REI Co-op Trailbreak 30 Sleeping Bag Review: The Budget Backpacker’s Best Friend?

Finding a sleeping bag that balances weight, warmth, and price is one of the toughest gear decisions new backpackers face. The REI Co-op Trailbreak 30 Sleeping Bag has quietly earned a reputation as one of the best entry-level options on the market, racking up over 3,500 reviews on Amazon with a 4.5-star average rating. At just $59.95, it undercuts most backpacking-worthy bags by a significant margin.

So what exactly do you get for sixty bucks? A synthetic-insulated mummy bag rated to 30°F with ISO-tested temperature ratings, water-resistant fill, and a packed weight under 3 pounds. It is designed for three-season use and aimed squarely at beginners, budget-conscious backpackers, and anyone who needs a reliable bag for Scout trips, summer camps, or occasional weekend adventures. We spent several weeks testing the Trailbreak 30 across a range of conditions to find out whether it truly delivers on its promises — or whether that low price tag comes with too many compromises.

Key Specifications

Design and Build Quality

The Trailbreak 30 follows a classic mummy silhouette with a 62-inch shoulder girth and 56-inch hip girth on the men’s regular — snug enough to retain heat without feeling overly restrictive. The shell is a polyester taffeta that feels reasonably durable, though it lacks the silky hand-feel you find on bags twice this price. REI went with a straightforward stitch-through baffle construction to keep costs down, which means there is some potential for cold spots along the seams at lower temperatures.

What impressed us is the feature set for the price. The three-panel hood cinches down effectively and includes differentiated drawcords — one elastic, one corded — so you can adjust by feel in the dark without a headlamp. There is a full-length draft tube behind the zipper, a face muffler to block cold air from creeping in around the collar, and a small zippered stash pocket near the hood for a phone or headlamp. The zipper runs about three-quarters of the bag’s length, which limits ventilation options on warmer nights but keeps the weight down. Build quality is solid for the price, though a few users have reported occasional zipper snags along the draft tube.

Real-World Performance

Temperature Test — 38°F Overnight: We first tested the Trailbreak 30 on a late-September night in the Catskills where overnight lows dipped to 38°F. Sleeping on a 3.5 R-value pad and wearing a midweight base layer, the bag kept us comfortably warm through the night with no noticeable cold spots. The draft tube did its job, and we only woke once — to loosen the hood because we were actually a bit warm at around 2 AM when temps were still hovering near 42°F. At this temperature range, the Trailbreak 30 performs confidently and without any caveats.

Temperature Test — 28°F Overnight: Pushing the bag below its rated limit on a November trip in the White Mountains told a different story. At 28°F, we added a fleece liner and a down jacket worn inside the bag. Without those additions, we started feeling cold within 90 minutes of settling in, particularly around the shoulders and feet. The stitch-through baffles became a clear weak point here, with noticeable cool lines along the seams. The ISO comfort rating of 38°F seems far more honest than the marketed 30°F limit. Plan to use this bag comfortably down to about 35-40°F, and bring supplemental warmth below that.

Moisture Resistance Test: We intentionally introduced moisture by placing a damp towel near the footbox for four hours during a controlled indoor test. The water-resistant synthetic fill dried noticeably faster than a comparably priced down bag we tested alongside — regaining approximately 85% of its loft within 2 hours of air drying, compared to the down bag’s 50% in the same time frame. For backpackers who encounter rain, condensation, or humid conditions, this is a genuine advantage of the Trailbreak 30’s synthetic insulation.

Pack Size & Weight Test: Using the included stuff sack, we consistently packed the regular-size bag down to roughly 7 x 12 inches in about 45 seconds. The compressed volume of 5.7 liters is respectable for a synthetic bag at this price. Our kitchen scale registered the regular at 2 lbs 11 oz with the stuff sack, about 3 ounces over REI’s listed spec of 2 lbs 8 oz. That is still under 3 pounds, which makes it a viable option for backpacking trips where every ounce does not need to be optimized. However, if you are counting grams for longer thru-hikes, this is not the bag for you — premium synthetics and down alternatives in this temperature range can come in at 1.5 to 2 pounds.

REI Co-op Trailbreak 30 Sleeping Bag vs the Competition

The Kelty Cosmic 20 is the clear upgrade pick if your budget stretches to $150. It uses real 550-fill down insulation, weighs 4 ounces less, and feels noticeably more comfortable against the skin thanks to its silky polyester lining. The semi-rectangular mummy shape gives you more room in the footbox too. Where the Kelty loses ground is in wet conditions — down insulation collapses when damp, while the Trailbreak 30’s synthetic fill keeps performing. If you primarily camp in dry conditions and want a bag that can cross over into lightweight backpacking, the Kelty is worth the premium.

The TETON Sports Celsius looks impressive on paper with its 0°F rating, but that is a survival rating, not an ISO-tested comfort rating. Expect realistic comfort closer to 25-30°F. At nearly 5 pounds, it is a car-camping-only proposition. The Coleman Palmetto 30 at $35 is the ultimate budget option and a perfectly fine choice for car camping or sleepovers, but at 3 pounds with a rectangular shape and no mummy hood efficiency, it is not a backpacking bag. The Trailbreak 30 occupies the sweet spot: light enough to actually carry on your back, warm enough for three-season use, and priced low enough that it does not sting when you eventually upgrade.

Who Should Buy the REI Co-op Trailbreak 30 Sleeping Bag

• First-time backpackers who need a capable three-season bag without spending $150+ before they know whether they will stick with the hobby.
• Scout leaders and camp counselors who need affordable, durable bags that can handle some abuse, rain, and frequent use without requiring delicate down care.
• Summer and early-fall campers who rarely encounter temperatures below 35°F and want a lightweight synthetic option under 3 pounds.
• Wet-climate backpackers in the Pacific Northwest, Appalachians, or other humid regions where synthetic insulation’s moisture resistance is a real advantage over budget down bags.
• Anyone building a loaner gear closet — at $60, this is one of the best bags to keep on hand for friends and family who want to tag along on camping trips.

Who Should Skip the REI Co-op Trailbreak 30 Sleeping Bag

• Cold sleepers or winter campers — the realistic comfort limit is closer to 38°F than the advertised 30°F. If you regularly camp in temperatures below freezing, invest in a 20°F bag with continuous baffles.
• Ultralight backpackers and thru-hikers — at 2 lbs 11 oz, this bag is nearly a full pound heavier than premium synthetic bags in the same temperature range, and the 5.7-liter packed volume will eat significant pack space on longer trips.
• Comfort-focused sleepers — the polyester taffeta lining feels noticeably coarser than the silk-touch fabrics used in the Kelty Cosmic or REI’s own higher-end Magma line. If lining texture matters to you, this bag may feel scratchy.
• Tall users over 6’4″ — even the Long version only fits up to 78 inches (6’6″), and users over 6’2″ report a tight fit with limited room in the footbox when wearing socks or booties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the REI Co-op Trailbreak 30 good for backpacking?

Yes, with caveats. At 2 lbs 11 oz and 5.7 liters compressed, it is light and compact enough for weekend backpacking trips and even some longer outings. It is not competitive with ultralight options in the 1.5-2 pound range, but for the price, it is one of the lightest budget bags that can legitimately go in a backpack rather than a car trunk. Pair it with a sleeping pad rated R-3 or higher for best results.

REI Co-op Trailbreak 30 vs Kelty Cosmic 20: which is better?

It depends on your budget and conditions. The Kelty Cosmic 20 ($150) is the better overall bag — lighter, warmer, more comfortable, and more compressible thanks to 550-fill down. However, the Trailbreak 30 costs less than half as much and outperforms the Kelty in wet conditions because synthetic insulation retains warmth when damp. For beginners who are not sure they will camp regularly, the Trailbreak 30 at $60 is the smarter first purchase.

What temperature is the REI Trailbreak 30 actually comfortable to?

Despite the 30°F rating, the ISO-tested comfort rating is 38°F for the men’s version and 31°F for the women’s version. In our testing, we found the men’s bag genuinely comfortable down to about 35-40°F without supplemental layers. Below that, you will want a fleece liner or a warm base layer to stay comfortable. The 30°F limit rating means you will survive at that temperature, not sleep soundly.

Can you wash the REI Co-op Trailbreak 30 in a washing machine?

REI recommends front-loading machine washing on a gentle cycle with a technical fabric cleaner like Nikwax Tech Wash. Avoid top-loading agitator machines, which can damage the baffles and insulation. Tumble dry on low heat with a couple of clean tennis balls to help restore loft. We have washed our test unit three times over the review period with no noticeable loss in loft or warmth retention.

Our Verdict

Score: 8.4/10

The REI Co-op Trailbreak 30 Sleeping Bag does exactly what a budget gear piece should do: it removes price as a barrier to entry without making dangerous compromises on performance. At $59.95, it is ISO-tested, lightweight enough for actual backpacking, and built with water-resistant synthetic insulation that works reliably in the damp, unpredictable conditions that beginners are most likely to encounter. The 4.5-star average across 3,500+ amazon reviews is well earned.

Where it falls short is where all budget gear falls short — in temperature accuracy, lining comfort, and weight efficiency. The 30°F rating is optimistic, the polyester lining is coarse, and there are lighter options if you are willing to pay for them. But those are known compromises at this price point, not dealbreakers. If you are getting into backpacking and want to keep your total gear investment under $500, the Trailbreak 30 is one of the smartest places to save money. Buy it, use it hard for a season or two, and when you know what you actually need from a sleeping bag, upgrade with confidence. This is a bag that earns its place in the budget gear hall of fame.

Pros:

• Exceptional value at $59.95 — one of the cheapest ISO-tested backpacking bags available
• Water-resistant synthetic insulation retains warmth in damp and humid conditions
• Lightweight enough for backpacking at 2 lbs 11 oz with a 5.7-liter packed volume
• Thoughtful features for the price: 3-panel hood, draft tube, stash pocket, differentiated drawcords
• Available in both men’s and women’s versions with gender-specific insulation and sizing

Cons:

• Real-world comfort temperature is closer to 38°F than the advertised 30°F
• Polyester taffeta lining feels noticeably coarser and less comfortable than competing bags
• Three-quarter-length zipper limits ventilation on warmer nights
• Stitch-through baffle construction creates cold spots at lower temperatures