Field Notes: After testing this bag both backpacking and car camping

Full Article: http://activejunky.com/articles/sleeping-bag-buyers-guide
Field Notes: After testing this bag both backpacking and
car camping, multiple testers agreed Hotbed is a solid pick
for both activities. Comfortable without being too large to
pack in, this affordable bag is an excellent crossover
product.
Pros: Most sleeping bags have silky, nylon interiors that
duplicate the outside of the bag. Not so with the Hotbed
with a cottony inner lining more akin to your sheets at
home than coarser sleeping bag fabrics. Beneath this
comfortable fabric are 5 in. of synthetic Thermal Q
Thermic MX insulation to maintain warmth when hit by light rain or morning condensation. Mountain
Hardwear makes it easy to zip two Hotbeds together to snuggle up in the backcountry. Another bonus: the
microfleece-lined stuff sack makes for a great pillow.
Cons: Though affordable Thermal Q Thermic MX Insulation repels moisture, it isn’t light at almost 3.5lbs and
twice the packed size of lightweight sleeping bags like the Brooks-Range Drift 20 and Marmot Helium 15.
However, it offers extra length (78”) so 6’5” testers fit comfortably in the regular model.
Favorite Feature: That interior fabric made for a dreamy night’s sleep as if you’re at home in your own bed—
instead of in the woods tucked into the Hotbed.
Tester Comment: “Not my first choice as a backpacking bag, but it’s a comfortable and reasonable choice for
those who car camp more than they backpack.”
Bottom Line: Serious backpackers on a budget should look to the lighter, more compressible Klymit KSB. The
Mountain Hardwear Hotbed 20, however, is more spacious, comfortable and cozy.
Best For: Well-suited for travelers who split their time between mellow-moderate backpacking trips and car
camping excursions.
Key Attribute: Versatility