Your sleep system can make or break your experience in the outdoors, especially when you’re backpacking and don’t have the same comforts of normal camping. It’s vital to have something that will keep you comfortable, warm enough, and most importanly allow you to sleep well, which can sometimes be hard when you’re sleeping outside. I’ve adjusted my sleep system quite a bit over the years with different gear and specifically different weights of gear, to achieve the goal of keeping me comfortable and warm, but not going overboard as it relates to the weight of my sleep system, since I have to carry it. I also try to finding items that will last me years of adventures, without breaking the bank. 

The Sleep System 

Your sleep system consists of three components: a sleeping pad, sleeping bag, and a pillow if you use one. Things you want to consider when choosing the gear for your sleep system are weight & size, comfort, warmth, set up, and materials. In each of the following sections, I will discuss these components in more detail and recommend some gear that I personally use and recommend 😊

SLEEPING PAD

The sleeping pad is a critical component of your sleep system. It provides cushioning and insulation between you and the ground. I actually use two sleeping pads a lot of the time that I backpack, and many folks will do this to add extra insulation and comfort. The main reason I do it is because I love my sleeping pad, and I really don’t want to risk popping it in the rocky terrain I camp in.

The sleeping pad I use is the NEMO Tensor Ultralight Insulated sleeping pad, specifcally in the regular wide version so I can spread out comfortably. This sleeping pad is lightweight and compact, making it easy to pack in my backpack. It’s also incredibly warm with an R-value of 4.2. In addition, it’s 3 inches thick, (hear that side sleepers?!😍). It comes with a bag and pump sack that makes it really quick and easy to inflate.

I pair this sleeping pad with the NEMO Switchback foam sleeping pad. This fits perfectly right underneath the Tensor, and it adds almost an extra inch of padding (.09 inches), and only adds 10.5 ounces, making my sleeping pad total weight equal 30.5 ounces or 1.9 lbs. This combo is extremely comfortable, so even if that weight sounds a little high for some ultralight backpackers, it’s worth it in my opinion. Keep in mind here my goal with this sleep set up was not ultralight, just lightweight in general.

SLEEPING BAG

When it comes to backpacking gear, a sleeping bag is a crucial item for a comfortable and safe outdoor experience. Depending on the temperature, I prefer to use either a 25 degree or a 15 degree sleeping bag most of the time. However, since I tend to sleep cold, I mostly use my 15 degree sleeping bag, which is the Mountain Hardware Bishops Pass bag.

This sleeping bag is specifically designed for women and is made of lightweight and compressible 650-fill-power down insulation, providing great warmth without weighing me down. It also features a mummy-style shape with a draft collar and hood, which helps to trap in heat and keep me cozy throughout the night. The bag’s shell is made of a durable nylon material, while the lining is soft and comfortable to sleep in at night. 

The Mountain Hardware Bishops Pass bag is also packed with several additional features, including a two-way zipper that allows me to easily adjust the temperature inside the bag, as well as a stash pocket for storing small items like my phone or a headlamp. The bag’s footbox is still wide enough to move your feet around in, a huge plus for me since I personally am not the biggest fan of mummy bags. I appreciate having the extra room to move around with it still keeping me warm. This bag weighs in at 40.2 oz, or 2 lbs 8.2 oz.