Hiking and Gear For Sleeping

Hiking and Gear For Sleeping

So you have parked the car and put your rucksack on. You have checked the map and put your first step out to start your planned hike. There is no better feeling knowing that this is just the start and the joys are to come. However before you get there we need to consider a plan and ensure that we have all the right hiking and gear that is necessary. There are 2 pieces of equipment for sleeping that sometimes do not get the right kind of attention which is your tent and sleeping bag. These are all important when buying the right hiking and gear for sleeping.

1. Tent

In my experience there are 3 major factors to consider when you purchase a tent for hiking.

Firstly there is the weight to consider. You need to consider how big the tent needs to be depending on the size of your group and how much you want to carry. So really the weight is a “trade off” and needs to be considered carefully. A 2 or 3 man tent is great for the right hiking and gear for one person to carry.

Secondly you need to consider how your tent packs into your rucksack. Is the tent packing volume the right size for your rucksack? Will it fit OK?

Thirdly, how easy is it to set up? After a long day of great, but maybe tiring, hiking you will want to ensure that the tent was easy to put up without too many complications.

2. Sleeping bag

Sleeping bags are also important as part of your hiking and gear for sleeping. For hiking I would buy a tapered or mummy type bag that tends to be thinner at the foot end. This will ensure extra warmth because your body does not have to work so hard to keep warm. Also ensure that the sleeping bag has a hood (due to the amount of heat that is generated from your head).

The other important thing about sleeping bags as part of your hiking and gear is the stitching. Cheaper bags are stitched through the actual bag creating big pockets. Manufacturers then fill these pockets with insulation. As the stitching is through the actual sleeping bag there are pockets of cold spots all over the sleeping bag. So avoid these sleeping bags. Instead go for the sleeping bag that has offset stitching. This where the stitching is in the middle of the insulation so that there are no cold spots.

So have a great time hiking. However make sure you have the right tent and bag as it is an important part of your hiking and gear.