Canvas is, in a nutshell, sturdier than nylon, lighter than leather, and just a tad easier to handle in comparison to most synthetic materials, which are just some of the numerous reasons why so many campers opt for sleeping bags made of this material.
Just like with any other product on the market finding the right canvas sleeping bag calls for attention to detail, patience, and a bit of know-how.
Luckily for you, we’ve singled out all the elements that make the best canvas camping bags ‘the best’, all the while handpicking popular and most valuable models that the market has to offer, so let’s dive into the reviews straight away.
Best Canvas Sleeping Bag
Chinook the Beast
Our opener pick is Chinook’s Beast – the all-season canvas bag that offers an abundance of space, unparalleled insulation, and most importantly comfort. Even though it is true that the Beast is the most expensive model on our list, it also offers the most bang for the buck if you don’t mind paying top dollar for it.
Its dimensions measure 37.5 inches by 15.1 inches by 15 inches, which basically means it should be able to accommodate even the tallest of people with ease. If you’re of average height you can expect to have as much space as you can possibly need. The Beast will be able to heat you up even if it’s freezing cold outside (down to -40 degrees Fahrenheit), and its heat-retention properties will ensure that the warmth remains with you, even for extended periods of time.
As you are already able to guess, its main downside is the fact that it costs quite a lot. However, the Beast is substantially more durable than most canvas sleep bags, which means that investing in it will easily prove to be financially healthier than buying a couple of flimsy bags.
Pros:
- Built to withstand decades of use
- Exceptionally spacious and fairly breathable
- Top-quality zipper closure
- Unparalleled heat retention
- All-season sleeping bag made of premium quality canvas
Cons:
- Fairly expensive
Coleman Big Game Sleeping Bag
Coleman’s catalog of sleeping bags is vast and eclectic, and we’ve plucked out the Big Game Sleeping Bag from the bunch due to its outstanding plush-like comfort, size, and heat retention.
It’s made of extraordinarily durable canvas (outer) material and is filled with cotton. The Big Game sleeping bag can be used regardless of the season, as it is capable of retaining warmth when it’s as cold as 14 F outside.
Some of the highlight features of the Big Game sleeping bag include the ThermoLock technology, which substantially reduces the heat loss, and the Comfort Cuffs, which are meant to keep your face warm at all times. Although it’s not as expensive as The Beast, it’s still fairly pricey, but well worth the money.
Pros:
- Features top-quality canvas and cotton material
- Breathable and comfortable
- Exceptionally durable
- Thermo Lock and Comfort Cuff technologies
Cons:
- Pricey
ALPS Outdoor Z Redwood
Next up we have an ALPS OutdoorZ Redwood canvas/flannel sleeping bag. Obviously, due to the fact that it features flannel filling, it’s significantly lighter than most models in our review. However, its compactness comes at the price of sturdiness, which means that you may want to avoid sharp rocks and branches as much as possible.
On the upside, the Redwood sleeping bag is absolutely huge, offering space for up to two people with dimensions that measure 38 inches by 80 inches by 4 inches.
Some of the most notable features that ALPS OutdoorZ Redwood sleeping bag comes supplied with include the roll-up strap, which allows you to quickly and simply compress your bog for easy storing, and the two-layer construction, which adds a massive boost to its insulation properties.
Overall, the Redwood is an excellent mid-range pick for people who are willing to invest a couple of extra bucks in a quality canvas sleeping bag.
Pros:
- Great insulation
- Much lighter than an average canvas sleeping bag
- Roll-up straps for rapid compression
- Two-layer construction
Cons:
- Just slightly less durable than average
Montana Canvas Youth Bedroll
Montana’s Canvas Youth Bedroll is designed for the youngest campers who deserve all the comfort in the world while camping with their parents. This model is made of exquisitely gentle and supremely sturdy heavy-duty canvas, offering much in terms of comfortability and ruggedness.
The dimensions of Montana’s Canvas Youth Bedroll measure 31 inches in width by 74 inches in length, which essentially means that it can also be used by teens and young adults just the same. It’s fairly resistant to water and provides excellent insulation; furthermore, it’s suitable for use during all seasons, regardless of how hot, cold, wet, or dry it is outside.
Pros:
- Lightweight canvas construction
- Excellent durability and rugged design
- Superb insulation properties
- Great heat-retention and resistance to water
Cons:
- Small-sized canvas sleeping bag
Cedar Ridge Silverthorne Sleeping Bag
If you’re on the market looking for a cold-weather canvas sleeping bag, look no further than Cedar Ridge’s Silverthorne. This is an excellent example of how a lightweight sleep bag can actually be as warm and cuddly as heavier models stuffed with polyester, wool, or any other type of material. Its temperature rating is 5 degrees Celsius, which essentially means that it’s a no-brainer pick for wintertime camping.
Basically, the Silverthorne sleeping bag is made from top-quality flannel and canvas, making it just slightly heavier than some models we’ve reviewed so far, but that’s precisely the reason why it’s also much warmer and cozier.
The Silverthorne bag also comes outfitted with eight sturdy zippers and is exceptionally rewarding in terms of maintenance and transportation. To top it all, it doesn’t even cost that much and offers tremendous value for the money.
Pros:
- Made from top-shelf flannel and canvas materials
- Two-layer construction
- Zippered baffle
- Large and spacious
- Quality hardware
Cons:
- Just slightly heavier than average
Coleman Big & Tall Heritage Sleeping Bag
Here we have another pick from Coleman’s catalog from the Big & Tall series. The Heritage is our runner-up pick for the cold-weather camping category, mainly because it offers superb insulation and heat retention, albeit at the expense of portability.
Namely, the Big & Tall Heritage is relatively heavy, but it is much more comfortable and cozier than most wintertime canvas sleeping bags. Although it’s not exactly cheap per se, it’s certainly not expensive.
Pros:
- Exceptionally durable zippers
- Cosier and warmer than most similarly priced models
- Ideal for wintertime camping
- Big and spacious
Cons:
- Mediocre transportability
NEMO Huckleberry Bed Roll
Nemo’s Huckleberry bed roll is one of the biggest and tallest sleeping bags in our review; its dimensions measure 72 inches in length by 66 inches in height, and it’s arguably among the lightest models with only 3.4 pounds of weight.
It features a waxed-cotton exterior and quality quilted stitching that both functions as a heat retaining feature and as an aesthetic piece. The leather patchwork & pulls further complement its amazing durability and outward appearance while its one of the most notable features is the custom detailed texture.
Pros:
- One of the best looking canvas sleeping bags on the market
- Extremely light
- Decent heat insulation and retention
- Suitable for all-weather camping
Cons:
- Relatively hard to wash and clean
Stansport White Tail Rectangular Sleeping Bag
Stansport’s White Tail may not be the most spacious canvas sleeping bag out there but it’s definitely one of the finest low-budget models that offer much to the table in terms of plush-like comfort, durability, and ultimately value for the buck.
This is an all-season sleeping bag made of rugged canvas material that is suitable for use at temperatures down to 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Furthermore, it’s almost completely resistant to water and is capable of resisting rain and snow with ease.
Pros:
- Double-layer canvas construction
- All-seasons sleeping bag
- Capable of resisting snow and rain
- Quality zipper closure
Cons:
- Tall, but almost a bit too narrow
Stansport Weekender Sleeping Bag
Our following pick is another Stansport sleeping bag called The Weekender. In essence, this is a bit more versatile model that is a tad lighter, just slightly bigger, and substantially easier to pack, clean, and maintain.
The dimensions of the Weekender sleeping bag measure 16.25 inches by 10.5 inches by 10.5 inches; it’s made of top-shelf canvas and features a synthetic outer layer, which is mostly to ‘blame’ for its lightweight properties. Even though it’s not as great for cold weather, it’s a perfect choice for breezy summer nights, springtime, or autumn.
Pros:
- Well-rounded performance
- Fairly cheap
- Built to last
- Big and spacious
- Plush-like comfort
Cons:
- Not suitable for use in harsh weather conditions
Campmoon 3-season sleeping bag
Let’s pull down the curtains with Campmoon’s 3-season sleeping bag. Essentially, we recommend this model to all campers who are on a cash-strapped budget and who are looking for a sturdy, quality canvas-made sleep bag.
With the outer cotton layer, you should expect to feel exceptionally comfortable while tucked inside this sleeping bag; it’s pretty big, but it’s drastically lighter than you’d expect. Even though there are more robust models for a couple of extra bucks more, the Campmoon 3-season sleeping bag’s performance is still very impressive.
Pros:
- Ultra cheap
- Outer cotton layer
- Big and light
- Suitable for use in most weather conditions apart from the harshest
Cons:
- Slightly flimsier than average
Best Canvas Sleeping Bag Buying Guide
Since we’re talking about sleeping bags made of canvas, the choice of material is already made and there are only a couple of things left to take into consideration.
First and foremost, most canvas sleeping bags come supplied with an extra layer, which is normally comprised of a different material.
Polyester adds water resistance to non-resistant canvas and it’s also fairly sturdy and wears pretty slowly. Nylon is exceptionally elastic and stain-resistant, although it’s a bit flimsier than polyester. Synthetic materials are generally pretty eclectic and their properties vary from manufacturer to manufacturer; in essence, they are stain-resistant and waterproof.
Size is also an important factor, but so is the weight. Bigger sleeping bags are generally bulkier and heavier obviously, but that may not necessarily be the case with every model. Again, the choice of the ‘side-material’ will have a huge impact on both of these elements.
Last but certainly not least, let’s consider the price as the most definitive factor. Canvas sleeping bags are available at numerous price point ranges, from dirt-cheap budget models to highly expensive boutique ones.
The price tag doesn’t always reflect the value and performance of any given product, but you can be pretty sure that low-cost canvas will tear pretty fast, making your investment go to waste. If you are able to save up a couple of extra dollars it might be wise to invest in a pricier option if you are a frequent camper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I use a canvas sleeping bag?
Basically, the canvas is exceptionally sturdy and offers high breathability. Most sleeping bags made of this material are suitable for all-season camping, and generally, it’s not that hard to find a quality model at an attractive price.
What are the most notable downsides of canvas sleeping bags?
Most canvas-made sleep bags are not exactly resistant to water (rain or snow). Furthermore, if a canvas bag gets drenched, it will take quite a bit of time to dry it off. Luckily, this issue can easily be countered – search for sleeping bags with water-resistant outer layers.
What side materials are best in a canvas sleeping bag?
All-canvas sleep bags are rare; most manufacturers produce their models with at least one side material, which is typically the outer layer of the bag. Since canvas is a derivate of cotton, you should look for bags that feature polyester for extra breathability or synthetic for extra flexibility.
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