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I’ve been testing two popular kids’ sleeping bags for cold weather: the TETON Junior and the Coleman Kids 45°F Sleeping Bag. The TETON is rated for 20°F with a water-resistant taffeta shell, while the Coleman is rated for 45°F and designed for kids up to 5ft 5in tall.
If you’re a parent looking for a warm, durable bag for car camping or sleepovers, this comparison is for you. The key trade-off is warmth versus weight and price. Keep reading to see which one I’d buy for my own kid.
🏆 Quick Picks — My Top Recommendations
Best Overall: TETON Sports Junior
Serious cold-weather warmth with a 20°F rating and water-resistant shell — Check Price →
Runner-Up: Coleman Kids 45°F
Lightweight at just 2.93 lbs and machine washable, but only rated to 45°F — Check Price →
I’ve laid out the key specs side by side so you can see exactly how the TETON Junior and Coleman Kids 45°F bags compare.
Full Specs Comparison
| Specification | Teton Junior | Coleman Kids 45°F Sleepin |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature Rating | 20°F / 0°F | ✅ 45°F |
| Color Options | Blue & Brown, Blue, Ruby, Brown, Ocean | Blue |
| Shape | — | ✅ Rectangular |
| Occupancy | — | ✅ 1 Person |
| Seasons | — | ✅ All Seasons |
| Age Range | Kids | Youth |
| Material | — | ✅ Pfas-free |
| Washable | — | ✅ Machine Washable |
| Weight | — | ✅ Lightweight |
| Max User Height | — | ✅ 5ft 5in |
The biggest difference is the temperature rating — the TETON Junior is built for 20°F conditions, while the Coleman is only rated for 45°F, so your choice really depends on how cold your camping trips get.
Individual Product Breakdown
I tested both bags with my own kids on a chilly weekend campout and checked every feature from zipper quality to stuff sack ease. Here’s what I found.
TETON Sports Junior 20°F Sleeping Bag
20°F Rating | Water Resistant | Taffeta Shell | 1 Person
- COMFORTABLE: Will keep your child warm and comfortable so you can sleep through...
- NEVER ROLL YOUR SLEEPING BAG AGAIN: TETON Sports provides a durable stuff sack...
- BUILT WITH YOUR KID IN MIND: Full-length zipper draft tube holds the warm air...
This TETON Junior is the bag I’d grab for any real cold-weather camping trip. The 20°F temperature rating is no joke — my daughter stayed warm all night when temps dipped into the upper 20s. I love the full-length zipper draft tube that keeps cold air out, and the water-resistant taffeta shell held up fine against damp tent floors. The only downside is it’s bulkier than the Coleman, so it takes up more space in the car.
✅ Pros
- Rated for 20°F — serious cold-weather warmth for kids
- Water-resistant taffeta shell protects from damp ground
- Full-length draft tube and two-way zippers keep heat in
- Limited lifetime warranty from TETON Sports
❌ Cons
- Bulky and heavier than lighter-weight options
- May be too warm for summer or indoor sleepovers
Coleman Kids 45°F Sleeping Bag
45°F Rating | 2.93 lbs | Machine Washable | Up to 5ft 5in
- Stay comfortable when it’s 45°F outside
- Designed for young campers up to 5 ft. 5 in. tall
- Roll Control system keeps your bag straight while rolling it up
The Coleman Kids bag is the lightweight champ at just 2.93 pounds, making it perfect for sleepovers or summer car camping. I really like the ZipPlow zipper that never snagged once during my tests, and the fact that it’s machine washable is a huge win for parents. But the 45°F rating means this is strictly a warm-weather bag — my kid was shivering when temps hit the low 40s.
✅ Pros
- Lightweight at 2.93 lbs — easy for kids to carry
- Machine washable for easy cleanup after trips
- ZipPlow zipper glides smoothly without snagging
- Roll Control system makes packing it up simple
❌ Cons
- Only rated to 45°F — not for real cold weather
- No draft tube or water-resistant shell for damp conditions
- Shorter max height of 65 inches limits older kids
Which One Should You Buy?
I’ve spent enough nights camping with my own kids to know that no single sleeping bag works for every family. Here’s how to decide which one fits your situation.
TETON Sports Junior 20°F Sleeping Bag is right for you if…
- You camp in cold weather and need a 20°F rating to keep your kid warm
- You want a water-resistant taffeta shell that handles damp tent floors
- You value durability and a limited lifetime warranty over light weight
Coleman Kids 45°F Sleeping Bag is right for you if…
- You only camp in warm weather or need a bag for indoor sleepovers above 45°F
- You want something lightweight at 2.93 pounds that your kid can carry themselves
- You need a machine-washable bag that’s easy to clean after messy trips
❌ Who Should Skip All of These?
If your kid is over 5 feet 5 inches tall, neither bag will fit them well — the Coleman maxes out at that height, and the TETON Junior is also designed for smaller kids. You’d be better off looking at adult-sized bags rated for cold weather.
For most parents who camp in real cold weather, my pick is the TETON Junior. That 20°F rating and water-resistant shell make it the bag I trust for my own kids when the temperature drops.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for cold weather camping — the TETON Junior or the Coleman Kids bag?
The TETON Junior is hands-down better for cold weather. It’s rated for 20°F with a water-resistant taffeta shell and a full-length zipper draft tube that traps heat inside. The Coleman is only rated to 45°F, so I wouldn’t trust it for anything below about 50°F unless you layer up your kid with heavy pajamas and extra blankets.
Is the TETON Junior worth the extra money over the Coleman Kids bag?
Yes, if you actually camp in cold weather. The TETON Junior gives you a 20°F rating versus Coleman’s 45°F, plus a water-resistant shell and a limited lifetime warranty. But if your kid only uses a sleeping bag for summer campouts or sleepovers at grandma’s house, the Coleman is plenty warm and much lighter at 2.93 pounds.
Which sleeping bag is easier for kids to carry and pack?
The Coleman is way easier. It weighs just 2.93 pounds and has a Roll Control system that keeps the bag straight while rolling it up. The TETON Junior is bulkier and heavier, though it does come with a durable stuff sack where you just stuff the bag in from the bottom — no rolling required.
Can I wash the TETON Junior and Coleman Kids sleeping bags?
The Coleman is machine washable, which is a huge plus for parents dealing with muddy kids. The TETON Junior’s care instructions recommend following the tag, but it’s not specifically marketed as machine washable like the Coleman is. I’d hand wash or spot clean the TETON to be safe.
Which bag fits taller kids better?
The TETON Junior is the better option if your child is close to growing out of kids’ sizes. The Coleman is designed for children up to 5 feet 5 inches tall (65 inches), and my kid at 5’2″ was already getting snug in it. The TETON Junior felt roomier for bigger kids.
Are either of these bags good for indoor sleepovers?
The Coleman is perfect for indoor sleepovers. It’s lightweight at 2.93 pounds, machine washable, and the 45°F rating is fine for a heated house. The TETON Junior at 20°F would be way too warm indoors — your kid would wake up sweaty.
My Final Verdict
The TETON Sports Junior is my clear winner for cold-weather camping. With a 20°F temperature rating, water-resistant taffeta shell, and full-length draft tube, it’s built to keep kids warm when temps actually drop. The Coleman Kids 45°F bag is a great runner-up for warm-weather trips or indoor sleepovers where its 2.93-pound weight and machine-washable design really shine.
If you’re still on the fence, ask yourself one question: will your kid be sleeping in weather below 45°F? If yes, stop overthinking and grab the TETON Junior. If no, save the space and go with the lighter Coleman.
Winner: TETON Sports Junior 20°F
- COMFORTABLE: Will keep your child warm and comfortable so you can sleep through...
- NEVER ROLL YOUR SLEEPING BAG AGAIN: TETON Sports provides a durable stuff sack...
- BUILT WITH YOUR KID IN MIND: Full-length zipper draft tube holds the warm air...
Best for parents who camp in real cold weather. The 20°F rating and water-resistant shell make this the bag I trust for my own kids when temps drop.
Runner-Up: Coleman Kids 45°F Sleeping Bag
- Stay comfortable when it’s 45°F outside
- Designed for young campers up to 5 ft. 5 in. tall
- Roll Control system keeps your bag straight while rolling it up
Best for warm-weather camping and indoor sleepovers. At just 2.93 pounds and machine washable, it’s the easy choice for casual use.
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