Sleeping Bags, Quilts, and Pads

Before sleeping bags became popular, backpackers and campers used to sleep outdoors with wool blankets. Some still do. But for warm weather camping, there’s definitely something to be said for using a blanket filled with synthetic insulation rather than a more constrictive sleeping …

The Exped SynMat Winterlite insulated sleeping pad is a very lightweight, high R-value sleeping pad (R-Value = 4.9) that is warm enough for camping on snow, in addition to three season use. See Sleeping Pad R-Values. Mummy-shaped, the SynMat Winterlite is filled with a synthetic …

Have you ever wondered how the insulation in a NeoAir works? It’s surprisingly simple. All Therm-a-Rest NeoAir air mattresses have the same honeycombed air baffles, shown in the photo above. These run from one side of the air mattress to the other, …

  The Western Mountaineering Puma MF down sleeping bag is rated for negative 25 degrees F and is a fully-featured winter sleeping bag suitable for most winter backpacking trips in the lower 48 where you can expect to experience subzero temperatures. Like all …

The Sierra Designs Backcountry Bed is unlike any sleeping bag ever made. Part sleeping bag, part quilt, part top bag, part bed, it combines the thermal efficiency of a mummy-style sleeping bag with the comfort and freedom of a quilt sleeping system. Available …

Earlier this year, I bought a Montbell UL. Spiral Down Hugger Thermal Sheet (down sleeping bag) and I’m really pleased with its versatility for summer and autumn camping. Rated at 50 degrees (F), I’ve used the Montbell comfortably to 40 degrees with …

I don’t carry a sit pad when I go hiking. I just sit on my backpack or day pack if I need thermal protection from the ground during rest breaks. Tree stumps also work pretty well if they’re not covered in snow. …

  The European Sleeping Bag Temperature Rating Standard (EN13537) was supposed to be a great thing for outdoor manufacturers, retailers, and consumers. Finally, we’d be able to compare sleeping bag temperature ratings in a reliable and objective manner. Ah, I have some …

As a side sleeper, I have a hard time getting to sleep outdoors when my head is not propped up. This is not an problem during the winter when I have enough extra down or synthetic clothing to bunch up as a pillow, …

I have a reader, named Randy, who contacted me recently seeking advice on 3 season synthetic sleeping bags. He's adopted a vegan lifestyle and doesn't want to use a goose down bag. This will be his first sleeping bag so I volunteered …

The Exped Downmat 7 is a sinfully luxurious sleeping pad for cold weather camping when you need extra insulation below your sleeping bag to stay warm. Almost all sleeping bags, no matter their temperature rating, have one fundamental flaw. When you get …

Selecting a sleeping pad for a backpacking trip depends on a variety of factors including personal preference, outside temperature, terrain, and weight. It’s important to understand the tradeoffs between these when selecting the right sleeping pad for a backcountry trip. First off, …

Gossamer Gear is a leader in the ultralight hiking community. They specialize in ultralight backpacks, but they also sell other accessories which can save you a lot of weight. The NightLight Sleeping Pad, in the 29″ size, only costs $18 and weighs …