Best Budget Sleeping Bag Under $50

Coleman isn’t the only brand that can facilitate camping on a tight budget. At only $44.95, the Kelty Callisto 30 is excellent for weekend camping. There’s a certain point in cost-cutting where a product devolves from an inexpensive value into just being cheap, and thankfully, the Callisto 30 does not cross that line. At just under $45, this tight-budget bag is durable, the build quality is excellent, and the list of features makes it highly functional. While it won’t be able to serve as a regular backpacking sleeping bag, it should absolutely work for a camping trip or even a last-minute hiking trip as long—as it’s not too grueling. By managing to provide excellent value at a surprisingly low price, the Kelty Callisto 30 was a perfect fit for Best Budget Sleeping Bag Under $50.

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Coleman isn’t the only brand that can facilitate camping on a tight budget. Kelty’s varied product line also features offerings that make camping more affordable. At only $44.95, the Kelty Callisto 30 is great for weekend camping. We tried to determine if the Callisto 30 was a big enough step up from our other tight-budget sleeping bag, the Coleman Brazos, and we were pleased with what we found. By managing to provide excellent value at a surprisingly low price, the Kelty Callisto 30 was a perfect fit for Best Budget Sleeping Bag Under $50.

Warmth

The Callisto 30 is rated for 30°F (-1°C) thanks to a decent helping of CloudLoft synthetic insulation wrapped up in a 190T polyester taffeta shell and liner. The liner utilizes a double-layered, offset quilted construction. This particular style is intended to limit heat loss by ensuring that the stitching does not extend through the liner to the insulation and compromises its ability to keep out the cold. We found that the Callisto 30 was excellent for milder or moderately chilly temperatures. Still, we would hesitate to call this a proper three-season sleeping bag since the 30° temperature rating is perhaps a bit optimistic.

Comfort

The CloudLoft synthetic insulation offers up a decent degree of cushioning, while the taffeta liner is both smooth and soft. Dimensions for this bag are only 72″ x 34″, so anyone taller than 5’11” will probably want to look elsewhere. The 68” girth is also decent but probably not suitable for anyone of Amazonian proportions. All in all, we weren’t blown away by the comfort of the Callisto 30, but at the same time, it’s more than reasonable for the asking price.

Weight & Packed Size

The measured weight for this bag was 4.2lb, which is practically identical to the Brazos. While it won’t win any awards for lightweight design, we definitely didn’t mind a few extra ounces since we’re more likely to toss this into our trunk than heft it onto our backs. Much like with the Coleman Brazos, the compression volume for the Callisto is also a tad irrelevant. While it could be used as a last-resort backpacking sleeping bag, its weight and compressibility make it much more suitable as a car-camping or weekend sleeping bag. Still, the included stuff sack makes pack-up quick, thanks to the sleeping bag’s silky taffeta shell.

Features

One of the biggest surprises we found with the Callisto 30 was how many handy features Kelty managed to pack into it. There’s a handy stash pocket for your cell phone, a water-resistant shell with a DWR coating (something the Brazos could desperately use), and even exterior loops for hanging. The locking anti-snag zippers enable this bag to fully unzip to use as a blanket, or you can zip two Callisto bags together for a double-wide bag that big enough for snuggling or those of us (like myself) who have more of a “nomadic” sleep style. Best of all, the Callisto 30 comes with a lifetime warranty.

The Bottom Line

There’s a certain point in cost-cutting where a product devolves from an inexpensive value into just being cheap, and thankfully, the Callisto 30 does not cross that line. At just under $45, this tight-budget bag felt significantly more versatile than the Brazos and well worth the ten extra dollars. It’s durable, the build quality is excellent, and the list of features makes this bag highly functional. While it won’t be able to serve as a regular backpacking sleeping bag, it should absolutely work for a camping trip or even a last-minute hiking trip as long as it’s not too grueling.

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