type of sleep systems..

M

moosehead905

Joined
Sep 24, 2010
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315
ok guys im looking for a sleep system, something light weight, its going to be used mainly during mid to late spring/summer and early fall, no real cold camping..i dont like sleeping in the cold if i dont really have to..i saw the hammock thread and didnt wanna hi-jack it.but any pros/cons from sleeping on the ground opposed to in a hammock...im not looking to spend a toon of money on it..but around 100-200 bucks...so hammocks, sleeping pads, bivvys..cowboy camping etc....what do you guys use and prefer.
 
Check Jeff’s recent thread called “Camping…” He’s trying out the Eureka Solitaire bivy. I’m giving the hammock and tarp thing a try, then maybe the tarp and sleeping in the open thing depending. What I like about the tarp system is having enough room under there for your other gear and a dry place to sit and relax.

I’m going to try my Byer of Maine hammock this weekend hopefully and see what I think of it.
 
Sleep system. My initial thought was how can I get to sleep and stay sleeping. Ibuprofen night time. Works everytime it is tried.
 
yea, i saw that thread with jeff trying out that bivy, looks pretty nice and compact. and the price is really good for that, would leave me a little left over for some other things..possibly pad, and good wool blanket..but also the hammock set ups look pretty damn comfortable.
 
Yes, Jeffs thread is actualy pretty usefull on that.
I have a nomad Travel Compact, its verry comfy and warm enough for the fall in the Netherlands. My Mat is a Thermarest Prolite4 Large and i love it, nice insulation and verry comfortable.
Packed size mat is 11*33cm and the bag about 30*30cm.
Ordered a snugpak that packs to 12*14cm. Acording to the site it should be enough for fall here(extreme temp rated at +2 celcius)

Also thinking of going hammock+tarp. Hennesy makes some promising stuff.

adaman04 said:
I’m going to try my Byer of Maine hammock this weekend hopefully and see what I think of it.
Click to expand...
Which model do you have? Could you please post your findings on it?
 
When I first got back into outdoor activities a few years ago I would watch Dave Canterbury's videos and think that a wool blanket and a tarp would be all I needed for a comfortable nights sleep...

Yeah, right. :rolleyes: It didn't take long before I realized I needed a bit more gear than that.

I use a lightweight backpacking tent, an awesome sleeping pad (Exped) and a very comfy zero-degree bag. I use my hammock for naps. ;)

You're going to try a few things before you find something that works for you. Like I said, some people can "cowboy camp" but it's not for me. :thumbup:
 
adaman04 said:
Check Jeff’s recent thread called “Camping…” He’s trying out the Eureka Solitaire bivy. I’m giving the hammock and tarp thing a try, then maybe the tarp and sleeping in the open thing depending. What I like about the tarp system is having enough room under there for your other gear and a dry place to sit and relax.
.
Click to expand...

I did a lot of the tarp thing when I was younger. Still always have one with me, but I use it as a main source of shelter less and less. Looking into solo bivy's like jeff's.

Hammocks are interesting, but I'm guessing colder than other options. Tarp's are nice if you can pick a good spot. At a scout camporee during the airmatress days, we once woke up floating in a foot of water.

Currently, I like marmot bags, and still use a ridgerest roll. I either pack a 2 man tent, or a tarp.
 
I was looking for a set up in a similar price range as you and ended up ordering
-GoLite Shangri-La 2 Shelter (A frame bug net with floor)
-8'x10' Nylon Tarp
-2 Mountainsmith Hiking Poles
-Thermarest Trail Scout Sleeping Pad
-Snugpak Sleeper Lite Sleeping Bag

I also have a quality Poncho with grommets I plan to use to create a vestibule area and close one end of the shelter.

This is a very light weight and compact set of gear. I spent a bunch of time searching for light weight, quality items that wouldn't break the budget. I plan to test it all out this weekend if my sleeping bag comes in on time..... I think I got everything listed above for around $270. Little bit over the range you suggested.... Most everything came from Campor with lightning fast shipping I might add.
 
hey moosehead,

I always go with a tarp, and these days, the hammock always comes too.
I like the option to be able to sleep on the ground as I have always done, so I use a sleeping pad in my hammock system.
so:
pad, tarp, hammock, sleeping bag.
lighter than a tent and more comfortable than on the ground.
no crawling around on the ground, but working your camp standing up, going to bed and taking of your shoes from the hammock :)
check out hammockforums.net, lots of good info on it.

a big bonus: I hang my knives on the ridgeline of my hammock :cool:

basb said:
Yes, Jeffs thread is actualy pretty usefull on that.
I have a nomad Travel Compact, its verry comfy and warm enough for the fall in the Netherlands. My Mat is a Thermarest Prolite4 Large and i love it, nice insulation and verry comfortable.
Packed size mat is 11*33cm and the bag about 30*30cm.
Ordered a snugpak that packs to 12*14cm. Acording to the site it should be enough for fall here(extreme temp rated at +2 celcius)

Also thinking of going hammock+tarp. Hennesy makes some promising stuff.


Which model do you have? Could you please post your findings on it?
Click to expand...
Hey bas, another dutchman here. I have the same thermarest as you, I like it and have so for many years. +2 for extreme temp in the fall seems to be too cold imo. comfort temp would be higher for that one and fall in the nl can be cold at night.
I have a dd hammock, which is a cheaper hammock than the hennesy and is of a very good quality, you can buy them in the uk, no import taxes...

Joe Fowler said:
When I first got back into outdoor activities a few years ago I would watch Dave Canterbury's videos and think that a wool blanket and a tarp would be all I needed for a comfortable nights sleep...

Yeah, right. :rolleyes: It didn't take long before I realized I needed a bit more gear than that.

I use a lightweight backpacking tent, an awesome sleeping pad (Exped) and a very comfy zero-degree bag. I use my hammock for naps. ;)

You're going to try a few things before you find something that works for you. Like I said, some people can "cowboy camp" but it's not for me. :thumbup:
Click to expand...
the exped absolutely rocks, since I have it, I finally solved the problem of cold bottom insulation for once and for all, plus it's a very comfortable sleeping pad too :) (exped down mat 9 dlx for me)
 
I have a Thermarest Pad and a Snugpak Merlin. So far, comfy almost down to the freezing mark in a Eureka tent. I would like to get the Eureka Solitaire and try that out and see how it goes on down to the 32 mark.
 
Cant go wrong with a good ridgerest pad. There are a lot of different styles for different weather applications, and since they're relatively inexpensive maybe you could score a couple for different situations.
 
Joe Fowler said:
I use a lightweight backpacking tent, an awesome sleeping pad (Exped) and a very comfy zero-degree bag. I use my hammock for naps.
Click to expand...

+1 for the Exped. You will spend a little more but they are wonderful. I pair it with a Mountain Hardware Lamina 32. We have cooler sumer nights on a regular basis here in Michigan. The 32 is plenty for me.

As to a hammock, I received an Evo for Christmas and I am looking forward to trying it out. My gut is that for overnight in Northern states it would be tough to stay warm. But I haven't tried it yet.
 
AndyM said:
+1 for the Exped. You will spend a little more but they are wonderful. I pair it with a Mountain Hardware Lamina 32. We have cooler sumer nights on a regular basis here in Michigan. The 32 is plenty for me.

As to a hammock, I received an Evo for Christmas and I am looking forward to trying it out. My gut is that for overnight in Northern states it would be tough to stay warm. But I haven't tried it yet.
Click to expand...

Make sure you have under-insulation with the hammock. The Exped should work well. :thumbup:
 
zyhano said:
the exped absolutely rocks, since I have it, I finally solved the problem of cold bottom insulation for once and for all, plus it's a very comfortable sleeping pad too :) (exped down mat 9 dlx for me)
Click to expand...

I really think the Exped is the last pad I will ever need. :thumbup:
 
I have about $25 into this one.

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Maybe not the best system but I picked up a $30 thermarest from campmoor and a 20 degree F mummy bag from a local store and it's the most comfortable camping sleep I've had yet. I've used them down to around 15F with no problem.
 
zyhano said:
hey moosehead,
Hey bas, another dutchman here. I have the same thermarest as you, I like it and have so for many years. +2 for extreme temp in the fall seems to be too cold imo. comfort temp would be higher for that one and fall in the nl can be cold at night.
I have a dd hammock, which is a cheaper hammock than the hennesy and is of a very good quality, you can buy them in the uk, no import taxes...
Click to expand...

hehe the +2c is the rating given by Snugpak as extreme temp. So yes, it should be good enough for fall :)
I'll look into the dd hammock then, dont want to blow 150 bucks just to try if it works for me :)
What model do you have? The Camping model looks like a bargain for 25GBP
 
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