I am ordering a camping pillow online and do not have access to checking them out in person. Which is the most comfortable? Not too concerned about volume and just need to keep weight below 9oz/250g. Which is the best for side sleepers.
I've been going camping all my life (50+ years) and never paid much attention to sleeping bag ratings and we have a motley collection here of various bags. Now that I'm getting more into bikepacking, I'd like to get a higher quality sleeping bag that's less bulky / heavy.
If a bag is rated for 40° F, does that mean it'll be at the edge of comfortable at that temperature and going lower the bag just won't keep up? Also, does that mean that if it's maybe 60° F out, the bag will be sweltering and uncomfortable? What's the rating really mean?
These higher end lightweight sleeping bags are expensive and I'd like to just get ONE that is going to be suitable for the sort of camping I envision I'll be doing. I don't see myself going out in the deeper winter, so I'd say my experience will likely be in the 45° nights and upwards.
In advance, thanks for your advice, help, criticism, recommendations, and terrible jokes.
Hi guys I don’t want to bore with my backstory but i’m homeless and want to buy a relatively cheap hammock. But I want to be able to buy a cheap hammock and be able to use it in winter. I have no idea if I will still be Where I’m at right now this winter. But, where I live can get relatively cold. This past winter it got as cold as -12F or -24C. So I want the base hammock to at least be cheap if i’m going to spend money on an underquilt and a topquilt, too. Does anyone have any experience winter hammocking AND mixing and matching different brands underquilts and base hammocks? If you do, please comment an idea to help me out?
I thought this tarp setup would handle it just fine, but the gusts kept hitting from the side and turning everything into a sail 😂
I eventually got it stable, but it definitely made me rethink my setup for exposed campsites like this.
How do you guys deal with strong crosswinds when there’s almost no natural cover around?
I’m going camping this weekend and it’s supposed to rain a fair amount of the time.
I have a new Stout canvas bell tent that I plan to use and haven’t had a chance to season it yet. The whole week leading up to this trip has been wet and dreary, so I haven’t been able to season it ahead of time since it wouldn’t have a chance to dry out in the sun in between (and I don’t want to commit the cardinal sin of packing a canvas tent away wet).
How much trouble am I going to be in with rain and an unseasoned tent?
I’ve practiced setting the tent up before, so I know it has no obvious defects, but I had to pack it back up after a couple hours so didn’t want to season it then.
Thanks for all who take the time to answer!
Used to do a lot of backpacking (wilderness) all over the lower 48 of the US. It's been 20 years though and my son is now in high school and wants to go. I would like to ease back into it, think 10 miles out, camp, hike back the next day. Looking for recommendations for a mid grade backpacking tent. Not planning on doing any cold weather stuff at this point.
I wear a 14 4e (extra wide) and I'm usually stuck in Brooks or New Balance trail runners. They're great until the ground gets wet. Are there brands I may not be aware of that come in that size?
Hello all! Looking for recommendations for some pants that are quick-drying, maybe DWR treated, and lightweight. My job involves field research in all conditions, so need something that will stay comfortable for long periods of time.
I've really liked the Eddie Bauer Guide Pro pants, but to get them to Canada is cost-prohibitive now, so looking for other options.
Thanks!
Fist time using my Flying Fish in the rain and wind. Held up great on 25 mph with 36mph gusts. Found out it's very waterproof as well. Not bad for a free tent.
I bought the Rei wonderland cot. And I was wondering those who use cots, what temperature did you get down to (without a pad) did you still feel comfortable.
I would like to sleep in this cot with blankets, not a sleeping bag, and no sleeping pad underneath and I’m wondering how low temperature wise I can go.
So I’m planning on doing a 3 day 2 night 30 mile hike on the Art Loeb Trail. I was weighing if I should swap the bearbox for a slightly larger one but it does hold the food, just not a lot of snack room. The bag is a Trailmade 60
The only other thing I could think of that I’m gonna live without is a table. Also 2 pairs of clothes, a puffer jacket and rain jacket. Is it worth it to get a compression sack for my sleeping bag and/or a stuff sack for the little stuff? Anything obvious I’m missing?
I used this for the 1st time on my last camping trip and it took me almost 2 hours to set up and I still had to re do a few stakes throughout my two day camp trip. I camp solo so I don't have anyone to hold the pole while I stake things down, so it was very difficult for me. I started with the middle part with the poles, pushed them into the ground a tad (I was camping on sandy soil) and then quickly did the steaks and moved to the other side and repeated, then went back and did the steaks a tad tighter each time till it stayed but again this took forever like it all fell down multiple times while I tried this and blew over several times before I found the right amount of balance for the poles. Please let me know if you have any tips! Thanks 🙏🏾
Did my first overnight in my new Dutchware Hellbender, both the easiest setup and most comfortable night I’ve had in a hammock. In Head Right version I could sleep pretty much flat on my back or right side, left side doable but not great. I’m a big guy, love my Haven but wanted a gathered end that was easier to get up and down, this thing exceeded my expectation and will be my go to for overnights from now on. AMA.
So basically me and a friend are going to a music festival this year. We haven't touched the tent since packing it away last year so we want to vent it out/make sure it's all ok.
However we don't have a backyard with grass nor do we know anyone who has one.
How important is going to test it out?? and what's the consensus on going to a public park and testing it (UK based if that changes anything?)
Can you air it out indoors?
I’m flying into Portland OR next month to camp/fish near Bend. I was trying to think of a few small things I could take with me in my duffle and social media has been reading my thoughts again. Tube coffee- worth it? Palatable? I drink coffee black and was just looking for an easy stream side alternative to packs of instant.
Trying to get into backpacking and been lurking on here since december waiting for some deal worth pouncing on but honestly haven’t really seen anything crazy. Figuring memorial day sales are probably as good as it’s gonna get so now i just wanna start getting into it.
I pretty much have nothing yet so im open to any beginner gear recommendations that are actually worth buying on sale rn. Including clothes too like a good insulation layer, base layers, shell, etc. Trying to stay somewhat budget friendly but not buy complete junk either.
I'm going on a hike for 6 days and need help choosing a tent for two. I was looking for off-the-ground options, but I need some expert opinions. Walmart and Dick's have good ones, but there's a huge difference in pricing. Any help would be appreciated.
Looking at ditching my old talon 22 and go for an Osprey Hikelite 18 or Osprey Manta 24.
I literally started to hate my talon 22 because all the weight and volume concentrates on the bottom and the back mesh just does not sit comfortable on my back, it never has and I sweat with it a lot.
I have a kerstrel 32 for Multi Day Hikes and I love that rigid frame, albeit it is too heavy for day hikes.
So I have narrowed it down to Hikelite 18 or Osprey Manta 24.
Mind you, I will never use a hydration pack and I always use my 1L Hydroflask bottle on the side pocket to drink water.
I also carry a DJI Mini 3 Pro Bag with it’s 3 batteries and accessories with me + Food + Glasses + Additional Layer.
I want to use this for long day hikes like 3-9 hours. Also when cycling.
What would you guys recommend between these two?
I looked at the new model for Talon 22 but I just know it will not be what I want, it looks and feels like my old one in terms of shape and weight distribution.
Thank you!
Preparing for my first backpacking trip soon and have been looking at clothing options. The thing I see mentioned a lot aside from moisture wicking/drying is the “stink retention” factor of synthetics vs wool.
This might be a dumb question, but is “stink” of synthetics a function of the natural smell of the fabric? Or because it doesn’t dry as fast as wool and somehow gets mildewy faster? Or because of accumulated BO? Do synthetics naturally smell worse than something like cotton?
Most of my clothes are natural fabrics (no wool), but the synthetics I have don’t seem to smell any more than my other clothes regardless of how much I sweat or how long they sit in the hamper. The only time my clothes ever “stink” is if they’re forgotten in the wash and get mildewy.
I sweat profusely, but don’t have BO, or at least maybe not in the traditional sense?
FWIW it’s not like I/my clothes smell like daisies post workout, but even after the sweat dries, it just kind of smells like books, and only really if you stick your whole face into it. My hair definitely starts smelling a little “scalp”-y after more than 3ish days of not washing though, especially if I’ve actually been sweating.
I’d like to avoid wool if possible because pretty much all wool makes me itchy and a little red, but I’d also like to not potentially be stinky. Unfortunately can’t really shell out for alpaca or silk right now.
Anyone else with minimal to no BO have experience with wearing synthetics or wool alternatives instead of wool for backpacking trips? How was it?