Coleman Brazos Cold Weather Sleeping Bag

7.2
7.2 score
[Editors rating (7.2)] = (Gearweare.net) score (7.2)/10

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Editor rating: 7.2 / 10
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Editor’s Conclusion
Right off the bat, I want to preface this review by letting you know that the Coleman Brazos Cold Weather Sleeping Bag is a great sleeping bag for children, car campers, or casual use. It is not an ideal bag for hiking through the mountains and its features are minimal.

This rectangular bag is affordably priced, decently durable, and quite warm. Coleman is a well-known provider in the world of camping and produces great products. If you are looking for a simple, yet effective item, you will be happy with this option, especially at this price point.
Coleman Brazos Cold Weather Sleeping Bag Review Facts
Editor's Pros & Cons
Pros

Machine washable

Great for kids

Affordable

Interior pocket

Decently warm

Cons

Not for people over 5’11

Weather resistance could be improved

Interior material is clingy

Almost impossible to get it back into storage bag

Key Features

Portability

As I said, this certainly isn’t a sleeping bag for multi-day treks. It weighs 5 pounds and doesn’t compress to an impressively small size. When all packed up, it measures 10” by 17.8” by 10.4”. It comes with a QuickCord elastic cord for wrapping the bag up and then you can attempt to stuff it back inside the included storage sack. To be honest, this is nearly impossible.

The outside of the sleeping bag is slippery, making the rolling job a bit difficult, but doable. Now, getting it back into the storage sack - this is where the elbow grease comes in. When you receive this Coleman sleeping bag, it will be fully compressed (thanks to the zipper on the storage sack). Even getting the bag back in there with the compression zipper released is difficult. Once you wrestle it in, you will not even want to fight with the compression zipper. It’s too difficult.

Comfort

Assuming you are under 5’11, you’ll be very comfortable in this sleeping bag. It is 75 inches in length (about 6.2 feet). The width of the Brazos is 33 inches. Because it is a rectangular shape, the width is the same from the shoulders down to the feet, which gives you plenty of room to stretch out, sleep on your side or stomach, and toss and turn...

If you need even more space, or want to cuddle up with your partner, you can zip two bags together easily. The zipper goes all the way around three sides, allowing you to fully open the sleeping bag and use it as a quilt.

Coleman also included a Comfort Cuff, which is an extension of the soft material from the inside that lines the top edge of the bag near your face. It helps to keep you warm and comfortable as you sleep.

One downside is the interior lining material. While it is soft to the touch, it can feel a bit clingy. If you wear loose-fitting clothing to sleep, it may become static. Also, if you take the bag outside, small twigs and leaves will stick to this material and are a pain to get out.

Warmth

The Coleman Brazos is rated as a 30-degree bag. It has four pounds of ColeTherm synthetic insulation and FiberLock construction to keep the insulation in place. Depending on how warm of a sleeper you are, you may be able to use this item in temperatures down to 20 degrees.

There is no ventilation system, but it is very easy to locate and unzip the zipper or take an arm out of the bag. Additionally, the zipper features a ThermoLock draft tube which helps to keep the heat from seeping out of the zipper. I would say this bag is best used for moderate spring camping, sleeping inside your car, or for kid’s sleepovers.

Materials

The exterior is made from polyester. The interior is made from tricot knit. As I mentioned earlier, you need to be cautious with the interior material. While it is soft and comfortable, it will pick up and hold onto debris. It will also catch on dry skin.

Along with the ThermoLock technology, the zipper is also outfitted with ZipPlow construction. ZipPlow is supposed to ensure a smooth glide with no snags. However, this isn’t always the case.

Lastly, there is also a small interior pocket with a velcro closure. The pocket is large enough for a phone, flashlight, chapstick, or other small necessity.

Durability

Considering the price point of this product, you shouldn’t be expecting a DWR finish or extreme durability in harsh conditions. It is not water-resistant, but you could scotch guard it if you are really concerned. The Brazos comes with a five-year limited manufacturer’s warranty.

As I mentioned before, the durability of the zipper is questionable. It catches often and has completely broken a few times. Considering how much Coleman talks about the great features of the zipper, I really had higher expectations.

This sleeping bag is machine washable, however, there are a lot of specific instructions. Be sure to read the fine print before tossing it in.

Comparison to Similar Sleeping Bags

When comparing this Coleman sleeping bag to others, one of the most important features to compare is the price. Both of these options are similarly priced to the Coleman Brazos.

The Ozark Trail North Fork 30 is a rectangular shape but is slightly more spacious than the Brazos. It measures 78” by 36”, making it three inches longer and wider. With this extra space, you would expect it to be heavier, but it’s actually two ounces lighter.

The interior is made from a soft and warm flannel material and has a hood. There is a drawstring along the hood and top of the sleeping bag to help you keep in warmth. It has the same 30-degree temperature rating and works pretty well. There is also a small pocket inside the bag for small easy-to-access accessories.

Another comparable option is the Redcamp Cotton Flannel sleeping bag. This bag has the same measurements as the Brazos, 75” by 33”. It weighs in just around 5 pounds, depending on the temperature rating/insulation weight you choose.

You can choose a 40, 50, or 60-degree bag. The medium insulation compresses down to 17” by 8” by 8”. This is slightly smaller than the Brazos. While this is a great option, the Coleman Brazos provides more warmth. Additionally, this option also has a small accessories pocket.

Verdict

All in all, if you keep your expectations in check, this is a great bag. Unfortunately, it is not light enough for long treks and it also isn’t weather resistant. For extra comfort, warmth, and durability, I recommend purchasing a sleeping bag liner.

When comparing the features to the price, there is nothing to complain about. Toss this in the back of your car for unexpected camping trips or a night at the drive-in theater. Send your kids off to a sleepover with it or let them use it to make forts. You don’t have much to lose by giving it a chance.