REASONS TO BUY
Surprisingly warm
Inexpensive
Interior pocket
Patented zipper system reduces zipper snags
REASONS TO AVOID
Small
Catchy/scratchy interior lining
Doesn't pack up easily
Coleman Brazos Review
Warm, comfortable, and great for kids or adults, this bag's price tag makes camping outdoors an affordable affair
Credit: Jason Wanlass
RELATED: Best Camping Sleeping Bags of 2024
Our Verdict
If you have a young family and are looking to get all the kids sleeping bags on a budget, the Coleman Brazos is a good option for you. It's perfect for someone looking for a simple bag that will just get the job done. For its price, it's actually more durable and warmer than some of the more expensive bags we tested. Just keep one thing in mind: at 75 inches long and 33 inches wide, this bag can feel a bit constrictive to anyone over 5'11" or who has a larger body type. Check out how it compares to the competition in our full article on the top camping sleeping bags.
Editor's Note: This review was updated on November 15, 2023, after retesting the most current version.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Coleman Brazos | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  |  |  | | |
| Price | $44.99 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $170 List $159.99 at Amazon | $130 List $115.03 at Amazon | $139 List $139.00 at REI | $60 List Check Price at REI |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | If you are on a tight budget, this bag gets the job done and saves quite a bit of cash, with some drawbacks | Designed with cozy warmth and top quality in mind, this bag is best traditional camping bag on the market | This feature-laden model is versatile, cozy, and adaptable to varying temps | Small details allow this lightweight bag to show up big when it comes to warmth and comfort | A very basic bag that is small on price but also on length and features |
| Rating Categories | Coleman Brazos | ALPS OutdoorZ Redwood | TETON Sports Polara... | REI Co-op Siesta Ho... | Kelty Catena 30 |
| Warmth (35%) | |||||
| Comfort (30%) | |||||
| Features (25%) | |||||
| Packed Size (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Coleman Brazos | ALPS OutdoorZ Redwood | TETON Sports Polara... | REI Co-op Siesta Ho... | Kelty Catena 30 |
| Claimed Temperature Rating | 30 F | -10 F | 0 F | 20 F | 30 F |
| Measured Packed Weight | 5.5 lbs | 11.7 lbs | 8.0 lbs | 5.5 lbs (long) | 4.2 lbs |
| Style | Rectangular | Rectangular | Rectangular | Rectangular | Rectangular |
| Draft Tube | Full length | Full length | Full length | Full length | Full length |
| Neck Baffle? | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Shell Material | Polyester | Canvas | Taffeta | Recycled polyester (Bluesign approved) | 190T poly taffeta |
| Lining Material | Tricot knit | 100% cotton | Inner bag: 100% Brushed Poly Flannel Outer bag: PolarLite Fleece |
Recycled polyester (Bluesign approved) | 50D 300T polyester |
| Insulation | Polyester | TechLoft | SuperLoft Elite hollow fiber | Synthetic | Cloudloft synthetic |
| Measured Size L x W | 75" X 33" | 80" X 38" | 82" X 36" | 72" x 32" | 72" x 34" |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
The Brazos is ideal for someone on a budget. It's warm and well-made — just keep in mind that it's also small. We feel it would be great for young kids or teens, both of which tend to be hard on shoes, clothes, cars, and just about everything else. This bag will stand up to their spills, mistakes, and overall mistreatment. And if it doesn't withstand it all, you're not out a ton of cash.
Performance Comparison
We found the Brazos's zipper plow system to be very effective at preventing snags.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Warmth
The Brazos, quite frankly, really surprised us. During a few very chilly evenings in Bryce Canyon National Park, we were shocked to find that this bag held its own when it came to insulating.
We don't suggest the Brazos for really cold weather; however, for normal late spring, summer, and early fall camping, this bag will work overtime to keep you warm — as long as you can fit in it. It isn't exactly roomy. During our controlled warmth tests, we used a laser thermometer to measure this bag's ability to retain heat. Its internal temps ranked among our best.
We checked the interior temperature inside our Brazos after lying it for five minutes. We take this temp on the upper liner just above the belly.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Comfort
When it comes down to it, you're going to have to sacrifice something for a price point this low. After our testing, the thing we found missing from the Brazos compared to other bags was comfort.
First, the Brazos is small. So, you'll likely feel a bit too snug if you're over 6 feet and don't have a marathon runner's body. Second, after testing this bag extensively, we found the Tricot Knit interior lining to be very grabby, snaggy, and uncomfortable. Everything seemed to stick to it: leaves, twigs, dry skin, beard stubble, clothing — everything.
This bag quickly makes friends with leaves, twigs, grass, and pine needles.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
In the end, the Brazos scored the lowest for comfort out of all the bags we tested, mostly due to its smaller size and fabrics. That being said, we feel this is still a great choice for young kids (who sleep through most anything) or teens (who don't sleep and will most likely be around the campfire all night).
It's warm, and if you're thin and less than 6 feet tall, the Brazos is somewhat comfortable.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Features
We gave the Brazos a moderate score for its features. If this bag were ice cream, it would be a single scoop of vanilla, topped solely with a respectable dusting of sprinkles.
We like this bag's interior pocket, especially because it has a Velcro closure, but it is a little too small. We also like the density of the bag and found that the manufacturer's Fiberlock Construction really does prevent insulation from shifting and moving after the bag has been extensively used.
While small, this is a helpful little pocket for that one thing you want to be able to find in the night.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
The one legit feature on the Brazo is its No-Snag patented zipper plow. This keeps the zipper head perfectly aligned and allows it to smoothly glide the full length of the bag without snagging.
We love the zipper on the Brazos which very effectively does not snag.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
We've tested several versions of the Brazos over the years, and we were impressed with this latest model's ability to resist water. In the past, the Brazos performed very poorly in our water tests. Despite a synthetic outer shell, we were surprised to see it soak up water rather quickly.
This photo was taken in May of 2017 during our water-resistance tests in Canyonlands National Park. The Brazos's synthetic shell began to fail in under two minutes.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
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.
Finishing up our water tests on the Coleman Brazos. We found that this latest version is more water-resistant than models we've tested in previous years.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Packed Size
When it comes to packed size, the Brazos landed close to the middle out of all of the bags we tested. It isn't the largest bag in our lineup, but it certainly isn't the smallest.
We didn't just look at its packed size. 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. It also rolls up fairly quickly. However, fitting it into its stuff sack is a different story — think round hole, square peg. Even when rolled tightly, this bag doesn't fit. We found it easier to just keep the bag unrolled and randomly shove it into other places in our camp kit. Bursting at the seams, this bag's packed size when we did commit to the bag is 16.5 x 10 inches.
The Brazos and his 1-liter camping buddy. This bag doesn't pack up very small, and an undersized stuff sack doesn't make the job any easier. As you can see, our Brazos never fully fit. There was always a little bit pushing out of the top.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Should You Buy the Coleman Brazos?
The reason we feel the Brazos is award-worthy is because it perfectly balances cost with basic necessities. If you want a basic bag that can hold its own against bags that are much more expensive, the Brazos is certainly a good option. In particular, it's great for kids and teens and for any camper who just wants the basics. As mentioned, it's on the small side, so if you're taller than 5 feet 11 inches, or you have a larger build, there are better options.
An inexpensive bag that will fit your budget, but may or may not fit you.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
What Other Camping Sleeping Bag Should You Consider?
There are other good buys on our list that are larger than the Brazosif the smaller size of this bag is a concern. Two of them are the Teton Sports Celsius XXL and Teton Sports Deer Hunter. Both are massive, and they also sport a 0-degree rating. Another good option is the Alps OutdoorZ Redwood, our favorite bag overall.
—
Jason Wanlass
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