ALPS OUTDOORZ Redwood -10 Sleeping Bag Review

Bottom Line

The ALPS OutdoorZ Redwood -10 is one of the heaviest and warmest bags on our best camping sleeping bags guide. If you’re a year-round car camper, winter day hiker, or just a cold-weather enthusiast, the Redwood is a great pick for staying comfy and warm between 5°F and 35°F. Gear Analyst Ian Krammer used this massive, burly model on dozens of frigid car camping trips in Colorado, Utah and Arizona between November and March.

This thing is a cross between a weighted comforter and a bedroll. With thick Techloft insulation, soft flannel lining, and a roomy fit, it’s hand-built for the coldest nights. A durable canvas exterior handles years of wear and tear. The Redwood has a wrap-around zipper to open up like a giant blanket, offering versatility for sprawling out or sharing warmth. It represents an exceptional value for bone-chilling and dry nights.

However, the Redwood has trade-offs. Its heavy weight and massive packed size make transport and storage a challenge. We also don’t recommend using it in wet, damp, or humid conditions, as the canvas absorbs water and dries slowly. And, this is a cold-weather only bag. The insulation is overkill for anything but the lowest temp, so it’s impractical for summer conditions. Additionally, the Redwood lacks a hood and draft collar. And, it can be difficult to purchase – it’s only available at certain points of the year. But if you can get your hands on it, the Redwood -10 offers incredible warmth and top-of-the-line comfort for cold sleepers and year-round adventurers.

Comfort

When it comes to comfort, the ALPS OutdoorZ Redwood -10 is a winner. Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer’s favorite thing about the Redwood is its incredibly thick and heavy synthetic Techloft insulation. This polyester fill creates a lofty, plush and supportive feel. And, you won’t find a comfier inner lining on any bag – the nostalgic and toasty-warm flannel is soft and inviting, adding an extra layer of coziness for a restful sleep night after night. 

The Redwood is super heavy and mimics the calming feel of a weighted blanket. We love the enormous width, spacious for all sleeping positions – stretch out like a starfish or toss and turn without feeling restricted. Plus, it fully unzips into a blanket for a range of sleeping setups, including a big, warm blanket for two. And for those who like to cuddle, two Redwoods can be zipped together for maximum shared warmth.

That said, the Redwood -10 isn’t perfect. It doesn’t have a hood, which detracts from the overall coziness. Also, this is a huge bag that doesn’t work in smaller tents – it’s over 6 and a half feet long – so you’ll want to measure both your shelter and mattress before purchasing. That said, these are small gripes. Anyone looking for maximum comfort will find what they want in the Redwood -10.

Warmth

If you want a warm bag for dry, cold conditions, you’ve found it. Few sleeping bags match the ALPS OutdoorZ Redwood -10 warmth in dry environments, and it’s excellent for staying warm on bitterly cold nights. The Techloft synthetic insulation traps heat efficiently, even when temps dip into the single digits. A simple cinch cord at the top of the bag helps reduce heat loss, and a thick Velcro patch at the top of the bag locks the zipper securely in place. The bag’s intense weight and burly canvas shell act as a solid barrier against the chill, and the thick draft tubes along the zipper minimize heat loss. For winter campers, cold sleepers, and people worried about heat retention on the bitterly cold nights, this sleeping bag is an exceptional choice.

There are downsides to the Redwood’s warmth, though. For us, the lowest comfort limit is around 5°F. Below that, it feels chilly. The lack of a hood further compromises heat retention around the head and shoulders, and the rectangular design can lead to cold spots in the corners. Opt for a mummy-style option on super cold nights instead.

On the flipside, it’s simply too warm above 35°F. We don’t recommend it for summer conditions, as we’ve nearly melted in this bag on balmy and warm evenings.

Finally, the exterior cotton-blend shell absorbs moisture like a sponge, so it’s not the best for wet conditions. During a January trip to the Arizona desert in 8°F to 28°F conditions, Ian found condensation caused the Redwood to become so damp that it failed to dry out. Over three days, this created a potentially dangerous issue in extreme winter weather. We no longer bring the Redwood along on trips with higher humidity or moisture in the forecast.

Packed Size

This one has the biggest packed size of any on our guide. At roughly 3 feet by 1 foot, and weighing over 11 pounds, the Redwood -10 prioritizes warmth over portability. Its thick synthetic insulation and durable canvas exterior means it takes up a lot of trunk space and gear rooms, leaving little room for other gear. 

It’s also not the easiest to carry. ALPS OutdoorZ doesn’t include a stuff sack or duffle, although three thick, strong nylon compression straps make it easier to haul. The downside of these straps is they are long, and dangle off the end in a pile when the bag is unrolled. They’re also a bit cumbersome to use when rolling the bag up – although they’re strong and hold tension well.

The Redwood -10’s size, weight, and slow pack-up process is what pushed it to the bottom of our camping sleeping bag guide. You won’t find a cushier or cozier bag anywhere, so this isn’t a dealbreaker – but you’ll need to account for the space it takes up.

Features

The ALPS OutdoorZ Redwood -10 has a no-frills features set that works for cold weather. The flannel-lined interior is a nostalgic throwback to classic camping gear, and its rectangular shape provides plenty of room to spread out for side and stomach sleepers. It completely unzips to transform into a large blanket. The hook-and-loop patch keeps the zipper in place when inside the bag, a simple cinch cord tightens the bag around your neck, and a double zipper allows easy entry and ventilation adjustments to avoid overheating on milder nights.

However, the lack of features also lowers the Redwood -10’s overall score. This model doesn’t have a hood or a draft collar, leaving your head exposed to cold air, and the coating isn’t water-resistant, making it vulnerable to moisture buildup. We also find the three long compression straps tend to get in the way when the bag is deployed. It’s also missing a storage pocket for small essentials like a phone or flashlight.

Still, we don’t mind the simplicity of this bag too much – it is just so comfy and warm. When we’re headed into seriously cold conditions on dry nights in the backcountry, the Redwood -10 is one of our top picks for a cushy, cozy, and toasty sleep experience.

Should You Buy the ALPS OutdoorZ Redwood -10?

The ALPS OutdoorZ Redwood -10°F sleeping bag is for car campers, cold sleepers, and year-round adventurers who want warmth and comfort over portability and features. With its soft flannel lining, roomy rectangular shape, and hefty weight, this bag blends the bulk of a bedroll with the comfort of a weighted blanket for frigid nights. Its durable canvas exterior resists abrasions and punctures, making it a good pick for car campers, winter hikers, hunters, and bushcrafters who don’t mind bulkier gear. It unzips completely into a blanket for ultimate versatility, and thick synthetic insulation offers warmth well below freezing. If you’re camping in dry, chilly conditions and want top-tier durability and plush comfort, the Redwood is a real standout.

However, this sleeping bag isn’t the best choice for folks with limited storage or for use in wet and humid places. Its lack of water resistance makes it vulnerable to moisture, and the absence of a hood and draft collar limits its performance. At 11.5 pounds and with a very large packed size, the Redwood’s weight and bulk can make it impractical for stashing in a trunk or gear closet. If you need a compact, lightweight sleeping bag with modern conveniences like a pillow pocket or interior storage, this isn’t the one for you.

It’s also worth noting that the Redwood -10 can be difficult to find in stock, as it’s only available 6 to 8 months of the year. However, if you’re patient, this bag is one of our top picks when it comes to comfort and warmth camping between October and April – and comes at a reasonable price, too.

What Other Camping Sleeping Bags Should You Consider?

Head over to our guide to the best camping sleeping bags to find out how the ALPS Outdoor Redwood compares to the others. Also, consider these other options: 

Teton Sports The Celsius Grand XXL Review – The Celsius Grand XXL also has synthetic insulation, impressive warmth, and a bulky rectangular shape. This one is lighter, more affordable, more water resistant, and available year round.

The North Face Wawona 20 Review – The North Face Wawona 20 offers a similarly cozy lining and rectangular shape as the Redwood -10°F. It’s not as warm or heavy, but it’s a cozy bag for summer months and mild weather.

REI Siesta Hooded 20 Review – The Siesta Hooded 20 has the same shape and comfortable feel, especially if you like to spread out. However, it’s lighter, just as affordable, and handles wet conditions better – plus it has a big hood.