Coleman Stratus Fleece Liner

This liner will add warmth to your sleeping bag without breaking the bank. Unzipped, it can also serve as a blanket. Nothing special here — it just gets the job done.

I have had this fleece sleeping bag for over a year now. I originally got it because I don't have a winter sleeping bag, and so I wanted to make my current three-season bag warmer for a winter camping trip. This has turned out to be a pretty good purchase for me, as I've used it for more than just winter camping.

Let's start with the good:

The dimensions of this bag are 33"x75", so it will fit most people. I'm 5'11" and 135 lbs. so I have a lot of extra room in it. Being polyester fleece, I find it pretty soft and comfortable, and the zipper on it has nice big teeth so it doesn't snag which is a huge plus for me...I hate snagging zippers!  

It's also nice that fleece airs out quite nicely and I try to hang it outside before I camp so it smells fresh...just a homey comfort thing.

There are really no special features for this bag. It's just fleece, a zipper, and an elastic band that keeps it rolled when packed. Coleman is known for making decent inexpensive stuff, and in terms of durability, this has satisfied my expectations.

I actually use it a lot more than I anticipated. I've used it as a liner for my sleeping bad during the winter, adding an extra 10-12 degrees. I've also used it in the summer, as it keeps me warm to about 50 degrees. This helps me shave some weight in the summer, and I actually use it a lot.  

When unzipped, it also makes a good blanket. I like to toss it out in the yard to read. It's also machine washable, so there are no hassles to get it clean. In fact, you may want to wash it as soon as you'd get it. When I got mine, it smelled like chemicals, and I didn't want to sleep in it when it smelled like that.

Now for the bad:

Fleece creates static electricity and sticks to a lot of things. Stuffed into my mummy bag, this took up a lot of room and got all twisted around as I tried to get myself situated to sleep. While lightweight, fleece is not very compact, and it is pretty bulky considering it is really a liner or a warm weather bag. Folded and rolled, the dimensions measure about 11" tall and about 6" in diameter.

Another thing about fleece is that, if you're using it by itself, wind and moisture go right through it, so make sure you're well protected from the elements when you use it.

Overall, there's nothing special about this product, but it does its job well. Yes, there are lighter, more compact liners out there, but this can serve for more than just a liner. And for the price, it's easy to get your money's worth out of it.

I'd recommend this to someone who camps/backpacks on a tight budget or is looking for a lightweight summer bag.