If you’re one of those people who find traditional sleeping bags to be uncomfortable, it’s time to try a sleeping ‘bed’ instead. Sierra Designs has developed an entire line of sleeping beds, both for the backcountry and front country (i.e., mummy-style for backpacking vs rectangular-style for car camping and indoor sleeping).
- Versatile Integrated Comforter.
- Self-Sealing Foot Vent.
- Insulated Hand/Arm Pockets.
- Zipperless Design.
- Catenary Shaped Opening.
We tried out the Frontcountry bed twin size during a five-night hotel and family couch surfing marathon during the holidays.
So what makes this sleeping bag a sleeping bed? In a word, roominess. And comfort. I guess that’s two words. The Frontcountry sleeping bed is zipperless. You enter it via a large opening in the top.
There’s an oversized, integrated comforter sealing the opening, so the arrangement feels more like sleeping with blankets over you than inside a sleeping bag. You can sleep comfortably and naturally on your back, side or stomach.
There are even hand pockets on the inside of the comforter part of the bed, allowing you to slide your hands in and keep the comforter on top of you all night (without sliding).
The oval opening is designed to intuitively adjust in width to prevent cold drafts, yet it won’t restrict your natural sleeping position.
We found the Frontcountry Twin size to be absolutely perfect to bring along for sleeping in hotel rooms or family member’s couches, because we didn’t need the extreme draft protection of a mummy-style bag (though as noted above, the sleeping bed comes in a backcountry version as well).
Paired with a cot or travel bed, the Frontcountry was like a portable, ready-made set of sheets and comforter, making it easy to be comfy while not packing a whole set of bedding. There’s even a sleeve on the bottom side, which can fit around a mattress for a perfect fit. You could also slide a backpacking/camping mattress into the sleeve.
The bed is made of nylon and poly weave, and the bottom is generously padded. You really feel as though you’re sliding into a cushy bed, not into a sleeping bag.
Because it has the comforter-style top, it’s bulkier than you standard sleeping bag, so you do need to allow more room to pack it on your travels, and it needs to be folded and rolled into its included carry bag, not stuffed.
- Versatile Integrated Comforter.
- Self-Sealing Foot Vent.
- Insulated Hand/Arm Pockets.
- Zipperless Design.
- Catenary Shaped Opening.
But for occasions when space is not at a premium, it’s a downright luxury to have. In addition to the twin size we tried out, you can get the Frontcountry bed in a queen size, duo size, and youth size. It comes in a synthetic fill or a DriDown/synthetic mix, and is rated to 30 degrees.
Pick up a Frontcountry bed in the twin size at Sierra Designs for $189, or look for it on Amazon for a few bucks less.
Great review. I was able to pick up a used down backcountry at a recent REI garage sale – love it!