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HomeOutdoor GearCamping GearCamp BeddingBest Rectangular Sleeping Bags (Top Picks for 2023)

Best Rectangular Sleeping Bags (Top Picks for 2024)

BEST OVERALL
BEST BUDGET
EDITOR’S CHOICE
REI Co-op Siesta Hooded 20 Sleeping Bag
Coleman Brazos 30 Sleeping Bag
The North Face Wawona Bed 20 Sleeping Bag
  • Temperature rated to 20°

  • Dual 2-way Zippers

  • Quill Construction

  • Temperature rated to 30°

  • Super affordable

  • One-size fits all

  • Temperature rated to 20°

  • Wraparound footbox zipper

  • Made from 100% recycled materials

Wilderness Times may receive commissions for links included in articles to Amazon and other affiliate partners. We take pride in our testing and research, and recommendations are not given out lightly.

In a hurry? Our top pick for the best rectangular sleeping bag is the REI Co-op Siesta Hooded 20 Sleeping Bag.

For those who like to move around and shift positions in their sleep, a rectangular sleeping bag is the way to go.

This type of bag is all about comfort, while weight and portability usually aren’t a top priority.

Personally, as someone who tosses and turns at night, I’m a big fan of rectangular sleeping bags.

To find the best ones on the market, we’ve spent countless hours researching and testing a wide variety of bags. We’ve narrowed the list down to 7 bags I believe are the best you can find.

Best Rectangular Sleeping Bag: Our Top Choices

REI Co-op Siesta Hooded 20 Sleeping Bag

REI Co-op Siesta Hooded 20 Sleeping Bag

Sizes: Regular, Long | Temperature Rating (F): 20° | Shell : Recycled polyester | Weight: 3 lbs, 10.7 oz | Fits Up To: 78 in | Insulation Type: Synthetic | Fill: 98% recycled polyester/2% polyester (bluesign® approved)

REI is one of those brands that combine quality with affordability. This Siesta Hooded 20 sleeping bag is comfy, warm, lightweight and well-made. And, for the price it retails at, it’s a steal! It isn’t any wonder it’s listed as one of the best budget sleeping bags out there.

This bag has synthetic insulation that keeps you warm down to 20°F. It features an offset quilt construction. This is a technique where layers are offset over each other, thus preventing cold spots.

It also has a DWR finish which makes it stain-resistant and water-repellent. Obviously, this bag is not intended for rainy weather, but a bit of drizzle won’t ruin your camping trip.

A two-way main zipper makes this 20°F bag a great option, even for warmer nights. If you get too hot, you can unzip the bottom for air ventilation, or even just use it as a blanket.

The Siesta 20 weighs around 3.67 lbs, which isn’t bad for a synthetic sleeping bag. Plus, it comes with a stuff sack. However, despite being a lightweight bag, it takes up a good amount of space when packed, so it’s not ideal for multi-day backpacking.

Pros:

  • One of the best sleeping bags on the market in terms of price-to-quality ratio
  • Anti-snag strip prevents the zipper from getting stuck
  • Drawstring cinches hood for added warmth
  • Insulated hood adds warmth and fits a regular size pillow
  • Comes with a stuff sack

Cons:

  • Takes up a lot of space when packed

Best for: camping enthusiasts who want a premium bag at an affordable price

Check Price On REI

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The North Face Wawona Bed 20 Sleeping Bag

The North Face Wawona Bed 20 Sleeping Bag

Sizes:Regular, Long | Temperature Rating (F): 20° | Shell: 50-denier recycled ripstop polyester | Weight: 3.5 and 4.2 lbs | Fits Up To: 78 in | Insulation Type: Synthetic | Fill: Recycled polyester

The long versions of most sleeping bags can fit a person up to 6’6” tall. But what about those taller than that? Here’s a solution – check out the North Face Wawona Bed 20!

The regular version is for people up to 6’6”, while the long version is suitable for people up to 7’ tall. You finally won’t have to sleep with your knees bent, no matter how long your legs are.

Besides its length, there are a lot of other great things about this bag too. First off, it has a 20°F rating, which makes it suitable for winter camping in harsh weather. It also has a brushed polyester liner for maximum comfort and warmth.

One that really stands out about this camping sleeping bag is that it’s made of 100% recycled polyester. We’ve got to give The North Face bonus points for sustainability!

Here’s one drawback – it’s bulky and heavy, so it isn’t great for backpacking. It weighs around 5 pounds, so you wouldn’t want to be carrying it on your back long distances. If you’re a car camper, however, this bag is an excellent choice.

Pros:

  • Longer than standardized sleeping bag sizes
  • Has an internal pocket for your phone or a flashlight
  • Made of 100% recycled materials
  • Side zipper on the collar lets you sit up comfortably

Cons:

  • Too heavy and bulky for backpacking
  • Can’t be zipped together with another bag

Best for: tall people who struggle to find a sleeping bag they can fit into comfortably

Check Price On REI

Check Price at Dick's Sporting Goods

REI Co-op HunkerDown 20 Sleeping Bag

REI Co-op HunkerDown 20 Sleeping Bag

Sizes: One-size | Temperature Rating (F): 20° | Shell: Recycled polyester (bluesign® approved) | Weight: 3.75 lbs | Fits Up To (in.): 78 | Insulation Type: Down | Fill: 600-fill-power down (RDS certified and bluesign® approved)

So you know by now that REI makes a great sleeping bag. But so far, we haven’t taken a look at any rectangular down sleeping bags.

The advantage of down is that it is lighter weight than synthetic materials, and yet keeps you just as warm.

The REI HunkerDown 20 is rated for temperatures as cold as 20 degrees Fahrenheit, all while doing it in a bag that weights just 3.75 lbs.

It’s also RDS certified and filled with 600-fill-power down.

It is super durable and can last for decades. But the downside of down is that it can take a long time to dry if it gets wet.

Pros:

  • Lighter weight than similar synthetic bags at just 3.75 lbs
  • Keeps you warm and cozy all night long even down to 20 degrees
  • Uses RDS certified 600-fill-power down
  • Recycled shell and bluesign® approved
  • Anti-snag Zipper

Cons:

  • More expensive than synthetic materials
  • If it gets wet it takes a long time to dry

Best for: campers looking for a lightweight bag that can last for decades

Check Price On REI

Check Price on ebay

Kelty Catena 30 Sleeping Bag

Kelty Catena 30 Sleeping Bag

Sizes: Regular, Long | Temperature Rating (F): 30° | Shell: 190T polyester taffeta | Weight: 3.94 lbs | Fits Up To: 72 in | Insulation Type: Synthetic | Fill: Cloudloft synthetic

Coming in two sizes, the Catena offers Kelty’s CloudLoft insulation will keep you warm up to 30 degrees.

It can be fully unzipped to use as a blanket, or zipped together with a second Catena to make a double sleeping bag.

It’s not the longest sleeping bag, so will be better for shorter or average sized folks!

Pros:

  • One of the best sleeping bags on the market in terms of price-to-quality ratio
  • Anti-snag strip prevents the zipper from getting stuck
  • Drawstring cinches hood for added warmth
  • Insulated hood adds warmth and fits a regular size pillow
  • Comes with a stuff sack

Cons:

  • Takes up a lot of space when packed

Best for: those looking for a great value bag.

Check Price On REI

Check Price on Amazon

Exped MegaSleep 25/40 Sleeping Bag

Exped MegaSleep 25:40 Sleeping Bag

Sizes: Regular, Long | Temperature Rating (F): 25° | Shell: 40-denier ripstop nylon | Weight: 1.8 and 2.1 lbs | Fits Up To: 76 in | Insulation Type: Synthetic | Fill: OEKO-TEX certified polyester

A synthetic-filled sleeping bag weighing only 1.8 lbs? Yes, it’s possible! Just look at the medium sized version of the Exped Megasleep bag.

It’s suitable for people up to 5’9”. If you’re taller than that, you’ll need to get a long version that weighs 2 pounds, which is still featherlight compared to other bags on the market.

You’ll notice that this bag has different shades of blue on either side. That’s because each side has a different temperature rating.

If you use the bag with the light blue side up, it will keep you warm in weather down to 40°F. However, when you flip it and the dark blue side is facing upwards, you can sleep comfortably on a cold 25°F night. This makes it a great choice for a backpacking sleeping bag.

Pros:

  • Two temperature ratings make this bag suitable for use in a wide range of weather conditions
  • One of the most lightweight synthetic sleeping bags there is
  • Draft tube along the zipper traps heat
  • Glow-in-the-dark zipper puller is easy to find in the dark
  • Adjustable head-end drawcord provides better insulation

Cons:

  • Duffel bag it comes with is very bulky
  • A bit on the pricier side

Best for: backpackers who love the comfort of a rectangular bag

Check Price On REI

Check Price on Amazon

Coleman Brazos 30 Sleeping Bag

coleman brazos 30 sleeping bag

Sizes: One-size| Temperature Rating (F): 30° | Shell: Polyester | Weight: 5 lbs | Fits Up To: 72 in | Insulation Type: Synthetic | Fill: Coletherm synthetic fibers

If you’re searching for a good quality camping bag that will keep you warm, but won’t hurt your bank account, the Coleman Brazos 30 is a great option.

It features Coletherm insulation, which is exclusive to this brand. Coletherm is a hollow-core fiber that creates pockets of air which serve as an extra layer to protect you from the cold. This fill will keep you warm during the night in temperatures ranging from 40 right down to 20°F.

The interior lining is made of tricot knit, which provides extra warmth. This material is a bit snaggy though, so beware of twigs and leaves getting stuck on it.

It only comes in one size and is suitable for people up to 6’ tall. If you’re taller than that, this bag isn’t going to be big enough, unfortunately. It’s also quite heavy, weighing in at 5 lbs, so it’s not going to be suitable for thru-hiking and backpacking. However, it does pack down to a fairly compact size.

Pros:

  • Very affordable
  • The interior liner is so soft you’ll feel like you’re sleeping on a cloud
  • ZipFlow guide prevents the zipper from getting stuck
  • Rolls up easily and is compact when packed

Cons:

  • Only comes in one size
  • The interior liner grabs onto twigs, leaves and even dry skin

Best for: car camping aficionados

Check Price On REI

Check Price on Amazon

TETON Sports Celsius XXL Sleeping Bag

Sizes: One-size| Temperature Rating (F): | Shell: Taffeta | Weight: 7 lbs | Fits Up To: 74 in | Insulation Type: Synthetic | Fill: SuperLoft Elite Hollow Fiber

Heading camping in cold temperatures? The TETON Sports Celsius XXL sleeping bag might be the heaviest bag on this list, but it is also the best rectangular winter sleeping bag.

So if you crave warmth and don’t want to have to worry about bundling up in your bag – you won’t have to with the TETON Sports Celsius.

It’s synthetic insulation and SuperLoft Elite Hollow Fibers will keep you warm as a bunny rabbit even in winter weather.

Pros:

  • Works all the way down 0 degrees Fahrenheit to keep you warm and rested
  • Mummy style hood, but rectangular bag to keep you extra warm
  • At 74″ this will fit even the tallest folks out there (well maybe not Shaq)
  • There is a soft, cotton flannel lining in this sleeping bag that provides comfort and heat.
  • Comes with a Limited Lifetime warranty

Cons:

  • Very bulky at 7 lbs, though that is expected in a bag to keep you extra warm

Best for: camping in extremely cold weather, and winter-like conditions.

Check Price On Amazon

Check Price at Sportman's Warehouse

REI Co-op Kindercamp 40 Sleeping Bag – Kids’

REI Co-op Kindercamp 40 Sleeping Bag - Kids'

Sizes: One-size | Temperature Rating (F): 40° | Shell: Recycled polyester | Weight: 3 lbs | Fits Up To: 60 in | Insulation Type: Synthetic | Fill: Polyester fibers

Having a lot of empty space inside your sleeping bag can make it difficult to stay warm. Therefore, it’s always better to get your child a kids’ sleeping bag, rather than an adult-sized bag.

The REI Co-op Kindercamp 40 is suitable for anyone under 5’6”.

The first thing I have to point out about this bag is that it looks amazing. Vivid colors and fun inner liner graphics make it perfect for kids.

It weighs 3 pounds, so it’s not too heavy for little camping enthusiasts to carry it themselves.

The outer shell fabric is a lightweight ripstop nylon, while the sleeping bag liner is made of soft polyester taffeta. It’s treated with fluorinated DWR treatment both inside and out. This gives it a good amount of water-resistance.

The Kindercamp 40 comes with an attached stuff sack. The reason for this isn’t so that it doesn’t get lost (although that’s a bonus. It actually lets you downsize the bag for smaller kids, keeping them warm at all times.)

This bag has a temperature rating of 40°F, so it’s perfect for spring, early fall and summer camping.

Pros:

  • Fun colors and patterns that every kid will love
  • Both inner and outer liners are water-resistant
  • Features an anti snag zipper
  • Attached stuff sack allows you to shorten the length

Cons:

  • Not suitable for use as a cold weather sleeping bag

Best for: young campers who appreciate comfort

Check Price On REI

Check Price on ebay

How To Choose The Best Rectangular Sleeping Bag

Choosing the best rectangular bag is no easy task. After careful analysis, we concluded that the top factors you need to consider when buying a sleeping bag are:

  • Temperature rating
  • Insulation
  • Size
  • Weight & portability
  • Zipper
  • Additional features

Let’s dive in!

Temperature Rating

As you know, a sleeping bag temperature rating indicates the lowest temperature at which you’ll be able to stay warm.

While this rating is helpful, it shouldn’t be taken as gospel.

This is especially true with rectangular bags, since the wide opening doesn’t retain heat as well as a mummy bag does.

Take temperature ratings as more of a guideline, rather than a guarantee of warmth.

There aren’t many things worse than a sleepless night spent freezing inside a tent. To avoid that, you need to play it safe when deciding on a temperature rating.

First, consider the coldest possible temperature you anticipate on your camping trip. Then, add around 10-15 degrees – that’s your ideal temperature rating.

Keep in mind that things like a sleeping pad and extra clothes will help you stay warmer and more comfortable at night if you’re camping in really cold weather.

Insulation

When it comes to insulation, there’s a never-ending down vs. synthetic debate going on.

In reality, as is so often the case, both have their own set of pros and cons and it comes down to personal preference in the end.

Down insulation has superior compressibility and a better warmth-to-weight ratio. It’s a great choice for long-distance and cold-weather backpacking.

Down bags come with different fill power, which defines the quality of the down. They’re very durable, and with adequate care, they’ll last you forever.

So, why pick synthetic over down insulation?

Well, it’s more breathable than down and it has the ability to stay warm even when wet.

Synthetic is also way cheaper than down.

Last but not least, synthetic insulation is hypoallergenic, while down isn’t.

Size

You’ve probably noticed that many sleeping bags come in different sizes. You’ll want to make sure that the one you pick is suitable for your height.

Sleeping bag sizes are standardized across many bag brands. Most bags come in regular and long sizes.

A regular sized bag will fit anyone under 6’, while a long bag can fit a person up to 6’6” tall.

Weight & Packability

Sleeping Bags in Stuff Sacks
Sleeping Bags in Stuff Sacks

Sleeping bags vary in weight quite a bit, depending on a couple of factors.

The first is whether it’s a down or synthetic bag. Down bags are usually lighter than synthetic filled bags.

Also, a mummy sleeping bag will often be significantly lighter than a rectangular bag.

That being said, a synthetic rectangular sleeping bag doesn’t have to weigh a ton. For instance, the medium sized version of the Exped MegaSleep bag mentioned above only weighs 1 pound!

Obviously, having a lightweight sleeping bag is going to be more of a concern if you’re going backpacking than if you’re car camping.

Some sleeping bags are also more portable than others.

Usually, you’ll be able to see the compressed volume of a bag when you’re looking at its specifications. This gives you the bag’s volume in liters when it’s folded up and packed. The smaller the volume, the less space the bag will take up.

Sleeping bags commonly come with a classic stuff sack to put them away in, but you can make them even more compact by buying a compression sack separately.

Read: Stuff Sack Vs Compression Sack: Which is Best?

Zipper

Sleeping Bag Zipper on Right Hand Size
Sleeping Bag Zipper on Right Hand Size

Rectangular sleeping bags have a zipper on either the left or right side. What side it’s on doesn’t really matter, except in a few specific cases.

First of all, it’s a bit easier using your dominant hand to unzip a bag. So, if you’re right-handed you might want to go for one that has a zipper to the right and vice versa.

If you own a bivy sack or a tent with a side entrance, then it’s best to have the zipper facing the entrance.

Finally, rectangular bags with an L-shaped zipper can be connected together to form a large double sleeping bag for two. In order to do this, you need two bags with zippers on opposite sides.

When it comes to sleeping bag zippers, anti-snagging features are always a plus.

Snagging causes the fabric to wear down faster and it can also tear it, not to mention how annoying it can be. Some bags feature an anti-snagging slide cover, while others have a guard along the length of the zipper.

Other Features

Rectangular Sleeping Bag w Hood and Drawstring
Rectangular Sleeping Bag w Hood and Drawstring

Hoods & Drawcords

You don’t often find a hood on rectangular sleeping bags. It’s a great way to make a bag warmer, but it’s not as useful as it would be on a mummy bag.

Drawstrings, on the other hand, really help with insulation. You can tighten the sleeping bag around your shoulders to prevent heat escaping, helping you stay warmer in cold weather.

Pockets

It’s always handy to have a flashlight or your phone close by. That’s why stash pockets are usually located towards the top of a bag, so you can reach whatever you’ve got in them without having to move.

Draft Tube

The main place heat can escape is usually through the zipper. Draft tubes that run behind the zipper prevent air from circulating. That way, warmth stays in while cold air stays out.

Our Verdict

If you value comfort and a good night’s sleep above all else, then a rectangular sleeping bag is a great choice for you.

Sure, it can be a bit bulkier and heavier than a mummy bag. Still, nothing feels better than being able to sleep unrestrained in whatever position you like, even when camping.

The REI Co-op Siesta Hooded 20 Sleeping Bag is the best rectangular bag you can find on the market today.

It gives you the perfect balance of comfort, warmth, quality, and portability.  Not only that, but it is eco-friendly and has a longer option for taller people.

It’s versatile, so you can also use it as a quilt or a blanket. Plus, you can connect two bags together and cuddle up alongside your partner.

This sleeping bag is sure to be a highlight of every camping trip.

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