When you are going on an outdoor adventure, one of the many things you need to take into account is the load you will carry on your back, because otherwise, instead of enjoying nature, you will be spending hours in pain, fighting with the weight of your backpack. So, like everything else you take on your hiking trip, your sleeping system, that is, everything you need to sleep comfortably, should be compact, lightweight, and easy to assemble and disassemble. 

Sleeping bags, mattresses, pillows, bivy bags, tents, etc., are incredibly versatile with a wide range of different options available. There are many different brands, styles and materials to choose from which can make it really hard to find the best place to buy sleeping bags. A good store, specialised in camping equipment, will offer everything you need for a good night’s sleep, with experienced staff that can help you choose the best option for you. So, what exactly do you need?

Sleeping Bags

One of the most important parts of your sleeping system, your sleeping bag will protect you from the weather, keeping you warm and dry, and while also providing you comfort. Sleeping bags come in different styles, sizes, comfort levels, temperature rates, as well as weight. 

If you are someone who backpacks regularly, you may need to have more than one sleeping bag. If that’s not the case, and you only hike during the warmer months or during the colder months, then the weather conditions are the most important thing you need to take into consideration. However, you should never underestimate the ability of nature to surprise us. In other words, always be prepared for unexpected low temperatures, regardless of the time of year, and choose a sleeping bag rated at least a little bit lower than the temperature that you expect. 

Think about the materials and the insulation, think about the water resistance, wind resistance, level of comfort, and of course the weight and compactness – to ensure that you can comfortably wear your backpack. Nowadays, the best sleeping bags can compress to very small units, leaving space in your backpack for all the other things you need, with great temperature rates and comfort levels. Furthermore, one more reason why you may need to have more than one option if you sometimes go with a partner, in which case you should look for the best double sleeping bag.

Sleeping Bivy

For harsher weather conditions, as well as for hiking in rougher terrains and places, where setting up a tent can be hard or impossible, you can carry a sleeping bivy. Bivies are just slightly longer than sleeping bags and mattresses, which means that you can use them anywhere where you can open your sleeping bag. Originally, they were designed as emergency shelters, for instance for climbers and today you can find them in different styles, sizes, materials, features, etc.

Sleeping bivies are also a great option if you want to sleep out in the open, essentially directly under the stars, without a tent to create a visual barrier between you and nature. More importantly, they offer you more freedom, as they weigh less than a tent, and they can create a safe shelter in a similar manner.

Sleeping Pad or Mattress  

While they may not be as essential as sleeping bags, sleeping pads or mats can make a huge difference in your outdoor adventure. Using one will make your sleeping much more comfortable, helping you rest better and gather energy for the rest of your adventure, but it will also give you more insulation. When you visit that store you’ve determined to be the best place to buy sleeping bags, you can find sleeping mats or pads that fit perfectly with the sleeping bag you’ve chosen. Alternatively, you can choose your one based on how much warmth they provide, as well as, once again, the weight. 

Camping Pillow 

Another item that may not be essential, but will improve your sleeping experience significantly, camping pillows can be incredibly lightweight, and worth. There are different types of camping pillows available in camping stores. The smallest and most lightweight ones are of course the inflatable pillows, which can pack down to very small sizes. Furthermore, you can get a foam pillow, which can also be quite light, but not as compact as an air pillow. Lastly, there are pillows designed to be stuffed with clothes, which can be an incredible space-saver. 

Tent 

Anyone who wants to camp needs a tent. While a bivy can be a great alternative, and sometimes even a better solution, a good tent is definitely a camping essential. They come in a wide range of options and choosing one can take some time. Essentially it depends on the style of camping you like, how many people might sleep in it, how easy to assemble you need it to be, whether you want to set up a camp and stay there for a while, or you only need it for sleeping in different spots, your personal preferences, and so on.

The post Camping Essentials: The Ultimate Checklist for Sleeping Under the Stars appeared first on Sherlocks.com.au Blog.

However, to ensure an enjoyable and safe hiking adventure, it’s important to have the right equipment with you. Even the best hiking plans can easily be undone by changeable weather or unforeseen events. It is worthwhile to get prepared with the right hiking gear that can save you a headache out in the wild.

From all the hiking gear, choosing a sleeping bag is probably one of the more complicated purchase decisions you will have to make. There’s a lot to consider (from weight to warmth, comfort, packability, etc) and there’s a lot of options to choose from. When it comes to buying the best hiking sleeping bag for you, it’s smart to get familiar with the standard features that are expected for hiking sleeping bags. There are also some handy additional extras that can turn out to be useful during your trip. Below is a list of the sleeping bag features to consider in order to make the right purchase.

Stuff Sack or Compression Bag

Sleeping bags can be stored either in a stuff sack or a compression bag. You’ll hardly find a sleeping bag that doesn’t come with some sort of storage case and the most common options are stuff sacks and compression bags. Stuff sacks are often found with sleeping bags designed for camping trips or for when a larger pack size wouldn’t bee too much of an issue.

But when it comes to the most compact sleeping bags, chances are that they will be stored inside a compression sack. This sack features 4-way compression with adjustable straps that can be pulled tight to make the size of your sleeping bag as compact as possible. While stuff sacks can also be an easy way to store your sleeping bag, you won’t be able to crush them down with compression straps as you can with compressions sacks.

Temperature and Season Rate

With a sleeping bag that doesn’t specify limit, comfort or extreme temperatures, there is no way to know exactly at which temperatures it would best perform and keep you comfortable during the night. While the bag may specify a season rating, it can differ from brand to brand, so checking the comfort temperature or suggested usage temperature range is the best way to determine whether or not the bag will keep you protected and cosy in the climate and conditions you are sleeping in.

When choosing a sleeping bag for your hiking trip, consider looking out for ones that adhere to the EN13537 standard. This standard is a European system accepted worldwide to standardise the temperature rating of sleeping bags manufactured in Europe. This means that the sleeping bag has been tested using a thermal mannequin to help determine the temperature in which the bag can be used safely.

When it comes to season rating, it can vary from one season bags designed for use in tropical climates to four-season bags for use in cold weather. You will need to ensure you pick the right specification to meet your requirements when travelling.

Other Features that Enhance Insulation

Mummy Shape

Although there are a variety of different shapes of sleeping bags available, when it comes to hiking, mummy-shaped bags are the most popular option. There are several reasons for this:
They have less material to pack away, so they are more compact;
Because there is less empty space inside, they provide a higher level of insulation;
They come with a hood, normally with a drawcord that makes it tighter. This feature helps to insulate your head, which is one of the areas of the body which loses heat the fastest.

Zip Baffle

Sleeping bags with higher season ratings tend to come with a chunky piece of material covering the zip. This piece of material is called a zip baffle. Zip baffles are generally filled with insulation to help prevent warm air from escaping from inside the bag as well as cold air from sneaking in through the bag’s zip. Lower season sleeping bags can also feature zip baffles, but they aren’t necessary when you’re sleeping in scorching hot temperatures.

Internal Pocket

This feature has become more and more popular, especially when it comes to choosing the best hiking sleeping bag for storing personal stuff close at hand. Internal pockets are often a sleeve style pocket with a Velcro fastening found inside the sleeping bag. These pockets are typically used for storing valuable items and keeping them safe while you are sleeping.

Other features you might want to consider are integrated hood mosquito and anti-bacterial protection to ward off odours, mould and dust mites.

The post Discover the Best Hiking Sleeping Bag & Spend a Comfy Night in the Wild appeared first on Sherlocks.com.au Blog.