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Big Agnes Dream Island

Est. $220

Reviewed

July 2013

by ConsumerSearch

Pros

Packs well
Durable construction
Room for more than two adults

Cons

Only one temperature rating
Requires a sleeping pad

Where to Buy

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Our Analysis
Specs

Bottom Line

The Big Agnes Dream Island represents a smart choice for couples who use a sleeping pad with their bag. It's lightweight for a double bag, and the Dream Island packs comparatively small for campers who have limited storage space in their motorhome or garage.

Performance

Requires sleep pad. The Big Agnes Dream Island, like all Big Agnes sleeping bags, features an integrated sleep pad pocket on the bottom of the bag in lieu of bottom insulation. The bag is designed to accommodate two regular-width pads or one double, which means more gear to pack and carry.

The reviewer at Mountain Life, a Canadian magazine, recommends the Dream Island for "festivalling, car camping and short hikes," but says the weight of the bag combined with the integrated pads would make it impractical for a backpacking excursion. One Buzzillions.com user appears to agree, writing, "I would not bring this along if I had to carry it more than a mile in one direction; otherwise this is perfect for a comfort driven camper."

The bag only comes in one temperature rating, 15 degrees Fahrenheit, and many campers complain the Dream Island provides less warming insulation than they expect for a bag rated so low.

Comfort

Cozy materials. Users praise the Dream Island's liner's comfort, which a reviewer at AdventureTykes.com describes as "just like you're sliding into a bed." Users also like the integrated pad system, which affords an uninterrupted night's sleep without having to readjust the placement of a slippery bag on top of a pad in the middle of the night. "What a great night's sleep we had in this bag," writes one Amazon.com reviewer, while a Buzzillions.com contributor raves, "I'm as comfortable as if I was sleeping in my bed at home."

Ownership

Well made. We could not find any conclusive information on the bag's performance over the long term, but reviews are full of praise for the Dream Island's high-quality materials and construction. Big Agnes guarantees their bags against manufacturing or material defect but not against user wear and tear. The company offers a repair program, however.

Where To Buy

Big Agnes Dream Island 15 Degree Sleeping Bag (Navy/Gray)

Buy new: $189.95 1 New from $219.95

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Our Sources

1. AdventureTykes.com

The reviewer at AdventureTykes.com discloses that she has received the bag from Big Agnes to do the review, but says that did not influence her opinion. Overall, she likes the bag for summer camping and found it comfortable for her husband and son when used with an air pad.

Review: Dreams are Made in the Dream Island, Editors of AdventureTykes.com, April 12, 2013

2. GearJunkie.com

In this older review, gear columnist Stephen Regenold takes a close look at the Dream Island's construction, design and comfort. He praises the bag's pad integration but opines paying for and lugging along another nine pounds of pad might not be worth it for many campers. "If you're the type who totes along a camp-stove espresso maker… then the Big Agnes setup will be up your alley."

Review: Gear Review-Dream Island Sleeping Bag, Stephen Regenold, April 14, 2008

3. Buzzillions.com

The handful of users who contributed to the Buzzillions reviews of the Dream Island find the bag comfortable and roomy, but say it's too big and bulky and warn of an inaccurate temperature rating.

Review: Big Agnes Dream Island +15 Sleeping Bag, Contributors to Buzzilions.com, As of May 2013

4. Mountain Life magazine

The reviewer for this Canadian outdoors magazine calls the Dream Island "spacious," and recommends it for various activities but adds the weight of the bag combined with the integrated pads would make it impractical for a backpacking excursion.

Review: Gear Review: Big Agnes Dream Island Doublewide, Todd Lawson, June 10, 2012

5. Amazon.com

Only a handful of owners have reviewed the Big Agnes Dream Island to date, but all of them give it 5 stars. Users love that the Dream Island is more compressible than other comparable car camping double sleeping bags, but find it not to be as warm a sleeping bag as the rating suggests.

Review: Big Agnes Dream Island 15-Degree Quallofil Sleeping Bag, Contributors to Amazon.com, As of May 2013

6. REI.com

A handful of REI contributors review the Dream Island and find it adequate for camping in a motorhome and in temperatures averaging 40 degrees Fahrenheit. "Its packed size is smaller than I was expecting," one contributor writes. "The design is great and the bag seems to be of very high quality," another states.

Review: Big Agnes Dream Island +15 Sleeping Bag Double Customer Reviews, Contributors to REI.com, As of May 2013

7. Campsaver.com

A handful of users review the Dream Island and say it's comfortable, large and warm. "(I'm) really happy that the interior material did not bind when you turn over," one writes.

Review: Reviews for The Big Agnes Dream Island 15 Sleeping Bag (Synthetic), Contributors to Campsaver.com, As of May 2013

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