REI Co-op Trailmade 25 Review

The Trailmade 25 is made for people who want to spend weekend nights outside without spending weeks researching gear. It combines synthetic insulation, practical (if basic) features, and multiple fit options that are uncommon at its very affordable price point. Rather than chasing the lightest weight or smallest packed size, its design prioritizes usability and comfort.

Warmth

The Trailmade 25 is listed as a 25°F (ISO) sleeping bag, with a lower limit of 20°F and a comfort rating of 31°F. That means you should be perfectly cozy even if temperatures dip just below freezing – but we wouldn't push it too far without a warm sleeping bag liner. We tested the Trailmade 25 in Eastern Oregon when temperatures hovered around 30°F at night. The synthetic insulation isn't super lofty, but it insulated us well enough to be perfectly comfortable.

Although the Trailmade 25 has a heat-retaining mummy shape, it's fairly loose-fitting. This means more air is present in the bag, which needs to be warmed by your body heat – we noticed it took a while for the bag to warm up after we settled in for the evening.

For a budget bag, we were happy to see that the Trailmade 25 has a full-length draft tube and a draft collar. However, the draft tube is thin and not overly packed with insulation; it easily folded as we turned over at points during the night, leaving the zipper exposed enough for us to notice the stiff wind outside. Still, this was an easy-to-fix issue in the moment – we just rolled over – and overall, we stayed warm all night long.

Weight

Depending on the length and width configuration you choose, the REI Trailmade 25 can weigh anywhere from around 2.8 pounds to 3.5 pounds. We weighed the Medium bag we tested at a hair over 3 pounds, placing it on the heavier side for backpacking bags with a similar temperature rating.

However, this is typical for synthetic-insulated bags – their warmth-to-weight ratio simply cannot compete with down-insulated bags. A few pounds is only a few pounds, however, and most people are perfectly capable of carrying that weight out for a multi-night backpacking trip. If you're trying to go ultralight, you'll have a difficult time doing that on a tight budget.

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Comfort

The Trailmade 25 is “light, but not tight.” Many mummy bags can feel aggressively narrow, but this one gives you enough room to move around a bit. That extra space will be especially appreciated by side sleepers, backpackers with broad shoulders, or anyone who dislikes the restrictive fit of a classic mummy bag. The Medium-sized bag we tested measured 62 inches wide at the shoulders and 54 inches wide at the hips, both of which are a couple of inches wider than many competitor mummy bags.

The 100% recycled polyester shell and interior lining are functional rather than luxurious. It's a little plasticky feeling and stiff to the touch. It's not uncomfortable, but the Trailmade 25 certainly isn't a premium-feeling sleeping bag.

The hood, however, is pleasantly soft to the touch, as is the drawcord. This second point is a nice touch, as the cord is destined to end up on your face at some point during the night. The dual-zipper design also lets you ventilate however you'd like, whether it's letting out a leg to cool off or giving your pits some room to breathe.

Packed Size

The REI Trailmade 25 packs down well enough given its synthetic insulation and temperature rating. We measured our bag's stuffed volume to be 8 liters, and it stuffs easily enough into the rather basic stuff sack. Packed up, it takes up about as much space as a bear canister or a basketball.

In reality, it's a perfectly serviceable size for the average backpacker. There are smaller backpacking sleeping bags out there, but you'd be hard-pressed to find any at this price point that are as warm as the Trailmade 25. If you need a smaller bag, you'll have to shell out the cash for down insulation.

Features

The Trailmade 25 is practically designed rather than flashy. There's nothing that will impress gear nerds, but what this budget bag does offer improves livability and helps make it more accessible to a broader range of backpackers.

The synthetic insulation will remain insulating even when damp, and the shell and lining have both been treated with a durable water-repellent finish. So, if you happen to be caught out during a multi-day storm that soaks your gear through, at least you won't freeze.

This bag also has a full-length draft tube and a draft collar to keep the cold night air at bay, and the hood can be tightened with a drawcord. It also has an interior pocket that's useful for keeping your phone secure or for storing a freeze-sensitive water filter.

We appreciate the dual-zipper, though we frequently encountered snags during our testing. Higher-end bags often place a fabric guard along the zipper to prevent snags, and use better anti-snag zippers than the ones on the Trailmade 25. It seems like this feature could have included higher-quality zippers without adding much cost.

Should You Buy the REI Co-op Trailmade 25?

This is a dependable, beginner-friendly sleeping bag that prioritizes comfort and warmth – it's an honest sleeping bag that doesn't promise much more than that. For first-time backpackers and budget-minded adventurers, the Trailmade 25 is a practical choice. Especially so if you're someone who could benefit from the short, long, and wide sizing options.

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