Thanks to the ZipPlow™ zipper, you’ll get snag-free opening and closing every time. A durable, cotton canvas cover will ensure you get to use this extra-warm bag season after season. Stash a few small things, such as gloves or a flashlight, in the exterior tuck pocket. Packing up is made easy with the Wrap ‘N’ Roll™ system, which lets you roll your bag right up into an attached cover. We believe in offering the very best value, quality, and selection. Refunds are issued to the original form of payment, unless returned in store
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At less than 5 pounds, it’s not overly heavy, and it packs down to a decent size using the compression sack, but the size and weight will take their toll if you’re hiking into camp. If you want to try backpacking, you can get away with hauling the Big Bay for an overnight hiking trip, but you wouldn’t want to take it too far. It’s much smaller than a traditional rectangular bag—especially one that’s fleece-lined—so it stows better in a trunk, and you don’t lose out on comfort. When not using the Big Bay sleeping bag, store it in a large, breathable bag.
The Big Bay also has a cinchable hood, no-snag zipper and plush collar, plus it allows for foot ventilation, just like the Forte. I tested the Coleman Big Bay 20° against 12 other sleeping bags for an in-depth sleeping bag roundup and awarded it the best value sleeping bag at $120. This mummy-style bag will keep you toasty warm without feeling restrictive, like some sleeping bags that taper in drastically at the feet. It’s also got a handful of features like a no-snag zipper and plush draft collar that add to its appeal.
The hood is the nicest add-on because it helps retain heat and adds comfort. It’s cinchable, with a simple nylon cord and plastic toggle that aren’t that fancy but get the job done. The nicest comfort touch is the added fleece in the footbox; it adds a touch of coziness to an already plush and comfortable bag. To crown the Big Bay the best value sleeping bag, I tested it against 12 other models, including mummy bags, rectangular bags, odd-shaped bags and synthetic and down bags (and a combination of the two).
The Big Bay is also available in a Big and Tall Contour version for $130, which is a few inches taller and broader in the shoulders, hips and feet, so it’s not quite a mummy bag and not quite a rectangle. I didn’t test the big and tall version, but the hood design, insulation, draft tube, neck collar and zipper are all the same. The polyester coleman air mattress face fabric is durable, so it doesn’t need to be treated as delicately as some premium bags that require special care. You can wash the Big Bay in a front-loading washing machine on gentle with mild liquid detergent and run it through a low-heat dryer cycle. I’ve laundered the Big Bay once, and the insulation has stayed in place.
And when you’re camping, nothing’s more important than a good night’s sleep. Gear designed for the outdoors will get dirty, but there are ways to prevent dirt and oil on your body and clothes from breaking down a bag. That’s not always feasible when camping, but sleeping in a clean base layer or pajamas increases your bag’s longevity. In this metric, we also noted each bag’s packed weight and then scored each on how easily it rolled up and fit into its storage bag. At 5.5 pounds, the Brazos is one of the lighter bags on our list. However, fitting it into its stuff sack is a different story — think round hole, square peg.
For the extensive sleeping bag review, I also interviewed experts who could speak to what makes a great sleeping bag and how to choose the right one for your needs. I talked to an assistant professor at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), Preeti Arya, who’s an expert in technical fabrics and sustainability. Positive Promotions would like to support your event by providing FREE SAMPLES. Enter the quantity you are looking to purchase and add the item to your sample cart for easy checkout. The reason we feel the Brazos is award-worthy is because it perfectly balances cost with basic necessities.
Tumble dry on low heat in as large a dryer as possible (high heat can burn the fabric or insulation). You can toss in some tennis balls to help fluff it back up, but make sure your bag is completely dry before storing it away. Sleep comfortably under the stars in the Coleman® Big Game™ -5 Big & Tall Sleeping Bag, even when the temperature drops to -5 °F outside.
Based on our most recent testing, it appears the latest version of the Brazos is significantly more watertight. We poured a cup of water directly onto our bag’s shell, and it stayed pooled on top without permeating the interior during the entire 5-minute test. We gave the Brazos a moderate score for its features.
If you want to use the Big Bay to test out backpacking on a one- or two-night trip, it’s manageable. If you plan to camp a lot and see backpacking in your future, the Nemo Forte coleman canopy is a worthy upgrade for a synthetic sleeping bag. If you plan to camp a few times a year, and mostly at campsites, the Big Bay will save you money and keep you as warm.