adminGear Upgrades:
Sleeping System
After my first multi-day backpacking trip in Colorado, i had the opportunity to test out all of my gear to determine the pros and cons of each item, and whether or not I would use the same items on my next trip. Upgrading your gear is inevitable. The first area of my pack i wanted to take a deep-dive look at was my sleep system.
Let’s take a look at what my initial sleep system consists of:
Featherlite +20 Mummy Sleeping Bag
Let me start by saying, i received this sleeping bag for “free” from some shopping points i built up, so I admit i knew very little about this company or product before receiving it. That being said, it help up very well and was plenty warm over 3 nights in the Colorado mountains. I was also happy that it packed down pretty small for a releativly budget friendly sleeping bag. It weighs 3.4 pounds so there are certainly lighter options, but overall it was tough to beat for the price and did it’s job in providing a warm, comfortable night.
Ecotek Outdoors Hybern8 Inflatable Sleeping Pad
There are several sleeping pad options available to campers. Whether it be a soft pad or inflatable sleeping pad, it ultimately comes down to a preference call. For $40, this Ecotek sleeping pad is a fantastic value. It’s easy to inflate with only a few breathes, and it stayed inflated well overnight. Luckily i didn’t encounter frigid temperatures on my hike where the R value would greatly affect my sleep but i imagine that’s where you would truly get what you pay for. While i wish there was a little more cushion to accommodate a side sleeper like myself, its tough to beat for the price and coming in at just over a pound of weight, not too shabby.
Nemo Fillo Inflatable Travel Pillow
I’m sure hardcore backpackers will scoff at taking a pillow on the trails but in my opinion, it is worth every gram of weight to rest easy when the day is over. This pillow is my favorite part of my sleep system by far. The pillow packs down ridiculously small and inflates super easy. The fabric material also added a slight degree of warmth throughout the night. I have no intention of taking this out of my pack anytime soon.
So what’s the verdict?
After testing out my sleep system and examining which factors are important to me in evaluating my gear choices, I’ve determined that the priority of my gear upgrades based on price, efficiency, weight and flexibility. After crunching the numbers and scouring the web for available gear, I’ve determined that the first upgrade i wanted to make was with my sleeping bag. Although the mummy bag held up great, I’ve decided to switch to a quilt over a mummy bag due to it’s flexibility and space it provides for side sleeping. It will also help me create a more comfortable sleep system by attaching the quilt directly to the sleeping pad to avoid any slipping and sliding at night. The second upgrade I’ve decided to make is with my sleeping pad. Although i didn’t necessarily intend on upgrading this item so soon, i received a new sleeping pad in a subscription box i tested out. As i mentioned, i love my pillow so that is staying put.
Upgraded Gear
Paria Outdoor Thermodown 15 Degree Sleeping Quilt
After deciding i wanted to upgrade to a sleeping quilt, i starting searching for the best fit. I was a bit overwhelmed by the countless options online, and it’s tough to differentiate between product differences and justifying them based on their price. And then i found it! Paria Outdoors, a Colorado based company, has received great feedback on their Thermodown 15 degree quilt. With 20D ripstop fabric and 700 fill down, the quality is definitely what i’m looking for in my gear. At just over 2 lbs, it also saves me nearly a pound of weight as well. As far as price goes, $160 isn’t exactly cheap but in comparison on similar products of this quality it almost feels like a steal. It’s connection points are a great feature in connecting to your sleeping pad. The icing on the cake for me is it’s sheer flexibility. This is my one-stop shop item for any hike i will take in the near future as it opens to keep me cool in the summer and allows you to bunker down in 15 degree temps.
After receiving this sleeping pad in a gear subscription box i was testing out, i immediately got excited and started looking up the specs. Although i was thinking of investing in an ultralight Thermarest sleeping pad, this one kind of fell into my lap and i’m not going to shun a great product for no reason. This pad is absolutely an upgrade from my previous inflatable pad. At about 18 oz and an R value of 1.3, it’s an improvement for sure. However, it may be middle of the road for some. That said, the real selling point to me wasn’t just the pad itself but the pad’s insulated fitted sheet. Not only does the insulated sheet provide an additional bump in the R value, it has a clever little pocket for your pillow that holds your pillow in-place while sleeping, which i gotta say, was the most annoying part of my sleep while hiking.
