I purchased the NEMO Jazz 30 Double sleeping bag with comfort as my priority. Of course, I wanted a bag that would be warm as well. Given how much time my boyfriend and I spend outdoors together, we also wanted something to accommodate both of us. We invested in the Jazz Double along with the Roamer 2 sleeping pad, and it was a fantastic choice.
We used the Jazz Double the whole summer in Michigan, through the end of October last year in Indiana, when temperatures dropped into the 20-30-degree range. I plan on using it until the end of November in Indiana this year, and we’re confident in its ability to keep us toasty and comfortable through the fall nights.
There is a reason why the single version of this bag was named the Best Overall sleeping bag on GearJunkie’s guide to the Best Camping Sleeping Bags. In fact, this is the third year running this bag has held that title. It offers a truly bed-like camp sleeping experience.
In short: If you’re camping near your vehicle and you want to be extra comfortable while camping, this is a fantastic choice for a party of two. This bag has a 50-denier, 100% recycled polyester ripstop, and recycled synthetic insulation. It’s DWR-treated, and it has convenient storage pockets and a removable liner. At almost 9 pounds, you won’t want to take this bag backpacking — but for car camping, boating, overlanding, or RV camping, this is a comfortable companion.
- Minimum weight: 8 lbs., 15 oz.
- Packed weight: 9 lbs., 5 oz.
- Packed size: 33.0" x 16.0" x 16"
- ISO comfort: 32F
- ISO limit: 21F
- Fits: Up to 6’6
- Shoulder girth: 129"
- Hip girth: 129"
- Compressed volume: 26.6 L
- Color: Lagoon/lumen
Pros
- Super comfortable
- Removable, washable, bed sheet attached with buttons
- Well designed
Cons
- Cumbersome
NEMO Jazz Double Sleeping Bag Review
One of my favorite aspects about this sleeping bag is that it’s designed and made with sustainable materials. It isn’t one of the brand’s Endless Promise Bags, like the Coda, which can actually be recycled at the end of its life. However, the Jazz Double is just one step below that. It’s insulated with 100% recycled Stratofiber synthetic insulation and made with 100% recycled polyester fabrics.
Layout & Construction
The NEMO Jazz 30 Double has a featherbed-style quilted top layer, a NEMO-specific draft collar and tube, a removable liner, pockets, pillow sleeves, and other functional features that only NEMO could have considered. Thanks to its trapezoid shape, it’s a roomy bag but not baggy by any means.
A symmetrical double zipper makes it easy for either party to get out without totally disturbing your partner. I especially appreciate that NEMO used snag-free zippers. You can also zip it with other NEMO Jazz sleeping bags, which come in single or double sizes.
While the bag is rated to 30 degrees, we camped comfortably in 20-degree F temperatures. Two people sharing body heat likely helped in that regard. The trapezoid shape also seemed to reduce excess material around the edges, concentrating our warmth in the roomy middle.
The Stratofiber draft tube along the sides and the BlanketFold draft collar both helped prevent heat from leaking out.
Removable Bedsheet
As mentioned, this bag includes a removable bedsheet. It’s made of 100% recycled polyester fabrics and is incredibly soft. It also continues to stay soft after multiple washes in a regular washing machine. It’s a very nice, almost unexpected, addition to the sleeping bag. It securely attaches to the bottom of the sleeping bag with buttons and to the side with snaps.
The snaps don’t stay in place very well. But I prefer that blankets or sheets aren’t too tight anyway, so this doesn’t bother me. During the summer, it was nice to pull back the top part of the bag and just use the bedsheet to sleep under.
Pockets & Pillows
The small mesh pockets by the head are perfect for your phone and other small accessories you want to easily access during the middle of the night. That way, they won’t get too cold and lose all of their battery.
The sleeping bag cover at the head keeps your pillow from falling off the pad/bag. The bag itself snugly covers a double sleeping pad, so everything stays in place, all together, all night.
As much as I love my backpacking sleeping bag (the Feathered Friends Flicker UL) this pillow “protector” and snug fit to the sleeping pad won me over. I never woke up with my head just on the pad or off the pad and on the ground. That happens often when I’m camping in the backcountry.
A Note on Weight
The only real downside to this bag? It’s a beast. At 8 pounds, 14 ounces, this thing isn’t going anywhere in a backpack. It probably wouldn’t even fit in your backpacking backpack. Packed up, this thing is still 33″ x 16″ x 16″.
It’s a cumbersome piece of gear, but for the amount of comfort and warmth it provides, it’s worth it if you’re car camping. We’ve loved bringing our NEMO Jazz Double on camping trips where weight doesn’t matter.
Packing the Jazz 30 Double
To pack this sleeping bag up, we prefer to keep it separate it from the sleeping pad so we can shake out the bag. It just makes it easier to keep things clean.
However, NEMO provides an oversized duffel bag. That allows you to roll the whole sleep system together and easily store it like a bedroll.
NEMO JAZZ 30 Double Sleeping Pad Review: Conclusion
NEMO makes its products with high-quality materials and a focus on sustainability. The Jazz 30 Double sleeping bag fits right in line with what I’ve come to expect from this brand. When using the Jazz 30 Double along with the NEMO Roamer 2 sleeping pad and NEMO Fillo Pillows, my car camping sleep system is a trifecta of comfort.
This is the biggest draw of car camping in the first place: You can prioritize comfort over weight. You don’t have to count grams. Your gear doesn’t have to be super packable and ultralight. You can bring a cumbersome, nearly 9-pound two-person sleeping bag because it lets you and your partner get great sleep.
While strapping two bags together can work, having a double sleeping bag is far preferable. This sleeping bag is a great choice for couples who want to snuggle up in comfort while they’re car camping.
