Sleeping bag and Tent

[08Rubicon]

Well i'm now in the market for a new sleeping bag and tent and would like some ideas.

For the bag I want something big enough to fit me (6'4"), warm weather (50+), modular would be nice, and very durable. It will just be something that I can throw in the Jeep when I feel like camping.

For the tent I want it to be able to fit 3-4 adults and I don't need one with all those extra rooms and what not.

Any ideas? Thanks - KY

[C_Kyle]

If you're not going to be packing it, weight isn't really an issue. Pick up a newer military sleeping bag system, it consists of an outer Gore-Tex bivy, a warm weather patrol bag, a cold weather bag, and a compression bag. I've used it a whole lot in the Army; it's a great bag system, and you can compress it to the size of a large coffee can.

I've seen them go on ebay for $60-150. If you price a decent sleeping bag and a bivy, you're in the $300 range, at least. The Military ECWS bag is really a great deal.

For the tent, if you're planning to camp around FL, condensation is a nightmare. A single wall tent will develop condensation on the inside, and if you roll against a wall, it soaks you. There's no perfect tent for down here, but look for something that is almost entirely mesh, with a separate rain fly. The Big Agness Seed House is a good tent.

You can also check trailspace.com for reviews on almost everything hiking/camping related.

[Hilldweller]

I have a Columbia Bugaboo tent; about $100 from Cabellas. Pretty darn roomy.
The wife and I use a warm-weather Adam & Eve bag; fleece liners extend the comfort to 40 degrees or so.

[MFalcon]

I wouldn't be much help in the sleeping bag department. I've had the same one for 18 years, I highly recommend the North Face Cat's Meow.

As for tents look at the REI Hobitat. It's mainly mesh and even at 6'4" you should be able to stand up in it, I'm 6' and can stand up in all four corners. I've had mine a couple of years now and have use it at least 2 dozen times. It is a bit tricky to set up the first time.

http://media.rei.com/media/973180.jpg

[CAOKKIE]

Marmot makes good sleeping bags. I have one of their down mummy bags.

[08Rubicon]

I wouldn't be much help in the sleeping bag department. I've had the same one for 18 years, I highly recommend the North Face Cat's Meow.

As for tents look at the REI Hobitat. It's mainly mesh and even at 6'4" you should be able to stand up in it, I'm 6' and can stand up in all four corners. I've had mine a couple of years now and have use it at least 2 dozen times. It is a bit tricky to set up the first time.

http://media.rei.com/media/973180.jpg

That looks like exactly what I want!

I think a mummy bag would be a little warm for my needs. I do like the idea of trying to find a modular military bag, I'll have to see if I can find one! Thanks everyone! - KY

[08Rubicon]

Anyone know the pros and cons of down and synthetic? - KY

[MFalcon]

I would love to have a down bag, but from what I've been told you can't get a quality down bag for a decent price. If you get a down bag you need a waterproof/resistant bag.

If you get the tent be sure to sign up for REI's membership it's a one time fee and you get dividends/rebate every February on the stuff you bought the previous year.

[Andrews]

Down bags are great in terms of lightweight and warmth, but they become useless if they get wet. If you are going to be backpacking and need to stay warm and you can keep the bag dry, down is the way to go. If you are not sure you can keep it dry, or are going kayaking or something, synth is the way to go. A little heavier and not quite as warm comparatively, but they will still work if they get wet.

Some of the new synth material is pretty light weight now, and are approaching down in terms of warmth. I have found that when it comes to sleeping bags, in most cases you get what you pay for. As a dad who camps in the winter (January/February in Kansas - yikes!) with his Boy Scout son, I'm willing to pay a little more for good quality. Freezing your giblets huddled in a tent takes away from the overall camping experience!

Do some research on the synth materials before you buy if you decide to go synth...

Steve

[Mark Doiron]

For the tent I want it to be able to fit 3-4 adults ...
Just remember that a tent for 3-4 adults barely fits 3-4 adults. If you plan to actually have 3-4 adults, I'd definitely recommend a tent for 5-6. I'd recommend a dome tent, and personally I can't stand fighting with sleeves to set up the tent--therefore all of my tents (yes, my son and I own five, not including the tarp and bivy sack) have clips instead of sleeves for the poles. Right now my preference is for the very light, high quality brands (Marmot, Sierra Designs), but we do own an REI and an LL Bean and both are very, very good for car camping.

Sleeping bags: Check out Big Agnes brand. I know some large folks who rave about them. You say you don't want a mummy bag and I understand your reasoning--neither did I. However, once I found my current bag (Mont-Bell), which is a mummy that stretches, I fell in love with it. Because it stretches there are no gaps to fill with cold air when camping in the winter--it literally hugs me. If you plan to be a mild-weather camper, that shouldn't be an issue for you--go for a larger, comfortable (and less expensive!) bag.

Quick tip: I found that I had a lot fewer repairs for my gear once I moved from shopping the cheap stuff at Wal-Mart and started shopping quality gear at a real outdoor outfitter (REI, Backwoods, etc).

[AK4Dave]

I used to guide here in Alaska. If you want room for 3-4 adults, the 6 man Alaska Guide tent from Cabella's is real hard to beat. It stood up to some of the worst wind, rain and snow that Alaska could throw at it.

Slumberjack makes a great bag.

Down bags are nice, but synth. can keep you warm even when wet.

[Sum_Devl]

Just remember that a tent for 3-4 adults barely fits 3-4 adults. If you plan to actually have 3-4 adults, I'd definitely recommend a tent for 5-6. I'd recommend a dome tent, and personally I can't stand fighting with sleeves to set up the tent--therefore all of my tents (yes, my son and I own five, not including the tarp and bivy sack) have clips instead of sleeves for the poles. Right now my preference is for the very light, high quality brands (Marmot, Sierra Designs), but we do own an REI and an LL Bean and both are very, very good for car camping.

Sleeping bags: Check out Big Agnes brand. I know some large folks who rave about them. You say you don't want a mummy bag and I understand your reasoning--neither did I. However, once I found my current bag (Mont-Bell), which is a mummy that stretches, I fell in love with it. Because it stretches there are no gaps to fill with cold air when camping in the winter--it literally hugs me. If you plan to be a mild-weather camper, that shouldn't be an issue for you--go for a larger, comfortable (and less expensive!) bag.

Quick tip: I found that I had a lot fewer repairs for my gear once I moved from shopping the cheap stuff at Wal-Mart and started shopping quality gear at a real outdoor outfitter (REI, Backwoods, etc).

Mark you stole the words right from my mouth. I was going to recommend the Big Agnes bags as well, and yes you are correct they are a very spacious bag, one other great benefit is the pad sleeve (no more rolling off your pad during the middle of the night.) I personally own 2 of their bags and 2 of their tents, they make a quality product and the price for their bags are pretty reasonable, now their tents are pretty price but well worth it.

I am also with you on the outdoor outfitters, I would also recommend mountaingear.com and moosejaw.com.

Mark, which montbell bag do you have? I am getting ready to buy the U.L.SS.Down Hugger #2.

[Mark Doiron]

... Mark, which montbell bag do you have? I am getting ready to buy the U.L.SS.Down Hugger #2.
I have the #1. My son has the #3 and throws a liner in when winter camping. You will not be disappointed with a Mont-Bell bag. :yup:

[mmcan]

You don't need a down bag for 50 degree camping, and I might even forego a bag all together and go with a comfy mattress and blanket set up, just in case you have your S.O. with you and want to sleep closer together. A down comforter if you must, or some good polartech and you are good to go.

I love my Big Agnes tent that I got for some crazy great price at REI on sale. We used 2 big cots to sleep on, and had gobs of room inside the tent still. The vestibule is huge. Check that,... MASSIVE. Great ventilation, looks like it would hold up well in moderately crummy weather.

Jeep camping allows so many options because weight is not an issue. Just pack it in, and pack it out.

Here's Agnes,...

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn316/mmcan/More%20Colorado%202008/IMGP0683.jpg?t=1222642925

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn316/mmcan/More%20Colorado%202008/IMGP0586.jpg?t=1222642984

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn316/mmcan/More%20Colorado%202008/IMGP0693.jpg?t=1222643061

[somewhereinla]

I wouldn't be much help in the sleeping bag department. I've had the same one for 18 years, I highly recommend the North Face Cat's Meow.

As for tents look at the REI Hobitat. It's mainly mesh and even at 6'4" you should be able to stand up in it, I'm 6' and can stand up in all four corners. I've had mine a couple of years now and have use it at least 2 dozen times. It is a bit tricky to set up the first time.

http://media.rei.com/media/973180.jpg

I love the REI tents, I have the stage 4 tent and couldn't be happier.

[Hilldweller]

If anybody needs a good tent, I put mine on the board for sale:
http://www.jk-forum.com/showthread.php?t=56485

[Brad2893]

I have a 2-man MSR 4 season tent that I'm really happy with. Worked great in the Rockies in February with 3 feet of snow in -30C, even. I dunno if they make 4-6 person tents, but their quality is pretty decent.

For bags I use a down/synthetic hybrid. Strong warmth on top with a synthetic ground portion that is still warm but also can get wet.

Hope this helps. Most of my gear is intended to be able to withstand up to -30C and snowy conditions, so it might be overkill for your conditions.

Cheers.

[mcds99]

Check out rei.com

They have all levels of camping equipment.

[Jword]

If you're not going to be packing it, weight isn't really an issue. Pick up a newer military sleeping bag system, it consists of an outer Gore-Tex bivy, a warm weather patrol bag, a cold weather bag, and a compression bag. I've used it a whole lot in the Army; it's a great bag system, and you can compress it to the size of a large coffee can.

I've seen them go on ebay for $60-150. If you price a decent sleeping bag and a bivy, you're in the $300 range, at least. The Military ECWS bag is really a great deal.

I can second that on the military sleeping system, have been in climates ranging from 20 deg F (winters in Germany) to 130 deg F (summer in Iraq) with that sleeping system with no complaints about the sleep system. I have woken up in the rain many times with no overhead cover while using the bivy cover around the sleeping bag and have been dry, the cover has enough slack in it to put loose gear/boots in the bottom if you plan on roughing it. I have fallen in love with the bivy cover and will use just the cover and a poncho liner as a blanket, it will keep you out of the elements. I highly recomend it! :thumbsup:

[mjolnir]

Down bags are great in terms of lightweight and warmth, but they become useless if they get wet. .......... synth is the way to go. A little heavier and not quite as warm comparatively, but they will still work if they get wet.......

I went with a hybrid bag, it's synthetic at the feet and along the back, and down on the top and the hood (it's a mummy). I've been really happy with it and would recommend it to anyone, although it is probably overkill for what the OP is looking for.

[tomb raider]

We have the rei habitat and it works well for us. I have a cabellas sleeping bag