REI Siesta Hooded 20 Sleeping Bag Review

Bottom Line

The REI Siesta Hooded 20 is our number one pick on our best camping sleeping bags guide. With its balance of warmth, comfort, durability, and useful features, this bag delivers top-notch performance at a price that’s hard to beat. CleverHiker founder Dave Collins and Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer have slept a collective 100+ nights in this bag, and they’ve given this bag top scores in every metric.

With its spacious, rectangular fit, huge draft collar, and giant hood, the Siesta is all about comfort. Whether you’re a side-sleeper, stomach-sleeper, or someone who sprawls, this bag is roomy enough for all sleeping styles – plus it comes in Medium, Long, and Long Wide to accommodate all body shapes and sizes. The Siesta is warm for late spring to early fall, and we love that it transforms into a quilt with a smooth, wraparound zipper. We love the simple features like a wrap-around zipper, blanket-fold top, and a giant interior stash pocket. We keep reaching for the Siesta Hooded 20 all summer long

However, it comes with a few caveats. We find the 20°F rating is optimistic – temps below 35°F left us reaching for extra layers. Additionally, it’s 5 lb. 7 oz. weight and slightly bulkier packed size might be a bit of a challenge for some. It doesn’t include a mesh storage sack, and the outer material is a bit slippery. But these are small gripes – the Siesta delivers a plush, user-friendly, and warm sleeping experience, making it our top choice of the year for campers seeking both comfort and affordability.

Comfort

If you’re a 3-season car camper, the REI Siesta Hooded 20 delivers next-level comfort. Gear Analyst Ian Krammer’s favorite thing is the satisfying heft – this thing is a thick, lofty bag that settles like a weighted blanket. A soft polyester lining is soft to the touch and makes it easy to relax. Ian’s an active sleeper, and he loves the roomy, rectangular shape for stretching, shifting, and rolling. The oversized hood easily fits a full-size pillow, too, so we weren’t stuck using a tiny camp pillow that barely does the job. 

We love the collar and hood for their added comfort. On one side, there’s a partial zipper to fold the entire collar down like a comforter on warm nights. When it’s cold, zip the Siesta all the way up, cinch down the hood, and tuck in the huge draft collar to block out chilly air. A smooth wraparound zipper allows the bag to transform into a cozy quilt for kicking it at the fire or sharing with a partner. 

We only have a few complaints about this bag. The fabric is luxurious, but our testing finds it’s a bit slippery. That led to unwanted movement and a bit of sliding on a camping mattress when we rolled over. Additionally, Ian finds the synthetic fill has begun to compress and condense faster than similar models. He has around 80 nights in his bag. It’s flatter and less lofty, although this hasn’t affected the overall performance. 

Warmth

The REI Siesta Hooded 20 is a reliable and warm choice between 35°F and 70°F – perfect for late spring through early fall. Ian’s used this bag for dozens of car camping nights high in the Colorado Rockies where temps regularly dip into the low 40’s and upper 30’s. The oversized draft collar and thick zipper draft tubes do a stellar job of sealing in warmth. Synthetic insulation is effective at retaining heat, even in damp conditions. The insulated hood cinches snugly around our pillow and head for an extra layer of coziness, and combined with a well-insulated footbox, this bag wraps you in reliable warmth from head to toe.

This bag is highly adaptable for warmer temps. A partial zipper on one side can be unzipped to dump heat, and the two-way zipper on the main track can open up the footbox or partially down the side. On hot nights, we unzip the bag into a blanket to stay cool.

That said, the Siesta’s warmth doesn’t live up to its 20°F rating. Below 35°F, testing shows it is too cold and we needed extra layers. The Siesta 20’s square footbox sacrifices heat retention compared to snugger mummy-style options, leading to cold spots in the corners and a chill along the zippers. But if you’re a fair-weather camper, these are small potatoes, and you’ll stay snug as a bug.

Packed Size

Despite the Siesta’s larger profile, burly materials, and synthetic insulation, it’s fairly reasonable for storing and carrying. The packed size is a bit bulky – 11.75 by 17 inches for the Long version. It weighs in the upper half as well, at 5 pounds, 14.9 ounces. Still, these are very average measurements compared to most bags we’ve tested. The Siesta fits well even with limited trunk space, and long term storage hasn’t been an issue. Its stuff sack is slightly stretchy and includes a small handle on the bottom, so it’s fast and easy to put away and easy to carry.

That said, the size and weight are still on the larger side, and there are other options that pack smaller. Additionally, this bag doesn’t come with a mesh storage sack, which helps sleeping bags to breathe and rest to preserve the integrity of the insulation over time. Consider putting the money you save on this bag towards an inexpensive mesh storage sack for off-season storage.

Features

One of the reasons this bag takes our top spot is its thoughtful feature set. The Siesta Hooded 20’s full-size hood, simple cinching mechanism, and partial zipper on one side make the opening highly customizable based on your sleep style, position, and temperature. We love the silky smooth zippers, featuring long toggles for easy use even with gloves on. The low-snag zippers wrap around corners to convert the bag into a quilt. We also appreciate the hook-and-loop patches at the top to prevent unzipping in the night.

Although this bag only has one internal stash pocket, it’s large enough to hold any sized phone. The pocket doesn’t have a closure, but we didn’t mind – this makes it easy to access a chapstick or headlamp. Plus, you can zip two Siesta Hooded bags together to share warmth with a partner or four-legged friend. 

Our only complaint with the feature set comes down to the fabric. The outer polyester is a bit slippery on some mattresses and sleeping pads, which means they move around more on certain sleeping surfaces. However, the polyester is highly water resistant and quiet. At the end of the day, the Siesta lands in the Goldilocks Zone for features, delivering everything we need and then some. It’s ridiculously cozy, and that’s exactly why we love it.

Should You Buy the REI Siesta hooded 20?

The REI Siesta Hooded 20 is an inclusive, comfy, and versatile sleeping bag for almost any camper who wants comfort, space, and practical features. The roomy rectangular shape and smooth polyester fabric is accommodating and comfy. The cinchable hood holds a full-size pillow securely to make this bag feel more like a bed under the stars. The smooth wrap-around zipper, partial zipper on one side, and deep pocket further cement its spot as a top choice for casual, comfort-focused camping trips. This bag also packs up easily and doesn’t take up too much more room than other bags.

However, the Siesta falls a bit short when it comes to warmth. Despite its 20 degree ranking, it begins to get chilly below 35°F, with cold spots in the corners of the large footbox. Its packed size is a bit bulky and heavy, which might not work for everyone’s storage or needs. Still, for most frontcountry adventurers and car campers who want a cozy, feature-packed bag, the Siesta Hooded 20 is a stellar pick for a low price point whether you need a short siesta – or a long night of rejuvenating sleep.

What Other Camping Sleeping Bags Should You Consider?

Are you wondering how the REI Siesta Hooded 20 stacks up against our other top picks? Find out on our best camping sleeping bags list. And consider these awesome alternatives:

Teton Sports Celsius Grand XXL Review: The Teton Sports Celsius Grand XXL shares the Siesta’s wide hood, soft liner, and spacious design for a low price point. It’s heavier and less durable, but has superior warmth down to 10°F.

The North Face Wawona 20 Review: The North Face Wawona is another big, cozy, rectangular bag with a soft interior and a simple feature set. It doesn’t have a hood and isn’t quite as cozy, but it hits the sweet spot for folks on a budget.

Therm-A-Rest 650 Review: This is a premium mummy bag that has the ability to expand its footbox for more room at night. If you want a feature-forward sleeping bag for backpacking and car camping, consider the Boost 650.