Tents, Sleeping Bags, and Pads

We are carrying two separate sets of gear. One for backcountry and one for campground camping. If all our gear was wet in the backcountry, when we get back to the car, we once again have dry gear.

Packing Comments

Mega Light

The one pole designed tent from Black Diamond. It is a tarp - no floor, windows, or screening, but it is lightweight and roomy. We are planning on using it when we need a little bit bigger tent and as a backup to our other tent.

TarpTent Rainbow

Another one pole designed tent but this pole makes a hoop like a rainbow. Surprisingly roomy and weighs only two and a half pounds.

Cabana

A tent like structure that fits over the rear of the Honda Element converting it into a sleeping quarters. The Cabana is easy to set up and adds usable space to the wagon.

Kelty Car Tarp

We have tried several Kelty tarp products and have been pleased with all of them. The Car Tarp attaches to the side of the car providing an awning over the doors.

Camp Chairs

There is nothing like a chair to sit in when you are relaxing around camp. These chairs fold and pack easily.

Camp Table

A small folding table to use for cooking. Rolls to a small package.

DreamTime Pads

When you don't get to sleep much, you need to make the most of your snooze time. The DreamTime is the car camping tent. It it a thick self inflating mattress coupled with a foam pad with a very soft fleece cover.

ProLite Pad

A lightweight self inflating air mattress.

NeoAir Pad

The new lung inflating air mattress. It rolls up to nothing and is light though retaining an insulating rate of R 2.5. Huh, it's kind of crazy. It looks just like an air mattress but insulates. We just hope it works. We used it one night and it seemed to deflate a bit. There was a warning about how possible changes in air pressure could inflate or deflate the mattress. We are carrying a backup just in case.

Rock Wren

A small forty degree down bag with a Gore tex cover. It is tight fitting. I hope I can sleep comfortably in it.

Egret

Amy's down bag by Feathered Friends. It weighs less than two pounds and is very warm. She might carry a backup Cat's Meow to use if wet weather is expected.

Swift

A wide down bag that we open and use as a blanket. It weighs less than our two bags together and is warmer. Jake, the dog, tries to lay on top of it which makes it hard to stay covered. We plan to work on his behavior.

Post-Trip Comments

Mega Light

We did not use this tent other than as a site holder when we were in some campgrounds. We still needed it as a backup to the TarpTent.

TarpTent

What a great piece of gear! Okay it is not strong enough to withstand a bear attack, but overall, it did better than expected.

Cabana

Another indespensible piece of gear.

Car Tarp

We did not use it. We were traveling too much to worry about setting something else up.

Camp Chairs

We defintitely used the chairs, they were a nice extra. We purchased some folding low chairs from REI. They were good but not very durable. Luckily REI's warranty was.

Camp Table

We decided not to bring it.

Dreamtime Pads

Simply the best car camping pad.

Prolite Pad

This pad worked fine, no complaints.

NeoAir Pad

What a great pad - small, lightweight, and comfortable.

Rock Wren and Egret Sleeping Bags

We did not use either one but still wanted them as backups.

Swift Sleeping Bag

A great bag, that made into a great quilt, though it was at times too warm.