Sleeping Mats

outdoormole — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 15:32:10 +0000

Sleeping mats serve two purposes, one to cushion, one to insulate. Which you class as the priority is your decision. A hastily spent fiver at the local army and navy stores for a plastic sleeping mat may seem like a good deal until you ‘ve used it for a couple of nights and have sore hips – especially a problem for women. A more informed choice would be to opt for something like a Thermarest mattress. These mats self-inflate, and with a little coercion via the mouthpiece stand roughly four or five centimetres proud of the ground. They are well insulated and extremely comfy but will pack down to the size of a kitchen roll. Thermarest mattresses even come in different lengths and mens and womens’ versions to accommodate our different body shapes. There are other brands of self inflating mattresses available so shop around and see which suits your trip and budget best.

Finally there is still the airbed option, if you fancy a sweaty half hour with a foot pump after a bit of a trek with a weighty rubber envelope in your pack. Probably not. Saying that, they are very comfy, but not really being in the spirit of the great outdoors they are perhaps best reserved for unexpected guests at home!

Sleeping Bags

outdoormole — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 20:25:27 +0000

Once you know what climate and situation you’ll be using your sleeping bag in, there are various things you might consider when investing in a sleeping bag. For best heat retention, choose a Mummy bag. These sleeping bags taper in line with the body to be much narrower at the feet. It can be a strange sensation however if you’re used to moving your legs around independently and stretching out – so if possible, try one out before committing to buying one. Also, don’t buy a sleeping bag that’s too big for you – it’s more to carry and you won’t stay as warm.Make sure the insulating filling stays in place when the bag is moved about – if it moves, you’ll be prone to losing heat through the gaps. Depending on the bag you will find that the “walls” are constructed differently and the lining may be synthetic or down. Generally, goose down is considered to perform best and this performance is also affected by the fill percentage – the higher the better at keeping you toastie warm. The only issue with down-filled bags is that they cost more and need slightly more care than a synthetic fill bag, but if looked after they will last for fifteen to twenty years, so this is an investment you may be prepared to make.

Make sure the hood is snug but not too snug that you can’t add an extra layer as if it gets really cold you may want to wear a hat too. For flexibility and ventilation – or to free the the foot thermostat – check that there is a sturdy two- way zip and that there are no points where it catches or snags the shell of the bag. This should also allow you to zip two bags together, but check for compatability first.

Finally, what about these silk liners? Well, if you are at risk of the temperature plummeting, using a seperate silk liner may just make it that bit more bearable. They go inside your sleeping bag and their appeal is that they can be hitched over your face to protect against the cold but are permeable enough to breathe through. They may add an extra £30-50 to your sleeping bag bill, but when it gets cold, it’s very likely that it was money you don’t begrudge having spent.

Outdoor Mole» Sleeping Bags

Sleeping Mats

Sleeping Bags