Have you ever been confounded by all the straps and bungee cords on ultralight quilts? We took Big Agnes’ Fussel UL quilt bikepacking from sea level to 3200m in elevation to test its novel snap button and patch system. Find out how it fared over four months of use.
Big Agnes Torchlight sleeping bags feature zippered panels on both sides that can expand up to 10 inches to customize your sleeping preference. Here’s a closer look a the Torchlight UL 30°, which looks like the most appealing for bikepackers…
Timmermade offers custom sleep systems and apparel that are all made by hand in a solar-powered cabin in central New York. Miles has been using a Wren False Bottom Sleeping Bag and Waterbear Hood over the last few months, and reports back to share his thoughts. Find the review here, plus a Q&A with maker Dan Timmerman to learn more about his unique approach to custom gear…
Sea To Summit has expanded their ultralight Spark and women’s specific Flame Series of sleeping bags. More temperature ratings, more sizes, and one of the lightest 50°F down liner bags out there. Check out all the details here…
Nemo just launched its 2019 collection of tents, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads. With new designs and an emphasis on cutting weight, many of these products may be of interest to bikepackers who are in need of some new camping gear this year…
For those seeking a brief escape from the city – a microadventure, as UK adventurer Al Humphries calls it – the humble bivy bag is one of the most simple, discreet, and affordable ways of spending a night in the wilds. We check out two budget camping offerings from British manufacturer Alpkit, and consider both the joys and tribulations of bivvying in Europe…
Thermarest’s Corus HD Quilt and NeoAir Xlite Max SV mattress promise lightweight, packable, luxurious comfort. For six months, we put them to the test…
The Sea To Summit Spark Sp I sleeping bag is light enough that it might just weigh less than your favourite down jacket. It also packs down smaller than most bags we’ve used and can still keep you comfortable through the summer and into the shoulder seasons. Here’s how it fared after a season and a half of use…
Paired with the proper jacket or parka, the Patagonia Hybrid Sleeping Bag becomes an ultralight backcountry sleep system that shaves space and weight by only having insulation in the lower half… from the waist down to the “elephant’s foot”. See how it performed on the trail…
Miles tried a lot of gear during his first year bikepacking. He also explored a new route in Ontario, learned to sew, and found a new addiction. Read his year [of gear] in review…
Treating your air mattress and sleeping bag as a complete system, rather than two separate entities, frees up a considerable amount of space on your bikepacking rig. It also helps trim back valuable weight. We head into the hills with Sea To Summit’s Ember Eb1 quilt and UltraLight Insulated Mattress, to find out if this lean setup is enough for a comfortable night’s sleep.
As a sequel to our recent Quilt vs Sleeping Bag post, we took a look at two products from Minnesota’s Enlightened Equipment: the award winning Enigma quilt, and the Convert, an ultralight hoodless down bag with a twist. Plus, find out when and why a 40° bag may be all you need…
