Being the biggest guy in class is a curse but also a blessing. Back then, I was the secret weapon of my high school basketball team. Still, sometimes people in my backpacking club laugh at my uncomfortable pose in an average size sleeping bag. It’s no longer a problem now as I found some best sleeping bags for big guys.
I used to have a regular-sized bag, it couldn’t even cover my shoulders, thus my head is out of the bag (very unpleasant, if you might not already know).
But today, it’s no longer my head, it’s the cat that is out of the bag since I will let you in on my little secret of the best sleeping bag for tall man. If you’re a Clydesdale like me, this article is dedicated to you.
But before we get into various models out there, it is essential to know what to look for when choosing them. Now let’s dive into the detailed buying guide!
What To Consider Before Buying a Big and Tall Sleeping Bag?
Size
Sleeping bags sizing follows their length, so you should go for a bag that has a matching length to your height.
Mostly, sleeping bags for men come in the regular (5.5-6 ft.) and long (6-6.6 ft.) sizes to fit most Americans’ statures. Some brands produce small size (about 5-5.5 ft.) as well. Women’s sleeping bags are similar: regular size (fits up to 5.5 ft.) and long size (fits up to 5 ft. 10 in.).
No matter if you’re a man or woman, always go for the longest size possible if you’re incredibly tall. Besides, you should pay attention to your shoulder and hip widths.
Typically, men’s shoulder width is between 60-64 in., and that of women is about 56-60 in.. Women’s standard hip measurement is 23-24 in., a little wider than men’s (22-23 in.).
My advice is, measure your shoulder and hip widths and go to a store to try on the bag (if possible). This method is especially crucial for big guys since we have broader shoulders and maybe hips as well.
Weight
Theoretically, large sleeping bags are more massive than normal size ones. If you usually drive to your camping site, the heavyweight is not a big deal. Otherwise, it might become a disadvantage as you have to carry it when hiking or backpacking.
There are still many lighter options on the market. Nevertheless, suppose you’re going for a synthetic bag for a better price instead of spending on a big and tall backpacking sleeping bag. In that case, you have to deal with its weight. So pay attention to this specification.
Temperature Rating
The ugly truth is that not all sleeping bags can withstand the temperature rating advertised by manufacturers. The hangtag number is the Lower Limit, also known as the lowest temperature at which a human can sleep safely in the bag.
In other words, this number is correct only when you sleep outside wearing sufficient clothes and accessories, such as warm hats, hot pads, or lying on an insulating foam sleeping pad.
I once slept outside with a 15-degree rating bag. I didn’t care about the temperature since the weather forecast had said that it was only 30 degrees that night. I ended up sleeping with my teeth chattered in the cold.
So if you want to stay warm in any situation, read the instructions and customer reviews carefully, or find reliable sources (like backpacker, camper blogs) that already tested the bag in different realistic temperature conditions.
Only take the temperature range claimed by the manufacturers as a general reference.
Type of Insulation
Ordinarily, there are 2 insulation types out there: synthetic and down-filled. Each type will have different effects on how the bag handles cold, humid, or wet weather. They affect the weight of the bag as well.
My advice when you want a down-filled bag is to go for one that has an ethical certification.
Shape
The traditional and most common sleeping bag’s shape is the mummy shape. This form ensures no heat-leaking but, unfortunately, leaves less space for big guys like us. It’s rather uncomfortable to move around in such a fitting shaped-bag.
I would recommend rectangular or semi-rectangular bags as the best large sleeping bag for tall guys.
Material
Material is also an essential factor to consider. If you often go climbing or hill hiking, a nylon bag should be suitable since it can withstand water and strong wind. Meanwhile, a polyester bag is lightweight and water-resistant, perfect for the rainy season or forest camping.
Besides, fabrics like nylon and polyester are ultralight and more compact than natural fiber like cotton.
Compression Sack
Compression sack makes your sleeping bags more compact but can cost significantly more. In my perspective, it’s worth paying, though.
Webbing straps are must-have parts of compression sacks. They help you mechanically scrunch up a hefty sleeping bag. Sacks with a panel of mesh fabric can vent air when you put pressure on them. Also, make sure to buy a waterproof compression sack for kayaking or canoeing.
Price
Like the weight, the price tag of a longer and broader bag is certainly higher than that of a small one. You have to pay for the increased production cost, extra materials, and maybe even extra labor cost since oversize manufacturing requires more complicated techniques.
Nevertheless, a sleeping bag for tall men shouldn’t be too pricey. As far as I know, bags that cost twice as much as regular-sized ones with a similar quality are bad bargains.
Is a double sleeping bag an alternative?
I prefer one big single-sleeping bag. I don’t stay still when sleeping, thus this option allows me to move around comfortably. I often choose single-sleeping bags for fat guys for this reason and recommend them for people who prefer to sleep alone.
On the other hand, a double sleeping bag is perfect for a cozy night with your partner. Many people who like a sleeping-for-two setup find it more convenient since they can comfortably snuggle inside. The spacious interior is also a good alternative for us giants. So speaking of comfort, it depends.
However, bear in mind that a double sleeping bag is sometimes too large for one person; consequently, cannot retain the heat. Besides, double bags often have more moderate temperature ratings.
In-depth Reviews Of The Best Sleeping Bags For Big Guys
#1 TETON Sports Deer Hunter 104R Sleeping Bag – Best Overall
I pick the TETON Sports Deer Hunter Sleeping Bag as one of the best sleeping bags for big guys on the market. It performs well in many aspects: comfort, durability, generous space, heat locking function, etc.
The dimensions 90 x 39 in. make the bag look like a portable bed that goes straight out of your bedroom to the camping site. This bag fits people of up to 7 ft. tall, and the width can accommodate even the naughtiest sleepers since it’s twice as wide as a slim mummy bag.
TETON Sports Deer Hunter Sleeping Bag
Besides, this bag has a full canvas exterior that resists water and guarantees to last for years. The soft lining flannel will retain your body heat. To further prevent heat loss, TETON filled the inside with double-layer fiber and draft tubes.
The Deer Hunter sleeping bag also comes with a semi-circle mummy hood to keep your head warm and your pillow clean, ensuring maximum comfort. The attached 3 buckle straps make rolling and storing this huge bag easier.
Unfortunately, the bulkiness and heavyweight will hinder you from storing it in your backpack. But again, weighing 8 lbs for its size and thick material is considerably less massive than others in the same range.
Pros:
- Fits even the biggest guys
- Durable
- Full water resist canvas shell
- Temperature rating up to -35°F
Con:
- Slightly too heavy for backpacking
#2 Coleman Heritage Cold-Weather Camping 2000008710 Sleeping Bag – Second Best Overall
The Coleman Heritage is an alternative with a lower price tag compared to the TETON Sports Deer Hunter. It measures a bit smaller (84 x 40 in.) and fits campers up to 6 ft. 7 in. On the other hand, it’s much more lightweight (5lbs) and easy to transport.
Coleman Heritage Cold-Weather Camping Sleeping Bag
Like the first pick, the Heritage proves an outstanding performance in heat keeping, comfy cuff, and is built to last. With the heat-locking flannel liner and a draft tube along the zipper to prevent heat loss (also known as the Thermalock system), the bag can handle chilly weather (at about 10°F).
Furthermore, its solid construction prevents insulation from shifting, ensuring a long-lasting product lifespan. The plush padding on the bag edges offers you relaxing softness and cozy warmth on your skin.
On the downside, the bag is not equipped with a hood, meaning less thermal efficiency, especially for the head. Another minor downside is the zipper. It is not anti-snag and can get caught with the fabric.
Pros:
- Long warranty
- Comfy cuff
- Solid & durable construction
Cons:
- No hood
- Snagging
#3 Coleman 0°F Mummy Sleeping Bag for Big and Tall Adults B07G5GPWXZ – Best For Wet Conditions
The Coleman 0°F Mummy Sleeping Bag measures 32’’Wx82’’L and fits people up to 6 ft. 2 in. tall. It has a mummy form, along with the 100% polyester, creating perfect insulation, trapping the warm air inside, and keeping the bag close to your body.
Coleman 0°F Mummy Sleeping Bag for Big and Tall Adults
The bag also uses a synthetic polyester fill as an insulator, ensuring the bag’s characteristics: compressed, lightweight, and capable of trapping the warm air inside.
This insulation type is ideal for wet conditions because it retains a large amount of heat, even when the bag is soaked. A down fill, on the other hand, can not provide enough warmth in such a situation.
Moreover, the high-quality 100% polyester material with an anti-tear stitching pattern shapes opposite section areas, thus eliminates cold spots. This material can withstand heavy fog – another reason that makes it the best sleeping bag for tall men in wet conditions.
However, the Coleman 0°F Mummy bag offers little to no wiggle room for those often moving around while sleeping due to the mummy shape and the fitting design.
Pros:
- Waterproof polyester fabric & synthetic fill
- Excellent insulation to prevent heat loss well
- Offer drawstring around the hood
- Reasonable price
Con:
- Little wiggle room
#4 NORSENS B07H8198H3 Camping Sleeping Bags – Best For Backpacking
The NORSENS Sleeping Bag is generous in size (32.6″ x90.5″), fitting users up to 6 ft. 5 in. and 190 lbs. You can also zip 2 of them together to make one larger size for more room.
The semi-rectangular silhouette and a built-in hood provide a snug-fit while still keeping your head and arms in comfortable positions.
NORSENS Camping Sleeping Bags
Additionally, the 3.6-lb weight makes this model light enough to become an ideal option for backpackers and hikers.
The product comes with a carrying bag with 4 compression straps for easier portability, allowing you to pack your sleeping bag quickly into a minimum 7.8 x 7.8 in. size.
Besides, the upgraded solid buckles combined with a high-grade oxford fabric shell provide a strong compression sack. Therefore, this product is a great companion on your back to the camping sites.
Unfortunately, there are minor complaints about the straps as they may break due to heavy usage. Some customers also find it challenging to pack the bag into the carrier bag, as the manufacturer claimed.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Easy to pack and carry
- Skin-friendly polyester pongee liner for comfort
Con:
- Not so durable straps
#5 TETON Sports Celsius XXL 100R Sleeping Bag – Best For Active Sleepers
The TETON Sports Celsius XXL measures 90 x 39 in. and has a very roomy inner space for those who wiggle worms at night. The half-circle hood and rectangular shape create more room for headrest and allow more elbow and knee movements than typical mummy bags.
TETON Sports Celsius XXL Sleeping Bag
This sleeping bag can be fully unzipped and work as a comforter. This feature makes it a portable commodity that will quickly turn into your dream camping mate.
It also has an advanced fiberfill, draft tubes, and a double-layer structure. Hence, it can deliver the perfect amount of warmth in spring, autumn, or even winter (temperature rating of 32°F).
Besides, the taffeta material offers a sturdy and long-lasting shell that is perfect for rugged areas. The anti-snag zippers and double-layer offset stitching add more durability to the bag, too.
What’s more, you can fold the TETON Sports Celsius into a sack to transport it. There is also an Oxford stuff sack with drawstrings to store the bag compressed.
This bag is bulky and heavy on the flip side, so I don’t recommend it for a long hike.
Pros:
- Roomy for side sleepers
- Multi-purpose
- Compression sack included
Con:
- Not suitable for an extended hike or backpacking trip
#6 Coleman Big Basin 15 2000019653 Big and Tall Adult Sleeping Bag – Best Silhouette
A 6 ft. 6 in. and over 200-lb person will fit comfortably in this enormous 92 x 39 in. this Coleman Big Basin 15 Big and Tall Adult Sleeping Bag.
It features a unique elongated shape, combining a mummy bag’s superior insulation with a rectangular bag’s comfort and spaciousness. This striking silhouette leads to an extra-large sleeping bag with a decent ability to prevent heat loss. The cherry on top is its affordability.
Coleman Big Basin 15 Big and Tall Adult Sleeping Bag
Furthermore, the rip-stop polyester shell is durable and tear-resistant. The ZipPlow system allows the 2-way zipper to move effortlessly without snagging, holding your bag in its tip-top shape.
Also, Coleman equips the bag with the Coletherm hollow polyester fabric and Thermolock draft tube to avoid cold air and retain heat inside such a unique shaped sleeping bag.
The only drawback is the incorrect temperature rating. We’ve already mentioned this inconvenience in the buying guide, so don’t worry, it happens sometimes.
Just remember to use this product in moderate weather. The actual temperature falls a bit shorter than the 15°F rating advertised, about 20 – 25°F.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Unique shape with excellent heat retaining and plenty of room
- Thermo-lock draft tubes
- ZipPlow system
Con:
- Incorrect temperature
#7 Nemo Disco B083BH7296 Insulated Down Sleeping Bag – Best Lightweight
Weighing only under 3lbs, the Nemo Disco Insulated Down is the lightest on my list of the best sleeping bags for fat guys. If you’re getting bored with the hefty large sleeping bags and would instead go for a feather-weight option, this model might be the all-rounder for any of your long backpacking trips.
While being comfy and remarkably small to fit in a pack, the Nemo Disco still provides a generous cut at the elbows and knees, enough to accommodate big guys like us.
Nemo Disco Insulated Down Sleeping Bag
Moreover, there’s a water-resistant panel on top of the foot box, giving more protection against super humid and wet conditions in the forests. This feature also helps keep your feet warm since the heat will appear from the limbs.
Besides, 2 ThermoGrill zippers ventilate the air and prevent cold air from rushing in. You will have 2 options to either unzip to cool down or zip up for more warmth.
However, the manufacturer chose the simplest way to reduce the weight of roomy bags like the Disco: removing material. It means the bag is thinner and not so effective in keeping your body warm during an extra cold night.
Pros:
- Ultralight
- Water-resistant panel
- More room to wiggle than a regular mummy bag
Con:
- Less heat efficient
#8 Coleman Biscayne Sleeping Bag B085B5HDNX– Best Budget
It seems like Coleman is the brand that specializes in making extra-large sleeping bags. Its Biscayne model is our pick as the best sleeping bag for tall men when you have a thin wallet.
The Biscayne delivers excellent space and comfort for up to 6 ft. 4 in. tall users with the dimensions of 39 x 81 in. The outer and interior are of 100% Polyester with 100% Polyester fill, soft on your skin, and breathable. I’m sure the bag will offer a pure bliss of sleep.
Coleman Biscayne Sleeping Bag
Besides, the rugged fiber lock structure and the Thermolock feature maintain the decent insulation intact for years of use.
This sleeping bag has a roll control feature that locks up the bag sides to hold it straight when you roll it for storage. Once the bag is rolled, you can use a quick cord system to keep it firmly in place.
Nevertheless, this cord system doesn’t work well sometimes, giving you a slightly harder time to roll the bag on your own. In this case, this might even be a two-person job due to the bag’s jumbo size.
Pros:
- Budget-friendly
- Softness and breathability
- Easy to roll up when the cords functions
Con:
- Unreliable cord system
#9 Coleman Big Game 2000032181 Sleeping Bag – Best Heat Efficient
The Coleman Big Game has everything you can think of about a comfy cuff and a cozy sleeping bag. It features a full-length zipper enclosed by a draft tube, locking warm air inside and keeping cold air outside. Also, the Thermolock decreases heat loss in this sleeping bag.
Coleman Big Game Sleeping Bag
The shell is 100% Cotton with extra plush, and so is the fill, which ensures softness and coziness around your body. This sleeping bag is ideal for cold weather with a temperature level of 0°F, but I have read that it could withstand up to -5°F.
Therefore, I recommend this bag for those who are up to 6 ft. 7 in. and looking for a super warm bed-alike sleeping arrangement on a camping night.
What’s more, the patented ZipPlow allows you to operate the zipper smoothly without the struggle of accidental snagging. Wrapping the bag is also faster, thanks to the built-in roll control system.
Although it’s machine-washable, you might find it difficult to tuck the whole bag into your washing machine due to the full cotton material’s thickness and heavyweight.
Pros:
- Fiberlock & Thermolock design
- Cozy 100% cotton flannel
- Includes a matching color pillow
- Easy to roll design
- Improved zipper
Con:
- Hard to wash
Conclusion
Trust me, I understand the struggle for giants like you and me to find a sleeping bag that can fit our extra-large bodies and keep us warm on chilly nights. If you don’t have any specific demand, the TETON Deer Hunter and the Coleman Heritage are worth recommending options.
I’ve tried to cover all price ranges and as many particular requirements as possible. I hope my buying guide and recommendations of the best sleeping bags for big guys will improve your all-season camping experience.
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