Best Gear for Sleeping Outdoors

Best Gear for Sleeping Outdoors

There is nothing quite like sleeping outdoors to help reset our outlook and perspective on life.

I know for me whenever I am feeling a little overwhelmed or anxious in my life a good night’s sleep outdoors helps me to feel more at peace and connected to nature and the world around me.

In order to ensure that good night’s sleep though it’s important to have some basic gear for outdoor sleeping.  Below is all of my favorite outdoor sleeping gear that every camper needs for a peaceful and restful night’s sleep.

My Favorite Sleeping Bags

When it comes to sleeping bags it’s hard to recommend just one as different sleeping conditions and weather call for different types of sleeping bags.

For example, the best sleeping bag for camping during the summer when the temperature is 70 degrees at night will look quite a bit different compared to the best sleeping bag for camping in the fall when the temperatures at night can get down to almost freezing.

Because of this, I have broken my favorite sleeping bags into three main categories based on the best time of year to use them.  

Best Summer Sleeping Bag

For summer camping I like the ECOOPRO Warm Weather Sleeping Bag (link to check price on Amazon) as it offers just the right amount of insulation and airflow to keep you comfortable while sleeping in warmer weather.  

It’s also really light at only 1.7 pounds and is only about the size of thermos when stored thanks to its included compression sack making it ideal for backpackers or campers wanting to camp light.

ECOOPRO Warm Weather Sleeping Bag

As summer is the most popular time for camping for many campers this is the only sleeping bag they will need as they are not doing any cold weather or extreme weather camping.  

The ECOOPRO Warm Weather Sleeping Bag is also really versatile as the sleeping bag can be used as a standard sleeping bag or unzipped if you prefer to use it as a quilt or a blanket.

Best Fall Sleeping Bag

If your trying to extend your camping season into late fall or early spring you are going to need a sleeping bag that can handle colder temperates, especially at night.

My favorite sleeping bag for fall or springtime camping is the Coleman Brazos 20 Degree Sleeping Bag (link to check price on Amazon) as it provides just the right amount of comfort for those colder nights without feeling too restrictive like a full-on mummy sleeping bag can sometimes feel.

 Coleman Brazos 20 Degree Sleeping Bag

The sleeping bag is made from 100% polyester material giving the bag a nice comfortable feel as well as providing plenty of breathability preventing you from getting too hot during the night.

While I love the Coleman Brazos 20 Degree Sleeping Bag something to keep in mind is that the sleeping bag is only 75 inches in length.  Which for me is fine as I am only 5 foot 10 inches tall however for someone that is over 6 feet tall they will more than likely find this sleeping bag to small and might want to look for a larger sleeping bag.  

Best Winter Sleeping Bag

When the temperature starts to consistently drop below freezing and beyond it’s time to break out the heavy-duty and more technical sleeping bag.  

While there are more expensive cold-weather sleeping bags on the market I have always found that the Coleman North Rim 0 Degree Sleeping Bag (link to check price on Amazon) to do a great job keeping me warm while cold-weather or winter camping.

Coleman North Rim 0 Degree Sleeping Bag

However, keep in mind as a point of reference when I say cold-weather or winter camping I am not referring to extreme winter camping or hiking up to the peak of Mount Everest.

If like me though you are just doing some occasional casual winter camping and not trying to camp in the middle of a blizzard or on the side of a mountain the Coleman North Rim 0 Degree Sleeping Bag should do a great job for you since it’s rated for temperatures as low as 0 Degrees as the name implies.  

Comparison Table for My Favorite Sleeping Bags

 

Specs ECOOPRO Warm Weather Sleeping Bag Coleman Brazos 20 Degree Sleeping Bag Coleman North Rim 0 Degree Sleeping Bag
Best For: Summer Camping Fall & Spring Camping Winter Camping
Temperatures Rating: 50 Degrees 20 Degrees 0 Degrees
Dimensions: 83″ x 30″ 75″ x 33″ 82″ x 32″
Weight: 1.7 Pounds 3.97 Pounds 5.8 Pounds
Stuff Sack: Yes No Yes
Good for Backpacking: Yes No  Yes

My Favorite Sleeping Pad

If you’re looking for a comfortable and restful night’s sleep while camping outdoors then a sleeping pad is an absolute must. 

While you could certainly forgo the comfort of a sleeping pad and instead sleep directly on the ground, my questions is why would you want to, especially considering the advancements made in recent years around sleeping pad technology for camping?

My favorite sleeping pad by far for camping outdoors is the Sleepingo Camping Sleeping Pad (link to check price on Amazon) because of it’s versatility and compact size.  

Sleepingo Camping Sleeping Pad

 

What I Love About the Sleepingo Camping Sleeping Pad

  • This sleeping pad was made with the camper and hiker in mind, while it might not provide as much comfort or support as some of the larger sleeping pads, it offers a great balance between comfort and size.
  • As far as I am concerned the thing is pretty much indestructible thanks to its tear resistant heavy duty rip-stop nylon material.  I have been using mine for a while now and it’s never come close to being punctured or torn while on multiple rugged camping trips.  
  • This sleeping pad also offers a lifetime replacement policy so the manufacturer really stands behind their product which tells me the manufacturer is not just selling junk that is going to fall apart after a few uses.
  • Perhaps the thing I love most about this sleeping pad is it’s compact and lightweight size as it clocks in at only 14.5 ounces which means it barely weighs more than a can of soda.  Also, the sleeping pad once compressed and stored is only about the size of a small water bottle making it super easy to store in your backpack.