Alps Outdoorz Redwood -10F Sleeping Bag Assessment

Backside Line

The ALPS OutdoorZ Redwood -10 is likely one of the heaviest and warmest luggage on our greatest tenting sleeping luggage information. Should you’re a year-round automotive camper, winter day hiker, or only a cold-weather fanatic, the Redwood is a superb decide for staying cozy and heat between 5°F and 35°F. Gear Analyst Ian Krammer used this huge, burly mannequin on dozens of frigid automotive tenting journeys in Colorado, Utah and Arizona between November and March.

This factor is a cross between a weighted comforter and a bedroll. With thick Techloft insulation, comfortable flannel lining, and a roomy match, it’s hand-built for the coldest nights. A sturdy canvas exterior handles years of damage and tear. The Redwood has a wrap-around zipper to open up like an enormous blanket, providing versatility for sprawling out or sharing heat. It represents an distinctive worth for bone-chilling and dry nights.

Nevertheless, the Redwood has trade-offs. Its heavy weight and big packed measurement make transport and storage a problem. We additionally don’t suggest utilizing it in moist, damp, or humid situations, because the canvas absorbs water and dries slowly. And, this can be a cold-weather solely bag. The insulation is overkill for something however the lowest temp, so it’s impractical for summer time situations. The Redwood lacks a hood and draft collar. And, it may be tough to buy because it’s solely out there about half the 12 months. However, if you may get your fingers on it, the Redwood -10 provides unimaginable heat and top-of-the-line consolation for chilly sleepers and year-round adventurers.

Consolation

With regards to consolation, the ALPS OutdoorZ Redwood -10 is a winner. Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer’s favourite factor concerning the Redwood is its extremely thick and heavy artificial Techloft insulation. This polyester fill creates a lofty, plush and supportive really feel. And, you received’t discover a comfier inside lining on any bag – the nostalgic and toasty-warm flannel is comfortable and alluring, including an additional layer of coziness for a restful sleep evening after evening. 

The Redwood is tremendous heavy and mimics the calming really feel of a weighted blanket. We love the large width, spacious for all sleeping positions – stretch out like a starfish or toss and switch with out feeling restricted. Plus, it absolutely unzips right into a blanket for a spread of sleeping setups, together with a giant, heat blanket for 2. And for individuals who prefer to cuddle, two Redwoods will be zipped collectively for max shared heat.

That stated, the Redwood -10 isn’t excellent. It doesn’t have a hood, which detracts from the general coziness. Additionally, this can be a large bag that doesn’t work in smaller tents – it’s over 6 and a half toes lengthy – so that you’ll wish to measure each your shelter and mattress earlier than buying. That stated, these are small gripes. Anybody in search of most consolation will discover what they need within the Redwood -10.

Heat

If you would like a heat bag for dry, chilly situations, you’ve discovered it. Few sleeping luggage match the ALPS OutdoorZ Redwood -10 heat in dry environments, and it’s wonderful for staying heat on bitterly chilly nights. The Techloft artificial insulation traps warmth effectively, even when temps dip into the one digits. A easy cinch twine on the prime of the bag helps scale back warmth loss, and a thick Velcro patch on the prime of the bag locks the zipper securely in place. The bag’s intense weight and burly canvas shell act as a strong barrier in opposition to the coolness, and the thick draft tubes alongside the zipper reduce warmth loss. For winter campers, chilly sleepers, and other people anxious about warmth retention on the bitterly chilly nights, this sleeping bag is an distinctive selection.

There are downsides to the Redwood’s heat, although. For us, the bottom consolation restrict is round 5°F. Beneath that, it feels chilly. The dearth of a hood additional compromises warmth retention across the head and shoulders, and the oblong design can result in chilly spots within the corners. Go for a mummy-style possibility on tremendous chilly nights as a substitute.

On the flipside, it’s just too heat above 35°F. We don’t suggest it for summer time situations, as we’ve almost melted on this bag on balmy and heat evenings.

Lastly, the outside cotton-blend shell absorbs moisture like a sponge, so it’s not the most effective for moist situations. Throughout a January journey to the Arizona desert in 8°F to twenty-eight°F situations, Ian discovered condensation prompted the Redwood to turn into so damp that it didn’t dry out. Over three days, this created a doubtlessly harmful difficulty in excessive winter climate. We now not convey the Redwood alongside on journeys with larger humidity or moisture within the forecast.

Packed Measurement

This one has the most important packed measurement of any on our information. At roughly 3 toes by 1 foot, and weighing over 11 kilos, the Redwood -10 prioritizes heat over portability. Its thick artificial insulation and sturdy canvas exterior means it takes up loads of trunk house and equipment rooms, leaving little room for different gear. 

It’s additionally not the simplest to hold. ALPS OutdoorZ doesn’t embody a stuff sack or duffle, though three thick, sturdy nylon compression straps make it simpler to haul. The draw back of those straps is they’re lengthy, and dangle off the top in a pile when the bag is unrolled. They’re additionally a bit cumbersome to make use of when rolling the bag up – though they’re sturdy and maintain rigidity nicely.

The Redwood -10’s measurement, weight, and sluggish pack-up course of is what pushed it to the underside of our tenting sleeping bag information. You received’t discover a cushier or cozier bag wherever, so this isn’t a dealbreaker – however you’ll have to account for the house it takes up.

Options

The ALPS OutdoorZ Redwood -10 has a no-frills options set that works for chilly climate. The flannel-lined inside is a nostalgic throwback to basic tenting gear, and its rectangular form gives loads of room to unfold out for facet and abdomen sleepers. It fully unzips to remodel into a big blanket. The hook-and-loop patch retains the zipper in place when contained in the bag, a easy cinch twine tightens the bag round your neck, and a double zipper permits simple entry and air flow changes to keep away from overheating on milder nights.

Nevertheless, the dearth of options additionally lowers the Redwood -10’s total rating. This mannequin doesn’t have a hood or a draft collar, leaving your head uncovered to chilly air, and the coating isn’t water resistant, making it weak to moisture buildup. We additionally discover the three lengthy compression straps are likely to get in the best way when the bag is deployed. It’s additionally lacking a storage pocket for small necessities like a cellphone or flashlight.

Nonetheless, we don’t thoughts the simplicity of this bag an excessive amount of – it’s simply so cozy and heat. Once we’re headed into significantly chilly situations on dry nights within the backcountry, the Redwood -10 is considered one of our prime picks for a comfortable, cozy, and toasty sleep expertise.

Ought to You Purchase the ALPS OutdoorZ Redwood -10?

The ALPS OutdoorZ Redwood -10°F sleeping bag is for automotive campers, chilly sleepers, and year-round adventurers who need heat and luxury over portability and options. With its comfortable flannel lining, roomy rectangular form, and hefty weight, this bag blends the majority of a bedroll with the consolation of a weighted blanket for frigid nights. Its sturdy canvas exterior resists abrasions and punctures, making it a very good decide for automotive campers, winter hikers, hunters, and bushcrafters who don’t thoughts bulkier gear. It unzips fully right into a blanket for final versatility, and thick artificial insulation provides heat nicely under freezing. Should you’re tenting in dry, chilly situations and need top-tier sturdiness and plush consolation, the Redwood is an actual standout.

Nevertheless, this sleeping bag isn’t your best option for people with restricted storage or to be used in moist and humid locations. Its lack of water resistance makes it weak to moisture, and the absence of a hood and draft collar limits its efficiency. At 11.5 kilos and with a really massive packed measurement, the Redwood’s weight and bulk could make it impractical for stashing in a trunk or gear closet. Should you want a compact, light-weight sleeping bag with fashionable conveniences like a pillow pocket or inside storage, this isn’t the one for you.

It’s additionally value noting that the Redwood -10 will be tough to search out in inventory, because it’s solely out there 6 to eight months of the 12 months. Nevertheless, if you happen to’re affected person, this bag is considered one of our prime picks in the case of consolation and heat tenting between October and April – and comes at an inexpensive value, too.

What Different Tenting Sleeping Luggage Ought to You Contemplate?

Head over to our information to the most effective tenting sleeping luggage to learn how the ALPS Outside Redwood compares to the others. Additionally, take into account these different choices: 

Teton Sports activities The Celsius Grand XXL Assessment – The Celsius Grand XXL additionally has artificial insulation, spectacular heat, and a cumbersome rectangular form. This one is lighter, extra inexpensive, extra water-proof, and out there 12 months spherical.

The North Face Wawona 20 Assessment – The North Face Wawona 20 provides a equally cozy lining and rectangular form because the Redwood -10°F. It’s not as heat or heavy, but it surely’s a comfy bag for summer time months and delicate climate.

REI Siesta Hooded 20 Assessment – The Siesta Hooded 20 has the identical form and comfy really feel, particularly if you happen to prefer to unfold out. Nevertheless, it’s lighter, simply as inexpensive, and handles moist situations higher – plus it has a giant hood.