Camping & HikingCamping Sleeping Bags & Mats: Comfort In Wilderness
Has the daily grind of city life been getting to you? Spending time in nature might be the thing you need. When the bustle of cosmopolitan life starts to take its toll, camping can provide some much-needed respite. Since camping can be an all season activity, there is no need to wait before you get out there and enjoy the rejuvenating benefits of nature. One of the most important aspects of camping is choosing the right type of sleeping equipment. After all, a good night's sleep will only enhance your camping experience.
The most common sleeping equipment used for camping are sleeping bags or sleeping mats.
Camping Sleeping Bags vs Sleeping Mats: How To Choose The Right Camping Equipment
The type of camping bags and mats you decide to use depends on a variety of factors. First, you need to decide whether you prefer sleeping bags or sleeping mats.
A major consideration is whether you’ll be carrying all your equipment on your back or if you’ll be transporting it in your vehicle. If you’re camping deeper into the wilderness, it is better to select lightweight and minimal camping bags and mats.
Sleeping Mats
Sleeping mats are ideal to use if you’ll be camping near a car or other vehicle. These are either made of foam or are inflatable. Mats are lightweight and can be easily transported. Inflatable mats are more convenient to use than foam varieties but foam mats provide better insulation from the weather. Hence, foam sleeping mats are better suited to camping in warmer weather. Foam mats are also most durable and easier to transport.
A common problem with inflatable mats is that the may decompress over the night and are prone to developing tears.
Sleeping Bags
Sleeping bags are the most popular sleeping equipment for camping. The most common design is the mummy style sleeping bag. Sleeping bags are also available in rectangular shapes, similar to sleeping mats.
Mummy style sleeping bags provide more warmth but also restrict movement so these may not be the best option for restless sleepers. Rectangular bags give more room for movement since they aren’t form-fitting but the downside to this is that they provide less insulation and take longer to warm up.
Mummy style sleeping bags are more suited to colder temperatures and for backpacking or other more strenuous camping. Rectangular bags are heavier to carry and better for warmer climates and for car campers in more casual camping situations.
Important Features For Camping Sleeping Bags And Mats
Price: Sleeping equipment tends to be one of the most expensive items in your camping gear. Hence, it is important to set a budget while choosing the ideal camping sleeping bags and mats for your needs.
Weight: If you’re looking to go backpacking or camping deeper in the wilderness, you need to select sleeping gear that is lightweight and easy to carry. Carrying around a heavy sleeping bag or mat will only put unwanted strain on your body especially if you’re carrying all your gear by yourself. People going camping with vehicles can afford to carry heavier gear.
Warmth: Depending on the weather, you need to select camping sleeping bags and mats that will provide the ideal amount of warmth to give you a comfortable night of sleep. Mummy style sleeping bags trap more body heat and are better in cold climates whereas rectangular sleeping bags and sleeping mats are better in warmer temperatures.
Material: Sleeping gear can be made of either synthetic or natural down material. Natural down gear lasts longer than synthetic variants and is lighter but more expensive. Synthetic material performs better in wet conditions and is more cost-effective.
Buying Camping Sleeping Bags And Mats Online
We all know how difficult it is to find free time in our busy schedules. If the lack of time is putting a damper on your camping plans, don’t worry, you can easily buy sleeping bags online. Purchasing sleeping bags and mats online is convenient and saves you're a trip to the store. You can buy sleeping bags online from good quality brands such as Quechua, Tinafashions, RuggedTrails, and Wildcraft. Moreover, these can usually be bought at a discount. When you buy sleeping bags online, it is important to check the return policy just in case the gear is not suited to your needs. Keeping in mind to check the temperature ratings, cost, material, weight, length, and style of the equipment before you buy it.
Choosing the right sleeping gear can make or break your camping experience. Select the right gear and you can have truly wonderful experiences in nature that will lift your spirits and rejuvenate your soul.
