Sleep. It’s one of the most important things you can do to keep yourself healthy and happy.
Nowadays, if you’re planning a camping or hiking trip you don’t need to sacrifice comfort. That’s why it’s important for you to take a moment and consider how you’re going to sleep. That is, what item or items are you going to be bringing with you 0n your next adventure?
This depends on a number of different things. For example, if you’re hiking, you’ll want to keep the weight to a minimum. But, if you’re camping at a campsite, you can bring more items. While the sleeping bag is the more conventional option, bedrolls serve as a quick and versatile comfort as well.
Let’s go over what each item is and its pros and cons:
What is a Bedroll?
A bedroll is basically just a durable outer layer to put your sleeping bag inside or lay your sleeping bag on top of. It is usually made out of durable canvas fabric, wrapped in waterproof material and built so that it doesn’t tear and can protect your sleeping bag. Bedrolls usually roll up and tie together making them easy to transport. In our opinion, Bedrolls are only necessary if you’re going to be using your sleeping bag directly on rough terrain or if you’re going to be “glamping” for longer periods of time.
Usually, bedrolls don’t come with a sleeping bag or comfortable fabric inside them so you’ll need to get yourself one or find a nice blanket and pillow to use with your bedroll. Some campers (rather than hikers) bring pillows or tarps to use with their bedrolls to make their sleeping areas even more comfortable. While bedrolls are pretty simple, most of the bedrolls available for purchase online are high-end or luxury products. This means they can get pricey. But, some outdoorsmen choose to make their own by purchasing a canvas fabric or other heavy duty/waterproof fabric.
Pros
- Durable and can protect your sleeping bag
- Easy to make yourself
- Rolls up and stores easily for your next trip
Cons
- Not insulated like a sleeping bag
- Too heavy for backpackers or long-distance hikers
Best Bedrolls
If you’re looking for something on the inexpensive side, you’ll want to make your bedroll yourself using waterproof fabric. But, if you want a high-end bedroll for your next camping or glamping trip, here are our top picks:
Montana Canvas Outfitter Bedroll
This canvas bedroll is made in the United States and comes with a durable tarp that is great for an adventurer looking to protect their sleeping bag against rough terrain. It weighs 15 ounces and is 46 x 96 inches with the hood. At a lower price than most other bedrolls, this bedroll accommodates people up to 6 feet 4 inches tall. The fabric of this bedroll should last you many, many years and works great with both sleeping bags or any comfortable fabric of your choosing. Unfortunately, because of the added weight, it is not great for hikers.
Duluth Pack Long Bedroll
This luxury bedroll is great for the summertime “glamper”. It is something to invest in for years to come. This is a canvas bedroll with an insert for your sleeping bag. This is not great for hikers because it weighs in at a heavy 15-ounces. But, it is extremely durable to keep if you’re not planning to attach it to a backpack. It is made out of heavy-duty material and strong zippers so it is built to last and has extremely durable stitching. Also, this bedroll comes with a zippered pocket for a pillow. Once it is rolled up, it seals shut with two high-end leather straps and buckles. This bedroll is also made in the United States.
What is a Sleeping Bag?
A sleeping bag is the most commonly used tool for sleeping during a camping or hiking trip. If you’re going to be out in extreme climates, you’ll definitely need a sleeping bag for it’s added insulation. Also, sleeping bags are great because they come in a variety of designs.
One thing to note is that their prices vary from extremely affordable to the more luxurious prices. When researching sleeping bags you’ll want to make sure you find one that works for the climate you will be sleeping in.
Pros
- Provide comfort and insulation
- Wraps around body and ground to keep you warm
- Can opt for something cheap or higher end
Cons
- Not as durable as a bedroll
Best Sleeping Bags
When shopping for your next sleeping bag, you’ll notice the price range depends on the temperature rating. For the purposes of comparison, the two sleeping bags I’ve chosen both have a 20-degree Fahrenheit rating. Take a look at our top picks for our favorite sleeping bags:
TETON Sports Mummy Sleeping Bag
TETON is a trusted outdoor brand that has a variety of different sized sleeping bags. The TETON Sports Mummy Sleeping Bag is a mid-priced sleeping bag that will keep you warm without breaking the bank. This particular sleeping bag is great for backpacking because it is both lightweight and warm. It is 87 x 32 inches and weighs 2.9 pounds. Our favorite feature in any sleeping bag is whether or not it comes with a hood and this particular style of sleeping bag has a cushioned hood for comfort and warmth. Another great feature of this product is that it has an interior storage pocket so you can keep your valuables close while you sleep. The best part of this product is that TETON offers a lifetime warranty.
Kelty Unisex Cosmic Long Sleeping Bag
Kelty calls this sleeping bag a 3-season bag with a 20-degree Fahrenheit comfort rating. It is 5 foot 8 inches long and weighs 2 pounds and 8 ounces. Although this sleeping bag is not great for taller people, we think this sleeping bag is great because it has great moisture-wicking technology to keep you warm in wet and cold climates. Just like the TETON option above, this sleeping bag comes with a hood that tightens and zips. The sleeping bag is filled with down so you know it will be comfortable. The sleeping bag comes with a compression sack but the sleeping bag does a great job of fluffing back up after just a couple of minutes of airing out.
Conclusion
As you can see, bedrolls and sleeping bags complement each other. It just depends on what type of trip you’re going to be going on.
If you’re looking to get a product you can use most often, I would recommend getting yourself a lightweight but insulated sleeping bag. If you’re going to be “glamping” or setting up at a campsite and want to protect your sleeping bag, then I’d recommend investing in a bedroll that can make sure your sleeping bag and/or blankets don’t get damaged and last even longer.