REI Hunkerdown 20 Sleeping Bag Review

Bottom Line

The REI Hunkerdown 20 is our number one pick on our best camping sleeping bags guide. It’s a new iteration of an old favorite – the prior version was called the REI Siesta – and the Hunkerdown gets a major upgrade: cushy 650-fp down insulation. This is a welcome change that lowers weight and increases packability – without sacrificing comfort or warmth. Senior Content Editor Ian Krammer’s tested the Hunkerdown to freezing temps in Colorado and Utah, and he gives it top scores in most metrics.

A spacious, rectangular fit, huge draft collar, and giant hood makes the Hunkerdown 20 super comfortable. Whether you’re a side or stomach-sleeper – or you prefer to sprawl – this bag is roomy enough for all sleeping styles. It comes in Medium and Long, and wide in both versions, to accommodate all body shapes and sizes. We love that it can quickly transform into a quilt thanks to the wrap-around zipper. The blanket-fold top, giant interior stash pocket, and cinchable opening keeps us reaching for the Hunkerdown time and again.

But, it comes with a few caveats. We find this one’s cold in temps below 35°F to 40°F, where we were reaching for extra layers. Additionally, its 3 lb. 7 oz. weight and slightly bulkier packed size might be a turnoff if you want a more packable down bag. We find the outer material is a bit slippery on some pads and mattresses, and it’s on the spendier side compared to similar synthetic car camping bags that cost less. But, these are small gripes – the Hunkerdown 20 is our top choice of the year. It delivers a plush, user-friendly, and warm sleeping experience for campers who want the best of the best when it comes to comfort and price.

Comfort

If you’re a 3-season camper, the REI Hunkerdown 20 delivers next-level comfort. Gear Analyst Ian Krammer’s favorite thing is the bag’s satisfying heft – it settles around your body like a blanket. A polyester lining is soft to the touch and makes it easy to relax. Ian’s an active sleeper, and he appreciates the roomy, rectangular shape for stretching, shifting, and rolling. The oversized hood easily fits a full-size pillow, too, so our domes were both warm and supported.

We love the blanketfold feature. On one side, there’s a partial zipper that extends about 12 inches. This allows campers to flip the entire collar down like a comforter on warm nights. When it’s cold, zip the Hunkerdown 20 all the way up on both sides, cinch down the hood, and tuck in the draft collar to block out chilly air. For added versatility, a smooth wraparound zipper allows the bag to transform into a cozy quilt for kicking it at the fire or sharing with a partner. 

We only have a few complaints about this bag. The fabric is luxurious, but it’s a bit slippery. That led to unwanted movement and a bit of sliding on a camping mattress when we rolled over. Additionally, Ian finds the down fill compresses and condenses faster than similar models. The baffles are wide, and after only a couple of uses the bag was noticeably flatter, although this hasn’t affected its performance. 

Warmth

The REI Hunkerdown 20 is a reliable and warm choice between 35°F and 70°F – perfect for late spring through early fall. Ian’s used it for car camping nights high in the Colorado Rockies where temps regularly dip into the low 40’s and upper 30’s. The oversized draft collar and tubes do a stellar job of sealing in warmth.

Down insulation is the star of the show , though: 600-fill power down is effective at retaining heat, even in damp conditions. Ian’s bag got wet one night when camping during a storm, but the bag dried off in no time. The insulated hood cinches snugly around our pillow and head for an extra layer of coziness from head to toe.

That said, the Hunkerdown’s warmth doesn’t live up to its 20°F rating. Testing in frigid Utah spring nights showed it is too cold below 35 to 40 °F, and we needed extra layers. The Hunkerdown 20’s square footbox sacrifices heat retention compared to snugger mummy-style options, leading to cold spots in the corners and a chill along the zippers.

Also, keep in mind that down requires a bit of extra maintenance. The Hunkerdown requires a down-specific wash to keep its loft and increase the longevity of the bag. It’s an easy process, but not as simple as synthetic options. Find out more in our How to Wash A Down Sleeping Bag Guide.

If you’re a fair-weather camper, though, these are small potatoes – most people will feel snug as a bug in the Hunkderdown 20 all summer long.

Packed Size

Despite the Hunkerdown’s larger profile and burly material, the compressible down insulation makes it reasonable for storing and carrying. The packed size is a bit bulky for a down bag, but still impressive on our camping bags list – about 8 inches by 12 inches for the medium version.

It weighs in the top half of the competition as well, at 3 pounds, 6.3 ounces. It’s both smaller and lighter compared to most synthetic car camping bags we’ve tested, so it fits almost anywhere, even with limited trunk space. You could take it backpacking in a pinch too, though it’s on the heavy side.

We like that REI includes a mesh stuff sack for long term storageand a smaller stuff sack for transport. The smaller storage is stretchy and includes a small handle on the bottom, making it easy to carry.

That said, for a down bag, it’s on the large and heavy side because of the thicker fabric and wider design. There are other down models we’ve tested that pack smaller and weigh less. That said, its weight and size are no issue when we’re car camping – it’s roominess is one of our favorite things.

Features

One of the reasons this bag takes our top spot is its thoughtful feature set. The Hunkerdown 20’s full-size hood, simple cinching mechanism, and partial zipper on one side make the opening highly customizable based on your sleep style, position, and temperature.

We love the silky smooth zippers, featuring long toggles for easy use even with gloves on. The low-snag tracks wrap around one corner to convert the bag into a quilt. We also appreciate the hook-and-loop patches at the top to prevent unzipping in the night.

Although this bag only has one internal stash pocket, it’s large enough to hold any sized phone. The pocket doesn’t have a closure, but this makes it easy to access the contents.

Our only complaint with the feature set comes down to the fabric. The outer polyester is a bit slippery on some mattresses and sleeping pads, which means you’ll move around more on certain sleeping surfaces. However, the polyester is highly water resistant and quiet. At the end of the day, the Hunkerdown lands in the Goldilocks Zone for features, delivering everything we need and then some.

Should You Buy the REI Hunkerdown 20?

The REI Hunkerdown 20 is an inclusive, comfy, and versatile down sleeping bag for almost any camper who wants comfort, space, and practical features. The roomy rectangular shape and smooth polyester fabric is comfy, and the 600 fp down retains heat well. A cinchable hood holds full-sized pillows for a bed-like vibe under the stars. The smooth wrap-around zipper, blanketfold collar, and storage pocket further cement its spot as a top choice for casual, comfort-focused camping trips. This one also packs up easily and doesn’t take up too much more room than other bags – plus, it comes with a mesh bag for storage.

However, the Hunkerdown 20 falls a bit short when it comes to warmth. Despite its 20°F ranking, it’s chilly below 35°F, with cold spots in the footbox. The packed size is a bit bulky and heavy versus other down options, which might not work for everyone’s needs. Down also requires a bit more maintenance than synthetic bags, and we find the material can feel a bit slippery. It’s also on the spendy side compared to synthetic bags we’ve tested that have similar designs but cost less than half the price.

However, for a down bag with this amount space and functionality, we think it’s an excellent value. For frontcountry and car campers who want a cozy, feature-packed spot to hunker down, we recommend the Hunkderdown 20. It’s a durable and cozy choice whether you need a short siesta or a long night of rejuvenating sleep.

What Other Camping Sleeping Bags Should You Consider?

Are you wondering how the REI Hunkerdown 20 stacks up against our other top picks? Find out on our best camping sleeping bags list. And consider these awesome alternatives:

Teton Sports Celsius Grand XXL Review: The Teton Sports Celsius Grand XXL shares the Hunkerdown’s wide hood, soft liner, and spacious design for a low price point. It uses synthetic insulation and materials that are much heavier and bulkier, although it’s far more durable and warmer.

The North Face Wawona 20 Review: The North Face Wawona is another big, cozy, rectangular bag with a soft interior and a simple feature set. It’s heavier, doesn’t have a hood and isn’t quite as cozy, but this model is an outstanding synthetic alternative for folks on a budget.

Therm-A-Rest 650 Review: This is a premium down mummy bag that has the ability to expand its footbox for more room at night, similar to the Hunkerdown. But this one is lighter and has more features, so we highly recommend the Boost 650 if you’re going both backpacking and car camping.