Sleeping bag and Tent question.

I

iwannamakeknives

Joined
Oct 17, 2009
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75
Hey guys,
I'm looking to go camping a good amount this summer, and have a few questions about gear.
1. What sleeping bag do I need to get? Keep in mind that I am in Texas and, for the sake of this thread, will mostly just be camping when it is warm.
2. What tent to get? Same scenario as first question.
3. Is there a website where i can order both of these at the same time, I don't really wanna go through evilbay.

Thanks for the help guys. I have found this forum to be very helpful with all questions that I have wanted answered. You'll are awesome.
 
You could check out REI.com for backpacking gear, or Target for car camping gear...

Are you backpacking or just camping? For just camping, were my car isn't far from my campsite, I use a 2 person coleman tent from Target. It's held up just fine, and isn't too expensive at all.

For a sleeping bag, same thing, if you are just car camping, my 20* coleman bag from walmart does just fine for 3 season use. Pic a bag that is 10 - 20* cooller rated than the expected temps you'll be sleeping in.

If you're just car camping, then stay away from the expensive stuff, you can do just fine in the cheaper stuff.

But, if you're backpacking, do yourself a favor and drop the dough up front and get as light a tent and bag as you can. Do your research and don't be afraid to spend some money.

Of course, YMMV, but that's what works for me and I've been car camping in the Sierra Nevada mountains since before I was born, and I just recently got into backpacking last year, and after try to save money, then having to re-buy stuff, that's why I suggest doing your research and spending the money up front, it will be cheaper in the long run.


For car camping, here is the exact tent I use for my wife and I, but you could probably go with the 7x5 if it's just you, I like having the extra room.
http://www.target.com/Coleman-Sundo...e=1&searchSize=30&id=Coleman Sundome Tent 7x7

Personally, I like the flannel bags for car camping, just pic a temperature rating that suits you're expected weather:
http://www.target.com/b/ref=in_br_b...e=1042164&searchSize=&searchView=&searchRank=


If you're car camping, looks like you can get set up for around $100. If you're looking into backpacking, well, you would be best advised (in my opinion) to spend about $300 on each item...
 
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no good backpacking/camping etc stores in yr area? sometimes the best place to get info and check stuff out. often(tho not always) the folks who work in these sorts of stores are avid outdoors folks and know their products. the good ones will steer ya towards what ya really need, not just what they need to get sold out before the new inventory starts arriving.
 
Check out the Coleman Apa tents at Target. They are a Target exclusive, range between 4 and 8 people and are IMO A good value for the money. The 4 Person is around $80.

For a sleeping bag, Slumber jack or Coleman are good. If it's warmer weather I wouldn't worry about a mummy bag cause the Triangle ones have more room and comfortable to some people. Love my old Coleman Bag, it's lasted many years. I know Sportsmans Warehouse and Walmart carry them.

Between those two you're looking at around $160 ($80 each or less) so you will have plenty of cash to spend on some good cooking gear like a stove (Coleman, campchef 2 burner or the like) $40 to $60, Folding chairs ($8 to $20) and anything else that makes camping more comfortable and fun. Cast Iron griddle, Skillets and Dutch ovens are a great thing to get. So if you are car camping $300 will get you lots of stuff. My light weigh backpacking stuff on the other hand has set me back closer to $2000.

Heber
 
I have a Lafuma Extreme 600 sleeping bag. It can be had for $30 if you Google it. It is 20 ounces, synthetic fill and is supposed to have a 45° F rating, but I get cold in it under 60°. It's not fancy, but I have no problems with it. The site that has it for $30 has tents (and everything else) as well.

I grabbed a good 2 person backpacking tent off craigslist for $20.

Edited to say: IMO, having a 2 person tent is worth the extra weight. It's nice to be able to sit up or bring your gear in with you of you want.
 
iwannamakeknives said:
I guess I should have mentioned that I will mostly be backpacking with this gear. Thanks for the answers so far.
Click to expand...

Then see my first post. Do yourself a favor, do a bunch of research on light weight backpacking, and spend the money right off the bat.

Since you won't be in cold temps, you can probably save some cash on the sleeping bag, but still get the lightest you can find for your temp range. Also, you might consider quilts.

Yeah, do yourself a favor and don't skimp on the tent.
Check out:

Tarptent
http://www.tarptent.com/

MLD(mountain laurel designs):
http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/shop/index.php?cPath=35&osCsid=3061262a15316942cf62d6ef57b4a950

Six moons designs(lunar solo):
http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/shop/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=11&cat=Tents

Or to save some money, there are a couple of kits so you can make your own:

Bilgey tarp tent (scroll down)
http://www.questoutfitters.com/patterns-tent,sleeping bag-cart.htm#Tent/Sleeping Bag Patterns

Ray Way tent( also check out his quilt kit)
http://www.rayjardine.com/ray-way/Tarp-Kit/index.htm


Whatever you go with, do your research and find out what is best for you, but I would highly suggest getting the inner net, or the net option of whichever way you go, don't want any Texas sized bugs crawling around on you.

My personal next purchase is going to be an MLD Mid, I think. This way, I can get a 2 person inner, and a single person inner, so I don't carry as much weight when I'm not with my wife. My second choice I think would be the Bilgy, but then I would have to buy a sewing machine.

Oh, and did I mention, that I already spent too much money on a 5lb. tent? After last season, I am so ready to shed 3lbs. of that! And now, I have spent the money twice. That's why I suggest spending the money now and not doing what I did and learn the hard way.
 
iwannamakeknives said:
Hey guys,
I'm looking to go camping a good amount this summer, and have a few questions about gear.
1. What sleeping bag do I need to get? Keep in mind that I am in Texas and, for the sake of this thread, will mostly just be camping when it is warm.
2. What tent to get? Same scenario as first question.
3. Is there a website where i can order both of these at the same time, I don't really wanna go through evilbay.

Thanks for the help guys. I have found this forum to be very helpful with all questions that I have wanted answered. You'll are awesome.
Click to expand...

a good light sleepingbag that will not break the bank is Slumberjack-all of their models are awesome but I have the solara in mind, it's what I use for 4 season camping. I have a 2 person North Face Tephra that costed me less than 100 dollars that I can fit me, my gear and a dog, or me, my gear and a girl (if she likes to cuddle-space is tight) I think I got mine from Manventure outpost but there are hundreds of good sites out there
 
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