ALPS OutdoorZ Redwood -10 review: the warmest car-camping bag we found

The ALPS OutdoorZ Redwood -10 is the bag we recommend first in our best sleeping bags for camping guide, and it is the one most car campers, hunters, and cabin trippers should look at before anything pricier. This review covers exactly what you get, the spec details people get wrong, and where it wins or loses against the alternatives.

Who it is for

This bag fits one buyer especially well: someone who sleeps near the car and wants to be genuinely warm. The two-layer offset TechLoft synthetic fill and the cotton flannel liner trap heat the way no thin backpacking quilt can, and the oversized 38-inch width gives restless and side sleepers room to roll without pulling cold air in. Owners describe the weighted, plush feel as the closest a sleeping bag gets to their own bed.

It is less ideal if you carry your gear on your back. The Redwood weighs 11 lb 8 oz and rolls up full-width rather than compressing into a stuff sack, so it is a trunk-and-cabin bag, not a trail bag. If you are still deciding how warm a bag you actually need for your conditions, run your low overnight temperature through our sleeping bag warmth calculator before you buy: a -10F rating is far more bag than a mild summer weekend requires, and you can always vent a warm bag but you cannot add insulation to a cold one.

Full specifications

Spec	Detail
Kit Score	8.8 / 10 (researched, not lab-tested)
Temperature rating	-10F (-23C)
Bag shape	Rectangular
Insulation	TechLoft synthetic (two-layer offset)
Shell	100% cotton canvas
Liner	100% cotton flannel (plaid)
Weight	11 lb 8 oz
Dimensions (open)	80 x 38 in
Warranty	Lifetime
Price	$160–$185 (around $170 street)

The single spec people get wrong: this is a synthetic bag, not a down bag, despite the cold-weather rating. The warmth comes from a generous two-layer offset TechLoft fill and the heavy cotton construction, which is exactly why it is so warm and so heavy at the same time.

Pros and cons

What it does well:

• Exceptional warmth that is routinely reliable at sub-freezing temperatures, with verified warmth confirmed at 25F overnight in independent testing.
• Soft, weighted cotton flannel interior with virtually no cold spots, the part owners praise most.
• Oversized 38-inch width that suits restless and side sleepers who feel boxed in by mummy bags.
• Durable canvas and flannel build with offset stitching that keeps the insulation from shifting, backed by a lifetime warranty.

Where it falls short:

• Large packed size, since it rolls full-width rather than stuffing into a sack, which makes it unsuitable for backpacking.
• Heavy at 11 lb 8 oz, so it lives in the trunk and the cabin, not the pack.
• Cotton absorbs moisture quickly and dries slowly, so keep it dry and air it out after damp trips.

How it compares

Against the Kelty Cosmic Down 20, the trade is warmth and plushness versus weight and packability. The Cosmic Down 20 uses lighter down fill, packs down small, and is genuinely backpacking-friendly, which makes it the better pick if you ever carry your bag any distance or camp in milder three-season conditions. The Redwood gives up all of that portability and wins decisively on raw warmth, the bed-like flannel feel, and cold-weather comfort. If your camping happens within a few steps of the car in cold weather, the Redwood is the cozier choice.

Against the budget Coleman Brazos, the Redwood sits well above it on warmth, comfort, and build. The Brazos is the lowest-cost way to get a serviceable rectangular bag for mild nights, but it is not in the same class for sub-freezing temperatures and it lacks the flannel-and-canvas durability that earns the Redwood its lifetime warranty. At roughly $170, the Redwood costs more, but for cold-weather car camping it delivers clearly superior warmth, durability, and comfort.

For the full field, including lighter three-season options and budget picks scored the same way, our best sleeping bags for camping guide goes deeper, and the Redwood is our top overall pick there. To match any of these bags to the actual lows you expect to camp in, the sleeping bag warmth calculator is the fastest way to avoid buying too much or too little bag.

Frequently asked questions

Is the ALPS OutdoorZ Redwood -10 actually warm to -10F?

The Redwood is rated to -10F, and independent research ranked it first in warmth and comfort out of 17 camping bags, with verified warmth confirmed at 25F overnight. As with any temperature rating, the number is a survival-style limit rather than a comfort guarantee, so most people will sleep comfortably well above -10F. For genuine sub-freezing nights it has plenty of margin, which is the main reason it is our cold-weather car-camping pick.

Is the ALPS Redwood good for backpacking?

No. At 11 lb 8 oz and with a full-width roll rather than a compression stuff sack, the Redwood is a car-camping, hunting, and cabin bag. If you need to carry your bag on your back, look at a lighter down option like the Kelty Cosmic Down 20 instead.

Is the Redwood down or synthetic insulation?

It is synthetic, using a two-layer offset TechLoft fill rather than down. Synthetic insulation handles damp conditions better than down and keeps the cost down, though it is part of why this bag is heavier than a comparable down bag.

How big is the ALPS Redwood inside?

The bag opens to 80 by 38 inches, so the 38-inch width gives noticeably more room than a standard mummy bag. Restless sleepers and side sleepers tend to appreciate the extra space, and the rectangular shape lets two compatible bags zip together.

ALPS Redwood vs Kelty Cosmic Down 20: which should I buy?

Choose the Redwood if warmth and a plush, bed-like feel matter most and you camp near the car in cold weather. Choose the Kelty Cosmic Down 20 if you want a lighter, packable down bag that works for backpacking and milder three-season trips. The Redwood is warmer and cozier; the Kelty is lighter and more portable.

For the full field, including budget and three-season alternatives scored the same way, see our best sleeping bags for camping guide.