Revamping my Camping gear...

[swettysblazer]

Like the title says.... I am looking to revamp my camping gear, mostly my sleeping articles. I need a new sleeping bag and I would like to get a cot. I think they are more comfortable than the air mattresses and I don't have to worry about it leaking air, fluky pumps, etc.

I have not bought a sleeping bag in 15 years- since i was 10 (lol). What's a good, reasonably priced bag for sleeping in moderate (no lower than say 25 degrees) weather?

As for the cot, I'm a bigger guy (6'3, about 270) and would like to be comfortable on this stuff. I am not packing anything in or out. This is mainly for when I go wheeling and just need to pitch a tent and keep me comfortable at night, so weight or anything is not really that big a concern. What say ye?

 

[TerryD]

I'm right at 6' and 230. I have one of the el cheapo Wal Mart brand cots I slept on for about a year when I was working away from home. It does beat the fire out of an air mattress for long term use but I think I'd stick with a twin air mattress for one or two night trips.

If you do get a cot, get an extra pillow for under your knees to keep them from inverting in your sleep. My knees ached for about a month till I figured out what was causing it and got the extra pillow.


I'm no help on bags at this point. I'm looking to get a good 20* bag that's stuffs down small for backpacking but have not gotten serious about looking yet.

 

[76k5grrl]

marmot, big agnes, and watch REI for garage sales- if you get a stupid looking color of last year's model you can basically steal it. My experience is that bags that are worth their salt are a couple hundred bucks.
(edit- forgot you're on the east coast- watch for LL Bean clearance, too.)

I'm sure you already know this but storage is critical- doesn't matter what your bag is rated at if you store it stuffed--- because the loft will crap out and make it basically a napkin. Also putting a good quality sleeping pad under you will greatly enhance your low temp allowances- they're usually around $80 and worth ever penny, so you could potentially get away with a cheaper bag with the right supplemental gear.

The other thing I've read, but haven't tried yet because I haven't done cold temp camping in a long while, is that you need a specific set of sleeping clothes that you are sure are completely dry-even if you think your day wear clothes are dry, they are not- you sweat in them and that wicking will ruin you in the dark with no movement. The Appalachian Trail nuts swear by down sleeping booties to change the comfort of your rest- they are light, pack down small, and if your feet are warm and dry, so are you.

If you're not concerned about weight- I say go with a military surplus cot- those things live forever. Also, though, remember that cots lift you off the ground, and as with hammocks, convection is a real thing and can make you way colder than the ground.... I've had really good success with heavy army wool blankets as ground covers when vehicle camping.

Where's rich?? This is his type of deal- too bad no "tagging" here.

 

[skunked]

I have a tentcot, it's pretty awesome and plenty big enough for me (6'4" 220lbs).

 

[azblazer]

I like the military sleep system. Bags can be added or deleted depending on tempature. Usually around 100 bux on ebay.