Need a Sleeping pad and sleeping bag

J

Jake Bauer

Joined
Sep 19, 2007
Messages
4,293
Hey guys,

I might be going on a week long trip (road trip with stops in some national parks doing a little hiking and camping). I'm looking for a sleeping pad foremost, and I have a good sleeping bag, but I'm looking for something more packable and light weight. Here's what I'm looking for:

Sleeping pad:

-Able to accommodate for a 6'5", 215lb guy
-lightweight
-easily packed
-as in-expensive as I can get (on a very tight budget) Less than $100 (preferably less than $50).

Sleeping bag:

-See length specifications above
-Lightweight
-easily packed
-maybe down to 20 degree rating
-also as inexpensive as I can get (under $100)

If any of these requirements make for a non existent pad/bag, please throw me some suggestions.

We'll be traveling through West Texas, down to Big Bend, then out through colorado, arizona and new mexico in early march.

Thanks guys.
 
Well, unless you find a store going out of business, you won't find bags with those specs for under $100. You can probably find a pad that cheap, but you'll need to find one on sale. Check REI's super clearance that starts on the 12th.

For a bag that cheap, you will need to go used. Check Craigslist, ebay, etc.
 
Jake Bauer said:
Already found a couple maybes

Sleeping bag- http://www.kelty.com/p-328-cosmic-20.aspx (found one online under $100)

Sleeping pad- http://cascadedesigns.com/Therm-A-Rest/Mattresses/Trek-And-Travel/Trail-Lite/product (found around $60)

Thanks for the heads up on the sale Storl.
Click to expand...

Haha, well, I guess I should have asked what you meant by lightweight. I was thinking along the lines of my 20 degree down bag, which weighs a little under 2 lbs. If you don't mind 4-5 pounds, then you will have a few options. Just be warned that very few manufacturers are completely honest about their temp ratings. There is a new standard that some manufacturers are starting to follow, but there are only a couple doing it so far.
 
If you're car camping, I've had good results with some of the pads from www.cabelas.com. They aren't as light as the Thermarests but I've had some seam and valve issues with Thermarests. The Cabelas pads are heavier but have held up well.

DancesWithKnives
 
I 6'5" tall and about 170 pounds. Normally I use a Large RidgeRest Delux from Thermarest that I got for under $30. I also have their inflatable Basecamp Large that I normally pair with the ridgerest. Good combo. But the RidgeRest Delux by it's self is a good pad.

My Long Slumber jack bag is rated to about 20 and I got it for around $80. Not a bad sleeping bag and it's only 3.5 pounds or so. Check the Yellow pages to see if there are any local Mom and Pop stores in the area, sometimes they have some great deals. I know the two or three in my area do.

Heber
 
For the pad, get an inflatable Big Agnes Insulated Aire Core (IAC) in size 78 by 25 inches. At the top of your price range, but a great, comfortable, and packable three season pad. Packs to a little larger than a nalgene. I use an Exped downmat for colder weather, but this one makes for a great snooze in other seasons:

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___27343
 
Hey Jake. I picked up a Large Prolite for $49 at REI. Its normally $100 + so you can find deals.
 
The big agnes air core has been a fantastic sleeping pad for me.
 
watersculptor said:
As has already been mentioned, When checking the temperature rating, be aware that the given ratings are generally very optimistic. In the USA only a couple of major companies are following the EN rated standard for temperature guidelines (MARMOT & the current models from REI) that are ACTUAL realistic temperature ratings. ASK the company you are interested in if they follow the EN rating system. I know many many folk who have purchased a bag thinking they have got one warm enough, only to shiver their way through a very long uncomfortable night. I hope that soon, more companies will use the EN rating system. I highly recommend Marmot sleeping bags, look for one on the secondhand market. The new REI bags are pretty good. Sleeping bags are one of those things where you really are truly grateful you bought a good one! Best of luck finding one in your budget. I also recommend you checking out the SUPER CLEARANCE SALE ON THE 12TH FEB AT REI. MASSIVE DISCOUNTS, JUST BE READY AND KNOW WHAT YOU WANT, AS THESE THINGS CAN BE FULL ON.
Markus
Click to expand...

I concur on both the ratings and the Marmot bags. I also like Western Mountaineering and www.featheredfriends.com in higher-end bags.

Consider personal metabolism. An 84-year old geezer buddy I take hunting was looking at a 15 degree Cabela's bag. He's really scrawny and sleeps cold so I suggested a warmer bag, even though he would not likely go below 15 with it. He was hesitant about a 0 degree bag but I finally talked him into the -15F model. He used it in the 20s one night and it was none-too-warm for HIM (would have been very toasty for a warm-sleeping, fat bastid like me).

DancesWithKnives
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top