REI Co-op Campwell 30 Sleeping Bag Review
The REI Co-op Campwell 30 ($100) is a no-frills sleeping bag for car campers who don’t mind sacrificing features in the name of saving money. It hits its temperature rating reasonably well and offers solid durability, but a draft-prone design and awkward sizing limit its comfort somewhat. That said, the roomy rectangular cut and ability to unzip fully into a blanket give it added versatility for mild weather. The Campwell isn’t quite a category standout, but for the price, it works.
Warmth
Comfort
Durability & Quality
Features
Weight & Packed Size
Sustainability
Temp Rating
30˚F
Shape
Rectangular
Insulation
Synthetic
Weight
5 lb.
Pros
Cons
REI Co-op Campwell 30
For this season's top models, see our guide to the Best Camping Sleeping Bags.
Despite its budget build, the REI Co-op Campwell 30 held its own in moderately cold conditions—but only just. I tested it across three trips: first in the Sierra Nevada’s June Lake region with nighttime temps in the 50s, then in Joshua Tree, where temps hovered in the mid-60s, and finally at Holcomb Valley near Big Bear, where lows dipped to the low 30s. In mild summer weather, the bag felt cozy without needing to pull it tight, and in warmer conditions, I left it mostly unzipped. But at Holcomb Valley, the real test began.
Because the REI Co-op Campwell 30 lacks a hood and a collar cinch, it’s prone to drafts. I noticed cold air seeping in every time I shifted during the night, and felt chilled even though I was sleeping on a 7.0 R-value Nemo Roamer pad. The medium version that I tested also came up short—literally. I’m 5-foot-10, but I discovered that the bag only reached just below my nose, and my toes pressed against the end. I eventually grabbed an extra blanket around 5 a.m. to keep my face and chest warmer. Compared to my REI Siesta Hooded 20, which features a draft collar, cinchable opening, and more comprehensive insulation, the Campwell felt Spartan. But for a budget 30-degree bag, it mostly delivered—just don’t expect to be toasty if temps dip further.
The Campwell scores solidly in this department, thanks mostly to its roominess. The classic rectangular shape (it has a 69-inch girth throughout) gave me enough space to spread out, shift positions, and sleep on my side without ever feeling restricted. The bag was also quiet—no crinkly noises keeping me up—and the interior felt soft enough that I never wished for an extra aftermarket liner. (Well, besides when I got cold at Holcomb Valley.)
However, the Campwell’s sizing just felt off. I frequently bumped against the bottom of the bag and wished I had extra room to cover my face on cold nights. The Siesta, which is also listed with the same sizing, felt longer and more generous throughout. If you’re anywhere near the top of the medium Campwell’s fit range, I’d strongly recommend sizing up. As for insulation comfort, I’d give the edge to the REI Co-op Siesta again, especially with its plush hood and dual zippers, which allow for easier venting and less awkward maneuvering.
After five nights of use (three by me, two by my partner), the Campwell shows no obvious signs of wear—that’s a good start for a bag at this price. The shell and liner are made of 50-denier polyester, which is standard in this class and on par with more premium options like the Nemo Tempo. It’s not as burly as the 75-denier shell of the Siesta, but it feels tough enough for regular car camping.
The zippers, while functional, were my biggest long-term concern. They occasionally snagged on the surrounding fabric—especially near the footbox—and while the material there seems reinforced, it wouldn’t take too many rough pulls to cause damage. I’ve had other camping sleeping bags tear in exactly this scenario. Still, for a synthetic-fill bag with decent shell durability and a functional durable water-repellent treatment, the Campwell feels well-made enough to last several seasons—so long as you treat the zippers gently. For $100, that’s pretty impressive.
There’s not a lot going on here, and that’s by design. The REI Co-op Campwell 30 is a minimalist bag, with a single small interior pocket, a two-way zipper, and the ability to unzip fully into a blanket or pair with another Campwell to form a double bag. Those features are nice, and help keep the cost low, but they’re also the bare minimum for a car camping sleeping bag.
I appreciated the two-way zipper for foot ventilation, though in practice, it was more of a hassle to reach for the lower zipper pull when already inside the bag. And while you can turn the Campwell into a quilt by unzipping it fully, that only matters if you prefer sleeping uncovered in warm weather. But the biggest feature misses are no cinch at the neck and no hood. That means poor draft control and no place to anchor a pillow—both things I sorely missed on cold nights. (Even the Coleman Arch Bay, a simpler and cheaper bag, includes a flap at the head to keep pillows in place.) Compared to my Siesta, or even older backpacking bags like the REI Igneo or Enigma, the Campwell feels pretty stripped down.
At 5 pounds, the Campwell is hefty for a single-person bag—but not unusually so in the camping sleeping bag category. It’s lighter than the Arch Bay (6 lb. 5.6 oz.) and the Siesta (5 lb. 7.3 oz.), but still a long way from anything I’d consider backpacking-friendly. You’re not going to carry this thing far, but it’s not meant for that type of camping.
The bag packs into its 20-liter stuff sack, measuring roughly 10.3 by 15 inches. I liked that I could simply stuff the bag inside without needing to roll or fold it precisely. It’s a small detail, but one I appreciated when packing up in the dark. If you’re tight on trunk space or storing gear in a crowded closet, the Campwell’s packed size is serviceable. If portability matters, I’d look elsewhere.
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PFAS-Free DWR
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As I’ve mentioned a couple times now, the REI Co-op Campwell 30 doesn’t really match the size specifications that REI lists on its website. It describes the Campwell’s medium size as fitting sleepers up to 71 inches (5-foot-11), but I’m 5-foot-10 and found myself bumping up against the bottom of the bag, while most of my face remained uncovered. If you’re around my height or taller, I suggest grabbing the long version of the bag. It’s supposed to fit a 77-inch sleeper, but be wary.
Besides that, though, this bag is quite spacious. Its 69-inch girth throughout (remember, it’s rectangular) should give most sleepers room to toss around without feeling confined, and the lack of a hood and a cinchable neck—while not ideal for overall comfort or warmth—will allow you to twist and turn your torso even more easily. Just make sure the length fits your needs.
REI Co-op Siesta Hooded 20 ($149): A Better Investment
Another affordable (though slightly more expensive) sleeping bag from REI, the Siesta addresses many of the issues we have with the Campwell. With a drawstring cinch at the opening, paired with a large draft collar and a zipper draft tube, you won’t have to worry about cold air sneaking in. Plus, the Siesta has a hood that’s roomy enough to fit a full-size pillow. It also has dual side zippers to improve ventilation, and despite identical specs on paper, a longer build. It’s also rated 10 degrees lower and performed better than the Campwell in cold conditions. The Campwell’s main advantages are weight and packed size: It’s nearly half a pound lighter and compresses over two liters smaller. But that only matters if you’re tight on space or planning to haul it very far, which you probably aren’t. Unless the extra $49 feels like too much of a stretch, the Siesta is an easy choice. To learn more, check out our Siesta Hooded 20 review.
Coleman Arch Bay 30 ($81): A Summer-Only Option
Despite costing $20 less than the Campwell, you get more bag with the Arch Bay. Sized to fit sleepers up to 6-foot-9—three inches longer than the Campwell’s “long” size—you won’t be lacking legroom, unless you’re Shaq. (To which we say: Thanks for reading Better Trail, big man!) The Arch Bay also features an extended fabric panel at the head that gives you a designated spot to place your pillow at night. But when the temperature drops, that’s when the Campwell shines. Both of these sleeping bags have 30-degree temperature ratings, but we found the Arch Bay fell short of that in practice, while the Campwell’s proved accurate. You can probably get away with the Arch Bay if you’re strictly a summer camper, but if you plan to dip your toes into shoulder-season trips, the Campwell is well worth the extra cost. For more, read our review of the Arch Bay 30.
The Campwell 30 offers one of the best comfort-to-cost ratios out there and actually lives up to its temperature rating—a rare feat for a budget sleeping bag. It’s light on features and can let in some cold drafts, but the bang for your buck is hard to beat.
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Affordability is usually what impresses us most about REI-branded products, but the Siesta breaks that trend. This sleeping bag is warm, spacious, and packed with user-friendly features—oh, and still has that whole affordability thing going for it, too.
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The Arch Bay is the least expensive bag on this list, and doesn’t include many of the bells and whistles of higher-priced options. While it won’t win any awards for its durability or performance, it's a serviceable budget option for the occasional summer camper.
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Durability & Quality
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Is the Campwell 30 for You?
If you’re a car camper looking for a no-nonsense sleeping bag that covers the basics without breaking the bank, the REI Co-op Campwell 30 deserves a place in your gear bin—or at least your consideration. It’s roomy, versatile in warm weather, and more capable than similarly priced competitors when the temperature dips toward freezing. But if you prioritize true three-season warmth, hate drafts, or want more thoughtful touches like a hood, the Campwell will feel lacking. We’d suggest sizing up—and maybe increasing your budget a tad—if comfort is a priority.
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