Sleeping Accessories
It is not only the bedding you lie in but also what you are laying on that matters when it comes to being warm, as the ground can draw warmth away and, of course, it's hard to lie on; some form of insulation and padding is essential. You could plump for a camp bed, inflatable airbed, self-inflating mat or a closed cell foam mat. Not forgetting that a sleeping-bag liner adds flexibility in warmth as well as keeping your bag clean! It is always important to consider how sleeping accessories may help you.
The key to sleeping bag care is to use a liner. It's far easier to wash a liner and it keeps the bag inner and fill clean. After all, how often do you wash a duvet at home? Cotton liners are great value, whilst silk liners are light, easy to wash and quick to dry. Fleece liners can extend the comfortable use of sleeping bags and can be used on their own when the weather is hot.
• Polycotton - The value option, polycotton will add 2 degrees extra warmth and will help keep the inside of the bag clean but other liners are more comfortable.
• Cotton - Very comfortable, will add 2 degrees extra warmth but will absorb moisture which could lead to rapid cooling in cold climates counteracting the effect of the sleeping bag.
• Silk - The luxury option, very comfortable, adds 5 degrees extra warmth to the bag and will manage moisture effectively.
• Fleece - The warmth option, can add 10 degrees extra warmth and is essentially a sleeping bag in its own right.
• Polyester - The best for managing moisture, will add 3 degrees extra warmth to the sleeping bag.
Sleeping mats and inflatable mattresses are practical ways of ensuring a comfortable night's sleep, insulated from the cold ground that draws heat away plus, of course, a soft bed is far better than hard ground.
Lightweight campers often opt for simple foam mats. Also known as roll mats, these are made of high density closed cell foam and provide adequate insulation against the ground but very little in terms of comfort. However they are relatively inexpensive and incredibly lightweight. You will find that there are different models available with the primary difference being the density of the foam. These are rated by their insulating value in terms of seasons.
Self-inflating mats are another option and considered more comfortable - opening a simple valve in the mattress allows the compressed foam core to expand, drawing in air. In recent years self inflating air mats have become increasingly popular and are a good compromise between a foam mat and an airbed. They provide comfort and insulation whilst being lightweight enough to take trekking. They are essentially a thin airbed containing high density open-cell foam that, when the valve is open, will be able to expand pulling in the air from outside. Various thicknesses are available allowing you to choose between maximum comfort or low weight.
Modern airbeds are durable, comfortable and reliable, and are also really useful as spare beds at home. However, they are a single cell of air and do not insulate against the ground very well. They are incredibly heavy and only suitable for camping from the back of a car. Various styles are available including single and double bed sizes. Some even have foot pumps or electric pumps built in. For those that do not there are various separate pumps available. This is an essential addition to any airbed sale as they will be virtually impossible to blow up by lung power alone.
Don't try to roll up your sleeping bag to put it back in its stuff sack as it just won't fit. Simply take the foot of the bag in one hand, the stuff sack in the other and start stuffing. Compression straps allow you to reduce the packed size even further. Most sleeping bags come with a stuff sack but not all have compression straps; compressible stuff sacks can be bought separately.
Camp beds keep you well off the ground, cradling you in comfort and making useful seating as well. Ideal for car-based campers, camp beds are becoming popular again as modern versions are light, durable and easy to put together.
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