Motorcycle Camping

Me and a friend are planning a camping trip next month. Reading through here it looks like I'm on the right track as far a what I plan on taking. We go camping on bikes all the time but have always had a chase truck because a couple other guys don't have the fender space or sissy bar to haul stuff. So it's not really motorcycle camping. This time it will be and I'm looking forward to it.

Now, I'm really just left looking for a sleeping bag. I'm looking for fairly cheap, warm-ish, and something that packs up small. Any suggestions?

See if you can find a surplus military sleeping system, its a 3 bag system that works pretty damn good. The outer bag is just a water proof shell, the green bag is a mid/light weight bag good for cool nights, the inner black bag is a cold weather bag good down to about freezing but if you use all 3 you should be nice and toasty no matter how bad the weather just as long as you can stay dry.

Originally Posted by rooster52478

Me and a friend are planning a camping trip next month. Reading through here it looks like I'm on the right track as far a what I plan on taking. We go camping on bikes all the time but have always had a chase truck because a couple other guys don't have the fender space or sissy bar to haul stuff. So it's not really motorcycle camping. This time it will be and I'm looking forward to it.

Now, I'm really just left looking for a sleeping bag. I'm looking for fairly cheap, warm-ish, and something that packs up small. Any suggestions?

Most likely you can find a sleeping bag in your budget and meet your insulation needs from
rei.com. Just understand what your buying. Down when wet will not insulate but is lighter and will pack smaller than a synthetic equivalent. Synthetic maintains much of its insulating properties and will dry faster. Know that the degree rating for a bag is to what temperature it will keep you alive not comfortable. Prices can range from 100 to 600 going from 50 degrees down to -30.

However a good sleeping pad is more important than an expensive sleeping bag. The ground will suck heat from you quicker than the air. Thermarest is a well known high quality brand that sells dozens of models. The cheapest is the ridgerest which is a simple roll up foam pad(not super comfortable but warm) and could be had for $20. The most expensive being the neo-air x-therm at around $180. Since weight isn't as much as an issue like with backpacking I recommend the BaseCamp model which is two inches thick so it's very comfortable and warm at only $70.

Sorry for the wall of words but this is something I have a lot of experience with and thought I might as well share my knowledge. Don't be afraid to ask more questions.

^^^^^ this. I gave the exact same advice to a friend of mine the other day.

Originally Posted by ThePete

See if you can find a surplus military sleeping system, its a 3 bag system that works pretty damn good. The outer bag is just a water proof shell, the green bag is a mid/light weight bag good for cool nights, the inner black bag is a cold weather bag good down to about freezing but if you use all 3 you should be nice and toasty no matter how bad the weather asking as you can stay dry.

Same setup I recommend. I kept mine after I retired and cleared CIF. On cool nights I just roll with my poncho, poncho liner and Mexican blanket.

Originally Posted by rooster52478

Now, I'm really just left looking for a sleeping bag. I'm looking for fairly cheap, warm-ish, and something that packs up small. Any suggestions?

The REI suggestion is a good one, as is the thermarest. What temperatures are you expecting at night?

I do most of my camping during the spring and fall and almost always deal with temps below freezing at night. Best tip: if you get cold, is to get dry. Before you go to bed GET NAKED and change the entire layer next to your skin to something dry and wool or synthetic. Moisture and cotton will make for a really miserable night. A set of underarmour clone longjohns and shirt from walmart and wool work socks will cost you $20, pack down to the size of a can of beer, and make you the most comfortable guy on your trip.

+1 on a thermarest or a good knock off, that little bit of padding and insulation makes a huge difference when sleeping on the ground. When I went to Bridgeport for mountain warfare training I swapped out my black CIF issue bag for a down Red Desert arctic bag and I could have gotten away without having to use the green outer bag. I still used the gortex outer bag and had a good waterproof compression sack to pack it with. I usually strip down as far as I can go depending on what the company or modesty guidelines are (underwear) and keep my next days inner warming layers down by my feet in the bag so they are warm when I go to put them on. Sleeping nude or as close to it as you can is actually warmer than sleeping with stuff on. I've tried sleeping in my therma silk ling underwear and I didn't think it made any difference.

Check out this site for the military sleep system www.ammocanman.com good prices

If you don't want to spend $20 for the ridgecrest I think the us gov used to issue green foam pads which serve the same purpose, I don't know about price however I imagine it would be cheaper.

I cannot recommend REI enough, they have the best warranty/return service. If you have proof of purchase they will take back the item no matter what the reason is. I had a backpack that got chewed through by some rodents and they still gave my money back.

Excerpt from their website.
"We stand behind everything we sell. If at any time your REI purchase doesn't meet your expectations, you can return it for a replacement or refund. What's more, if you're an REI member, you don’t even need a receipt—we'll have a record of your purchase."

I'm kinda hoping to find something local so I can put my hands on it and check it out. Any chain store like Bass Pro, Academy, etc. will take returns too so I can bring it home and roll it out. I could even go sleep in my backyard and see if it keeps me warm. If not, back it goes. I'll most likely be on short time to do any online returns.

Packed size as well as warmth are my main concerns. I have a nice regular bigger sleeping bag that I usually take but it's always thrown in the truck with the other guys stuff. It's too big to go on the bike. I also use an inflatable sleeping mat because it packs down smaller than a foam mat and is more comfortable IMO.

I just don't trust those ultra compact bags to be warm enough for me because I tend to be a cold sleeper. Are they? I already have the Under Armour cold gear under layers too. Missouri weather is unpredictable in April and I'm not keen on being miserable for 3 nights.

Originally Posted by EagleScout

I cannot recommend REI enough, they have the best warranty/return service. If you have proof of purchase they will take back the item no matter what the reason is. I had a backpack that got chewed through by some rodents and they still gave my money back.

Excerpt from their website.
"We stand behind everything we sell. If at any time your REI purchase doesn't meet your expectations, you can return it for a replacement or refund. What's more, if you're an REI member, you don’t even need a receipt—we'll have a record of your purchase."

Totally agree about REI. The price is on the high side, but so is the quality. I do use a cheapy tent, but that's only because when it gets too dirty (mud?) I just loose it and buy another. So far the $20 one man from Walmart has lasted since the first Slab City Riot 2009 and still going.... needless to say, not much rain in So Cal.

Rooster if you want a bag for camping go to a place that sells stuff for hiking and camping not a place that sells stuff to catch fish or hunt. There are some really killer new things out that redirect body heat directly back to the sleeper and some light weight synthetic loft materials that perform amazingly well even when wet. These bags pack down super small and are really light weight, the key is to lay them out and give them time to expand. I'm a firm believer in less on while in the bag is warmer than layering on ThermaSilk or Under Armor while in the bag.

If you want some thing with room but packs down super small check out the Thermarest Ventra comforter. Down so Its super warm and it packs down to nothing it also doesnt feel like a straight jacket when you sleep under it. Good combo.

Originally Posted by rooster52478

I'm kinda hoping to find something local so I can put my hands on it and check it out. Any chain store like Bass Pro, Academy, etc. will take returns too so I can bring it home and roll it out. I could even go sleep in my backyard and see if it keeps me warm. If not, back it goes. I'll most likely be on short time to do any online returns.

Packed size as well as warmth are my main concerns. I have a nice regular bigger sleeping bag that I usually take but it's always thrown in the truck with the other guys stuff. It's too big to go on the bike. I also use an inflatable sleeping mat because it packs down smaller than a foam mat and is more comfortable IMO.

I just don't trust those ultra compact bags to be warm enough for me because I tend to be a cold sleeper. Are they? I already have the Under Armour cold gear under layers too. Missouri weather is unpredictable in April and I'm not keen on being miserable for 3 nights.

Well if you are dead set on buying from a local store I know there is a BassPro in Springfield and according their website they sell The North Face Aleutian. It is a synthetic mummy bag which is rated for 20°.

This was my first bag I got which I still have so here are a few factory measurements and then true measurements.

Temperature Rating: 20 F (-7 C)
Listed Weight: 3 lb 6 oz (1545 g)
Measured Weight: 3 lb 4 oz (1474 g)
Fill Weight: 2 lb 1 oz (930 g)
Insulation Type: Heatshield Optimal Technology (H.O.T. SL) synthetic insulation
Max User Height Listed: 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Shoulder Circumference Listed: 62 in (157 cm)
Hip Circumference Listed: 58 in (147 cm)
Foot Circumference Listed: 40 in (102 cm)
External Length Listed: 84 in (213 cm) (Length Verified Accurate)
Compressed Size Listed: 8 in x 17 in (20 cm x 43 cm)
Actual Compressed Size: 8.5 in x 16 in (22 cm x 41 cm)

It costs $110 on basspro.
They also have the 0° version for $140

Originally Posted by ThePete

See if you can find a surplus military sleeping system, its a 3 bag system that works pretty damn good. The outer bag is just a water proof shell, the green bag is a mid/light weight bag good for cool nights, the inner black bag is a cold weather bag good down to about freezing but if you use all 3 you should be nice and toasty no matter how bad the weather asking as you can stay dry.

Marines are best at making stuff compact and light, yet effective to keep you dry and warm.

Combo of Outerbag (waterproof bivvy sack), and sleeping bag inside has kept me dry and warm in Iraq in '06, and Afg in '10 - both wintertime. I have a thermarest that I lay on top of, and has lasted 2 combat tours. REI has tiny camping pillows that compress into tiny ball.

Key is sleeping OFF the ground. Keeps bugs and critters out. Sleeping atop a picnic table would suffice.

Electric razor, bottled water and toothpaste - your are ready to put on some more miles in the AM.

Really all you need in my opinion. Less is more. AFG represent.