The warm season is upon us, which means there's no excuse for not lighting out and catching up on some sleep in the great outdoors. Whether you're planning to sleep in the bush on your next hunt or take your entire family for a night in a mountain campground, making sure the night's rest goes undisturbed is key to the overall enjoyment of the experience. There are a lot of options when it comes to outdoor sleeping supplies. Catalogs and websites are filled with pages of tents, tarps, sleeping bags and everything in between. But we'll narrow it down for you. Here are a few items worth considering before your next overnight trek.
Marmot’s Sawtooth sleeping bag delivers warmth in extreme temperatures, while keeping the weight–slightly over 2 pounds–manageable for long treks. The 600-fill goose down bag has a temperature rating of 15 degrees and packs easily; the nylon shell is coated with a finish that repels water. The small stash pockets are good for storing eyeglasses and other necessities. The collar is filled with down to provide extra neck warmth and cushioning. ($250; marmot.com)
The NeoAir from Therm-a-Rest, weighing in at
14 ounces, is the lightest air mattress available. It has a special reflective barrier that reduces heat loss to keep you warm on those chilly nights in the mountains.
Hardcore outdoorsmen might scoff at the idea of bringing a pillow into the woods. However, after long days of hauling big packs, it’s worth considering. Big Agnes’ Air Core Pillow is made of 70-denier nylon and inflates into a firm neck support system. I-Beam interior construction means that the pillow will hold its shape after many long nights, and it comes with its own mesh stuff sack. At a packed size of 2 x 7.5 inches and a weight of just 4.5 ounces, the feather-light pillow won’t take up much room in your pack. ($20; bigagnes.com)
While it’s not as vital as a tent or a sleeping bag, a roll of duct tape is a must for anyone planning to spend the night in the wild. Why? Because nothing snaps you out of your sweet dreams quicker than a swarm of buzzing mosquitos that have entered your tent through a tiny tear in the fabric. Duct tape is the perfect solution for patching up holes and rips in items like your tent or your air mattress.
