The North Face Wawona Sleeping Bag Review

Bottom Line

The North Face Wawona Bed 20 is an Editor’s Pick on our guide to the best sleeping bags. We love its cozy, durable, and affordable design for summer nights. This one is one of Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer’s go-to’s for 3-season adventures near the car. He’s spent more than 30 nights in the Wawona 20 between May and October in the Colorado Rockies. He loves the roomy rectangular shape. It’s design works for side-sleepers, tosser-turners, and anyone who likes to stretch out.

We like the simple feature set: cinch tabs at the neck, draft tubes, and single internal stash pocket . A smooth zipper with oversized tabs makes getting in and out fast, and it unzips on the opposite side to fold down like a blanket. The Wawona also zips all the way open – transforming into a comforter – perfect for sharing. That said, you can also zip together two Wawonas for spooning heat with a dog bff or partner.

But, this is not the bag for cold weather, so we’d save it for the 40°F – 70°F range. It lacks a hood and the draft tube isn’t the thickest for colder nights. Also, the Wawona 20 is heavy and bulky for storing, and doesn’t come with a mesh stuff sack. That said, if you’re looking for a long-lasting, comfy, and affordable option for summer, this simple bag is one of our faves for relaxed frontcountry camping.

Comfort

If you’re on the hunt for a simple, comfy bag, the Wawona Bed 20 checks most boxes. Gear Analyst Ian Krammer’s favorite thing about this model is the ultra-soft fleece lining near the top that feels like slipping into your favorite sheets at home. A 15-inch side zipper on one side allows sleepers to fold the top edge down like a blanket for a reminder of home. Ian switches positions between back, side, and stomach all night, so he loves the wide rectangular shape. That means there’s a ton of room for rolling over and stretching out.

The lower half of the bag has a polyester taffeta that’s smooth and comfy, and retains heat well even with the spacious rectangular shape. The oversized zipper tabs are easy to locate, even in the dark and with gloves on. Plus, the smooth zipper track allows you to vent the bag or open it fully into a blanket for hanging around camp. Ian loves its ability to zip together with another Wawona – he regularly brings along an extra Wawona for his 50-pound blue heeler, Blodgett, without fighting for space.

On the downside, there’s no hood. That means most nights, we wear a hat or hood to keep our heads cozy. Also, pillows tend to move more compared to bags with hoods, which can be uncomfortable in the night. But, we don’t mind too much. This bag is comfy for summer car camping adventures.

Warmth

The Wawona 20 is a good choice in mild summer conditions between 40°F and 70°F. The soft fleece lining at the top adds an extra layer of coziness to keep your upper body snug. We love the partial zipper on one side to flop the edge over like a blanket on warm nights, or zip to the top and cinch the collar to retain heat. Plus, a two-way zipper hooks across the footbox for good temperature control – open it on warm nights to stick out a foot and cool down, or unzip completely and use the bag like a giant blanket. 

Synthetic insulation retains heat in damp weather, too, making it reliable during dewy mornings or light rain. Ian’s used the Wawona Bed in southern Colorado’s Sangre De Cristo Range, where he woke up to a sleeping bag soaked with dew. He found the Wawona Bed stayed impressively warm, and dried quickly – only two hours.

But this simple, classic design might fall short for some campers. It doesn’t have a hood to retain warmth, so we’d save it for warmer weather. The neck and zipper draft tubes are minimal, so we can occasionally feel the chill creeping in. Ian finds the Wawona 20 isn’t the warmest choice below 40°F, so you’ll want base layers when temps dip into the 30’s. But, these are minor gripes – we keep coming back to this bag because it’s a cozy, reliable pick for a comfy night’s sleep in moderate warm conditions.

Packed Size

The Wawona Bed 20 strikes a balance between durability and practicality. When packed, its sizing is average, landing almost exactly in the middle of our guide compared to the competition. This model is 4 pounds, 14.3 ounces and measures 10 by 19 inches – big enough that you’ll need to reserve space, but small enough it fits in most camping set ups. Multiple bags don’t take up a ton of space – perfect for groups and families. We do wish there was a mesh stuff sack included for long-term storage, though getting it back in the cylindrical bag is easy.

Features

The Wawona’s simple feature set is part of its charm. A smooth zipper track includes huge tabs, making it easy to operate in the dark. A partial zipper on one side allows for a cozy blanket-fold on warmer nights. Two cinch tabs at the top tighten the collar around the neck and shoulders on cooler nights. For couples and families, its zip-together compatibility is awesome. Plus, this bag has a large internal fabric pocket for easy access to a headlamp, chapstick, keys or a phone.

That said, it’s missing premium features. It doesn’t have a hood, pillow pocket, or pad sleeves. But, none of these issues are dealbreakers for us. For this price, you can outfit an entire family for the price of a single high-end bag, and we’ve come to love the simplified design.

Should You Buy The North Face Wawona 20?

Summer frontcountry campers will find everything they need in the Wawona 20 – it’s an excellent budget-friendly sleeping bag for car campers, families, and beyond. Its roomy design is relaxing and comfortable without feeling cramped, with fleece lining at the top and taffeta at the bottom that’s as cozy as our beds at home. The smooth zipper, fold-down collar, and internal pocket cover the basics of what we want in a summer sleeping bag. We love that it can be zipped to other Wawonas, or opened fully into a blanket. Plus, the affordable price point makes this one ideal for those new to camping – or as a backup.

However, this model isn’t an ultra-premium bag with lots of features. It’s a fairly straightforward and traditional design for summer camping, and falls short in colder temperatures due to the thinner synthetic insulation, lack of a hood and minimalist draft tubes. The bag’s weight and bulk are average, so it’s not the smallest or lightest out there. That said, we’re big fans of the Wawona Bed 20. It’s a solid choice for those seeking a spacious, cost-effective bag for summer camping, and it will last for years of comfortable outdoor adventures.

What Other Camping Sleeping Bags Should You Consider?

Pop over to our best camping sleeping bags list to learn how the Wawona Bed 20 compares to others. And consider these other top picks: 

REI Siesta Hooded 20: The Siesta Hooded 20 matches the Wawona’s affordable price point and ability to completely unzip. What sets it apart? It’s warmer, has a hood, and is more durable, although it’s a bit more expensive.

Teton Sports Celsius Grand XXL 0F Review: The Teton Sports Celsius Grand XXL 0F has a similar rectangular shape and plush interior. However, this one includes a massive hood and far better warmth for colder conditions at a value price.

Coleman Brazos Review: The Coleman Brazos is very similar to the Wawona 20: it’s a hoodless rectangular sleeping bag with a soft interior. It’s much more affordable, but not as warm or durable. It’s best if you camp a few times a year and don’t need anything fancy.