That big thing reduces down to this?!?!
Before showing my sleep system, I just realized that I never showed you my tent in its fully stored state. Without further delay, here it is. See that red bag? That is the complete tent rolled down and stuffed to about the size of a 2 liter bottle. Oh yeah, also, it only weights 2 lbs. BOOM! What now???
So, a sleep system consists of a sleeping pad and a sleeping bag (or a quilt). Sleeping pads come in two main types. One type is rigid, called a closed cell pad. It is non – inflatable and folds up for storage. It is rugged and durable, but not as comfortable as an inflatable, the other type of sleeping pad. Being the side sleeper that I am, I chose the more comfortable option – an inflatable, in particular a Thermarest NeoAir XLITE. Here it is in its stored state weighing in at an incredibly light 13 ounces!
My sleeping pad – stored. Weight – 13 ounces.
Setup is pretty simple – just extract from the storage bag…
Sleeping pad extraction
And then unroll…
Sleeping pad unrolled and ready to inflate. Breathe!
And then inflate!
Still inflating!
After about 15 lung-fulls of air, we have this… BOOM!
My friend the sleeping pad – ready to use.
After the sleeping pad, we have the sleeping bag. As with the sleeping pad, there are two main types – but relating to the type of fill material that is used. There are synthetic fill materials and down fill materials. Synthetic has the advantage of retaining its insulating properties even when wet. But that comes at the cost of weight and compressibility. Down, on the other hand, is lightweight and highly compressible – but you better not let it get wet. If it does get wet and the weather is super cold – you’re screwed. I opted for the benefits of the down fill. Specifically, for my summer bag, I chose a Western Mountaineering MityLite. Here is my bag in its stored state: (and oh yeah – this bag weighs a scant 1 pound, 10 ounces)
Sleeping bag fully compressed.
What? Is there really a sleeping bag in there? Let’s check it out…
Is that really a sleeping bag???
Well, it sure looks like a sleeping bag – let’s get it outa there…
Yes, it *is* a sleeping bag.
It really *is* a sleeping bag! Let’s roll it out…
Let’s roll it out!
Unrolled and aligned on top of the sleeping pad…
And let’s fluff it up…
After fluffing it up, I should try it out…
Me… All happy and snug in my bag on my pad. Comfy.
Damn. I look cute as a button. Or maybe as cute as an idiot laying in his sleeping bag on a sleeping pad in the middle of his living room floor.
Regardless, we’ll see how cute and comfy I look come next March…
We’ll sleeping bags have always been fun in the living room!!! I remember bringing a sleeping with me to slumber parties… I wish it was that small mine was huge and ackward!! This paints a much better picture though I was picturing a back pack with a huge sleeping bag hooked to it.
Sleeping bags in the living room – along with sheets to make tents out of! 🙂 And yeah, it’s a good thing I won’t be hooking this to my pack – that’s a one way ticket to a wet soggy down sleeping bag that is good for nothing. Honestly, I’m amazed at how small this thing compresses and how light it is. All my past sleeping bags have weighed 5 pounds or more and are not very compressible.
Hello there! I will be out on the AT heading NOBO in 2015 and have been researching my sleeping setup. How difficult is it to fold your tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad back up?
Hi Brian. I have found that using stuff sacks makes the job much easier. Additionally, they are water proof which adds benefit. Also, down sleeping bags really compress a lot better than synthetic.
Good luck with your prep and maybe I will see you out there next year.
Also I am just curious how you happened upon my blog!