Sleep Systems - You don't have to go it alone!

May 28, 2014 0 Comments

Sleep Systems- you don’t have to go it alone!!

Ah- camping for two? Gaps in the mattresses, individual cocoons lying side by side, slip sliding away from each other while trying to get close- sound familiar? It doesn’t have to be that way. Camping couples have some great options when it comes to doubling up inside the tent. Here are two options that meet the needs of two different kinds of campers who face the same issues.

1. Basic System- When weight and pack size are not an issue

The Outbound Double Deluxe is a great option if you are not limited by what you can carry. It’s a hooded, flannel lined, baffled sleeping bag that’s filled with 6 lb of Quadratherm hollow fibre and packs up nicely into its own duffel bag. It’s rated to -7 C and will take you all the way through the summer and into the shoulder seasons. It weighs 10 lbs 2 oz.

An alternate option is the Woods Rendezvous, it weighs 14.5 lbs due to its heavy cotton canvas outer layer and thick cozy flannel lining. This option will take you further into the shoulder season as well, as it is rated to -12 C.

Chinook makes a series of double wide mattresses that provide some very comfortable options. The Trailrest Double Wide series comes in three thicknesses 1.2”, 2” and 3” so you can choose the right comfort level and R-Value for your needs. The mattresses have two valves for quick inflation/deflation and have fully bonded foam-fabric construction. It weighs between 4-10 lbs, depending on thickness and measures 72x48 inches.

2. Deluxe System- Cutting down on weight, not on snuggles

The Exped Dreamwalker Duo Syn 160 M is designed to be partnered up with either 2 sleeping mats with a coupling kit or one double wide mat. Its bottom sheet snaps around the mattress and provides a bed-like feeling- a sheet with a synthetic filled duvet on top. The duvet snaps around the sheet, so you can adjust how much you’d like to open your covers. It’s rated to be comfortable down to 8 C and only weighs 3.5 lbs. It can also convert to a single bag or be worn as a poncho around camp! Talk about versatile.

Also from Exped is the Synmat UL Duo 7 which makes a great partner in this system. It can inflate to a maximum thickness of 2.8” but has 2 individual channels. This way, the odds of malfunction are reduced and each person can customize their comfort zones. It weighs 4lbs 6oz, including the bag and pump and measures 72x49.

Regardless of what you choose, there are finally some great options out there to keep you close to the one you love. And what's more special than sharing your wilderness experience with your special someone?