Sleeping

The Sleeping Bag

Camping in summer or trekking at high altitudes in spring? The needs vary greatly between different situations. For a summer camping trip, you can opt for a synthetic sleeping bag that provides a comfortable temperature of 10 or 15°C. Keep in mind that inside the tent, you gain a few degrees compared to the outside temperature.

On the other hand, for a mountain hike, it is important to adapt your sleeping bag to the conditions. Your needs will vary depending on the season (spring, summer, autumn, or even winter), altitude, and geographical location. Extremely warm sleeping bags are available, designed to withstand extreme temperatures using high-performance materials.

The Sleeping Pad

Along with the sleeping bag and tent, the sleeping pad is a crucial part of the equipment that should not be overlooked. When camping, you can bring a comfortable inflatable mattress with generous dimensions. Whether electric, foot-powered, or manually inflated, don't forget the pump in any case. For hikes and treks, a self-inflating sleeping pad or foam pad will suffice for bivouacking.

Sleeping Liners

Sleeping liner, silk liner, or sleeping bag liner—all these terms refer to the same product: the sleeping liner. This liner serves a dual purpose, providing both added warmth and, more importantly, hygiene.

A few extra degrees of comfort

Sleeping liners are available in different materials (silk, cotton, etc.), and depending on the material and quality of the liner, they can provide an additional degree or more of warmth beyond what your sleeping bag offers. In summary, if your sleeping bag has a comfort rating of 5°C, the sleeping liner will keep you comfortable even with an outside temperature of 3 or 4°C.

For hygiene and maintaining the sleeping bag

In terms of hygiene, the sleeping liner prevents your sleeping bag from getting dirty. After one or several days of hiking without taking a shower, the risk of soiling your sleeping bag is high. Feather-filled sleeping bags, in particular, do not fare well with washing. The sleeping liner helps retain dirt and sweat and can be easily washed, unlike a sleeping bag.

Pillow

The pillow is an accessory that is more dispensable than the rest of the equipment. While it is more feasible to bring it along when camping without being too concerned about space, it is quite different for trekking. Many hikers choose to forgo the pillow. However, whether you're a trekker or a long-distance traveler, know that there are inflatable pillows available that provide comfort without carrying a bulky pillow.