees F, the The North Face One bag, and the MalloMe Everyday 3 Season Camping Sleeping Bag.

The REI Co-op Siesta Hooded 20 emerges as a favorite for those campers seeking a blend of homelike coziness and outdoor reliability. It earned high marks from Consumer Reports, and editor's choice for its thoughtful design that prioritizes user comfort above all. Its rectangular form was praised for its spaciousness, allowing sleepers to shift positions throughout the evening without feeling restricted. Testers appreciate it's soft, non-synthetic lining texture that didn't get clammy during the sleep cycle. The draft-blocking tube along the zipper and a clever chest flap that folds up for added warmth add to its appeal. The dual track zipper lets users adjust from the inside, allowing campers to keep their body fully in the bag even on colder nights. 

This bag is best suited for car campers or base camp setups where weight isn't a concern. It shines in moderate to cool conditions, with versatility from spring through fall. Its price point of $139 delivers premium quality without breaking the bank. If you're dipping your toes into camping or upgrading from a basic bag, the forgiving shape and skin-friendly fabrics make it a smart investment. 

Beyond the praise from Consumer Reports, other outdoor enthusiasts echo the sentiment: the brand's site boasts a rating average of 4.8 out of 5 stars, and independent gear sites like CleverHiker and Outdoor Gear Lab call it a top contender for campers, praising its warmth, durability, and intuitive features. 

For campers facing unpredictable cool weather, the Sierra Designs Night Cap is the Consumer Reports choice. This innovative bag stands out for its zipper-free construction, which was commended for eliminating potential annoyances like snags or hard edges that might disrupt your sleep. The bag offers an extra roomy mummy shape which broadens at the top for a less confining fit. Testers appreciate its duvet-style upper section which tucks in or flips open for ventilation, coupled with a mid-calf vent for subtle airflow. It should be noted that your feet will never be free in this bag, hence it's choice for colder weather. Without a zipper, this bag is able to pack down impressively tightly, appealing to those who want portability without sacrificing warmth.

The bag is primarily geared towards those camping in colder conditions, but its also a strong choice for backpackers or paddlers that need extra lightweight gear that compresses well. It's price tag sits at $185 currently on Amazon, which is a good value for its innovative design, but a compression sack is unfortunately not included.

Other sources backup its praise, like on Amazon where it averages 4.4 stars, with users highlighting it as a great minimalist bag. The manufacturer website has similar reviews. It is worth noting that there isn't insulation for your back in this bag and users might need an insulated sleeping pad. The bag does offer an integrated sleeping pad pouch for this reason, but if you're a side sleeper this could lead to your back getting a little chilly.

Versatility defines The North Face One Bag, which Consumer Reports praised as the best bag for warm weather, and for its adaptable configurations that cater to a range of temperatures, effectively offering three sleeping bags in one. The mummy shape features interchangeable "quilts": a light one for 40-degree Fahrenheit mild temps, a down-filled option for 20-degrees, and both doubled up for a combined 5-degree rating. It is made from premium recycled materials including an 800-fill down layer, and a non-clammy, tester approved nylon liner. The zippers are color-coded for each quilt layer and feature fun glow in the dark pull tabs for simple nighttime adjustments. The oversized hood easily holds a full sized pillow, and during an emergency when you've left yours at home, it features a stuff sack lined with fleece that easily turns into a pillow.

This bag is best for warm-weather camping or multi-season backpacking where conditions might vary. It is compact when packed up, especially in its lightest setup, which makes it backpacker friendly. Downsides are its price point, at $350 it is easily the most expensive bag on this list, but when considering it as three bags in one, it feels more affordable.

Feedback elsewhere aligns with Consumer Reports, on the manufacturers site 82% of reviewers recommend it, loving its versatility and adaptability. Sites like CleverHiker appreciate its smart engineering for consistent warmth and its small pack size, noting the price is a trade off for the bag's flexibility.  

As an entry level option, the MalloMe Everyday 3 Season Camping Sleeping Bag was the Consumer Reports choice for the best budget sleeping bag. They noted its no-frills performance, providing adequate warmth for moderate weather conditions at a fraction of the cost of other bags, sitting at just $25. The rectangular design offers a straightforward entry and exit, and the temperature rating held up in the mid-50s to 60s sleep tests. Dual zippers allow ventilation at the foot of the bag for cooling, something many campers appreciate. The hardware of the zippers is a bit beefy but never snagged, but the testers did note a pretty harsh chemical smell that dissipated with airing out. The bag included a generous compression sack with straps for tight packing. 

The MalloMe bag is best for budget-conscious beginners or emergency use in warm to moderate weather. It's narrow but long enough for average heights. The price is an unbeatable starter bag that doesn't skimp on the basics, and it can zip with another for shared sleeping arrangements. Amazon reviews average 4.5 stars from more than 15,000 reviews, so the people love it more than the testers at Consumer Reports. Reviewers praise its warmth, comfort, easy cleaning, and value. 

To complete this article, we primarily drew from the Consumer Reports' in-depth evaluations of sleeping bags and expanded on this by examining a broad array of online resources. This included user testimonials on retail sites, insights from outdoor bloggers, and assessments from specialized gear review platforms, all cross-referenced for consistency, accuracy, and relevancy with the original testing findings.