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I’m obsessed with novelty infomercial products — the kind relentlessly shilled by the likes of Billy Mays and the original Skymall catalog before it went bust. There’s something fascinating about multipurpose gadgets that fix some niche problem that doesn’t need fixing or do the work of three disparate products whose functions have no relation to one another. (Portable DVD player garlic press karaoke machine, anyone?) The Selk’bag Nomad isn’t one of those products. But, it’s easy to mistake it for one. I did.

After all, does anyone really need a wearable sleeping bag? The OG sleeping bag design has worked for decades, if not centuries, hasn’t it? Still, with the right ingenuity, almost anything can be improved. So, I accepted Selk’bag’s invitation to field test its flagship Selk’bag Nomad to see what all the fuss is about. It promised to be everything a sleeping bag is and so much more. After a week of camping with it in Oklahoma, I found myself liking it a lot more than I expected. Here’s why.

The Selk’bag Nomad is a “sleeping bag suit,” a wearable sleeping bag designed to do everything an ordinary sleeping bag does — namely, keep campers warm and insulated while sleeping. Because it’s wearable, it can also be kept on while cooking, relaxing around the campfire, and even hiking if you’re so inclined (assuming you wear your own boots). In theory, the variety of zippers, pockets, hand coverings, removable booties, and a hood make it much more useful than a traditional sleeping bag. The Selk’bag Nomad is the brand’s flagship product with the highest quality materials and every feature the company offers in one wearable sleeping bag.

Not surprisingly, the Selk’bag Nomad is a simple product without any “setup” required. Because it’s a wearable sleeping bag with a head hole, two arms, and two legs, it goes on and off just like a typical onesie for babies. The first time I took it out of the included stuff sack, I unzipped the side zipper from the neckline down to the waist, then stepped in, putting my hands and feet where they’re designed to go. The attached hood cinched over my head like a standard hoodie. Voilà!

Although the overall purpose is the same, it works differently than a traditional sleeping bag. Because each of your limbs is isolated in its own fabric tube, it feels warmer. Technically, it’s not, but it feels that way. Consider how a glove (with fingers separated) keeps your fingers warm differently than a mitten (fingers together). The ability to walk around while wearing your sleeping bag without having to doff and don it at your campsite makes the Selk’bag Nomad infinitely more versatile too.

The Selk’bag Nomad has many of the same features of a premium sleeping bag, including:

Despite its novelty appearance, I found a lot to like about the Selk’bag Nomad, including:

All of Selk’bag’s wearable sleeping bags, including the Selk’bag Nomad, are simple outdoor products. Still, some of the questions and concerns I’ve seen most from owners and prospective buyers include:

That Selk’bag exists is a clear answer that, yes, there is such a thing as a sleeping bag suit. In my experience, the alternatives on the market are of cheaper quality and not as versatile as the Selk’bag Nomad. Most are shaped like ordinary sleeping bags but with arm and/or foot holes for a little extra versatility.

Most of the competitor sleeping bag suits and wearable sleeping bags can be found for well under $100. But, it’s clear that “you get what you pay for” as most are off-brand and clearly of poor to average quality compared to Selk’bag. The Selk’bag Nomad might seem pricey at more than $250, but this is clearly a premium product.

Some sleeping bag suits have built-in zippers at the front, which is helpful for men needing a late-night bathroom run. I have yet to see a sleeping bag suit with a rear flap, however. Sadly, I think women are out of luck in that department.

Official records are scarce, but Ajungilak (predecessor to today’s Mammut brand) allegedly debuted the Gubbe in 1936. It was the world’s first sleeping bag with arms and legs.

The novelty of the Selk’bag Nomad is what piqued my curiosity. I wasn’t expecting to like it as much as I do. It’s warm, soft, versatile, cleverly designed, and every component, from the shell to the zippers, feels like a premium product. I might stick with a traditional sleeping bag when sleeping while camping. But, for cool to cold nights while car camping, I love the Selk’bag Nomad for chilling with a beer by the campfire. It’s one of the strangest yet most versatile pieces of outdoor gear I’ve tested in a long time. For those reasons, I highly recommend it.

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