Best camping sleeping bag accessories according to redditors
We found 113 Reddit comments discussing the best camping sleeping bag accessories. We ranked the 71 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
We found 113 Reddit comments discussing the best camping sleeping bag accessories. We ranked the 71 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
Not same dude you were replying to, but I have a couple of these. They've served me well. Personally, the trick I learned to get them filled is to close the bag each time you go to swoop air. I don't spin around or run, just kind of open the bag and scoop through the air then close it, bring it back for another scoop, repeat until full enough.
+1 to bag liners too if you sleep colder than most for the same reason it traps heat. I've slept in 0C climate with a 4C bag using a liner and pad, no problems... except when the zipper broke.
it REALLY depends on expected conditions
Integral Designs silnylon poncho tarp has been my ‘The One’ for many years. I often find myself in places around the midwest where a poncho is the right answer. Places like The Smokeys where the trails are well worn and clear, wind is not a big issue, but heat and constant soaking drizzle are, having the multi-use versatility, and low weight, have been just the ticket. I dont think ID makes them anymore but Sea To Summit makes a pretty low cost version of it that fits all the needs. Its just big enough to do the job without carrying anything extra
Sea to Summit Ultra-SIL Nano Tarp Poncho - Pacific Blue https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HUL26AE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_cSRxCb5VBEHH8
I recently “upgraded” to MLD’s version of a poncho tarp made of DCF (also available in SilNylon). It has some slight design differences that make it an even better tarp. I like it for all the same specific scenarios where i’d been using the ID poncho tarp and its a lot lighter
https://mountainlaureldesigns.com/product/mld-pro-rain-poncho/
For places where i’ll need a more traditional rain proof / wind proof jacket; where a poncho wont do, i use MLD’s Monk tarp. Its the most minimalist tarp I use and makes for the lightest house kit i could assemble. Tarp + all the rigging + hammock + all the rigging + (head only) bug net weighs 11.2oz. Because sleeping pod-style is comfortable for me, i only need a seasonally appropriate sleeping bag - no underquilt
https://mountainlaureldesigns.com/product/monk-flat-tarp/
by comparison, the lightest ground house i kit i could assemble uses the same tarp and rigging + Borah’s DCF bivy + Gossamer Gear’s 1/8” hammock pad (a 1/8” thick full-length ccf pad that i fold in half for 1/4” thick torso length ground sleeping pad). The all-up weight for that kit comes to 13.6oz
The Monk tarp hammock house is ideal for me in places like the Sierras in summer where rain and storms are less likely and good site selection can mitigate much of the weather. But in places like the White Mountains where the trails are rougher and the weather gets meaner, Hammock Gear’s DCF Hex tarp is my go-to. its a little heavier but gives AMAZING storm protection without adding a lot of weight. That all-up hammock house kit weighs 12.5oz
https://www.hammockgear.com/dyneema-fiber-hex-tarp/
Im still hanging on to aZpacks DCF “hammock tarp with doors” (my first DCF tarp) but since riding out some storms in the HG Hex, im less sure that the extra material of the tarp with doors actually adds any real benefit. Ive pitched it close to the ground with the doors closed in winter to theoretically hold in more warmth but i didnt feel any warmer. ive battened down the hatches in some heavy weather to protect from splash and spray but the HG hex has managed similar storms just as well so im questioning the actual benefit of tarps with doors now...
http://www.zpacks.com/shelter/hammock_tarps.shtml
Anyway, as with all things, your mileage may vary
Happy Trails!
They don't really add warmth, that's what the sleeping bag is for. You'll be warmer with one than without it, but you'd get the same amount of warmth by adding another layer. There are some that add more warmth than others like this S2S one. But using that money for the proper sleeping bag is a much better idea, especially since it weighs as much as some sleeping bags.
I would just look for the fabric you want if you want something comfortable between you and your bag to keep it clean. I find that they aren't necessary unless you're really getting dirty without access to any water or change of clothes, like desert camping/overlanding.
I use compression sacks for all my gear. They come in different sizes and it makes everything way smaller. I even have one for my sleeping bag and it makes it about 2/3 the size it was in the bag it came in. I put my tarp, underquilt, and hammock in its own sack and then it is just one item strapped to the pack! Just make sure the sack straps vertically.
Example
S2S Nano Poncho Tarps are down to $55 on amazon atm. Usually $100. I believe this is the cheapest they have ever been. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HUL26AE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
If he rarely uses it then it is even more important to
not store it compact!
https://smile.amazon.com/Equinox-Sleeping-Bag-Storage-Sack/dp/B001TESH9W/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=sleeping+bag+storage&qid=1554388399&s=gateway&sr=8-4
You're being down voted because nobody has used one. I also use a fleece liner and it's minimum 10 degrees warmer, to the point I will be freezing in the bag and sweating with the liner.
here's a cheap one that claims 12 degrees more in a bag
coleman
EDIT: wanted to add one that adds 25 degrees and weighs 14 ounces here
Also deleted kinda dickish comment because u/sdhuaime is an overlander and backpacker also, he just has different experiences than I do
I backpacked around SE Asia earlier this year. Depending on how tight for space you are and how much you want to prioritize your products, I recommend a compression stuff sack for your clothes. This freed up so much space for me. (Also caused me to over pack clothes, so be careful.) However, I was able to bring a full size conditioner for cowashing, another conditioner, travel-size gel, travel-size spray bottle, a leave-in, and a small wide-toothed comb (I think I brought a pick). This was enough for me to conservatively last two months. I ended up tossing the travel-sized spray bottle and the leave-in cause I found it was unnecessary and I just didn't care enough to carry them around or even use them.
Also, if you end up stranded somewhere and need to borrow some shampoo/conditioner that isn't CG for a few days it's not the end of the world and you can just try to find some at your next destination. So maybe you want to prioritize that you have enough detangler and styler for your whole trip.
Get something like this and you can extend the season for your bag. This one is cheap but they have better more expensive liners. TETON Sports XL Sleeping Bag Liner for Travel and Camping Sheet https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005EPRMIO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_ir0aAb2HH9243
I was at Death Valley a few weeks ago backpacking the Cottonwood-Marble Canyon Loop.
We camped at about 1,000 ft. elevation the first night and had temperatures in the low 40s. The second day we ascended to a little over 2,000 ft elevation. We actually saw some snow/ice even during the day time. On this day, we camped at about 2,500ft and temperatures were in the mid to low 30s during the night. According to the ranger we spoke to at Stovepipe Wells, temperature lows were in the mid 20s at 3500-4000ft of elevation.
My gear included a 30 degree Marmot sleeping bag, with this sleeping bag liner. I slept wearing the following:
A body-hugging liner, t-shirt, sweater and a light hoodie and then slipped into my sleeping-bag liner and sleeping bag. With all of these layers, I was comfortable - but just barely. I slept well, but at one point, my hands were out of the sleeping bag and they got really cold in 20min. Had the temperature been lower by even 5 degrees, I don't think I'd have been able to sleep.
Having said that, with your planned gear, I think you are adequately prepared. December is pretty much the coldest month for DV, with Feb being warmer by about 10 degrees.
See: http://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/weather.htm
Keep in mind that this is shaping up to be a colder than usual winter for CA, so those temperature averages are slightly on the higher side.
I'm going back to DV in January and expect to be more warmer than I was in December, even if just slightly. If you'd like, I can give you an update after my trip, but for a final source of truth, you should call DV and talk to a ranger a week before your trip.
EDIT:
> 6'x8' Arrowhead Equipment silnylon tarp pitched low over my poles and affixed via 6.5" titanium stakes (unsure if these'll work in the desert or if I'll have to look around for rocks to pile over them...)
Your luck with stakes depends a lot on the terrain which changes a lot (also depends heavily on where in DV you are - it's huge!). Out first night, the ground was too rocky to dig stakes in, so we used rocks. The second night, we were able to dig in stakes. Both days were fairly windy (I'd estimate 20-30mph winds in the night). The first night when we were unable to dig stakes in, the tent was blowing around quite a lot while we were eating food etc. and not in the tent.
Feel free to ask me any other questions I can help you with.
Personally, I always bring [this.] (https://www.amazon.com/Anglink-Inflatable-Comfortable-Carrying-Travelling/dp/B07JPLXKJ1)
Buy some stuff sacks, use them as counterbalances in a tree branch and use a branch/pole to get them down. A bear can have about the same reach as a human (or more depending on the area) so if you can reach it most likely the bear could. https://www.amazon.com/Outdoor-Products-Ditty-3-Pack-Colors/dp/B0007Q3KLS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1493676648&sr=8-2&keywords=backpack+stuff+sack
https://www.amazon.com/Sea-Summit-Reactor-Extreme-Thermolite/dp/B003BIT004/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1541914778&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=sea+to+summit+thermolite+reactor+sleeping+bag+liner&dpPl=1&dpID=51O5p0gL2DL&ref=plSrch this is what you want friendo.
Most of the insulation in a sleeping bag comes from the air trapped in/around the down or synthetic fibers, not the down/fibers themselves. Air is a pretty good insulator, as long as you keep it in small enough pockets that convection isn't an issue. That's why, for instance, a double-paned window is far better at keeping heat in than a single pane that's twice as thick: The air's doing the insulating, not the glass. It's also why insulating materials tend to be light and fluffy.
Each time you compress and uncompress your synthetic sleeping bag, you're degrading/breaking down the fibers a little bit. So, they don't spring back quite as much the next time, and there isn't as much air mixed up in the fibers.
I have no idea how many compression cycles it takes for this to become an issue, so I won't try to go into that.
I have a small compression sack that I use for my sleeping bag when I'm backpacking/taking it in a very full car/otherwise storing it somewhere where space is at a premium. I also have a much larger storage sack similar to this one that doesn't really compress the bag, which I use for long-term storage in my closet. You should be able to get one at just about any camping/outdoors store like REI or EMS. It's just a big burlap sack with a drawstring, maybe 3' long by 18" diameter or so.
I've looked at rain gear for hiking. There's a couple of issues: breatheability & flexibility. I ended up going with a poncho/tarp, though I paid $60 for mine. These are outrageously priced so you might want to look for an alternative.
Most rain wear doesn't breathe well or at all. So, while it protects you from the rain, it also traps your own perspiration.
Dedicated rain wear lacks any versatility. The only thing you're going to use it for is rain.
This is why I decided on a poncho tarp. A poncho will keep you reasonably dry and is breatheable. It can also be used as a tarp if you don't already have one or want to travel as light as possible.
You can get Fleece sleeping bag liners for about 17$. I don't know if that is cheaper than buying fleece by the yard.
I just use "ditty sacks"
For pillow, I sleep much better with one, but it's a personal choice. I have the Thermarest stuff sack pillow that is about the same weight as the ZPacks one, but it's also fully lined and about half the price. I keep my sleeping bag in it during the day to keep it dry and clean - and fill it with a jacket at night for filling.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001QWGU2I
https://www.amazon.com/Therm-Rest-Stuff-Pillow-Limon/dp/B001QWGU2I/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1483735305&sr=8-2&keywords=fleece+lined+stuff+sack
Therma-rest fleece lined stuff sack. Stuff the down jacket in at night and it's wonderful! Plus your jacket is pre warmed in the morning
Compare the size with the following sack on amazon. It is marked suitable for sleeping bags :
https://www.amazon.com/ALPS-Mountaineering-Compression-Sleeping-Assorted/dp/B000Y14JUC
Maybe use a poncho that drapes over the top of you and provides better ventilation.
I personally like this one a lot (sorry, out of stock) as it functions as rain gear and can become a shelter as well.
Here is another.
I got a cheap polyester liner off amazon for a recent boy scout summer camp. Was good for going to bed but I ended up needing the bag in the middle of the night.
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https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07M6ZYVVN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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60 is pretty chilly, you are definitely going to want some sort of insulation.
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I am looking at something like this https://smile.amazon.com/Active-Era-Ultra-Lightweight-Sleeping/dp/B076PN92WP/ref=pd_cp_468_3?pd_rd_w=vcJGY&pf_rd_p=ef4dc990-a9ca-4945-ae0b-f8d549198ed6&pf_rd_r=D5YFGP4K032D1NYYD81Z&pd_rd_r=4b7575c0-a8ca-11e9-a046-57e9afa9f59a&pd_rd_wg=vg5Ea&pd_rd_i=B076PN92WP&psc=1&refRID=D5YFGP4K032D1NYYD81Z for my next "hot" trip.
https://www.amazon.com/Prodigen-Inflatable-Anti-Air-Waterproof-Portable/dp/B07BGYWFGZ/ref=sr_1_3?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7LTKiYmZ4wIVB8DICh3JRQceEAAYASAAEgKZWfD_BwE&hvadid=282511597566&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9014961&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=9167663353407089647&hvtargid=kwd-475360024471&hydadcr=2869_9916055&keywords=prodigen+inflatable+lounger&qid=1562167944&s=gateway&sr=8-3
I own the prodigen inflatable lounger. Like i said I bought it last summer and have used it more than 30 times. It still retains the air with no problems and I would recommend it.
I have a 20 deg top and bottom quilt setup, and also a 40deg sleeping bag.
In the summer months, I just use the 40 deg bag, most of the time I just use it like a top quilt.
In the spring and fall the 20 deg quilt set up is used.
Ive gone on a couple winter trips, I take my 20 deg setup, and I also pack a thermal bag liner ( https://www.amazon.com/Sea-Summit-Reactor-Compact-Thermolite/dp/B003D5F6RQ/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1511881779&sr=8-5&keywords=sea+to+summit+sleeping+bag+liner)
These setups have gotten me into the low teens in winter months.
You mean like this? It's called a sleeping bag liner (though you can use them on their own). I have no clue where to begin recommending you find one other than online.
Maybe a fleece sleeping bag liner. Only $16. Probably not comfortable below 50F.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000Y14JUC/ref=pd_aw_fbt_468_img_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=7XXMG9TM878DVKSB4JJP&th=1
I found this one alps medium - there were 2 warehouse deal ones for 15 - no idea if they are the right size
The waterproof ones you linked to looked cool (may still get one) but I was thinking that the ones with the straps would compress more - do not know if that is accurate
You mentioned silk sleeping bag liners, but I'd like to mention fleece liners: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003BIT004/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_arc1Db6GN3P1C they insulate you with even more trapped air in your bag.
And/or you could put a mylar emergency bivy over your bag to reflect the heat you radiate: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DW347RP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_6uc1Db1JC0A7R
Interesting idea.
I use these guys: https://www.amazon.com/Outdoor-Products-Ditty-3-Pack-Colors/dp/B0007Q3KLS/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1505102538&sr=8-11&keywords=ditty+bag
They are not as ginormous as the picture makes them look.
I have this Coleman liner and use it all the time, and at $17 it is a pretty good deal, at least to someone like me that doesn't have extra blankets laying around.
I bought THIS quite awhile back. If your looking for a liner that provides a "separation", like a sheet, from your quilt I'd HIGHLY recommend it. If your looking to increase the R-Value, this probably isn't what your looking for. It packs tiny & light.
Thanks! I'll take a look at these. Should fit fine in a medium compression sack, yeah? One of these?
Air Hammock
They got a lot of others on there this is just the first one that popped up.
Pro tip: If you like EDM and plan to catch a few sets at Roo if you get close enough the bass makes the entire thing vibrate lol
I've been using one of these for a couple years.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005EPRMIO?ref_=sr_1_31&srs=2601977011&qid=1384983171&sr=8-31&pldnSite=1&th=1&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D1KZ2KW
Keep in mind that if you're a cold or normal sleeper, it won't really be comfortable at 20 degrees. Also, you can always unzip it and use it as a blanket and cool down a bunch.
I'll just give you the general advice of:
Down: Compacts smaller, is lighter, typically more expensive, doesn't insulate when wet
Synthetic: Bulkier, cheaper, does better when wet.
I think you're better off looking at synthetics, and if it's not going to be cold then any old thing will do just fine, you're probably most concerned with the amount of volume it takes up. Look into a compression sack.
Nekked.
If I need to wear a shirt I have a Uniqlo Airism shirt that I wear, and if that's not enough, I have a bed liner.
This is an older post, but for what it's worth, I slept in this bag liner in 62-65 degree weather (google and my watch disagreed on the temp) and was fine in camp clothes. I did get a bit chilly around 4 am, and slid into my sleeping bag for about an hour before I was too hot and got back out. Had I been wearing long sleeves and pants rather than short, I'd have been fine.
If you have a flannel blanket or something, bring it along, but you can likely leave the bag at home.
I'm sure you can find a better price than this one.
I have had mine for 5 years now... my wife has gone through 2 other sets of cubes in that time frame. (Both REI brand)
They are extremely light weight and I often roll one neatly into my small cube and pull it out when I begin my dirty clothing pile.
Another option is the rolling dry sack. I'll try and find ya a pic or link.
I have never used an item like this (so I cant speak to its reliability), but its fits the idea of what you wanted. Not a streamline so I cant speak to its ability to "save space" but it may work well for your needs.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077BPK2Y8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_SNKxCbQX554S2
Take warm sleep wear, and if you go for a bag that's not so great in the cold, consider getting an inner bag (eg. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sea-Summit-Thermolite-Reactor-Sleeping/dp/B003BIT004/ref=sr_1_fkmr2_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1540760794&sr=8-3-fkmr2&keywords=sea+to+summit+inner+bag) which just goes inside the sleeping bag and helps keep you warm and the bag cleaner inside.
If you don't mind, would you take a look at this bag:
Hyke & Byke Down Sleeping Bag for Backpacking – Quandary 15 Degree F Ultralight, Ultra Compact Down Filled 3 Season Men’s and Women’s Lightweight Mummy Bags https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078RF3KBH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_4y1ZBbC1H2TPR
and this liner:
Sea to Summit - Reactor Extreme - Thermolite Mummy Liner, One Size, Red https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003BIT004/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_2z1ZBbA0B6HFC
(Sorry for the formatting.) How can I tell if the liner will fit in the short bag? Do they seem an adequate weight for backpacking? Thanks!
-Don't buy a tent or backpack right now. You're on the east cost so you should have REI, EMS, and maybe some other outfitters too. Not only because you can try out different kinds, but also because hardly anyone really needs a backpacking backpack and they tend to be 200$ spacefillers in your closet. Buying a tent will likely be useful down the road but being able to rent a backpacking one vs a car camping one will keep quality up and costs down and be way more convenient at this point. Also, borrowing gear for trips is very much accepted as part of the culture. Also, to your point of camping places you can fly to, if it's in Can/US/Europe, I'd recommend using the rental option even more strongly. (Though if you don't hike more than 5 miles or so a day, travel a lot, and don't have to have a backpacking backpack, the Osprey Farpoint 55 or 70 may be the last travel bag of any kind you'll ever buy. I LOVE this thing and have taken it on trips all over.)
-One extra thought re tents: KNOW HOW TO SET IT UP. 80% is self explanatory, but knowing where on the ground to set it up, and how to use the rain fly / guy lines can be the difference between you being dry in a surprise rain and being cold, wet, miserable, and you (or your s.o.) not wanting to camp again. Youtube and your outfitter store employees are actually excellent resources for this.
-Furthering that line of thought, rent this season, then troll craigslist and other local for sale apps (like Letgo, Offerup and Ebay) for what you know by then demonstrably works for you at the end of the season.
-Buying a sleeping bag is a good idea though. The rule of thumb is the degree rating is the temp at which you won't freeze to death, so add about 20-30 degrees for comfy sleeping. But you can save some money and add versatility if you also bring a packable down blanket or a sleeping bag liner (those are the ones I use). Because you're looking for value over total quality, you won't need something that extra 10-15% of size difference, and because rain will screw you up less, I'd probably recommend a polyester bag. (Down tends to me more expensive and you're SOL when it gets wet. People pay more because down bags tend to be warmer for the weight and space, and they're generally better for the environment.)
-I'd also recommend getting a sleeping pad, and generally rec air mattresses of at least 2.5" for side sleepers. (I got a couple Big Agnes Air Core Ultra Insulated ones on offerup for cheap and think they work great.) For car camping you can just get a Coleman air mattress from Target etc, but TRY IT OUT BEFORE YOU GO EVERY TIME because they tend not to last very long...I don't think I've ever had an air mattress last more than about 4 trips without starting the slow leak of death march.
-A 4 person tent is overkill and you would never want to bring that on a backpacking trip. If you do backpacking and want some room, a good two person tent (I use Big Agnes Copper Spur HV2 for backpacking, and an Alps Mountaineering 3 person for car camping, which is huge by comparison).
-Overgeneralization, but generally speaking budget tents and sleeping bags are garbage. I tend to buy used "bombproof" gear from people who realize they don't like camping after they buy the bombproof gear (or when they decide to upgrade). Again, reselling camp gear is very much a-ok with the camp culture. On VALUE vs Price, some companies have amazing guarantees and will repair / replace your gear at no cost forever. (Some brands are Patagonia, Osprey, Darn Tough socks, all of which are companies who make amazing products.)
-I'd also say you don't need a cast iron pan for camping except for the aesthetic. any pan will do, and a cast iron just adds weight and inconvenience (unless you're really handy with a cast iron). One thing I do recommend having though is a couple good sized dry bags. Not only because of their intended use, but because they also double as a scullery bin for washing dishes (turn it inside out though so you can later wash off the oils etc after you're done washing the dishes and pots and turn the bag right side out again).
Hope this helps. Good luck on your adventures!
PS and in re New England adventures, you cannot go wrong with spending 4 nights in Acadia NP / Bar Harbor ME.
Thank you! I’m going to not try but I’m an anxious person off her anxiety meds - so I do the best I can 😂 I also have a really bad phobia of hotel beds so FW should be interesting while I sleep in my cocoon
Can you tell we had a really sexy honeymoon as well?
🤦🏻♀️👀
Sarah and I will be using hammocks w/ underquilts, so our pads are up for grabs. Ricky and Emily already called dibs though.