Sleeping Bag Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right One for Camping

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Perfect for car camping and nights spent at the trailhead, the relaxed-fit REI Co-op Trail Pod 30 sleeping bag is designed with warmth and comfort as its top priorities.
Shop similar productsBest Use | Camping |
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Tested Lower Limit | 29 degrees (F) - EN |
Tested Comfort | 38 degrees (F) - EN |
Temperature Rating (F) | 30 degrees (F) |
Temperature Rating (C) | 3 degrees (C) |
Shell | Polyester taffeta (bluesign® approved) |
Zipper Location | Left |
Insulation Type | Synthetic |
Fill | Synthetic |
Lining | Polyester taffeta |
Sleeping Bag Shape | Mummy |
Gender | Unisex |
Sustainability | Contains materials that meet the bluesign® criteria From a Climate Label Certified brand |
From feedback to field testing, all of our gear is dialed-in by REI Co-op members. Their adventures informed every stitch and detail—making for better, longer-lasting gear.
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I purchased this bag for a sailing trip where I am sleeping below but with hatches open so it is cool. I needed a warm bag that was compact for carrying as baggage on a plane. The bag did all this well and is quite comfortable. The one issue I have is the zippers. The first bag I got had misaligned zippers. REI exchanged it without question. The zippers on the second bag tend to catch the inner liner that insulates the back side of the zipper. Also the zipper doesn't have pull handles on both sides which makes unzipping the bag from inside difficult. Overall I am satisfied with the bag - good values for the price.
I purchased this sleeping bag (size regular) for a camping trip in Central Texas. The forecast said 74 - 80F degrees, but on arrival we had to deal with 40F degree weather and icy rain. I doubled up my pants and climbed into this bag that night. I slept comfortably most of the night, at 30F degrees. It's wide enough to move around in and I loved that I could zip up the top to keep the warmth in. The only problem I had was the zipper snagged on the bag a few times. I'm F, 5' 4", 201lbs.
Spent a handful of nights in this thing this summer. Everyone was complaining about their other bags and I didn’t have one bad thing to say about it. Loved the space and loved the warmth. I’m 5’7 at about 160lbs with the regular size. Would totally recommend this bag to anyone. At first I did feel like I would have a hard time with the zipper getting caught, but after a few zips I became a professional. I believe I read a review before buying this bag about not having a zipper on the inside to close or open it up, but that wasn’t a problem because the zipper flips over the top for an inside zip. Also loved the hood. I was able to fit my pillow snug inside. Another thing I should add is that I didn’t use a sleeping pad. Slept fine without one.
I brought this sleeping bag backpacking with me in and Isle Royale National Park. It got down to 35 degrees F several nights and it kept me very warm. I am over 6 feet 4 inches in height, and the size tall had plenty of room for me. If you are going to use this product for backpacking, I highly recommend you purchase the 10 L REI compression sack. it will allow you to pack this sleeping bag down to about 1/3 of the original rolled up size.
We used this bag at 6,800 ft in Montana (39 deg) and at 1,300 ft in Missouri Ozarks (60 deg). It was perfect in Montana. It was warm in the Ozarks, and the solution was ... sleep on the mat, use the bag as a cover...perfect again. It is roomy enough to allow movement, especially in the foot area. You can actually curl up without feeling confined in the bag (medium size, I’m 6 ft tall). The only problem is our 13 year old 60 lb basset hound loves the bag too. He will crash on it without hesitation. We have two of these bags.
I am usually less tolerant of cold and easily feel it. This bag is well insulated. If you read the description, "Ratings are based on a person wearing one long underwear layer and a pair of socks, sleeping on an insulated surface with a minimum R-value of 5.38. " Most people don't use an air pad with an R value of 5.38 or higher. It's usually 2-3. When I used it, the night was about 50 degrees, I had a pad with an R value of 3 and I did not use thermals or socks. I was nice and warm. No compalints here. I would not use it for backpacking because it does take up space but I was car camping and there are otther bags for backpacking. For the price, this is great!
Very warm, good zipper, can literally curl up like a cocoon in this. A bit more bulky than I would have liked, but it does pack down well. Though it does come with a stuff sack, it would have been better if it was an actual compression sack. Once I buy my own compression sack, this will be a nice addition to my camping equipment.
I have been using mine for almost a year. It keeps me worm at low temperatures like 25F - 35F. I usually place a termal sleeping pad underneath it as well. I am giving four stars to this sleeping bag because its zipper is kind of tend to catch the liners. Overall, it has a very good quality.
The sleeping bag is very well made and is holding nicely.
This is a summer bag only. Silly me for believing the 30 degree rating - I hiked 7 miles, only to be cold all night, hardly slept. Yes, I had an insulated pad and slept in long johns and wool socks. Small wonder it was on sale for 1/2 off. Cust service was nice and refunded, but I had already paid the 'misery' price for a bad bag.