Attention Campers: Sleeping Gear

[alanmcorcoran]

I probably won't do it, but there's a possibility I might take a solo trip to Mid California and give camping one more try. I'm pretty sure I am too old for this, but I can always bail and hit a hotel if I change my mind. I'm interested in lightweight, compact sleeping gear, which I guess breaks down into at least three components:

1) Bag or blankets.
2) outdoor mattress/pad/cot/what have you. (Things that go between you, the bag and the ground.)
3) Tent or other rain/wind/bug deterrent.

It's going to be mid august and I would venture that the temperature will be somewhere between hot as hell during the day and not as hot at night.

[Water Warrior 2]

I gave up camping a lot of years ago. Been there done that. At the end of the day a shower and a real bed are most welcome.

[BillInGA]

I toyed with the idea of camping on my impending trip to Colorado, but I tend not to sleep very well when camping out, so I opted for hotels instead. The lack of sleep is not so bad when I'm out with the Boy Scouts, but I'd rather be fresh in the morning for riding.

The above notwithstanding, if I were to camp out on a motorcycle trip these would be my options:

1) Sleeping bag (as opposed to blankets). I'd go with the lightest synthetic (not down) 25-30 degree bag I could afford.
2) Sleeping pad - Therm-a-rest pads are the way to go. Heavy, but well worth their weight. The thicker the better - I think the Expedition is their thickest.
3) Tent / Tarp - I've tried using a tarp, but it's a little too buggy for me. Plus you typically need hiking poles to double as tent poles. There are plenty of 1 - 2 man backpacking tents. I recommend something that has at least sitting height. I have a 1-man backpacking tent that does not have sitting height and, although small and light-weight, it is awkward getting in and out and difficult to get dressed in.

[alantf]

Amazon.com have some good offers on, at the moment. :2tup:

[Moedad]

1) Sleeping bag (as opposed to blankets). I'd go with the lightest synthetic (not down) 25-30 degree bag I could afford.
2) Sleeping pad - Therm-a-rest pads are the way to go. Heavy, but well worth their weight. The thicker the better - I think the Expedition is their thickest.
3) Tent / Tarp - I've tried using a tarp, but it's a little too buggy for me. Plus you typically need hiking poles to double as tent poles. There are plenty of 1 - 2 man backpacking tents. I recommend something that has at least sitting height. I have a 1-man backpacking tent that does not have sitting height and, although small and light-weight, it is awkward getting in and out and difficult to get dressed in.

Yes, yes, and yes on Bill's suggestions. A decent synthetic bag will pack a lot smaller and weigh less than the old traditional flannel lined sleeping bags that tie up in a roll. Thermarest pads are also a great choice. Even the lightweight backing models work very well, but the 2" thick jobbers (they compress) are very comfortable. And a tent rather than a tarp is also the way to go. More privacy from people and bugs. You can find multiple examples of this stuff at REI.

[ncff07]

I dont know where it came from and its been years ago but when i was growing up we used to go camping and they had an "air mattress" it was thin and had a valve on one corner and when that valve was opened it inflated itself for the most part then close the valve and it stays up. reverse to deflate it just roll it up to get the air out then close the valve.

[New GZ250]

If you are coming to the mid California area, I can meet up with you along Highway 1, Santa Cruz, Half Moon Bay? I'll buy you a good lunch and supply good company. See you maybe?

[BillInGA]

I dont know where it came from and its been years ago but when i was growing up we used to go camping and they had an "air mattress" it was thin and had a valve on one corner and when that valve was opened it inflated itself for the most part then close the valve and it stays up. reverse to deflate it just roll it up to get the air out then close the valve.

That would be a Therm-a-rest pad.

[GZ Jess]

I have never camped off the bike but I do camp with my family of six and packing space is always limited. I have discovered in the middle of summer that we never need actual sleeping bags because it is way to hot. What I do is pack a large flat sheet. Folded in half you can lay on it and under it (kinda like a taco). For me it takes up less room than the 6 sleeping bags would be and if we are cooler at night you can always sleep in some clothes. Also to save money we have purchased really cheap dollar store pool rafts to inflate to sleep on. This way they are tiny when we pack them and if something happens to them I don't feel bad being out a couple of bucks. They can be slippery though so I have started to pack double side tape to help with that LOL. If you pay a little more a lot of them have pillows built in. I think Walmart has a couple of really cheap 1 person tents now (around $15) that are way more water and bug proof than a tarp. A friend of my straps the tent across his handle bars.

Jessica

[alanmcorcoran]

If you are coming to the mid California area, I can meet up with you along Highway 1, Santa Cruz, Half Moon Bay? I'll buy you a good lunch and supply good company. See you maybe?

If I do go, (it's 50-50 right now) I'll post my basic plan. I've been up through there on a previous trip last year so I might go 395 this time. But my daughter is in Santa Maria/Solvang area, and I might pass through there. No need to buy lunch, but company is always a good addition to a bike adventure.

[alanmcorcoran]

I toyed with the idea of camping on my impending trip to Colorado, but I tend not to sleep very well when camping out, so I opted for hotels instead. The above notwithstanding, if I were to camp out on a motorcycle trip these would be my options:

1) Sleeping bag (as opposed to blankets). I'd go with the lightest synthetic (not down) 25-30 degree bag I could afford.
2) Sleeping pad - Therm-a-rest pads are the way to go. Heavy, but well worth their weight. The thicker the better - I think the Expedition is their thickest.
3) Tent / Tarp - I've tried using a tarp, but it's a little too buggy for me. Plus you typically need hiking poles to double as tent poles. There are plenty of 1 - 2 man backpacking tents. I recommend something that has at least sitting height. I have a 1-man backpacking tent that does not have sitting height and, although small and light-weight, it is awkward getting in and out and difficult to get dressed in.

I'm kind of in the same boat - It's hard for me to sleep even when in a nice bed. I'm thinking i might try having the gear, and if it ends up sucking, just hitting the cheap hotels. Or alternating. It always sounds more romantic talking about it than actually doing it. Thanks for the suggestions.

[Moedad]

I'm kind of in the same boat - It's hard for me to sleep even when in a nice bed. I'm thinking i might try having the gear, and if it ends up sucking, just hitting the cheap hotels. Or alternating. It always sounds more romantic talking about it than actually doing it. Thanks for the suggestions.

Hey, if you want, you can try my thick and/or thin Thermarest pads (take a nap on your living room floor) and see if they work for you.

[alanmcorcoran]

Hey, if you want, you can try my thick and/or thin Thermarest pads (take a nap on your living room floor) and see if they work for you.

How small do they get? I've toyed with the idea of trading the GZ for a Beemer but in all probability I'll be taking the Strat, which is not equipped with much luggage carrying capability. I've got two large but oddly shaped saddlebags and probably will bungie a duffle on the passenger pillion. I'm thinking a tent, a bag and thermarest and I've already greatly exceeded any clean carrying capability. camping is usually more fun if you have some toys (like a little lantern, a little stove, a chair, and so on.)

My living room has deep pile carpet and no sharp rocks, so it'd hardly be a fair test. But I appreciate the offer. I assume they have these at REI...

[Water Warrior 2]

Hmmm, Alan it sounds like you need a reasonably equiped Vstrom for travelling. You can pack it like a mule and still be comfy. A.K.A. the poor man's BMW. Works for me.

[Moedad]

My living room has deep pile carpet and no sharp rocks, so it'd hardly be a fair test. But I appreciate the offer. I assume they have these at REI...

You could sprinkle some rocks in your kitchen and nap in there. :poke2:

Yes, REI has a wide range of Thermarest pads.

[Moedad]

How small do they get?

They have different widths and thickness. My backpacker unit rolls up into a 3" dia. (maybe a smidge less) x 24" roll. The fat one rolls up about 5" dia. x 18" roll (it's narrower than the other).

[BusyWeb]

Hmmm, Alan it sounds like you need a reasonably equiped Vstrom for travelling. You can pack it like a mule and still be comfy. A.K.A. the poor man's BMW. Works for me.

Ha ha ha,,,
My TW200 is the poor man's VStorm...
I couldn't stop laugh when I see your comments.
I don't think that VStorm is poor man's bike at all.... ^^;

@Mr. Alan.
IMHO, after you have gotten all the camping gears, JUST TRY (practice) to pack them on your bike; then little test riding.
You might find some better packing methods for your gears and bike EACHTIME you are packing and/or what to pack or not to pack.

After some touring with many gears packed, you may find more about what to pack/not to pack... ha ha ha (from my experiences)
However, I try to pack as many essentials as possible >> it's my personality. (too much worry.. ^^;); even though I do know some of them might not need for the touring.

P.S.: My next gear packing method for bike touring might end-up with kind of Hard Panniers (or, good hard saddle bag). Your bike has one already ??? Try it and you may find some good implementation for your saddle bags.