Therm-A-Rest Space Cowboy 45F/7C Sleeping Bag review: a sturdy and affordable synthetic bag for summer sleeping

Therm-A-Rest Space Cowboy 45F/7C Sleeping Bag: first impressions

Therm-A-Rest tout this sleeping bag as providing worry-free warmth, and at least for summer camping when rain or morning dew are an issue, that’s true. With a comfort rating of 52F/11C and a limit rating of 45F/7C, it does provide ample warmth for summer camping and it’s made from the same soft fabric we’ve come to expect from Therm-A-Rest. Because this bag is made using synthetic down, it has two major advantages: first, it’s quick drying and continues to insulate when wet, so there’s no need to worry about damp mornings, and second, it’s considerably cheaper than down alternatives in the same range.

Now, synthetic bags don’t pack down as much as down, but this one comes in a storage sack that doubles as a stuff sack, and it’s certainly possible to take this backpacking, but the lack of compression straps mean it’s a little bulky, while the packed size is certainly no issue for car camping. The dual-purpose sack also means less materials are used in the production of this bag, which combined with the use of recycled materials makes for a kinder carbon footprint. A nice touch is the addition of two straps that connect to your sleeping pad to keep you from rolling off in the night, improving warmth and comfort. Anti-snag zippers help to improve the durability of this robust bag, and while we wondered if the foot box couldn’t be a little roomier, we think it’s great value for money if you’re seeking a good quality summer bag.

Therm-A-Rest Space Cowboy 45F/7C Sleeping Bag: in the field

I’m still relatively new to synthetic sleeping bags, but they’ve certainly come a long way since the 1980s and I’m beginning to view them as a serious contender for camping, thanks to good quality bags like the Space Cowboy.

This sleeping bag is definitely designed for summer camping and this summer, we’ve had a lot of wet weather, so I’ve been quite happy to get to fend off the elements in a synthetic bag. This bag has a DWR finish that keeps dampness at bay, dries super quickly and most importantly of all, stays warm when wet so I haven’t spent the cool, damp mornings shivering away.

It’s not exactly packed with features, but one detail I really like are the two straps that connect it to my sleeping bag so that I don’t roll of it in the night and wake up cold and uncomfortable. In terms of the fabric and coziness, I generally find Therma-A-Rest’s sleeping bags to feel extra soft and this one is no exception. That said, I can’t help but think the foot box is just a tad too narrow for comfort, and I’ve noticed this before with their other bags. Of course, that means my feet stay toasty all night, but I feel I could benefit from an extra inch or two.

It comes with a storage sack that has two draw cords and doubles as a stuff sack. I like that this means less materials are used, plus the storage sack compresses it a little, which means it doesn’t take up so much room in my closet. It certainly doesn’t pack down as small as my down bag, and I can’t get it down as small as the advertised 10in x 8in but it still gets respectably small – compression straps would help.

It’s not the most breathable bag I’ve ever tried out, though it’s sometimes hard to tell with Scottish humidity, but fortunately in the summer I usually unzip my bag anyway. It’s a good quality bag and not nearly as fragile as my down bags, and despite its simple design I think it’s great value for money if you’re looking for a summer-only bag.

Here’s how it performed:

Comfort

Cozy and soft fabric, but the foot box might be a little snug for some.

Warmth

Plenty warm for summer camping, but not suitable for cold nights. 

Weather resistance 

Good DWR coating repels moisture and if it gets soaked, it’s fast drying and stays warm.

Packability 

Doesn’t pack down as small as advertised, though you could use an existing compression sack with straps to help with that.

Breathability

Not the most breathable sleeping bag out there, you might need to unzip and kick a leg out.

Durability 

Anti-snag zipper, sturdy fabric and no leaking feathers ensure this will hold up against sharp sticks and rough adventures.

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