The Outdoors Blog
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Options for Shelter

May 4, 2009 by · Leave a Comment 

There are a number of options at your disposal if you want to have protection while camping. The first option would be no shelter at all, if you can manage that. The others are a bivy sack, tent, tarp, bug screen or hammock (if they have enclosures).

Choosing which one to get means that you should first look at the option that gives you the comfort that you want from it, and then to the price that you’re looking for. For me, the shelter needs to protect me during a storm and keep the mosquitoes out. Basically, what I want is something that gives the best protection against bugs and rain (tent, bivy sack or hammock). Out of all of these, the standalone bivy doesn’t offer too much space so I would probably take it out of the equation.
camping

If I’m going alone on a hike, I would avoid carrying a tent, but if there is someone else with me then the weight can be shared. For a solo trip, my options would be hammock, tarp/bivy or tarp/bug screen.

Here is what you need to know about the hammock. There are a number of advantages when using a hammock to sleep. Two trees that are around 9 feet apart is all you need to sleep in a hammock. If there is a forest nearby, you are sure to find that pair of trees for your hammock.

With a hammock you don’t have to worry that there is a slope or a puddle in the area. Plus, since hammocks have advanced in time, you’re in no danger of falling over from them.

They’re great for those that go alone in hiking trips, since their weight is usually less than 4 pounds. Spending just $100 will give you a hammock that weighs under 3 pounds.

Sleeping Bag Options

May 4, 2009 by · Leave a Comment 

A sleeping bag is one of the most important pieces of equipment that you need when you go hiking. It’s also the most expensive purchase in most cases. Both the backpack and the sleeping bag should be bought after taking some time to decide on which one to get. They are an important piece of your trip and you should use them for a few years.

Buying a good sleeping bag can make all the difference and allow you to sleep peacefully instead of struggling because of the weather. The insulation should be enough in the bag to allow you to sleep in cold weather. Even if it’s summer, it’s still possible to find snow in the mountains. In some cases, I’ve seen temperatures below zero even in June. If you will go hiking during three of the four seasons, you should get a sleeping bag that is rated at a minimum of 25F or even at 15F. However, for the middle of the summer you might want to get a fleece sleeping bag, if you’re expecting extremely warm weather.

In most cases these sleeping bags don’t generate any heat. The air inside the sleeping bag is heated by your own body and it acts as a barrier in front of the cold. If the sleeping bag fits well around your body, the quantity of air that needs to be heated by your body is smaller.

There are a lot of options available to you if you’re looking for a sleeping bag. There are different shapes, sizes and materials used. Some of the shapes to choose from are semi-rectangular, rectangular and the mummy.

If you want to be comfortable, go for the down bag, as it gives you the most warmth, compared with other materials. It will also last you for a longer period of time, so you need to invest less in the long run.