Best camping sleeping pads according to redditors

So, I just went through my Amazon orders and pretty much every single thing I saw that I bought for myself I thought was the best thing I ever purchased.

With great pain and strain, I narrowed it down to these three things:

• Inflatable Japanese Soaking Tub // I've always desired a deep bathtub that is in the Japanese soaking tub style. I had dreams of remodeling my bathroom to put in such a bathtub but when I priced it out the price tag had a lot of figures and made me very nervous. This device packs up to the size of two furled full size golf umbrellas side-by-side, but also fits into my existing bathtub and creates the soaking tub I so desire. Oh, and it cost under $100. Far less than a bathroom reno.
  
  
• Klymit Static V Insulated // It truly is a super crazy comfortable sleeping pad/mat for side sleepers. I camp with a quilt, rather than a sleeping bag, but that hasn't been a problem.
  
  
• ThermaRest Ultralight Cot Knock Off // At $40 vs $100+ for the name brand, but with the additional cost of 2 lbs, I am really happy with this cot. It is delightfully comfortable and I use it when traveling. I can sleep on my side without any sore spots developing.
  
  Edited to add links.

Klymit double V insulated 2 person pad $83.45 Amazon

Klymit Insulated Double V Sleeping Pad, 2 Person, Double Wide (47 inches), Lightweight Comfort for Car Camping, Two Person Tents, Travel, and Backpacking https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N28PUYX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_l.NHDb9FBHY56

Bought the double bag from Costco for me and my gf, that arrives Tuesday. It’s easier to convince her to camp when we are sleeping together. Bag - $129

https://www.costco.com/Klymit-2-person-Synthetic-Fill-Sleeping-Bag.product.100487976.html

I have not used one. If you are interested in alternatives though, I use this one and am pretty happy with it.

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https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072BJF9FW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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I work a night shift every week during which I have a 2.5 hour rest break and I go sleep in the Tesla so I am no stranger to Tesla camping. I sleep really well on this. This mattress fits perfectly and i just roll it back up when I'm done, blanket and all. I find it to be quite comfortable and fast and easy to setup/stow. the only minor complaint I would make is that the Model 3 cargo area is slightly slanted, my mattress does not correct for this, I would hope for $700 the dreamcase does.

I've recently bought a lot of this stuff after doing a good amount of research. Here are my recommendations:

Tent - I would get an Alps tent if you want a good value tent but aren't as worried about weight. How many people will you be going with?

Sleeping Bag - I have this sleeping bag which I absolutely love, but I haven't been able to find it online since I bought it. It packs as small as down sleeping bags but costs a fraction of the price and will still keep you warm in 30 degree weather (which it's done for me).

Pack - I just bought the Osprey Volt 75L which I think is a great value even though I haven't used it yet. I got it for $140 on amazon and the 60L version is less expensive than that. I'm not sure if this pack is bulletproof but it has great reviews and Osprey products are known for their high quality.

Cooking- I use this pot which works perfectly with a pocket rocket. I'm not sure what you mean by fire making equipment but if it's not below freezing or at a high altitude, the gas canisters are the most efficient and reliable way to cook food. Also, they're extremely light. If you're using a fire to cook you'll need a heavier duty pot/pan.

Clothes - I just look for good deals and buy when I find one. Get a good shell that's waterproof and breathable. I have a Marmot Nano AS Jacket that I love. Just make sure you have a baselayer that wicks sweat away and other layers that can pack down. DON'T USE ANY COTTON CLOTHES!

Tools - Other than a knife I have found any tools that are useful for their weight. If you have a solid knife you should be good.

Misc - Here's other things in my list for camping/backpacking:

Sleeping Pad - I use the Alps Sleeping Pad. You definitely need a sleeping pad if you're camping in colder weather for the insulating properties. You'll lose a significant amount of heat through the cold hard ground without a pad. The Alps pad is a little heavier but they're very durable and a great value.

Paracord - It's always useful to have paracord for different things.

Water Filter - You need this if you're going to the backcountry. It's not realistic to bring enough water with you for a weeklong trip. I have use this MSR water filter and the Sawyer Squeeze. The MSR filter costs more, but works very well and is fairly durable. The Sawyer Filter weighs almost nothing, but it's a little more difficult to use and definitely more difficult if you're trying to filter large quantities of water.

Not everyone will agree with everything on my list, but I try to find the best value in my gear. I look for the best value in terms of price, quality, weight, and packability. There are higher quality options that weigh less but cost more. There are other lower quality options that cost less. You'll have to decide what your balance is, but this should be a good list to get you started.

It's really not too hard to get started - just go where there's no buildings, and then stay there!

I like to find places that say "primitive" camping, which just means "less likely to be trashy people". I don't like to be at a campsite with 93 different tent sites, 92 of which are occupied by people playing music and drinking their bush beer at 3am and burning their styerfoam coolers. This may mean you get a campsite without restroom facilities, or with only a "vault toilet" (permanent porta-potty) - that's OK, you can go a day without a shower, it won't kill you. Be conscious that this is slightly more difficult for girls, if you have to pee in the woods, though.

Embrace the solitude; look up at the stars.

What kind of gear do you already have? You can get started super cheap if you're just doing some car camping and you don't want to get really involved in it.

There are a lot of posts and discussion all over the internet about how to shed weight so that you can go long-haul backpacking and do cool things way out in the wilderness, but cost scales like this with lightness. If you're just doing casual / first time / car camping, just go with some inexpensive gear until you decide, for you, what kind of camping you want to do.

For example, a three season sleeping bag will do you just fine for $23, for casual use. You may only get 20-30 uses out of it before you wear it out, but it's cheap. It's also good to have a sleeping pad; the old classic thermarest for $20 has worked just fine for people for 20 years, or an inexpensive inflatable pad at $25 makes a great choice. I usually don't bring a pillow, I usually wad up my clothes or jacket or both and use that as a pillow.

You typically want to have a tent that advertises (number of people actually sleeping +1) if you're doing simple / beginner camping, so for 2 people, get a 3-4 person tent. This is so you can fit all your gear in the tent. See if you can borrow one from a friend, or if you want your own, a 3 person tent or a 4 person tent will do just fine at $50.

It's a good idea to have some way to see in the dark, so bring a flashlight, or a mini lantern, or better yet, a head lamp is super useful.

You'll want to also remember to bring trash bags and toilet paper, in addition to the things you'd normally bring for an overnight trip (change of clothes, toothbrush, etc). Bring warmer clothes than you think you need, too - just in case. I can't count the number of times I've been camping, and thinking "Oh, it's only going to get down to 50 tonight", and because I'm far away from the city that the forecast was for, it actually gets down to 30 and I'm cold. Bring a jacket, bonus points for water-proof (in case it rains). Also, grab a small first aid kit (some bandaids, gauze, travel size hand sanitizer, neosporin, and a compression wrap should be able to handle most of what you'd need).

Bring water - especially if you don't know if there'll be potable water at the campsite. Just grab one of these things at the store is the easiest way. Bring a couple of disposable plates and some plastic cups.

Bring a folding chair! Don't bring anything that plays music! (annoys other campers).

For making food, I wouldn't bother with buying a stove or anything - just bring some charcoal and make a camp fire, and do "pocket dinners" or "hobo packs" - a great way to make a meal that is personalized to your tastes, and super easy. Grab some kielbasa or pre-cooked sausage, some onions, potatoes, brussel sprouts, bell peppers, mushrooms, whatever, make a big-ass sheet of aluminum foil by taking two big ass pieces of heavy duty foil and folding the edges together, dump the veggies in, wrap it up except for one end, put in about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of water, then just put it on the coals for 20 min, flipping halfway through, and then when ready, grab it with some tongs, put it on a paper plate, open it up, and eat right out of the foil. Makes clean up easy - just throw the whole thing away. For breakfast, poptarts or energy bars or bagles (toasted on the fire on a marshmallow fork!). My favorite camping breakfast, though, is hard-boiled eggs with bacon salt sprinkled on them. We boil the eggs ahead of time, but it does mean you'll have to fit them in a cooler.

At night, make sure all the food stuff is back in the car, or in a secure (bear-proof, which really mostly means racoon proof) location. Same thing with the trash - put it in the dump location, or put it in your trunk to pack it out. Before you go to bed, also fold up your camping chairs, and put them in the car, or under the picnic table, or whatever, so that they don't get the dew on them.

And lastly, but very important, remember to read all of the state, local, and federal regulations about where you'll be camping. Some places won't let you have fires, some will let you have fires only in established fire rings, some make you sign a thing and print it out and bring it with you, etc. In California, we have to have a shovel and a bucket of water. Some places, you have to sign a wildlife / "crumb-clean" pledge, some places you have to pay in advance. Most places don't want you to bring firewood because of pest infestation risks, so plan to either gather firewood at the site or buy it from the rangers if they offer it. Some places will have restrictions on where you can park and how many cars are allowed, or how many people per site, etc. Some places allow dogs; most don't (?). A lot of places have specific regulations about alcohol, and some have regulations about smoking. Just be aware of all of this ahead of time.

Hope this helps! Dunno if it's what you're looking for, but ... well, there it is!

For this scenario, I'm going to assume that you did not evacuate early, in which case you'd have had plenty of time to pack the car. So we'll say that you stuck around until getting out was no longer really an option and are now being evacced to a shelter. I'm going to start this off assuming that this only entails you and other adults, so if there are kids or pets please include specifics on those (including ages) and I will update for that.

Your BOB should include:

• A backpack, obviously. Large enough to do the job, small enough so that you don't over pack.
  
  
• Food: Three Mainstay 2400 bars which are available at Walmart for $5 each. Maybe pre-purchase one and give it a whirl before getting all three. If the taste isn't right for you there are other varieties like the Datrex bar. These are sealed water tight, last for up to 5 years, and will put up with extreme heat and cold really well. Make sure to put each bar in its own gallon ziploc freezer bag, as once opened the bars inside are not individually wrapped. The purpose here is to not be completely reliant on the shelter providing you food while also not having to worry about cooking/heating anything.
  
  
• Water: Rotate flats of bottled water in your house. In the event that you need to be rescued or bail out to the shelter, get a minimum of 3 liters into your pack. One per day. This way you're not completely reliant on the shelter to provide for you. It would also be a good idea to include a Sawyer Water Filter in case there are problems obtaining water. This is light weight and will allow you to get good drinking water for yourself from the bad if the fresh water situation does not dissipate quickly.
  
  
• Clothing: Have a change of clothes. Specifically, maybe even a couple of changes of underwear and socks. You'll really appreciate both. If you can, get it all in waterproof bags. If not, make sure the socks and underwear at least are dry. Preferably wool socks if you have them.
  
  
• Sanitation: Have your own roll of TP in another gallon sized freezer ziploc baggie. You don't know how much or if the place you go will have any. Also, tote along an appropriate amount of hand sanitizer. Not just for the bathroom, but for any time you interact with flood waters. I have disposable food gloves in my kitchen, and I'd probably consider tossing 3-4 pair in my bag. They're low weight and keep your hands clean if you end up doing some dirty work. Then... throw a stick of deoderant in your bag. That's not a necessity, but there's no reason to add more stink to what will likely already be a stinky environment. Consider also having some wet wipes in the kit to freshen up a bit.
  
  
• Health: You don't need a full med kit exactly, but have some ibuprofen or a pain reliever of your choice in fairly good amounts (others will almost definitely ask for some), some pepto tablets to either stop upset stomachs or to just back things up for a while if you don't want to use the facilities where you're staying, a small tube of antiseptic cream and band-aids for small wounds. With flood waters being filthy, you'll want to be able to treat minor cuts and scratches before they can become a real problem. Larger wounds you'll likely be able to get real medical treatment for, so you can just plan to take care of the small stuff yourself. Add in any medications that are specific to your situation as well.
  
  
• Documents: Have copies of documents that prove who you are and what you own. Have copies of insurance papers. Most importantly, have a list of phone numbers to people and companies that you would want to have in this situation. There is no guarantee that your cell phone will either survive or have a charge, so having a paper copy is crucial. Obviously you'll want to protect the more sensitive bits of info.
  
  
• Light: Have your own means of generating light. Invest in a decent 'waterproof' flashlight of some type. Here's a decent pair that won't break the bank but will give you some redundancy.
  
  Then there's comfort stuff. This one is a biggie and parts of it are largely optional, so I'll break down into its own section and you can pick what sounds best.
  
  
• First, make sure to have a charger for your phone, but if you want to be a really clever monkey then also include something that will turn one electrical outlet into many. There's near a 100% chance that someone else will have their charger plugged into an outlet with a line behind them. If you want to be sure of charging yours, bring an electrical splitter of some sort. You'll be a mini-hero to a bunch of folks, but more importantly you'll get to charge your phone. Write your name or initials on the splitter as well, just so you can prove it to be yours when you eventually need to take it back.
  
  
• Then also, you'll want to plan to take care of yourself for sleeping. A compact, light weight, and water proof blanket may well be useful for keeping you dry. Then you'll also likely want a compact sleeping bag, or maybe even one for two if you're with someone. Something small to port around, but that will give you a real blanket to sleep with. Then... there's no guarantee of a cot, so having a compact sleeping mat would probably be a smart call as well. You don't want to sleep directly on concrete if you can avoid it. For extra fanciness, don't forget a pillow, though you could probably make do without one.
  
  
• You might also want some ear plugs, as any shelter will be noisy... and people snore. Obviously sleeping with these in presents some dangers of not hearing what's going on around you, so use your judgement based on how safe you feel.
  
  
• Have cash, in small bills. Nothing higher than a 20, though plenty in smaller. Chances are atm's and credit card machines will not work, so you'll have what you have.
  
  
• Have some non digital means of entertainment. Maybe that's a book or two (though a water proofed kindle would probably last plenty long as well), or a deck of cards, or a compact chess board, or whatever tickles your fancy. Just don't rely completely on your phone for entertainment. It may be damaged or need a charge.
  
  
• Consider grabbing a camping tooth brush and a small tube of toothpaste. Sometimes it's the small things that make you feel human again. Might as well add in a small bar of soap as well in case you get a chance to take a 'sink bath'.
  
  
• Lastly, if you want to be a king of comfort in your new domain, you'll need a throne. Nothing special. Just a small back packable chair, but in a crowded shelter there might not be a place to sit other than the floor, so if you really want to splurge on this bag it's worth considering. Again, initial it so that you can later prove ownership.
  
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  That's the list off of the top of my head. You can easily stop at just the necessities, or go all in and plan to be comfortable in the situation you think you're most likely to face. Hope that helps.

Ridge rest classic $20:

https://www.amazon.com/Therm-A-Rest-6432-Therm-a-Rest-RidgeRest-Classic/dp/B00HANOY9I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492572762&sr=81&keywords=closed%2Bcell%2Bfoam%2Bsleeping%2Bpad&th=1&psc=1

 

Eureka Solitaire $85:

https://www.amazon.com/Eureka-Solitaire-Tent-sleeps-1/dp/B000EQCVNY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492573017&sr=8-1&keywords=eureka+tent

 

AEGISMAX Down Bag $65:

https://www.amazon.com/AEGISMAX-Outdoor-Urltra-Light-sleeping-Urltra-compactable/dp/B00XE2SKG2/

 

Not the best gear on the planet, but serviceable if that is a hardline budget.

I have this one thats super comfortable:
Lightspeed Outdoors Warmth Series Self Inflating Sleep Camp Pad (3.0) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F7WEQYG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_4V00Db2A4BC0C

Sharing a bedroom isn't ideal, but as long as there is a bathroom for privacy (and something padded to sleep on, it seems fine for weekends.

You say tent and sleeping pads but have this tagged as Travel. I'm confused...

Why is REI not somewhere you want to shop? They sell quality gear and have educated salespeople.

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Your question is really wide open... Could you provide more details to help us help you?

1. Where is your planned trip? When?
   
2. What low temps do you plan to sleep in?
   
3. Will you be solo or with a group? 1-person shelter or more?
   
4. What is your budget?
   
5. Do you value cost, weight, or quality most? Pick 2.
   
6. What is your experience? Ever been on a day hike? Car camped?
   
7. What gear do you need other than tent and sleeping pad?
   
   You don't have to be super specific with answers, but anything helps. Just trying to get an idea of your needs, because the options for backpacking gear are huge.
   
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   The goal is to keep your weight/bulk down. The #1 way to do this is by skipping gear that's unnecessary. While that's hard for someone new, since you don't know what is necessary vs. unnecessary, try hard to skip 'just-in-case' or too many 'luxury' items.
   
   If your full pack weight is under 30 pounds you are doing well, over 50 and you should rethink your approach.
   
   Most new backpackers will require a backpack in the 65 liter range. Fit is important to comfort, so if you could go into a local shop and try on a variety of options - do it.
   
   ----
   
   I wrote this semi-recently, check it out:
   
   

• https://www.reddit.com/r/CampingandHiking/comments/70cxqr/recommended_getting_started_gear_budget/
  
  Or check this out from /r/Ultralight:
  
  
• https://www.reddit.com/r/Ultralight/comments/4iz7re/ive_compiled_a_list_of_ultracheap_and_ultralight/
  
  ----
  
  If all that is too much... ignore it and go buy this:
  
  
• Tent: https://www.amazon.com/Naturehike-Outdoor-Double-layer-Waterproof-Lightweight/dp/B0749JS147
  
• Sleeping Pad: https://www.amazon.com/Klymit-Static-Lightweight-Sleeping-Green/dp/B007RFG0NM

Klymit Insulated Static V LITE
4.4 R-value, Packed Weight: 19.6 Ounces; Packed Size: 5" x 8"; Inflated Size: 72" x 23" x 2.5"; Inflation: 10-15 breaths. Lifetime warranty as well.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UW7LEOW/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_9?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Take a look at the Kelty Salida 2 is what my search-fu came up with.

Originally I was going to recommend the REI Half Dome 2. I've had mine for years. You can shave weight by ditching a ground cloth if you want but the weight over all is a bit higher than you commented.

Your price range will drive the options available, your weight requirement will limit that even more. If you want to use this as a Bug out type tent keep in mind the quality, uses and durability of what you're buying. I do understand a sealable tent is good to keep out bugs and weather.

My personal BOB 'tent' is:

• an army poncho as the tent (Doubles as a...poncho/shade/rain catchment/litter/sack)
  
• with some special fit poles (to turn it into a free standing tent)
  
• coupled with a multiple use casualty blanket [edit] as the ground sheet, can also wrap up in it too. It can be used for most of the same uses as the poncho.[/edit]
  
• a modified poncho liner (I added zippers around it and in the middle to make it more like a sleeping bag. You could use a heavier duty SOL Bivvy instead
  
• and a Therm-a-rest Z Lite which can be used as a seat too.
  
  I've used all of the above in various weather and stayed warm and dry. Colder weather I'd just keep a few layers of clothing on. Warmer weather I'd just layout on top of the poncho liner and be just fine. I do like the ability to just jump the fuck up and go into action without being impeded by zippers.

There is a lot wrong with this list, so I'm just going to work down it one by one with my thoughts on the matter.

USB flameless lighter? Why? That is going to be unreliable, at best. Throw a few BIC lighters and some stormproof matches in there and be done with it. IF you want to be fancy, get something built to be rugged, that will stand up to use in the field:

https://www.amazon.ca/Ultimate-Survival-Technologies-Floating-Lighter/dp/B00C85NBA6/ref=sr_1_2?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1482173178&sr=1-2&keywords=camping+lighter

Speaking of, I didn't see any sort of firestarting material. Warmth is going to be important, and you need as few steps as possible between you and fire. Get some quality firestarters. I am trying to keep all my links relevant from amazon.ca, so some of the brands I'm most familiar with aren't there. But these work well (though there are options from Wetfire and other brands that take up less space):

https://www.amazon.ca/Ultimate-Survival-Technologies-Fire-Stix/dp/B00C6SHODK/ref=sr_1_20?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1482173338&sr=1-20&keywords=emergency+fire+starter

What is with the mall-ninja "tactical" hatchet? That is a lot of weight and not a lot of utility. You'd be better served with a reliable and lightweight folding saw, and a good full-tang fixed-blade knife. Something like a 7 inch Corona saw:

https://www.amazon.ca/Corona-Cutting-Tools-RS-7041/dp/B00004R9YN/ref=sr_1_1?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1482173467&sr=1-1&keywords=corona+folding+saw

If you insist on carrying a hatchet (and their function in a bugout situation is debatable, especially for the weight) get something quality like an Estwing:

https://www.amazon.ca/Estwing-E24A-14-Inch-Sportmans-Sheath/dp/B00BNQR4SG/ref=sr_1_1?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1482173510&sr=1-1&keywords=estwing+hatchet

Nothing wrong with duct tape, but you'd do well to wrap just maybe 3-4 meters of it around a small core (like from doggy waste bags, or even just around itself).

The self-crank radio/flashlight/phone charger is shit. You also don't need four lights, especially if all of them are crap. Buy one good flashlight, and maybe one good headlamp.

A flashlight like a Nitecore P12 or something that runs on an 18650 and offers long runtime would be ideal. If you buy a diffuser cap for it, you can replace the lantern. Pick up some spare, high quality 18650 cells, as well. The P12 has SOS and beacon modes, which will run for days at a time, in addition to a nice throw and excellent brightness on Medium and High.

https://www.amazon.ca/Nitecore-Flashlight-Lumens-Meters-Distance/dp/B00PQE1D2E/ref=sr_1_2?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1482173859&sr=1-2&keywords=nitecore+P12

As for headlamps, those don't need to be super bright. You want something with enough brightness and floodiness to work around camp. But ideally you also want a red-light or low-light mode for night time, when you don't need to destroy your night vision just because you need to take a piss or something.

https://www.amazon.ca/TACTIKKA-CONSTANT-LIGHTING-HEADLAMP-DESERT/dp/B00GCGIGHK/ref=sr_1_14?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1482173989&sr=1-14&keywords=petzl+headlamp

The powerbank thing in the crank radio is crap, only 1000mah. Not enough to charge most modern smart phones even 25%. Figure that of that 1000mah, ~25% will be lost just due to inefficiency in the charging process. Get a 10,000mah or bigger high quality battery, with 2.1A ports, and be done with it:

https://www.amazon.ca/Anker-PowerCore-Portable-Ultra-Compact-High-speed-Charging-Technology/dp/B0194WDVHI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482173708&sr=8-1&keywords=anker+usb+power+bank

Combine the money you'd spend on the shitty folding knife and the shitty Gerber multitool, and buy a proper multi-tool. You don't need two folding knives.

The Leatherman Wingman is a good value, though I prefer a nicer quality one like the Charge TTi, but at four times the price it may not be worth it just for an S30V blade.

https://www.amazon.ca/Leatherman-2996-831426-Wingman-Multi-Tool/dp/B005DI0XM4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482174264&sr=8-1&keywords=leatherman+wave

Ditch the camp toilet paper, that stuff is like wiping your ass with cardboard. Get some biodegradable camp wipes from an outdoor store. You can now use these to clean your ass, and they also are useful for wiping your hands, or taking whore baths.

Same with the camp soap. Are you bugging out or camping for a week? Nothing you are going to do in a bugout situation is going to necessitate body soap. Toothbrush, floss, deodorant.

Ditch the giant first aid kit full of crap you don't need. Those things are heavy and 80 of the 85 pieces are just different sized bitch stickers. Build your own first aid kit tailored around the likely injuries you would face: sprains, cuts, burns. Maybe throw some Quik Clot Z-pack gauze or a tourniquet (CAT or similar) in there for larger trauma, if that is a concern to you. Limit the bitch stickers to 5-10. All gauze, tape, trauma pads, alcohol wipes, tincture of iodine, moleskin for blisters, tweezers, surgical shears, gloves, maybe burn cream. Small containers of medications you might need: aspirin, antihistamines like Diphenhydramine, anti-diarrheals, etc.

That survival paracord bracelet thing is garbage. You already have 100ft of paracord in your list (which you could probably cut down to 50ft). You don't need some shitty firestarter, whistle, and compass thing. Buy a real lensatic sighting compass. Not going to do you much good without a map and the ability to understand it, anyway.

https://www.amazon.ca/UST-Survival-Essentials-Lensatic-Compass/dp/B005X1YI3Q/ref=sr_1_5?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1482174799&sr=1-5&keywords=compass

You have both a cookset AND a mug/pot. This is extra redundant and not needed in a bugout situation. Stick to food you don't have to prepare. Caloric density is your friend. Jerky, EPIC bars, Clif bars, etc.

If you need to boil water, use a single-wall metal canteen (NOT a thermos). Remove the plastic lid, fill with water, set in your fire. Widemouth canteens like those by Klean Kanteen are multi-purpose (multipurpose is your friend). You can sterilize water, you can cook and eat food out of it (because of the large opening), and you can fill with hot water, wrap in a sock, and warm your sleep system.

https://www.amazon.ca/Klean-Kanteen-Stainless-Bottle-27-Ounce/dp/B0027W6WHE/ref=sr_1_sc_4?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1482174908&sr=1-4-spell&keywords=klean+kanteen+widemouth

You don't need a can opener if you have a good multitool.

Lifestraws suck ass. They only work as a straw, and I am going to guess you don't want to get your water by drinking out of puddles exclusively. Get a Sawyer Squeeze mini filter. This can be used in-line with a hydration bladder, can be used like a Lifestraw, or can be used to filter an fill your water storage containers/bladder:

https://www.amazon.ca/Sawyer-Products-SP128-Filtration-System/dp/B00FA2RLX2/ref=sr_1_1?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1482175065&sr=1-1&keywords=sawyer+mini

One seriously lacking area for you is your sleep system. A tarp and a space blanket are not going to keep you functionally warm. You might survive a night, but you won't be useful the next day.

At the BARE minimum, you should get a good, reflective, breathable bivvy sack, like this one from SOL, AND a sleeping pad. A bivvy will reflect heat back onto you, helping with heat lost through convection, but no sleeping bag will help with heat lost through conduction (you touching the cold ground). That is why a sleeping pad is mandatory. I have used the Escape bivvy and the Klymit pad linked here together, and both kept me comfortably warm to about 50 degrees F. Below that, I've had to augment with base layers or jackets, and that still sucked. If you are hoping to sleep in below freezing temperatures, you'll need a properly sorted ultralight sleeping bag.

https://www.amazon.ca/Adventure-Medical-Kits-Escape-Bivvy/dp/B00EVGD0FQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1482175280&sr=1-1&keywords=SOL+escape

https://www.amazon.ca/Klymit-06SVGR01C-Camping-Mattress-Green-Grey/dp/B007RFG0NM/ref=sr_1_1?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1482175199&sr=1-1&keywords=sleep+pad

Other recommendations of mine would be to take survival, medical and foraging guides and put them on a smartphone, along with a GPS mapping software and pre-downloaded offline topographical maps at 1:24k resolution of your main bugout areas and 1:100k resolution elsewhere. Something like Gaia GPS for iOS or Backcountry Navigator Pro for Android:

I have the Klymit Static V2 and for $40 when I picked it up it was a huge upgrade from just sleeping on the ground but sometimes I find myself rolling off the sides. With that said if your looking for comfort they sell a Lux version of this that is larger and thicker and is pretty well reviewed.

I used this sleeping pad for two weeks and I slept like a log every night. Also a side sleeper.

Is this better?

https://smile.amazon.com/Klymit-Static-Lightweight-Sleeping-Green/dp/B007RFG0NM

deals end in 4 hours

There is a 4-season version that is also on sale today.

Truth. I've backpacked for years with a $100 Kelty tent - heavy rains and wind no problem - and a $100 Marmot bag. Somewhere around 2005 it suddenly became easy to get good, cheap outdoor gear. It's not ultralight, but it's close enough.

The pad is a different story. Until recently you had to spend big to get something comfortable and reliable. Now that Thermarest has competition, prices have been halved. Our Klymits have lasted many nights outside with no problems, and I see great reviews for similar pads at half the price.

I considered the same but ended up buying one of these. Rolling it up takes up about the same amount of space as the dreamcase, and comfort level was quite good. Only ended up using it one night this summer, and left the car plugged into a 110 outlet so we had 0 battery drain while leaving the A/C on.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072BJF9FW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I'm planning on doing somthing similar for an upcoming camping trip, but instead am looking at this mattress. It's a bit thinner and looks like it takes up less room.

Also, you can easily remove the rear seat so it will lay flat.

You're so thoughtful for putting all this together for her! The quality of your sleep has the biggest impact on the quality of your experience, IMHO, and a good air mattress makes all the difference. I use this model, which rolls up small, is lightweight, and is surprisingly cushy for how compact it is. I highly recommend it! Also, if she doesn't have them yet, you could get her some legit disposable earplugs and a comfortable sleep mask. A tent fan would be bomb, too, but I haven't found one that's worthwhile yet.

Beyond sleeping accoutrements, depending on her style, you could get her body glitter, body paint, metallic tattoos, body/face gems, funky sunglasses, a bubble necklace, a pipe bracelet, spoon jewelry, iridescent wings, light toys, a hooded leotard, flowy pants, etc. Big emphasis on the depending on her style part. There are as many different looks as there are people in the forest. Happy gifting!

REI's Backpacking Tips for Beginners is a good place to start.

https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/backpacking-beginners.html

You'll notice the first section is "Find an Experienced Partner". While this sub and others can give you a lot of advice, it's not a substitute for a partner who knows what they're doing. That doesn't mean you can't just go out and "wing it"... if you do, don't bite off more than you can chew. Better to take a few shorter overnights just to get used to things before heading out into the backcountry and having an epic. And I think you need a permits for Yos/Mammoth, so better look into that.

The REI list discusses shared gear and personal gear. Most likely an experienced partner is going to already own a tent, stove, cookware... but if it's just two of you with no gear, you'll have to pick up both shared and personal gear. How you want to split the cost is up to you.

The checklists are nice... but before you go out and buy everything on the list, make sure you will actually need them. Start with the basics; tent, bag, pad, pack, headlamp, FAK, maps & compass, stove, pot, utensils, shoes and clothing... and then go from there.

Here's the REI backpacking checklist:

https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/backpacking-checklist.html

It's comprehensive, but remember you don't need everything on the list. It's pretty common for a beginner to go out and spend way too much money, and then start leaving stuff home as they find they don't need it on the trail.

REI is a great place to spend (a lot of) money. They've got very nice gear, and a great return policy if the gear doesn't work for you... but you'll pay full retail if you just walk in and buy the gear. With a membership, all full price items return 10% to you at the end of the year so it's not too bad, and they have seasonal 20% off coupons which do help. It's a good place to pick up a pack since they can help getting you one that fits, which goes a long way to a comfortable hike. Ditto with shoes, and you can try out mattress pads and see what's comfortable for you.

You can buy other things elsewhere like Amazon... but it's recommended that you go to a gear shop to try on packs (and buy it there to support the store).

Here are a few recommendations:

Pack - Gregory and Osprey are often recommended. For a beginner, 50L-60L is a good size. Don't get a 70L pack, you'll just end up bringing more gear than you need. Try the pack on, load it up with weights, and make sure it fits and carries well. Sometimes the REI packs will fit you better than others... if that's the case get the REI (and save a few bucks).

Tent - Huge range of products here. The Lynx is a decent starter tent for the cost. It'll probably last a few years, and by then hopefully you'll have more money and more experience and get something you like better.

Sleeping bag - If you can afford a down bag, that's great, they're lighter and pack smaller than synthetic bags. The Kelty Cosmic 20 is a good bag for the price.


Pad - Look at the basic inflatables (keep in mind the R-value if you're thinking of going later in the season) like the Thermarest ProLite. Some stick with foam pads like the Thermarest Z Lite pad to save money. Try them out and see what you like.

Stove - The MSR PocketRocket is ol' reliable. Lot of people have them, but the new MSR PocketRocket 2 is more compact and lighter. There are some cheap (< $15) stoves on Amazon, the Etekcity and BRS 3000T... people have been using them but they're small and more suited to people who are just boiling water for dehydrated meals rather than those who actually cook.

Cookset - Don't spend money on a 12 piece cookset...they're cool, but at some point you'll probably figure out you only need a shared pot and a mug for each person. And maybe a small fry pan. Depends on what you want to eat out there. Anodized aluminum is light and sturdy, but more expensive than other options. Titanium is super light, but doesn't disperse heat well so it's great for boiling water, but not so much for cooking non-liquid meals. Stainless steel is heavy but will last many years.

Spork - so many sporks out there... long handled spoons work better for getting food from the bottom of a packet.

Headlamp - Get a decent headlamp. Black Diamond Spot is a nice one, Petzl makes some nice ones as well.

Good luck!

This plus two of these (one to sleep on and one to sleep under) is all you need.

Cots aren't worth the space needed and air mattresses aren't worth the time it takes to set them up, the noise with it, or the space.

Pay Attention here... PUT SOME INSULATION BETWEEN YOU AND THE DAMN GROUND!

IMHO, Have read your other posted questions, you need to get better at listening to advice.

Have fun...

I love my Klymit. The thing folds up to the size of a Nalgene bottle and is way more comfortable than you'd expect. I'm 5'10, 190lbs and like to sleep on my side and sleep great on this.

Other alternative (which is decidedly NOT convenient and is bulky, but is insanely comfortable if you're going car camping or using it stationary in your apartment and don't need to lug it around) is getting a memory foam mattress like this. I pull this out when friends crash at my apartment and they have all raved about how comfy it is. It's also great for cold weather camping, since the foam is a great insulator. I had this one on a trip that got down to 37 overnight and it kept me super toasty.

I have a Klymit Insulated Static V. Was on sale for $45 on an Amazon deal of the day once so I picked it up. Pretty happy with it. Not sure what an additional 150 would bring to the table other than perhaps less weight or more insulation.

the model you linked is not only super heavy, but I doubt would get you near comfortable. you will also need to pair either bag with matching r value ground insulation. for instance a pad like this
https://www.amazon.ca/KLYMIT-Insulated-Static-Camping-Orange/dp/B00ANRW7DI/ref=sr_1_1?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1494229667&sr=1-1&keywords=klymit+insulated+static+v THis is a huge mistake many people make. The ground insulation is paramount.

The model below is a better option.

https://www.amazon.ca/Sports-TrailHead-Ultralight-Sleeping-Orange/dp/B007JTLKCC/ref=sr_1_1?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1494229515&sr=1-1&keywords=teton+sleeping+bag

It's also better to NOT compress your bag. Line your pack with a trash compactor bag, push the sleeping bag into the bottom of your pack. Not in a stuff sack.

https://youtu.be/J1UZvwPnA_o

> But you definitely want something in between you and the ground.

Bear Grylls did a show once ("Get Out Alive" I believe) where he said "A layer on the bottom is worth two on top." Cannot stress enough how important it is to insulate from the ground.

I once went "camping" at a music festival. Days were plenty hot, nights weren't that cold, first night I slept outside, on the ground, no insulation at all. Woke up darn cold. Second night, slept outside on a foam pad not unlike this, no top insulation. Woke up feeling warm as could be.

I have a 65 lab/pit mix. Hes a massive cuddler but doesn't like to get in the hammock. I've cut down one of these z-pads to fit him. He will sleep on that directly underneath me all night no problem. It even fits in his pack so I don't have to carry his weight on our backpacking adventures.

This time of year you can get away with a cheaper -4C sleeping bag, but if you have a little extra coin, get a better one.

A compression sack for the sleeping bag.

These are good mattresses.

Bring a light coat. This can double up as a pillow at night.

If you plan on cooking anything, a pocket stove and a fuel canister, and a 1L stainless steep pot. Spoon or fork (I just cook dehydrated food).

A tent with a fly.

Headlamp.

Bear spray and small air horn.

A few pairs of socks and underwear.

Baby wipes.

Ziplocks for trash. Toilet paper. Ideally a bear canister.

Toque, long johns, pair of sandals.

Food.

50' of parachord.

Light clothes that are NOT cotton.

Cook a very decent distance away from your tenting area, and clean a good distance away from your tenting area. Avoid strong smelling food. Know what a bear hang is and learn how to use it if it's available.

I have the Klymit Static V. Better than a foam pad. Packs down small. Within your budget. https://www.amazon.com/Klymit-Static-Lightweight-Sleeping-Green/dp/B007RFG0NM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1499701452&sr=8-3&keywords=klymit+static+v

My "go to" is my Exped SynMat 7. Packs small. Very comfortable. Built in pump. But outside your budget but worth the money IMO. https://www.amazon.com/Exped-SynMat-Sleeping-Terracotta-Long/dp/B0018MC976/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1499701508&sr=8-3&keywords=exped+mat

You got this. Start sneaking the things that matter to you into the truck you want to take so long as your wife won't notice (i.e. put the tarot deck you like in the glove box). It's not much but it will feel like something.

One trick I've heard from people who voluntarily lived in their cars was that they joined a cheap 24 hour gym so they could shower. When you're ready to leave, check Good Will for secondhand camp gear if you need it. If you want to splurge, this is the one I used at a music festival. It was great.

If you feel like putting down roots on the east coast and need a safe place to park, give me a buzz.

FWIW, I am around 250 and 6'1" and I bought a Klymit Static V Insulated for less than $60 new and when I'm on my side my hip and shoulder don't touch the ground. Its R-Value is 4.4 vs 5 for the StoS, so real close. I have nothing bad to say about the Klymit air mattress- its sturdy, lightweight, and packs smaller than a water bottle. I even bought the non-insulated version for summer camping.

I absolutely love Sea to Summit stuff like dry sacs, pack covers, sleeping bag liners, and pillows, but I couldn't imagine spending that much on an air mattress when one half the price is fantastic.

I'm doing my first camp in a long time next week with the scouts too. We are in Utah, but expect 30s overnight.

I am taking a cot, with an insulated sleeping pad, and a 0° bag. My son is fine in his 0° bag in a hammock, he's done a few at this temp without being too cold (even without an underquilt or pad).

I'm also a side sleeper, and feel too tight in mummy bags. I picked up a Teton Sports Polara bag, it was a little cheaper a month ago when I bought it. It's really nice. I tested it out with the cot and insulated pad, and it was very comfortable. It has a built in fleece liner that won't get all twisted because it clips and zips into the bag. They unzip fully, so you can get 2 and make a double bag. You can remove the fleece liner for warmer weather.

I will also be trying out an inflatable pillow for between my legs instead of a body pillow.

Check with your local REI store, see if they have a garage sale between now and the camp. You can get lots of stuff at about 70% off. I got my insulated stratus pad for $20 that's normally $100. Klymit makes a decent one that's well reviewed on Amazon and cheap.

Because I am rusty with camping, and getting involved with the local scouts, I will be camping more in the future, but have little to no supplies. I'm building my new supplies now. I have been reading a lot of Outdoor Gear Lab reviews, I like their reviews, they compare different brands instead of just reviewing one product at a time. That's what lead me to the Polara sleeping bag. They also usually have a budget pick.

If you're going cold-weather camping make sure you get a bag rated for low temperatures, like this. Otherwise, you can get one like this. If you want to spend some more money and are going to start camping more often, I'd suggest a mummy bag like this.

Also, rookie campers also tend to forget a sleeping mat, like this. You put this underneath your sleeping bag so that while you sleep, you aren't laying on the hard ground. It's not strictly necessary, but it'll make sleeping a lot easier, and they usually help conserve your warmth if you're camping in cold weather. You can take any normal pillow you have, but it should probably be one that you're not afraid of getting dirty.

I had been making photo albums but just started a YouTube channel. My friend was nice enough to let me borrow his GoPro and mounts but most of the time I record with my phone (also have another camera but it's a bit broken and can only take pictures). Part of what I'm ordering from amazon is a new monopod/tripod/selfie stick which I'm very much in need of at the moment since my videos are a bit shaky.

Haven't gotten around to do any solo 2 day trips yet (most of the time I'd be with a group and there would be designated campsites to fill up water at) but if I was going out with no means to fill up I'd take anywhere from 4-6 liters of water. The climate here is very hot and there is no such thing as bringing too much water. If there was a water source I could potentially allow myself to bring less since I could boil any water I find.

Amazon list:
-5.11 Rush 72 55L backpack
-Mora Companion (stainless steel)
-Bahco Laplander
-Headlamp
-Jetboil 10in frying pan
-Whetstone

All together that weighs 7.9 pounds and at some point I'd like to get a sleeping pad and tarp bringing it up to ten pounds (not including food, water, and other supplies which might get me to around 15-20 pounds depending on the duration of my outings).

As for the grill it's just a makeshift one. Four tent pegs and a small grate.

Therm-a-rest has the Zlite on sale on amazon. Z Lite Sol for $26/$33Zlite for $30

Most of their inflatables are sale on amazon also.

This one has treated me extremely well, being that I'm an ultra light fan, that it's comfortable enough, pretty sturdy, packs tiny, and the price is great: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007RFG0NM/ref=abs_brd_tag_dp?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

It seems to be $53 on Amazon and $60 for your link? Am I looking at a different one?

Hey! I was in that general are too up until recently. I'm no mold expert but I can only suggest my own setup, which may come across as a non-answer, but I don't sleep on a mattress: I sleep on an inflatable air mattress, like for hiking (this one specifically). Super minimalist but for whatever reason I feel comfier than on big real mattresses. I haven't had mold/mildew problems with that inflatable mattress, mainly because…there's no 'inside' really for the mold spores to cling to, and if it gets dirty it's super easy to disinfect the outside of and just wipe down.

If you're a big-bed sort of person, there are definitely bigger (like full-sized) inflatable mattress options out there. I also like mine because with limited space, I can roll it up and stow it every morning and basically have loads of floor space back

So that's an option

Maybe just buy a cheap sleeping pad and cut what you need?

This one is cheap. Also available at Amazon. Walmart has some different types too, with free store pickup.

If your on a budget and a side sleeper i would recommend this pad https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZWW2FD?psc=1

Yup, I've been looking at those myself. I have a couple of spare faucets so am going to pick up a couple of these and assemble the taps.

I'm interested in any reports on how the neoprene sleeve works to keep it cold. It's not too pricy, but I was considering just picking up some cheapo camping pads and DIY-ing it, maybe buying the ice blanket for additional cooling. Feel like the camping pad may offer more insulating power, but would probably need a nylon cover for durability. If the neoprene works OK, it's probably worth a little extra dough.

I'm really on the fence about the mini CO2 charger though. Way more convenient than a big tank, but I read that it takes 4-5 16g cartidges to serve a 5 gallon keg? That's about $5/keg if you buy in bulk from amazon, plus the expense of the charger.

Self Inflatable Air Pad - So much better than sleeping on the tent tarp / yoga mat.

Handheld Water Misting Fan - The most popular item at my tent the past couple of years. Put a few small ice cubes and water for a refreshing cool down.

My personal one here it works great I’ve used it well over year and always sleep great while using it.

Them-a-rest Z life and I have taken so many camping trips way better than a air matter no blowing up
Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Original Ultralight Foam Camping Pad https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00453NA1E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ZtjxCbFR0QQNQ

So slap one of these things
underneath my inflatable?

I have an Osprey Aura 65 that I love. It is very comfortable and can hold a lot.

Sleeping pad: Thermarest Z lite. Cheap and light and comfy. https://www.amazon.com/Therm-Rest-Lite-Mattress-Regular/dp/B005I6R0WC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1503837564&sr=8-1&keywords=z%2Blite%2Bsleeping&th=1&psc=1

Pillow: https://www.amazon.com/Trekology-Ultralight-Inflating-Camping-Pillows/dp/B071ZPMGQ9/ref=sr_1_4?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1503837613&sr=1-4&keywords=camping+pillow

Don't listen to people who tell you to leave your comfy stuff behind, if that is what makes camping fun for you - bring it. Your chair, your cup, your coffee, your wine, your fresh clothes so you don't feel disgusting.

Pack your pack with what you think you want to bring (including water) and then walk around with it for a while. If it feels horribly heavy, unpack and see what you might leave behind - maybe you don't need as many changes of clothes (I am guilty of this one) or you can repack your toiletries into much smaller containers.

Then go on your trip! (weigh your pack before you leave) When you get back, get out your kitchen scale out and weigh things individually. Add up the weight of the things you didn't use and realize how much lighter your next trip will be. (except first aid stuff, which you won't always use. But that shouldn't be more than 5 ounces or so.)

And I wouldn't go post over at r /ultralight just yet. They will tell you things like "you don't need 2 bras" or "you can sit on a log and just eat your instant coffee to save the weight of the stove!" Obviously they have never experienced boob sweat. And I say this lovingly, I post over there. Reading there can give you some ideas though.

And car camping is a good way to bridge the gap between glamping and camping. It's how I started camping. It just lets you figure out how your tent set up will be, whether your cooking kit works for you, how your meals work, etc.

I recently spent some time tent camping above the arctic circle. The biggest thing is just to have a warm place to sleep. That means a sleeping bag that is going to be adequate for the temperatures you're going to be dealing with. If you're going to be backpacking, you'll want to get a down sleeping bag good for around 0F. That will keep you warm in most conditions and because you can either not wear anything if it's hot or wear full thermals/down jacket to bed if it's really cold. If you're going to be car camping most of the time you can get a really warm synthetic bag for way cheaper than down, but it will be huge and heavy. (which is fine if you're car camping). Aside from a warm sleeping bag you'll want to make sure you have a sleeping pad that will reflect your body heat back at you so the ground does not suck the heat out of your body through your sleeping bag. I would recommend a z-pad and a blow up backpacking mattress. You could also use a huge coleman blow up mattress if you're car camping.


The other thing is food. If it's really cold you won't want to be cooking something complex. I usually bring a can of chili and some bread or something to quickly cook in a jetboil.


Obviously you'll want to make a fire so bring wood if you have a car. As far as activities go, when it's cold you're just going to spend the entire night sitting around the fire eating and drinking.


Just make sure you dress appropriately or you're going to be miserable. That means layering. Thermal base layer, warm pants, medium weight fleece, down puffy over that. You may want gloves and a beanie for sleeping.

Hey all. Relatively new to the ultralight scene, but have been trying to go lighter weight over the last few years. Will probably still be a while before I'm true ultralight (6lbs for the big 4?), but my current plan would have me at 7-7.5 lbs for the big 4. Was curious about your input / any suggestions for improvements:

• Tent - Naturehike CloudUp2 (owned) - $120, 3.30 lbs (shared with wife, 1.65 lbs)
  
• Pad - Klymit Static V (owned) - Bought for $50, 1.15 pounds
  
• Bag - Mountaintop 40 Liter Hiking Backpack (owned) - Bought for $27 in an amazon lightning sale, 2.05 lbs.
  
• Sleeping bag - Hyke & Byke Eolus 15 degree 800 FP down bag (plan to buy) - $150, 2.54 lbs
  
  Overall, $350/7.4 lbs for the big 4. I definitely know there's room for improvement and I will probably be replacing things as I can afford it. The most obvious place for improvement is the bag, but I'd actually bought one for my wife as a temporary hiking bag for our first hike-in camp together but we ended up both really liking it. It's comfortable and for $27 it was hard to pass up, especially as it has all the compartments I like in a hiking bag (i.e. access to the bottom section for the sleeping bag). Welcome to criticisms and suggestions.
  

Klymit Static V Lightweight Sleeping Pad, Green/Char Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007RFG0NM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_2elDCbPHNFCCB

I'm just going to drop in and advocate approaching backpacking with the ultralight philosophy. The key principle behind ultralight is to bring only what you need for any given trip and, ideally, nothing more.

Now I'm not saying don't pack things that will add value to your trip, but one of the biggest pitfalls to backpacking is packing in your fears. When people first start, they often bring excessive amounts of clothing, safety gear to outfit an expedition company, more entertainment than one might realistically want or use, or an entire kitchen - sink included. However, most people will discover that if they can lighten the load on their shoulders, they will end up enjoying trips much more. It's best to consider what you need (or even what can be shared in this instance!) - e.g. sharing shelters, cook systems, entertainment, food. Clothing-wise as long as you have an insulating layer (fleece or down jacket) and a rain jacket, and you're more than likely good to go.

So with all that in mind, let's talk about gear more specifically. If you're just getting started, it's best to borrow gear if possible. Sans that option, trying cheap gear is totally reasonable. However as with any hobby, there can be massive differences your random Amazon gear and even the bottom-of-the-barrel hobbyist gear. If you expect you'll want to pursue backpacking more in the future, consider looking into the ultralight and ultracheap gear list recommendations as well as the alternative options.

Since we're looking at coastal trips in California, you can safely estimate lows to be no lower than 40° unless you're truly up in the mountains. Sleeping pad-wise I'd recommend either an inflatable like the Klymit Static V or a CCF pad like the Z-Lite Sol or RidgeRest. I hesitate to recommend an ultralight quilt for a first-timer due to cost, but for reference a 30° HammockGear Econ Burrow weighs 18.62 oz, whereas the one OP linked weighs ~4 lbs.

There's a lot more to be said than what I've mentioned, so I invite y'all to check out /r/ultralight for more discussions on ultralight philosophies and gear. The wiki is a tremendously helpful resource as well. If any of you want a pack shakedown to have someone look over your gear list, feel free to reply or DM me, and I'll try to get back to you when I can. I'll most likely either be out in Texas or climbing Shasta for the weekend this trip will be planned, but have fun out there!

Also paging /r/ulnorcal - /u/Sharp_LR35902 /u/id3550

Those are the poles, I actually edited my reply, perhaps while you were typing out yours.

I cant really say anything about the tent, you will have to trust the reviews. It still looks a bit heavy at almost 7lbs but with your budget I am not sure how much better you can do. You would need to bump up to probably close to $200 just for the tent. (For example: my wife and I took the marmot limelight 3 person tent out and it weighs in at just under 7lbs, I still felt it was really heavy splitting the cost.)

That sleeping bag has actually been debated recently. For the price it is hard to believe the claimed rating, there are concerns that it wont be warm enough. If you do go with that one you might want to try it out somewhere close to home/car first if you can.

I don't have a lot of experience with specific sleeping pads but the klymit static V insulated is a pretty popular budget option and has a 4.4 r value. It is currently $55. Its comfortable enough , my wife used that one when we went out.

If you happen to be near an REI check and see if they are having a members garage sale on December 1st, many locations are. They can have some huge discounts on gear, you just have to be careful before you buy as there are no returns. I got a 3.4lb 2 person tent for 60% off and the REI magma 10 sleeping bag for 50% off. The prices might be a little more than your current budget but you can really find some awesome prices on quality gear. If you aren't already a member it will be $20 to join (lifetime membership).

Since weight isn't your biggest concern, I have a Klymit insulated static V and while not the lightest it's very reasonably priced compared to an Xtherm and comfortable at 2.5" thick. Currently going for $52 on Amazon, R value 4.4 and 25 oz, or the 'lite' version which is 19 oz and going for $75

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ANRW7DI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_kcBwyb9FMZQG5

> all this.. Can you link to a sleeping pad? I'm assuming its not the same thing as an air mattress.

This is what i currently use, Klymit Static V Insulated

But i have also used just a reflective sun shade for large trucks.

What is the weather and expected temps for where you are going.

Probably not, unless you have something to insulate you from the ground. You need a sleeping pad, and not just a regular air mattress. Something that is specifically designed to keep you warm when sleeping on the cold ground. Sleeping pads are usually rated by an "r-value". The higher the "r-value", the warmer it should keep you. There are cheap foam pads to very expensive inflatable pads. Doesn't look like you're form the US, so I am not sure how hard it would be to get your hands on a Klymit Insulated Static V, but they're pretty affordable, comfortable, and warm. They're not great for backpacking but they are great for car camping.

https://www.amazon.com/Klymit-Static-Lightweight-Sleeping-Coyote-Sand/dp/B00BZ3C900/ref=sr_1_1?s=outdoor-recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1468332134&sr=1-1&keywords=Klymit+Static

That sleeping pad is a really great entry level pad. You won't regret it.

I've tried a few and the self inflating ones don't cut it for me, I seem to always feel what's underneath. In my mind it's no better than a thin yoga mat. This is my current fav, a few breathes to inflate and don't really feel anything. Ymmv.

You can get it for under $40 during pretty regular Amazon sales https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LGAQ7NW/

No problem! The Klymit Static V sleeping pad is a popular budget choice and it looks like CampSaver has it for about $45. It's going to be warmer than that Amazon one (I assume, because the Amazon one doesn't list an R value at all). But maybe someone else around has some experience with it that they can chime in with. Personally, I would not skimp on the sleeping pad. Looks like Amazon has the insulated Klymit Static V pretty reasonably, too. That brings your R value up to 4.4 for only $40 more.

Klymit Insulated Static V LITE 4-Season Sleeping Pad

Just got mine yesterday. Under your price limit, Incase you don't find a used one. Another option is the Paria Outdoor Products 'UL' sleeping pad. It's pretty decent too.

Nice, I sort of did something like this where I rode with a semi truck starting at the same station. I rode faster so I got way ahead of him but would have to stop every 100 miles to fill my tank, where he would pass me, and then I would catch back up, wave, pass him again, over and over for about 500 miles.

Noticed your sleeping pad, these are much nicer to sleep on and take up the same amount of space. I've had one for the last 7 years and love it.

This is a great insulated lightweight pad and on sale right now.

https://www.amazon.com/Klymit-Static-Ultralite-Sleeping-Insulated/dp/B074WG9QM3

I was happy to pay $80 for it, and now it's on sale for $67.

https://www.amazon.com/Klymit-Insulated-Double-Sleeping-Orange/dp/B01N28PUYX/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1537804352&sr=8-3&keywords=klymit+insulated+double

$159 Amazon Prime. 74” x 47” x 3” and 3.6lb

Insulated with an R-Value of 4.4

Fits all your requirements

I really like the MEC Reactor 6.5 Double or the Klymit Static V Insulated Double.

This mattress is not inflatable, but looks very comfy.

https://www.amazon.com/Better-Habitat-SleepReady-Mattress-Waterproof/dp/B072BJF9FW/ref=mp_s_a_1_10?keywords=mattress+tesla&qid=1562790429&s=gateway&sr=8-10

This is what I bought
Edit : it’s super compact! It’s a bit bigger than a water bottle !

OutdoorsmanLab Ultralight Sleeping Pad - Ultra-Compact for Backpacking, Camping, Travel w/Super Comfortable Air-Support Cells Design (Blue) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZWW2FD?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

You could get a roll up foam mattress. It wouldn’t take up much room when you move back into a furnished dorm and then you’ll have it for camping too

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072BJF9FW?ref_=Oct_CABSellerC_3401801_2&pf_rd_p=1c9d462b-3a46-5ce6-9a48-b071af0f98c9&pf_rd_s=mobile-hybrid-5&pf_rd_t=30901&pf_rd_i=3401801&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=4KDEPKN6V5VM08EWH001&pf_rd_r=4KDEPKN6V5VM08EWH001&pf_rd_p=1c9d462b-3a46-5ce6-9a48-b071af0f98c9

I've been very impressed with Fox40 whistles. They are used by referees and are amazing at getting attention.

You don't necessarily need a license for the radios. FRS or CB for example. Besides if only you have a license and radio then how can you talk with the rest of your family?

> And do you have any recommendations on those sleeping pads?

Tons ^_^ I've been making a database of sleeping pads for fun.

The least expensive compact pads that people seem to like are made by Outdoorsman Labs. This is their most compact. Though for a few dollars more there is the namebrand Klymic Static V. These are both 0.9 liters packed.

The best deal that I know of at the moment is the $30 Eureka Singlis ST. Normally $50. It is a little heavier and bulkier (1.2 liters) but is notable for having a built in pump.

edit: Forgot to mention that Klymit has an ebay store where they sell their refurbished units. The Static V is $40 there.

I just got the Klymit Insulated V Ultralite SL, this one here. It arrived yesterday.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074WG9QM3/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I'm new to backpacking and didn't want to spend $200 on an insulated pad. We mostly camp 3 seasons too but I like to camp late fall/early spring and in the Carolinas in the mountains it can dip into the 20's (and sometimes the teens if up in higher elevations).

I took a nice nap on it yesterday, it's really comfy once you get the perfect amount of air let out after inflating. I was using with an inexpensive Teton bag I picked up also on Amazon and with the Klymit "X" pillow, which is nice.

The material on both the pillow/pad is really thin but it seems to be made out of a pretty durable woven material. The UL pad comes in at just under 1 LB and with 4.4 R Value, won't get super cold. I think the higher R-Value is great since the weight also stays low. I don't think you will get too hot at all, I would definitely get an insulated pad unless you plan to buy more than one.

Pad I listed comes in JUST under $100 ($95), comes with a patch kit, and has a limited lifetime warranty if purchased new from Klymit. Honestly I am pretty impressed with their stuff so far.

BTW what quilt did you go with? My bag is pretty cheap, bulky (synthetic fill) and weighs 4.1 lb (ouch). I just got my wife a Kelty Cosmic 22 degree womens bag which is under 3 lb sinc she wants to hike fairly light, but I really want to find a nice sub 2-3 lb insulated bag or quilt and most bags in my temp/weight desired range are $200+.

EDIT: just saw you listed your quilt, looking now :)
EDIT #2: just saw they currently have a 6-7 week lead time which won't help me for my trip in 2.5 weeks :(

If you're wanting to sleep on the ground and not in luxury, this would be your best option. Make sure to buy the insulated version.

Match it up with a brand name double sleeping bag like the Big Agnes Dream Island and you're good to go. Just don't forget pillows!

I just got this! OutdoorsmanLab Ultralight Sleeping... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZWW2FD?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

Not sure if it’ll be to thin for you but it has been working great for me so far. Inflates quickly, gets tight, firm, but forgiving. Slept very well.

Just a note- if you're going the car camping route and want to go super cheap on the sleeping pad, I grabbed this for $12 on Amazon. It isn't the comfiest but it will definitely help with warmth. I've used it as a base layer in a tent and also inside my hammock as insulation against the air and it has worked well for both. Just not the comfiest is all.

If you grab the Coleman bag and a cheap pad like that, you at least won't be miserable and you won't have spent a lot. And then you can save up for a nice setup for backpacking since your $100 max budget isn't really enough to get you there.

The standard blue ccf pads you can get for like 10 bucks weighs less than the nicer ones. If all you want is a little r value, and the least weight. I use this in the summer alone, and under an xlite in winter:

https://www.amazon.com/Stansport-503-B-Pack-Lite-72X19X3-8-Inch/dp/B00069PFKK/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=stansport%2Bsleeping%2Bpad&qid=1572281373&sr=8-4&th=1&psc=1

I have the full length and its about 9 oz, so the 3/4 length would be like 6.75. and you could probably get closer to 6 if you replaced the straps with something lighter. I chose this because section hiker had it listed as 1.4 R I think, and that makes for a winter R value (ie snow) with the xlite if your a warm sleeper.

I got this ALPS Mountaineering sleeping pad from amazon. Its self-inflating and very reasonably comfortable. A 12v fan is also nearly essential for muggy summer nights. Lastly, these window socks are awesome in that they let you keep your windows down without bugs getting in.

Since you've mentioned that you are a complete novice, I would recommend sticking to car camping until you're more experienced. Having said that, a tent and sleeping bag and sleeping pad will be a good first investment.

I have a Wenzel Alpine tent. Certainly not the highest-end tent on the market, but it has served me very well.

I also have an ALPS Mountaineering self-inflating sleeping pad.

These should fit your budget nicely and be an excellent entry point into camping for you.

Any generic sleeping bag will be OK to start out with, just be sure its temperature rating fits the environment in which you plan on camping.

Thanks for the advice! What do you think about the following setup:
ALPS Mountaineering Lightweight Series Self-Inflating Air Pad and
Therm-A-Rest Tech Blanket
I think the inflatable pad is a good idea for both in (and out) of hammock use. The blanket looks to be a pretty good size and won't lie underneath me (destroying the insulating ability).
It even has a snap system to prevent the pad from shifting (I would diy this part). Should I place the pad between the 2 layers on the BB of just lie directly on top of it?

Something like this would take up little room and not cost too much.

[(http://www.amazon.com/Therm--Z-Lite-Sleeping-Regular-Coyote/dp/B00453NA1E/ref=sr_1_10?s=outdoor-recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1334495848&sr=1-10)]

For the backpack, I'd suggest the Osprey Atmos 65 AG. I have that pack and you only feel a fraction of the weight on your back. I was blown away when I switched from it to my old pack, the difference really is night and day. You should go in store to get your pack, they'll fit it for you and even put some weight in it to simulate a full load. I went to REI and they fitted it for me while I was there. As for the sleeping pad, Therm-a-Rest pad is your best bet. They make a variety of pads depending on how much you want to spend or if you prefer foam vs inflatable pads. I use a Z-Lite Sol. Its great at reflecting heat and keeping you warm on the cold ground. They also make inflatable versions that might be a bit more comfy. Sleeping bag and tent are a little more tricky just because there's so many options. I couldn't tell you what brand sleeping bag I have, but it keeps me warm at night and that's all I care about. I've never had an issue with Kelty bags in the past but they do tend to be on the heavy side. As for tents, I use a North Face Triarch 2. It might be more than you're willing to spend on a tent, but wow is it light. It can also be a little cozy with two people, but I've never minded it. The MSR Hubba Hubba and the REI Half Dome 2 also fall into this category of ultralight tents. You might want to check out /r/ultralight if you really want your pack to weigh as little as possible. Also check out /r/campingandhiking. I always check Reddit before I choose my gear and these subreddits come up often.

>I have 50ft of paracord, which was actually the smallest amount that company sold it in. I suppose I could cut it down.

50 ft is probably fine. It looked like a lot more from the picture for some reason.

>Won't sleeping mats add a lot more weight?

Not really.

• Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol Ultralight Foam Backpacking Mattress Folds up, but still bulky. Only 14 oz.
  
• Klymit Static V Lightweight Sleeping Pad Compresses and folds up quiet a bit. It is 18.6 oz though. This is what I sleep on when I go backpacking and find it very comfortable.

I use the Therm-A-Rest Z-Lite SOL + something cushy between my knees.

My first mat was $10. Terrible but kept me dry for a few days.
My personal opinion is not to go totally cheap on the pad. The last thing you need in the backcountry is a rough night of sleep and/or a bad back. For $40, you can get into a z-lite, and worry about more important things.

Would ditch the bear spray and wanky sleeping pad (switch this for a thermarest neoair). http://www.amazon.com/Thermarest-NeoAir-Xlite-Sleeping-Pad/dp/B0075JMT1C

The following is strictly a backpacking list, as it includes lightweight items that cost more for that reason:

ULA Circuit Pack $225, 41 oz
Tarptent Double Rainbow Tent $289, 42 oz
Therm-a-rest X-lite regular size sleeping pad $100, 16 oz
Enlightened Equipment Revelation 20 degree Sleeping Bag $250, 20 oz
Sawyer Squeeze Mini Water Filter $23, 2 oz
Evernew Water Bag 900 mL + 2000 mL $30, 2.5 oz
MSR Pocket Rocket $40, 3 oz
Petzl Tikkina $20, 3 oz
Some cheap aluminum cookpot, $20 5 oz

Total: $997, 8.4 lbs

The main ones I'm actually recommending are the first 6 on the list, as the rest were just chosen to show that it is possible to stay under $1000 with everything else you'll need, although unfortunately with sales tax it's over $1000 already.

Another thing to take into consideration is that some of the National Parks like Yosemite NP and Sequoia NP require bear canisters like a Bear Vault or a Bearikade.

I use a very thin Thermarest air mattress camping, like this and it's pretty comfortable. You can let some air out once you are on it so you sink in better, or make it extremely firm. This style is similar to an egg crate, and collapses into a rectangle shape when not using, so that can be handy, it's more foam than air, so some people like it more, some less. Lastly, this style is just semi-hard foam, and rolls up for storage. It's about the same as the egg crate one, but with a different foam pattern. There are also some ultralight Thermarest air ones that break down really small and light, but they are pretty expensive.

I've slept on all of them and I'd say for comfort, the air inflating one is the most comfortable, and I've had mine for 5+ years with no issue. I have a patch kit for it, and (thankfully) haven't had to use it yet. If you are just going for budget, Wal-Mart and other sporting good stores sell blue roll up foam pieces for around $10 that are decent too, it gives a bit of padding and and some insulation from the floor at a great price.

I am looking at some budget pads like the Trail Scout or the Klymit V Lightweight. Sounds like the consensus so far is manual. Might wait until I can afford a better manual one.

Yes they are off my list because I ended up purchasing them. The pad was the [Klymit Static V](Klymit Static V Lightweight Sleeping Pad, Green/Char Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007RFG0NM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_kesFxbNDWCCR4) and the bag was the [Teton Trailhead 20](TETON Sports TrailHead 20F Ultralight Sleeping Bag, Orange/Grey https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007JTLKCC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_dgsFxbG1YRZ7S). I wasn't feeling the quality of the Teton bag so I ended up returning that. Never used it on the trail but laying in my bed with it I didn't like the feel of the fabric. That's one thing that I'm going to put more money into. As for the pad though it's awesome. Took my sickly lungs about 20 breaths to blow up but it works well. It definitely doesn't need to be pumped up as tight as an air bed. Good quality item there that o would buy again.

I have the Lynx 2 person tent and like it.

The Lynx 1 person also looks like a fantastic option.

Only thing I don't like is their performance in the wind. If the wind hits the sides it'll blow into you a little but if you are not in a field you should be more than fine.

Are you trying to put your bike into it too? I just ran a chain around a tree and through the bike and then ran one of the tents supports through and made it supported by the bike so noone could remove it while I was sleeping.

Here is something that kinda includes your bike but it's not going to shield your bike if that's what you want.

My personal recommendation is to go with one of the lynxs and then use the rest of your budget for a decent flashlight/lantern, and a sleeping pad.

This is my sleeping pad and while nice, I would recommend getting something a little bigger because I would roll on the edges pretty frequently.

I am old and fat, I like a lot of squish, and most of the time we are camping in the desert.

We have the old version of the Neo Air. It is good for car camping and backpacking. Coupler kit

We also have an old Dreamtime for car camping that has served us well over the years. It has a built in coupler.

This year we upgraded to Exped MegaMat 10 LXW. It is well worth the money. We camp 2+ months out of the year. And this mat should last 7+ years. So for us it is a good investment.

The guys over in /r/CampingGear would get mad if I didn't mention the Klymit Static V. It is dirt cheep compared to everything I have recommended. And they make a Double V

The best thing you can do is go to a store and try them out.

One more thought, if you are car camping you don't need sleeping bags. A set of flannel sheets and a cheep comforter will keep you just as warm.

I don’t think you’re taking enough Benadryl is the problem (nsfw)

Real answer: I use this one and it’s treated my back well. Good for back and side sleepers.

I use the Klymit Static V

While I can't compare it directly to any of the other options here, it packs up very small and is not too expensive. It also has very solid Amazon reviews.

I use this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007RFG0NM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Super light weight, easy to pack, cozy.

Model 3 does not have native camper mode as of 2018.42.2 which is what I currently have installed. Also, I went camping when I still had version 8.

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The HVAC if turned on via phone or API at that time would only run for 30 mins before shutting off. The overheat protection wasn't implemented yet. So I had TeslaFi send a wake up HVAC command every 30 minutes throughout the night which kept it on all night.

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I am about 6ft tall and found it comfortable space wise. Temp/humidity wise it was perfect with the HVAC enabled.

I used one of these in the back seat foot well to sort of extend the surface as I like to sleep on my side with one arm extended out beyond my head:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074SV35KL/

I used this as a sleeping pad. It was very comfortable, but it did slide around due to being kind of slippery. One night I woke up with the lower half of my body off the pad.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007RFG0NM

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One thing that sucked for me is that with v8 I couldn't control the entertainment system with the app from the back of the car. But now you can! :)

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Referral code for TeslaFi is "ZJ" without the quotes.

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This is the best sleeping pad I've ever come across: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007RFG0NM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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Feels like I'm sleeping on air.

I'm in North Central Florida and don't find it too warm. They make one that is not insulated if you are worried about it being too warm. http://amzn.com/B007RFG0NM

Any thoughts on this one: KLYMIT Insulated Static V Camping Pad

I also have the Klymit Static V and can't recommend it enough. It's light and packable, has a 4.4 r-value, inflates in <15 breaths, and is genuinely comfortable.

You can also get great deals on them if you look. I think I paid $40 for mine, which ain't too shabby.

I use an insulated sleeping inflatable pad with a 0 degree mummy style sleeping bag. I slept in 30 degree weather snugged as a baby. That pad in the hammock literally makes it a better sleep than my bed at home. ;)

That you're camping in Australia reminded me of this recent post in which a blogger recommends this biker-focused swag tent. Seems to be a fair deal and while I have no experience with it the blogger reckons it's a good bit of kit as you Aussies might say ;-). Most likely you won't be borrowing your parent's tent. The car-camping type tents don't really get along well with motocamping. Sleeping bags and maybe the air mattress or sleeping pad are more likely, or a bit of cooking equipment. I'll throw out some random recommendations based on stuff I like and let you decide how it fits into your $500 =).

I find backpacking equipment seems to parallel motocamping equipment in many respects. You aren't as concerned about weight on the motorcycle, but you do need compact and reliable. You may want to consider a backpacker's inflatable sleeping pad, [this is the one I have] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ANRW7DI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1). It's no mattress but it insulates you from the ground which helps keep heat in, and it provides a bit of cushion too. It will fit inside the swag, a hammock, or any compact backpacking tent, and it packs up small. I have this tent which legitimately sleeps two as long as you don't mind being close (tested with my girlfriend) and should fit a twin sized inflatable mattress which would be substantially more comfortable than the camping pad I linked above. To make an addition to your luggage, I can't recommend a tank bag enough. I have this tank bag which is truly a bargain and should fit any motorcycle.

I would also check out Aerostich's Camping Section for some ideas. Being that you're in Australia I'm not sure if you want to buy directly from them unless you can't find an item anywhere but their website, but there are tons of ideas you can get from their store that you might not find other places.

Now I'll just list off several items I can think of that I like to pack for motocamping (most are small and multi-functional items, and a few specific get-my-ass-out-of-a-jam things):

Tire plug kit, some way to put air back in the tire (compact air compressor, CO2 cartridges, bicycle pump, etc), several feet of 550 cord (AKA paracord), extra bungee cords, extra cargo net, zip ties, electrician's tape, heavy-duty trash bags (maybe 3 or 5), a small supplement to my bike's OEM tool kit & a multitool, a first aid kit that includes bug bite relief (and anything else you might want specific to the area you're traveling), a sam splint & triangle bandage, a couple ways to start a fire (waterproof matches stored in a watertight container & a cigarette lighter usually), one or two of those mylar emergency blankets, a little mild dish soap.

You might not feel the need to carry all that on a 3 day trip but a lot of it is small, cheap, and multi-funcitonal. Trash bags are to keep trash under control at camp and emergency waterproofing for gear/people, so you want the thick ones.

I found one on amazon for $35 as well. Hope this helps.

Klymit 9005496 Static V Lightweight Sleeping Pad, Coyote-Sand https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BZ3C900/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_p0kuDbJ1CPHSJ

It was well worth the extra 16 ounces. You can probably get them much lighter if you wanted to spend the $$$ but for the cost, I was happy with this one:

Klymit Static V2 3 Season Backpacking and Camping Sleeping Pad - Includes Stuff Sack, Patch Kit

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LGAQ7NW

I'm not sure you're understanding what people mean when they say pad. They are referring to insulated sleeping pads that are just as thick and comfortable as the "mattress" you chose (it too is a sleeping pad, by the way, but a shitty one). A great example:

https://www.amazon.com/Klymit-Insulated-Static-Season-Sleeping/dp/B00UW7LEOW/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1478140922&sr=8-8

That pad is light, small and with a R-value of 4.4, very warm. You lose most of your heat to the ground, you really need insulation under you. Put your money there first.

If you aren't sure what brands or options are available to you in Europe, walk into any outfitter or camping supply store and tell them you want something warm to sleep on. Lastly, your gear isn't good enough to not wear clothes to sleep. Wear clothes.

Could spend it on my recommended pad. https://www.amazon.com/Klymit-Insulated-Static-Season-Sleeping/dp/B00UW7LEOW/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1526253297&sr=1-2-spons&keywords=klymit&psc=1

I know this sub loves this one, which is thicker (more comfy maybe then) than the Klymit, but its R value is lower https://www.amazon.com/Therm-Rest-Ultralight-Backpacking-Mountaineering/dp/B00PZL15OY/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1526253438&sr=8-8&keywords=thermarest&th=1

The ursack seems appealing. Do you know if that cuts it on a camp that requires a bearcan? Thats the only reason I bought one otherwise I always just tie my food. Honestly im pretty disappointed in myself for making the purchase without reqlizing the size but this is the pad :

Lightspeed Outdoors Warmth Series...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F7WEQYG?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

R value of 9.8 and a cheap price made me jump but the size is absurd. After spending heavy on the bag and bear can I was ready for that deal, the pads amazing. But you could almost just keep it in your truck as a bed for the back.

sleeping mat ftw i got mine last year and it was beyond comfy https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FELZ3TW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/Lightspeed-Outdoors-Inflating-Sleep-Green/dp/B01JN5JGGQ

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Don't spend more then you have too. Best bang for your buck. I'm a side sleeper and have had zero issues with this.

It's this one. Costco has it every summer for 35-40 bucks.

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https://www.amazon.com/Lightspeed-Outdoors-Inflating-Sleep-Green/dp/B01JN5JGGQ

This sucka: https://www.amazon.com/KLYMIT-Static-Double-Sleeping-Charcoal/dp/B01K5GAQ9I

We got a Klymit Double V last fall and have enjoyed it on two trips. Think we spent $110 (got it on sale - it’s $130 now). It’s only got a 1.6 R value but on the plus, it’s a decent size, very light, pretty tough, and has some nice loft. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01K5GAQ9I/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1518425963&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=klymit+double+v&dpPl=1&dpID=41U%2BTDEJngL&ref=plSrch

If you don't need much warmth, the cheap pads on Amazon ([1] (https://www.amazon.com/Sleepingo-Camping-Sleeping-Pad-Backpacking/dp/B07FP4Z3RZ/), 2) will get the job done. They're light and decently comfortable; very similar in construction to the uninsulated klymit static V, just off brand and a little cheaper. Wouldn't recommend pushing them much below ~45-50 on their own (supplementing with a light ccf is always an option to push them a little further).

If you need a little insulation, the insulated static V is a good budget option. Or if you're comfortable enough on CCF then you've got plenty of cheap options.

I would probably just get a cheap bed roll (camping mat, pad, whatever you call them, here's a random one from Amazon), cut/piece together so it fits/covers the screen, add something to hook it over the TV then just wrap it in a cotton bed sheet or similar. Should be easy to roll up and put away and look pretty inoffensive in use (as long as you don't use ugly bed sheets :-)

I have used this foam on all my backpack straps and frames. Get the thinner 3/8 inch. It is SO light and really durable. It is the lightest with the cushion I could find. It can be a tight squeeze under a conventional presser foot, but I have a Singer, and it works fine even if a little snug.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00069PFKK/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

my sister took a bass to GC (Seattle or maybe Kirkland and they sold her a hardshell and gave a big box that took extra padding around the case. This is the best shock absorber for outside the case(sell at REI)

http://www.amazon.com/Therm-Z-Lite-Sleeping-Regular-Coyote/dp/B00453NA1E

And don't worry, count how many times Hendrix had to bash his on the ground to break it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOzhbj1BVOU

No worries!

It works wonders, so long as it's tight! (Preventing pooling, moving in the wind etc. Sleep a lot better when you aren't hearing shit flapping over your head.) You can put it long and low in windier conditions or taller when you are pretty well covered.


The way you had your's setup would normally require either: A) Two of those things zipped together, or B) A much much wider one to cover both sides and the ground.

Really, it looks like you were trying to keep yourself out of the dirt, which is where the bivvy comes in normally. Obviously if absolute what-can-I-deal-with-minimalist is what your going for, you are on the right track.

OH OH OH! (Sorry I get excited when I talk about this kind of stuff.)

Check this out: The Z-Lite from Thermarest. They DO make a rollup that will probably last longer since it isn't being folded, but I love the fold since it can be packed in one fluid motion if you have to di di mau.

Besides some (questionable) wear due to the square shape/folding, the only complaint I have for it so far (besides permanently taking up residence on a pack) is that it doesn't cover up really rough terrain quite as well as an personal air-mattress (I'm pretty light so I was able to make due on rocks and roots, but a heavier-set person might have issues, and it's a bit thin for the winter. As usual, YMMV. I've seen them stocked at just about any serious outdoor/camping/hunting store.

Happy camping!

I look forward to checking out your blog more often, I'm hoping to get a piece of property the size of yours one day, the mind reels with possibilities!

NINJA EDIT: I forgot a critical downside to my praise of the Z-Lite and bivvy. They actually don't go together quite as well as other gear because of how easily it folds, so it's a bit of a pain to actually put the sucker inside the bivvy and keep everything totally clean and dry. But if you couldn't care less if your mattress gets a bit dirty and you don't roll around like a Reliant Robin it's good to go.

Tarp:

Option 1: https://www.amazon.com/Sanctuary-SilTarp-Ultralight-Waterproof-Backpacking/dp/B06XJ7322N/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1538600945&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=ul%2Btarp&th=1&psc=1

Option 2 (more durable): https://www.amazon.com/DD-Tarp-3m-Olive-Green/dp/B005FPN7GE/ref=sr_1_3?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1538601289&sr=1-3&keywords=dd+tarp

Bug net: https://www.amazon.com/Breeze-Mesh-Tent-Ultralight-Backpacking/dp/B01NA9BU4Q/ref=pd_bxgy_468_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01NA9BU4Q&pd_rd_r=a541965e-c750-11e8-83ba-35492fd40af5&pd_rd_w=5VWOY&pd_rd_wg=3uCes&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=3f9889ac-6c45-46e8-b515-3af650557207&pf_rd_r=X7JJ3Y8J81XVAAR36D9Y&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=X7JJ3Y8J81XVAAR36D9Y

Quilt: http://www.hammockgear.com/burrow-econ-40/ (get a warmer one if you need it)

Sleeping pad: https://www.amazon.com/Therm-Rest-Original-Ultralight-Camping/dp/B00453NA1E/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1538601159&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=thermarest+zlite+sol&psc=1

You will need trekking poles for the tarp/tent or save a few bucks and find a couple of sticks when you get there!

Trekking poles: https://www.amazon.com/BAFX-Products-Hiking-Walking-Trekking/dp/B007YT854S/ref=sr_1_3_acs_ac_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1538601222&sr=1-3-acs&keywords=trekking+poles

​

Pack: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-x-granite-gear-crown-x60

Will this foam sleeping pad insulate me during these cold winter month? I have a sleeping bag I'm happy with. I don't want to put the money in for a downquilt considering all the maintenance associated with them. I live in Georgia so nights usually don't get colder than 30F, but it would be nice to have something that allows me to go hiking up north sometime.

My folks have it right now on the other side of the country, so no I haven't weighed it. Claimed weight that I found was 11.2 oz.

Klymit static v is the best buy of the inflatables

The Z-lite Sol - regular is on sale here is the best buy of the foam pads. Naturehike knockoff

My recommendations on what to look for: Comfort supercedes weight in my opinion. Get whatever setup you need to sleep well. If you are a side or stomach sleeper, I recommend a wide pad. Wide pads start to be a problem when you have to put them side by side in a smaller tent. Warm pad is also helpful. We spend hundreds for a down bag to keep the top and sides of us warm... then spend dollars to keep the bottom of us warm. The problem is in the metrics. R value for pads, vs temp ratings for bags. Pads should be (and easily could be) temp rated like bags. I recommend a warmer/heavier pad for the most versatility because you are most likely to be camping in cold conditions where it matters, more than warm conditions where it doesn't.

For the heavier/taller people or side/roller sleepers this mat is 30inches wide and 76 inches long. It weighs about 2 pounds (ouch) but you might want to add a pound for this comfort range. Klymit static v luxe insulated. It also comes in a lighter uninsulated version.

20 inches wide is not wide enough in my opinion. If you can sleep like a mummy on your back with your arms crossed above you, then 20 inches is fine. Other than that... measure yourself... you'll find you are wider than 20 inches. This will lend you to balancing precariously on your pad.

You should definitely have a sleeping pad to keep you off the ground, preferably with an aluminized coating that will reflect body heat back up towards you like this one. Or you can use a mylar emergency blanket between your pad and your bag

Hand warmers are very handy and have many uses as well. Toss one in the foot of your sleeping bag before you turn in. It won't last all night but even once it's used up it helps absorb moisture in your bag.

> -books

ebooks

cheap air mattress or pricey Thermarest pad

emergency mylar reflective blanket(s)

A few tools, duct tape & zip ties are worth including, as well.

Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol Mattress Small https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005I6TQV0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_-MKizbK9YE1H3


Never worry about getting punctured, use it as a seat when folded up.

I use the Z Sol Lite for a pad. The small one covers from my head to just above my knees. It's not super expensive but I have just used it in 30 degree nights and I was quite warm with my bag (rated to 20 Fahrenheit). I'm going to be using it in colder nights this winter with my -20 bag. I feel like hammocking is a lot of trial an error but quite rewarding.

Edit: fixed my link

Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol Mattress Small https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005I6TQV0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_bBNIzb4RY855D

This is the one I used, I was more concerned with weight than insulating value for my trip. For 0-degree and car camping I'd look for something with a higher insulating value if you aren't worried about bulk or weight. A sleeping pad helps limit body heat loss into the ground and I would say is pretty much necessary for cold weather camping. Check out and search posts in /r/backpacking and /r/campingandhiking for some more suggestions. Hope this helps.

I'm in the market for a NeoAir small right now and noticed that they are $97.00 with free Prime shipping right now on Amazon.

Here’s the one I bought and I love it. It’s a little on the pricy side of them but it comes with a little repair kit and I’ve used it as low as 15-20F comfortably

Tent $45 (4.5 star rating)

http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-Sundome-2-Person-7-Feet-5-Feet/dp/B004J2KDH0/ref=sr_1_2?s=outdoor-recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1397783262&sr=1-2


Sleeping pad $50

http://www.amazon.com/Klymit-Static-Camping-Mattress-Green-Grey/dp/B007RFG0NM/ref=sr_1_6?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1397783385&sr=1-6&keywords=sleeping+pad

Sleeping bag $25 (4 star, rated to 20F)

http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-Brazos-Cold-Weather-Sleeping-Bag/dp/B00363V3OK/ref=sr_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1397783308&sr=1-2&keywords=sleeping+bag

Free shipping on all of it.

You numbers are so full of crap it's embarrassing.

total weight: 12lbs (THAT's where your hammock IS cheaper; weight NOT cost).

EDIT: dyslexiaed a number

Wow, fantastic answer. Thank you!

By cheapish I mean all gear for the trip for under about €500.

Re Gear: I couldn't find suppliers for the gear you suggested in Europe and shipping was very expensive from the US so what do you think of these.
Tent
Sleeping Bag
Sleeping Mat
Stove set
with something like this as a bear bag (with rope etc)?

Re Food: Yes there is alot of villeges/towns along the way. However I was looking at this and thought it might be a good idea.. I will look into water purification device as well.

I don't think my budget will extend to a GPS device this time around so a map/compass + smartphone it is!

Sorry for all the silly questions. Your answer the last time helped a lot!

you absolutely want more than a red cross bivy....you can still get a light setup for decent price, and this gear will last you a very long time.

Kelty Salida 1 Tent

Klymit Static V Lightweight Sleeping Pad, Green/Char Black

Kelty Cosmic 40 Degree Sleeping Bag, Regular, Smoke/Dark Shadow

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007RFG0NM/
This is a nice and lightweight, quickly inflated with a few breaths, sleep pad.

Yea, "craps table" :P


You guys sound rad! Keep it up. Just a few suggestions in case you haven't thought of them:

• microfiber towel (cheap on Amazon, dry super fast)
  
• headlamp (because you somehow always ending up arriving late and setting up a tent needs 2 hands)
  
• Morrivoe Outdoor Folding Chair Portable Mesh Chair with Aluminum Alloy Support,Suitable for Camping Picnic Fishing Hiking + Free Carry Bag (Green) https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01M8IBYVC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_DI6RybVGZ2D8Z
  Packs up very small, lightweight, super comfy. Because your butt needs a good lounge after a full day of riding. A rock/stump/picnic table doesn't cut it
  
• Klymit 06SVGR01C Static V Camping Mattress (Green-Grey, Large) https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B007RFG0NM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_VM6RybFHWN4Z1
  There is no better mattress for bike camping. It packs down the smallest and lightest. While being 100% comfortable.
  
• zip ties, paracord and duct tape wrapped around an old credit card. Because you can fix absolutely anything with this trifecta
  
  
  Hope that helps!

i wouldnt bother with tent stakes. she will find plenty of those at festivals. Ive never had to use a first aid kit, either... get her something she mightn't have thought of, that she will constantly have to use.
https://www.amazon.com/Klymit-Static-Lightweight-Sleeping-Green/dp/B007RFG0NM?ref_=bl_dp_s_mw_6764188011
these are amazing.
Maybe a hydroflask and/or camelbak if she doesnt already have those things.
flashlight/headlamp.

Just thought I’d chime in here and say if you are looking at getting the klymit static v Amazon has it on sale today for 41 bucks and some change

Klymit Static V Lightweight Sleeping Pad, Green/Char Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007RFG0NM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_4wRTzb65DNP21

A Coleman fleece sleeping bag (basically a thicker liner) from Target/Walmart will give you a little more padding, and significantly more warmth than a sleeping bag liner, but isn't really much better than just sleeping in a jacket. If padding is what you're after, get a Klymit inflatable sleeping pad (there are a bunch of variations like this), which will also serve well outdoors (get the insulated version if you're serious though, at the cost of extra weight). Are you crashing on the floor or a couch? Carpet or wood? For two nights do you need to take something potentially bulky?

I'm also a side sleeper. This last Xmas trip I used this three-layer combo: air pad (Klymit Static V) on top of a thick closed-cell foam pad (something better than the thin blue pads) on top of a doubled-up sheet of Reflectix.

I slept like a (big, hairy, snoring) baby. The cost was less than $80.

I recommend [this sleeping pad] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B007RFG0NM/ref=ya_aw_od_pi?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

It's pretty light, packs down to smaller than a Nalgene, and is super comfy. All that and it's pretty cheap for what it is!

I suppose I should follow up on this and mention sleeping pads. I recommend staying away from the huge ones that require an electric pump. The pump always breaks. It's a rule of the universe that some poor bastard has to spend what feels like three hours inflating the mattress manually. Usually right after you've inhaled some smoke and your lungs are already compromised.

I use the Klymit Static V
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B007RFG0NM

It's been pretty great so far. I'm at the bare edge of being too tall for it at 6', but having my feet hang over isn't the end of the world. Packs away small, doesn't take too long to inflate manually, and is even okay for side sleepers. Some sleep pads can't handle the smaller footprint of side sleepers and they don't provide any support. I can also recommend the Snugpak jungle blanket. Packs away small and is decently warm. A good thing to have just in case. Nights in a tent can get colder than you'd think.

I have the Klymit Insulated Static V Recon and have been happy with it. I've used it down to about 0c (32f ?).

It's a little less expensive if you don't mind the blaze orange. But overall fairly competitive compared to brands like ThermaRest.
https://www.amazon.com/Klymit-Insulated-Static-Sleeping-Orange/dp/B00ANRW7DI

Check out this comparison of sleeping pads with R values and other stats, it might help you find the right combo for your needs if the Klymit doesn't interest you.
http://sectionhiker.com/sleeping-pad-r-values/

I can't sleep without a sleeping pad and there have been many many times where I was happy to have one. I have the Klymit V. It's not super expensive, it rolls up to about the size of a nalgine and is SUPER comfortable, as well as insulated.

We actually went in late March, but Utah had a much colder winter/early spring last year. It got to the upper thirties overnight, and all three hammockers used sleeping bags and inflatable pads for warmth. I personally used a 0-degree Teton Leef bag and insulated Klymit Static V, and slept in thermals, fleece, down vest, and a beanie. I like to sleep warm, haha.

I'm confident enough about the trees that if I had a permit for #5 right now, going just off what I remember, I'd bring a hammock and maybe a bivy sack just in case. I'm like 90% sure it'd be fine. The campsites are beaten down enough that going to ground wouldn't be super difficult anyway. Note, though, that the trees in #4 are pretty low and bendy, so don't be surprised if you wake up on the ground anyway.

BTW I found a blog of someone that camped at #5 but the only picture that says it was taken from the campsite was this one.

edit: you HAVE to go see Kolob Arch; it's amazing.

The Klymit Insulated Static V might be a good option, especially for colder temperatures. I just bought one for an upcoming trip and have tried it out but haven't slept on it yet, but it seems to get a lot of good reviews.

Mirage is a freestanding, isn't it? That's one thing I missed about the Banshee (and Naturehike I linked isn't freestanding either).

I would say tent should be the last thing you upgrade (unless you intend on backpacking), and you're right - start with the pad. Some of the modern ones are insanely comfortable, I'm a picky sleeper and I love S2S one. I also toured for couple weeks with the Thermarest XTherm and it was not bad, but also not nearly as comfortable as S2S.

If you're on a budget consider Klymit pads - here's one that weight 700g, packs very small, and has R value of 4.4 (meaning you can sleep on the snow and it will still insulate you enough). It costs around 50USD

https://www.amazon.ca/KLYMIT-Insulated-Static-Camping-Orange/dp/B00ANRW7DI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1497921003&sr=8-2&keywords=klymit+sleeping+pad

I'm not sure where you live, but buying gear in Scandinavia will cost a pretty penny. You probably need an ~15F/-10C bag to be comfy (as the weather looks to low around freezing). Else look for a COMFORT RATING around freezing (32F/0C). While a $300+ bag will probably be "better" (by better I mostly mean lighter) you should be able to find something reasonable for quite a bit less assuming you don't live in Scandinavia. Both of the bags you were looking at are from reputable companies, I can't read them (google translate isn't working for the site) but if they are within the ratings above and are acceptable in size/weight they will be fine. Make sure to get a good mat if you don't have one. I recommend klymit. Hope this helps!

Mine was the insulated Klymit Static V and my girlfriend's was the TNH Outdoors pad that was on sale on Amazon. Here are some links
https://www.amazon.com/Klymit-Insulated-Static-Sleeping-Pad/dp/B00ANRW7DI?th=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LEUYJN8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The klymit insulated static v is not much more expensive (52.40 with prime) and I love mine.

It's called a tent. Get a good set of mattresses like this klymit and you're good to go.

They have the green Klymit V for $33. Not ultralight per se, but cheap for a pretty decent pad.

Yes an underquilt and top quilt combo takes the place of a sleeping bag. If you already have a sleeping bag unzip 3/4 of the way it and use it like a blanket in place of a top quilt.

I have yet to try out an underquilt, I use this inflatable sleeping pad under me in the hammock.

I also have the yukon outfitters rainfly and I used it last month during a large thunderstorm and torrential downpour and it worked great. You just need to make sure to pitch your tarp pretty low over the hammock because the diamond shape leaves the ends a little more exposed than I'd like.

Don't worry you should be fine, in 50-60 degree weather I would imagine the Yoga mat will be enough especially with a low tarp. If you want to read I'll throw some tips below for you.


Try to look up where wind flows while camping so you can avoid areas with cold air and wind. One tip is don't camp where the ground is lower, cold air collects lower to the ground, such as a valley. It also follows water corridors so next to a stream. You may know all of this but for hammocks it's more important since the wind can cut underneath.


The tarp can help considerably especially if you cocoon it a bit by pegging the two corners to the opposite side to make closed doors. I've done this in shoulder season temps with lacking gear in much lower temps and the tarp is what really kept all the heat (very first trip).


If you don't test it in a park/backyard first then at least make sure you are taking into consideration what you would require if you needed to hike out instead of stay. I have a headlamp that has a red light setting that can be used at night since it is much harder to see red light in the dark. Just make sure you do what you are comfortable with. Don't ignore any warning signs of insufficient health and comfort of yourself because they come for a reason and only get worse with time.


And just to clarify, the effectiveness of a camping mat comes from the material it's made from and the thickness of open cell foam, from what I can google. Most mats I can find seem to be an open cell foam of a plastic base. It seems most yoga mats are either closed cell or open cell made from a different plastic or type of rubber. Other eco friendly mats may vary. If you were to buy yoga mats, try to get open cell closed cell ? and it should do better based off of my google fu.


I know that 20 per is likely out of the picture in this if the yoga mats are 8, but you'll be wasting 24 and then have to rebuy or you could get 3 regular sized of the thermarest classic for 20 each and not have to rebuy. Obviously, your situation is what will discern what your choices are and I don't presume this is an option; these mats are just popular and effective.


Have fun out there!

Future children, eh? Hee hee hee. Things get wild out in the woods ;)

We just upgraded our (car camping) gear. We went with two Rugged Exposure Woodsman sleeping bags that can zip together (they're on sale right now too!), a Klymit Double V sleeping pad, and our insulation pads. The sleeping bags are HEAVY but feel like real comforters, the flannel is just that extra bump of luxury. We're going camping tomorrow and I can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OP, as for the cold and damp issue, what temps are you camping in? I used to wake up in the middle of the night while camping because my head and feet were too cold. I'd recommend insulating yourself against the ground (it'll leech away all your heat as you sleep) and wearing a beanie and socks to bed if you think that could be the issue.

The moisture could be from cold sweat or just condensation. Someone mentioned not touching the walls of the tent as this will draw the dampness in, and I agree. If the moisture comes from the fact that you're camping somewhere humid, I'm not really sure what to do. You need to make sure that the hot moist air generated from breathing while you sleep is able to escape the tent. Make sure you position your tent on dry ground and leave the rainfly off or the windows vented.

There is no 100% effective way to escape the moisture as far as I know. Unless you have two kids who can sleep against the walls of the tent while you sleep nice and dry in the middle (thanks mom).

$20 will get you a brand new foam thermarest.

Therm-a-Rest RidgeRest Classic Regular

If all you want is a simple sleeping pad, those are cheap and easy to find, and they'll serve you pretty well indoors. The Therm-a-rest Ridgerest Classic should do you fine (I've been using Therm-a-Rest's stuff for ~20 years), and it's inexpensive. Or you could literally just go get a Coleman from Walmart, or something similar from pretty much any outdoor gear store, and that would be fine for indoors, and should work OK on the occasional camping trip.

If, however, you want something that packs up a lot smaller, weighs less, and is far more durable and comfortable (like if your camping trips involve hiking miles from your car before making camp, or camping in the snow), then maybe look at some of the better options from Therm-a-Rest, like the ProLite or ProLite Plus (I use the Plus, and have for ~10 years, as I'm a pretty tall guy (6'4"), and it's nice to have both my head and feet on a pad when I'm camping in the snow). I'm not trying to say that Therm-a-Rest is the best/only option here; I just have a lot of personal experience with them, and they've always been a great sleeping pad. Light, durable, and very comfortable. Well worth the extra money, in my experience.

The Klymit Static one has been great for me, I've had it for a few years, and its fantastic. Doesn't matter if I'm on my side, back, or stomach. Hope this helps, and happy camping!

https://www.amazon.com/Klymit-Static-Inflatable-Sleeping-x2-5/dp/B00LGAQ7NW/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1487012743&sr=8-12&keywords=ground+pad+for+camping

Well I'm still trying to figure that out. I'm not looking for a $30 tent but am trying to avoid $300. Any suggestions?

For the mat I fount a 1 lb one that sounds good to me at $50.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LGAQ7NW/

It can be an expensive hobby, and it's best to spend the extra cash now to save you later. I'm on mobile so I apologize about links, but this is my basic set up. It's not the most ultralight gear, but I'm getting there.

My sleeping pad is very comfortable and lightweight. I've used this on top of rocks and slept like a baby. You could alternatively get the static V original and save $10.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00LGAQ7NW/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499891370&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=klymit+v2+sleeping+pad&dpPl=1&dpID=41rAtpRoKHL&ref=plSrch

My pack in my opinion is the top of the line. It has amazing comfort and holds more equipment than I need. Osprey is also a trusted brand that stand behind their products, your bag goes wrong, call there customers service and have it repaired. Alternatively you can go for a brand like Teton sports where a bag can cost in the $100 range and cheaper, but again, that bag might be ruined within two years and you have to buy a new one, versus your Osprey that will last a lifetime.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00MN17Y3A/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499891485&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=osprey+65+atmos+ag&dpPl=1&dpID=41Gds7xXYJL&ref=plSrch

My tent is on the bulkier side of things at a whopping 4 pounds 12 ounces 😑. As you can see it's currently selling under $100. Besides the weight, the tent is very durable and does not leak water. The ventilation is not the best, but it is comfortable.

https://m.dickssportinggoods.com/p/kelty-circuit-2-person-tent-16kelucrct2pbckpccat/16kelucrct2pbckpccat

The sleeping bag. If there is one thing I need, it's a comfortable sleeping bag to wrap my body in. This bag is extremely lightweight and just over 1 pound. Warm, comfortable, and content.

http://www.hammockgear.com/burrow-econ-30/

My hiking boots are a little outdated and I was not able to find them online. They are timberland waterproof hiking boots. The most comfortable at this point, and could use replacing, but they were originally great. If I remember correctly I bought them for just over $100.

My setup alone is well exceeding $500 and because I went cheap with a few things (tent) and realize the difference those 4 pounds make, I'm now in the process of buying a newer, lighter tent. Those are just your main essentials as well, you need cooking utensils, first aid, purification, etc.

I hope I am not discouraging you, backpacking is amazing, but I want you to save up and take your time to get the right equipment so you can enjoy nature at its fullest and not feel miserable because your pack is crap and your back hurts and your tent gets a hole from a stick on the ground the first day. Best of luck, live camp.

As a big side sleeper, I found this remarkably comfortable. It's not self-inflating, but takes less than a minute to blow up. Although it's thin I've never bottomed out: the V shape does an excellent job of support. It's the best camping pad/mattress I've ever used, including ones that are much thicker. I know it's not exactly what you're looking for, but I thought I'd throw it out there.

I'm going to cheat, but I think $150 is a reasonable starter budget for the following reason: skip the sleeping bag. You don't need a sleeping bag to go camping. I don't know anyone who chooses to sleep in a bag at home, so I can confidently say that everyone prefers to sleep with a blanket. Sleeping bags are for backpackers who need to maximize warmth for a given size and weight. Just bring a couple of blankets (one light, one warm) and you're good to go camping. Cost: free, comfort: high.

Tent: I own this coleman 3 person tent you can get for $63 on amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Coleman-2000001978-Parent-Hooligan-Tent/dp/B001TSABLA?th=1

This is a great tent with a nice sized vestibule that is very useful in bad weather. Easy to pitch and surprisingly weatherproof (wind and hard rain). It's not the only option, but shows what you can get on the cheap. I think it's best to go somewhat cheap on the tent with a name brand like coleman because it will be relatively reliable and can be repurposed as a 'beater tent' in the future if your friend decides to upgrade. If you don't go with that option, consider the door and rain fly positioning. Many cheap tents don't provide any coverage of the door so entering when it's raining will cause everything inside to get soaked.

Pad: I'd spend the rest of the money on a decent pad. If this is for a single person, a self inflating sleeping pad will be the most comfortable and provide plenty of warmth from the cold ground. A good air mattress can also be had for cheap, but will be very cold without some sort of insulation underneath you (more blankets!). You could opt for used gear here, because really good sleeping pads cost a fair amount of money. Looking at amazon however, there seem to be plenty of self inflating pads for less than $100 that get great reviews like this one (go big and thick for comfort): https://www.amazon.com/Lightspeed-Outdoors-Warmth-Inflating-Sleep/dp/B01F7WEQYG/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1492637247&sr=8-5&keywords=self%2Binflating%2Bpad&th=1&psc=1

I don't have this specific one (use an exped megamat), but I think self inflating is the way to go for car camping because of the tremendous amount of comfort it provides relative to purely inflatable options without the foam insert. I just bought an exped megamat double wide and am planning to put up my LXW megamat up for sale on geartrade. If your friend is interested in that, he could get a $250 mat for ~$100 which really is the ultimate in comfort. There may be other good options on geartrade already!

Good luck, always good to hear about people getting into camping

I use one of the lightspeed ones for car camping.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01F7WEQYG/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

More comfortable than my thermarest NeoAir and I was comfortable in the mid 30's. Haven't tried colder.

No, not for backpacking. We'll be car camping & have Lightspeed FlexForm Sleeping pad

I didn't look into quilts assuming sleeping bags are the norm. Is there an advantage to quilts over sleeping bags when it comes to car camping?

These self inflating pads gives you both comfort and insulation! I dont have one, but have been camping with some friends that use them and they say they are well worth the money.

What about one of those self inflating camping foam pads? Like this.

This is 47” x 74” x 3”

Klymit Double V Sleeping Pad, 2 Person, Double Wide (47 inches), Lightweight Comfort for Car Camping, Two Person Tents, Travel, and Backpacking https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01K5GAQ9I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_415qDbQBAC0XW

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZWW2FD/ref=sspa_dk_detail_1?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B01LZWW2FD&pd_rd_w=Tj5Ra&pf_rd_p=8a8f3917-7900-4ce8-ad90-adf0d53c0985&pd_rd_wg=BvKXP&pf_rd_r=KNJAA8C1XNCS6TGG51JA&pd_rd_r=709e5f93-98eb-42a8-a4b7-0bc4ae5d867e

Hey - I happen to have an Insulated V Ultralite SL pad (amazon). I bought it about a month ago to use for a trip I had planned in mid-Feb, but that trip fell through and I'm outside the return window. It's $80 from Amazon but I'll sell it to you for $50 shipped. 16ish ounces. Let me know if you're interested!

Edit: can't spell

I would definately go with the Zlite Sol if you choose closed cell foam. But, If you can swing the extra cash check out the Klymit Static V ultralight SL insulated pad. Super comfortable, easy to inflate, 4.4 R value, 15 oz. You can find it for around $80 if you dig a little bit.

https://www.amazon.com/Klymit-Static-Ultralite-Sleeping-Insulated/dp/B074WG9QM3/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=Klymit+Static+V+Ultralite+SL+Sleeping+Pad&qid=1573494568&sr=8-3

I got this one. I've not used it save for messing around on the living room floor, but feels pretty comfy. Someone even rated it better than the thermarest in the reviews.

I ended up going with these. Opinions?

Tent

Sleeping Bag

Sleeping pad

Something like a double insulated sleeping pad. Or two singles side by side. The insulated pads that have r-value of 4 or more can help you stay comfy when it's cold.

For that price you won't be getting ultralight on the big 3: backpack, sleeping bag, and tent. Unfortunately those are the largest, heaviest, and most difficult to go light weight on a budget. The majority of the other items are pretty good UL gear. You can, for example, get a lighter titanium stove. It'll save you about 2oz and double the cost. Eventually the 2oz there and a few more oz here and there on a number of pieces of gear really add up so you may want to swap it out as you upgrade your gear over time. But for right now one in the price/weight range I suggested is really good ultra light weight bang for your buck.

1. Alice Backpack $35 -- Watch some youtube videos on how to strap your tent/sleeping bag/sleeping pad to the pack safely and securely. Alternatively buy a used backpack off Craigslist for dirt cheap. This is the third thing I'd upgrade, once you have a lighter/smaller sleeping bag and tent.
   
2. Slumberjack 40 degree sleeping bag $98 -- Upgrade to down-filled rather than synthetic if you can, also make sure it's temperature appropriate for your trips. This is the first place I'd personally choose to upgrade.
   
3. Coleman Sundome $36 -- Any name brand dome tent is great for beginners. I picked a 2-person since you don't seem to know what you're doing (not an insult) I assume you'll be bringing a buddy! This is the 2nd thing I'd personally choose to upgrade to something that compacts down small enough to fit inside my backpack.
   
4. MSR Pocket Rocket butane stove $32 -- Not the greatest or the absolute lightest, but one of the more popular light weight stoves. A can of fuel is $5 at Wal-Mart or pretty much any sporting goods store.
   
5. Primus Litech 10oz kettle $25-- From this kit you really just want the pot and lid. You can leave the pan at home. According to the ad it is big enough to hold the 230g sized butane cannister previously mentioned. I suggest either eating things that require no cooking or just boiling water like any number of Mountain House or alternative meals available in the sporting goods section of Wal-Mart or any sporting goods store.
   
6. Stansport Back Packing Pad $10 -- One of the simplest items to upgrade, but "nicer" ones are $30-100+.
   
7. Titanium Spork $9 -- The only cookware you'll need for most those backpacking freeze-dried meals where you just add hot water and eat out of the pouch.
   
8. 4-pack of ponchos $4 -- These are stupid small and light. They're shit quality and rip easy so they're mostly one time use.. but at $1/ea you can pack one per day, who cares? Nice rain gear is hella expensive.
   
9. Base Layer -- If you don't already own it, buy some polyester/spandex "athletic" under-shirts and pants. They're stupid light, wick away your sweat, and add lots of warmth per ounce and cubic inch of pack space. I picked up a random set from Ross yesterday (bottoms and short sleeve top) for $20 combined. Generally speaking, avoid cotton for all clothing.
   
10. Rip-Stop/hiking/tactical pants $40/pair -- I can't pick these out for you because sizing/style preference, but the fairly cheap ones are about that price per pair.
    
11. AMK First Aid Kit $23 -- This is likely way more than you need and you could probably put together a decent one in a zip-loc baggy with stuff you have around the house. Don't forget to add any prescriptions you have or anything for special needs (allergies).
    
12. Survival Whistle $6 -- You can find cheaper ones at Wal-Mart maybe...
    
13. Signal Mirror $8 -- A woman's "compact" makeup mirror could get you this for free
    
14. Aquamira water treatment drops $14 -- You may also prefer iodine tablets or a filter. You can get a basic Sawyer filter from Wal-Mart for about $25.
    
    That totals out at $365 and covers most of your bases of things you'll need to buy. Most everything else is going to be like soap, toothbrush, etc. which I'm assuming you already have. I really like the HikeLight 3-day camping checklist. You won't be able to get most (any?) of the gear on this list at your price range, but just make sure you have a comparable replacement. Yours will likely just be bigger and/or heavier than their suggested ones. http://hikelight.com/gearlist.html
    
    Happy backpacking!

Here is my list: It is NOT ultralight or even semi light... but this gear will get you anywhere without issue and you can beat the ever living shit out of it. It's perfect for starting out and getting the feel of hiking and camping.

Used MOLLE 2 US Army issue backpack with two sustainment pouches and frame: $60 Free shipping Backpack

Used US Army issue four piece Gortex $99 Sleep System

New Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol Mattress $40 Sleep Pad

Headlamp Princeton Tec Sync LED $24 Headlamp

People that say you have to hike in proper hiking boots or shoes are buying into marketing schemes. People in the thousands hike the PCT/AT/CDT trail in running shoes all the time. Just keep in mind that your ankles are weak from modern sedentary lifestyles and will slowly get stronger over time. Be aware of your weak ankles and avoid injury. Don't trap them in big bulky boots that will only contribute to weaker ankles.

Your clothes in your closet are fine. People tend to freak out about cotton and they are not wrong. Cotton sucks in real situations. However if you are just going out for a few days on normal hiking trips your regular clothes will work fine. As you get into hiking consider buying wool and synthetic clothes.

This set up is heavy and nearly indestructible. I've used everything I've suggested before when I was in the Army and can personally vouch for it's effectiveness.

Total cost: $224

With the extra buy a tarp and some cheap line to put up over your bivi sack that comes with the four piece sleep system.

EDIT: I apologize for my shitty attitude. It's not helpful and isn't constructive.