REI Co-op Siesta Hooded 20 Camping Sleeping Bag Review
The REI Co-op Siesta Hooded 20 ($149) is one of the most feature-rich and comfortable car camping sleeping bags we’ve tested. That’s good news in and of itself; when you factor in its price tag, though, the Siesta becomes truly impressive. Between the plush interior, heat-sealing design, and long-term durability outlook—not a guarantee with some of REI’s in-house gear—the Siesta stands out as a fantastic three-season bag. Just be aware that zipper snags are frustratingly frequent, and it’s too bulky for anything beyond car camping.
Warmth
Comfort
Durability & Quality
Features
Weight & Packed Size
Sustainability
Temp Rating
20˚F
Shape
Rectangular
Insulation
Synthetic
Weight
5 lb. 7.3 oz.
Pros
Cons
REI Co-op Siesta Hooded 20
For this season's top models, see our guide to the Best Camping Sleeping Bags.
I tested the REI Co-op Siesta Hooded 20 across a moderate range of California conditions—from breezy, 50-degree nights at June Lake in the Eastern Sierra to the low 30s in Holcomb Valley, near Big Bear. In every case, the bag kept me warm—it performed true to its temperature rating, which deserves a big cheer, considering the price tag. (The Siesta’s superb price-to-performance ratio will be the major connecting thread of this review.) On cold nights, I sealed the bag fully, pulled the hood tight, and tucked in the draft collar. I slept comfortably through the low 40s in nothing but boxers, and my partner had the same experience in Holcomb Valley when temps dropped into the low 30s. I wouldn’t hesitate to use the Siesta down to 20 degrees (with a decent sleeping pad, of course).
On milder nights, I left the main zipper partially undone and folded the top down using the short off-side zipper, which allowed the REI Co-op Siesta Hooded 20 to mimic the feel of a comforter. That versatile setup worked especially well in Malibu’s Sycamore Canyon, where I appreciated having some airflow without ditching coverage entirely. The only tweak I’d make would be a longer off-side zipper—it stops at my sternum, and I often wished I could unzip it lower to dump heat more effectively in warm weather.
This is the most comfortable car camping bag I’ve slept in, period. The Siesta’s rectangular cut gave me space to spread my legs, turn on my side, and shift throughout the night without ever feeling boxed in. Its materials feel soft and smooth—yes, it’s polyester, but not the scratchy kind—and stayed quiet while I moved. No rustling, no crinkling, just plush insulation and roomy dimensions. (This bag has a 69 in. girth in its medium version, and also comes in medium-wide, long, and long-wide varieties.)
The Siesta’s oversized hood is a game changer—it basically matches the width of the bag, rather than a more form-fitting design like you might find on a backpacking sleeping bag. I brought a standard pillow from home, and it fit perfectly, staying in place all night instead of sliding off the pad. Compared to my REI Campwell 30 and my backpacking sleeping bags like the REI Igneo and the Enlightened Equipment Enigma, the Siesta is leagues more comfortable. It’s more spacious, softer, and far better suited for true relaxation, which is what every car camper is striving for.
From the moment I unboxed it, the REI Co-op Siesta Hooded 20 felt burly. It uses a 75-denier polyester shell and a 50-denier liner, which are the thickest fabrics I’ve seen on any car camping bag. For comparison, camping sleeping bag competitors like the Campwell, Nemo Tempo, The North Face Wawona Double, and the Kelty Galactic all have 50-denier shells and liners. After multiple trips spent at rocky and variable sites in the San Gabriels, Sierra Nevada, and coastal campgrounds, it still shows no signs of wear. It also feels well-built throughout, with sturdy stitching and synthetic insulation that hasn’t shifted or clumped.
That said, the zipper is a weak point. It snagged more often than not—about half the time I used it, despite the presence of an anti-snag strip. While the zipper itself is high quality, the fabric it runs through seems prone to catching. I didn’t damage anything during testing, but I could see the snagging becoming a long-term issue if I’m not careful. Compared to the Campwell, which also snags but costs less, the Siesta’s issue stands out more, given its otherwise great build.
REI packed this bag with just about every feature you could ask for in a car camping model. The cinchable hood fits a full-size pillow and helps trap heat. There’s a generous draft collar, a draft tube along the zipper, and two zippers for fine-tuned venting—one full-length on the right, and a short left-side zip that lets me fold the top down like a quilt. The longer zipper stretches all the way down to the footbox and adds even more ventilation, which I used frequently while sitting around camp.
There’s also an internal stash pocket for small items, though I didn’t use it (I don’t like having things press against me while I sleep). All the features are intuitive and well-integrated, and they don’t get in the way or overcomplicate the bag. While the Tempo and the Big Agnes Echo Park come close in this category, the REI Co-op Siesta Hooded edges them both in sheer completeness and execution. If you’re looking for maximum utility in a single bag, this is the one to beat.
At 5 pounds, 7.3 ounces, the Siesta is one of the heaviest camping sleeping bags we've tested, second only to the Coleman Arch Bay (6 lb. 6.5 oz.). It also takes up a lot of space once packed—about 21 inches long and 11 inches across. This is not a bag you’ll want to carry more than 100 feet from your car, but that’s not surprising given this category overall.
That said, packing the Siesta away is relatively easy. I didn’t need to roll or fold it precisely—just stuffing it into the 25-liter sack and cinching it closed worked fine. For car camping, where space and weight are less of a concern, I’ll gladly take the hit in bulk for the added comfort and durability. Still, anyone eyeing this for anything beyond short-distance hauling should look elsewhere.
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Recycled Materials
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Bluesign Approved
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PFAS-Free DWR
Durable water-repellent (DWR) finishes can contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These highly persistent “forever chemicals” are used in outdoor gear for their strong resistance to water, oil, and heat, but are linked to environmental contamination and a range of health concerns. A green check mark indicates the product uses a PFAS-free DWR, while a red X means the DWR contains PFAS.
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Recycled and/or Reduced Packaging
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Resale and/or Recycling Services
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Annual Impact Report
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I tested the medium version of this bag, which, on paper, fits users up to 72 inches tall and has a 69-inch shoulder girth. I’m 5-foot-10, 185 pounds, and have a 48-inch shoulder girth, and the Siesta fit me perfectly. I had plenty of room at the shoulders, hips, and feet, and I didn’t feel cramped or overly swallowed by extra fabric. The Siesta also comes in medium-wide, long, and long-wide sizes if you’re larger than I am or just want even more space. (That might lead to a colder sleep due to more dead air, though.)
Compared to the Campwell, which is technically the same size, the REI Co-op Siesta Hooded 20 feels better proportioned and slightly longer. I didn’t bump into the toebox while tucking the bag around me, even on cold nights. The sizing feels well thought out and true to spec, with additional wide and longer options available for larger users.
Nemo Tempo 20 ($160): Trade Comfort for Portability
Unlike the Siesta and its rectangular shape, the Tempo 20 has an hourglass silhouette that narrows at the waist. This design preserves most (but not all) of the Siesta’s roominess and achieves the same 20-degree temp rating while saving over 1.5 pounds. (Campers with dreams of short backpack trips, take note.) The Tempo also features a tough, 50-denier ripstop polyester shell—second only in our testing to the Siesta’s 75-denier material. The Siesta has the edge when it comes to features, though. Whereas the Tempo’s single zipper stops short of the toebox, the Siesta’s unzips completely, and it has the second zipper as well. Both bags have a cinchable hood, but only the Siesta’s is large enough to fit a full-size pillow. If size and weight aren’t priorities, the Siesta is the more durable and comfortable option—and you’ll save a few bucks, too. For more, read our review of the Tempo 20.
Exped Megasleep Uno ($150): Customize Your Temperature Rating
If you’re looking for even more temperature control than the Siesta offers, the MegaSleep Uno may be a better fit. This sleeping bag’s temperature rating depends on which side faces up; one side grants you a summer-weight 40-degree bag, while the other is a shoulder-season-worthy 25-degree setup. The Siesta, with its single 20-degree rating, doesn’t offer the same flexibility, but it still has a few tricks up its sleeve for regulating warmth thanks to its dual zippers. The MegaSleep notably lacks a hood or an extended pillow fabric, but both bags share a traditional rectangular shape for maximum roominess. The Siesta’s shell and liner are also more durable, though it incurs a weight penalty as a result, weighing a bit over 1.5 pounds more. Even so, we lean toward the Siesta for its more robust feature set, durability, and higher warmth level overall. For more, check out our review of the Megasleep Uno.
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.
Warmth
Comfort
Durability & Quality
Features
Weight & Packed Size
Sustainability
With Nemo’s classic hourglass shape, the Tempo offers a best-in-class balance of thermal efficiency and roominess. You’d be hard-pressed to find a softer, plusher camping bag. Our one gripe is its lack of ventilation.
Warmth
Comfort
Durability & Quality
Features
Weight & Packed Size
Sustainability
The MegaSleep Uno’s innovative design offers the benefits of both a 40°F and a 25°F bag in a single package. It’s versatile and comfortable, but lacks some features that we appreciate on other models (including a hood).
Warmth
Comfort
Durability & Quality
Features
Weight & Packed Size
Sustainability
Is the Siesta Hooded 20 for You?
The REI Co-op Siesta Hooded 20 will suit most car campers extremely well. It’s warm enough for shoulder season, roomy enough for side sleepers or restless campers, and comfortable enough to feel almost like a real bed. The build is tough, the feature set is dialed, and the price is more than fair for what you get—we’d even call it a steal. For us, it’s the best all-around car camping bag in REI’s lineup, and one of the best we’ve ever tested.
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