We’ve found that since we’ve upgraded our camping gear, the entire family—kids included—is more excited to set off on the next adventure. So, to help enhance your camping experience, here is our latest camp setup that’s been tried and tested by yours truly. 

Big Agnes Bunk House Tent

One of the first camping gear upgrades we made was our tent. And as a tent is one of the most crucial elements of your camping gear, we made sure to focus on size and quality to ensure we always had a comfortable place to sleep. 

We recently invested in a new six-man tent, the Bunk House, from Big Agnes. And although we’re only a family of four, Nick and I have always felt that getting a tent that’s two people bigger than what we need provides us with extra space for gear and a play area for the kids.  

Here are some of the things we love about the Big Agnes Bunk House. 

Tent Height

One of the coolest things about the Big Agnes Bunk House is its height. This thing is absolutely massive! 

Now, I’m pretty short. But we had a friend of ours, who is over six feet tall, stay over because we had the extra space. And he found that he was able to stand up fully and be comfortable in doing so, which is something that isn’t very common in tents. 

Airflow

Another thing we absolutely love about the Bunk House is how airy it feels. There are openings on both sides of the tent to encourage airflow. So, we typically tend to open up both sides of the tent once we’ve set up camp to allow the fresh air in. 

Pockets

Pockets are something you don’t think about when going camping. But let me tell you, the Bunk House’s 20 mesh panel pockets really come in handy. If you need a spot for your toothbrushes or your socks, for example, then the panels offer you a storage solution and allow you to keep your stuff semi-organized.

For me, I appreciate having the extra mesh panels. They help me know where everything is should I need it—especially in the middle of the night. 

Other Design Features

One of the other features that I really like is the tent’s hanging loops. What we like to do is string our lights from the two little loops at the top of the tent. But we also like to use them for hanging things like bathing suits to dry. 

As there are loops in all four corners and three more on top of those, you can hook plenty of things up with the help of a carabiner.

Two Panels

A major selling point of the Bunk House is the fact that it is a two-paneled tent that consists of an outside tarp and a mesh inside panel. Nick and I have used both one and two-shell tents over the years. And overall, I’m just not a big fan of one panels. 

One panel tents often leave a dewy residue in the mornings. However, we’ve found that two-panel tents with that extra mesh liner on the inside keep you separate from the waterproof liner and the subsequent dew. 

Having the extra panel also means that when it is really hot out, we can remove the outer panel during the day to encourage airflow before placing it back over the top to prevent dew and to shelter us from any predicted rain. 

Storage

An additional thing I love about the Bunk House is its front storage area. The front panel of the tent extends out further than the opening to provide you with a sheltered area to store extra gear. 

In our case, it’s always my son's shoes or clothing that is wet. My son refuses to wear socks with his shoes, so his shoes absolutely reek. Obviously, I don’t want them with us in the main sleeping area of the tent. But he also doesn’t want them outside getting wet. 

Front storage areas mean we can keep our gear protected from the elements while also not having them cluttering our sleeping space.

Sustainability

Sustainability is something we always think about when purchasing camping gear upgrades—or any gear upgrades, for that matter. Many tents are made overseas. However, some companies are a lot better when it comes to sustainability practices. 

I am a firm advocate for trying to be as sustainable as possible. And that's one of the reasons that we invested in the Bunk House by Big Agnes. So I highly recommend looking for a tent that falls in line with your core values. 

A lot of the work Big Agnes is doing is in line with my specific sustainability values. And I know that as a company they’re making conscious efforts to grow and improve their environmentalism. 

Durability

A factor that ties into sustainability is durability. And we always like to make sure that we’re investing in products that are going to last. A tent, for example, is not a purchase you’re making every year. You’re going to hold onto your tent for a long period of time. 

For this reason, investing in a high-quality tent that may be a little more expensive than others on the market will mean that you’re only making that purchase once, and you aren’t contributing to any wastage. 

With that being said, I do understand that investing in an expensive, high-quality tent isn’t possible for everyone. So, if purchasing a cheap tent is the only way you can get out and enjoy the outdoors, then that's great, you do what you need to do. But if you can save a little more money and purchase a sustainable and durable tent, then it will definitely change the game for your camping experience.  

Customer Service and Warranty

A further benefit of purchasing a Big Agnes tent is the company's customer service and warranty teams. We’ve found that Big Agnes has a really good policy in terms of warranty. So if there is anything wrong with your tent, they’re going to help you fix it.

Not all companies are like that, however. So it’s definitely something to think about when making your decision. 

Weight

The cool thing about the Bunk House is it only weighs 19 pounds and packs down into a backpack with straps. In past camping trips, my son has even managed to throw the tent on his back and carry it down to the campsite for us. So, although it is a pretty big tent, it is extremely portable—even a ten-year-old can carry it!

Kids Sleeping Bags by Big Agnes

Another of the camping gear upgrades we made this year was our kid’s sleeping bags. Both of our kids got new sleeping bags from Big Agnes. And what’s cool is that they make them in different lengths and sizes. 

Both Parker and Tucker have different sleeping bags—Tucker uses the Torchlight Youth and Parker the Wolverine. But both bags go down to about 20 degrees Fahrenheit, so they are extremely warm. 

It’s important to remember that the length and coziness of the bags also impact how well your kids will sleep. So, the different lengths and sizes of Big Agnes’ bags really make a huge difference. 

Air Mattress Pocket

Something I found really cool about Big Agnes’ sleeping bags is that they have a pocket on the back. And you’re probably wondering what that pocket is for, and well, it’s for an air mattress.

Big Agnes’ have what they call the Big Agnes divider, which slides right into the back of their sleeping bags. Before purchasing bags from Big Agnes, I had never seen this feature before. So this was a completely new thing to me. But we’ve found that the back pocket has been an absolute game-changer.

Before, our kids were always sliding around, and we’d wake up, and they’d be shoved down in the corner of the tent. But now, their bags with their attached air mattresses keep them in place. 

I’ll even admit that we loved the idea of the attached mattress so much that Nick and I actually invested in a two-person sleeping bag and a two-person mattress, so we also aren’t slipping around. 

Size Adjusters

Some of Big Agnes’ sleeping bags also have hooks. And at first, I was wondering what the hooks were for. However, I realized that the hooks allow you to roll up the sleeping bag and adjust it to your kid’s height. 

Not only does this mean your kid’s sleeping bag can grow with them. But it also helps with warmth and ensures they arent sliding down into the bag. 

King Soloman Sleeping Bag by Big Agnes

The two-person sleeping bag that I mentioned before is the King Soloman by Big Agnes. And it's another of the camping gear upgrades we made this year—I couldn’t recommend it more.

The King Soloman, like Big Agnes’ kids’ sleeping bags, also has a pocket on the back to slide in an air mattress. So this means that Nick and I stay put.

Warmth

The King Soloman sleeping bag goes down to 35 degrees Fahrenheit. However, there is also a 20-degree bag for those who camp in colder temperatures. For me personally, I don’t need a warmer sleeping bag because if it’s that cold, then I’m not going camping. So we found that the 35-degree bag kept us warm enough even when camping in the mountains. 

Fastenings

Big Agnes’ has included little snaps down the side of the bag so you can keep your sleeping bag shut. I’m pretty anal when it comes to my children not being in my sleeping bag because of their sandy, dirty feet. So, I appreciate the little toggles that allow me to shut the sleeping bag and keep them out. 

Weight and Size

Now, you’re probably thinking that a two-person sleeping bag is going to take up a lot of room. But because the King Soloman is a 35-degree bag, it’s actually pretty light and packs down really small. I’d say that it compacts down to a pretty normal sleeping bag size. 

Air Mattress Inflation Sack

Many air mattresses now come with inflation sacks. And although I used to take a lot of pride in my ability to blow up air mattresses, I must say that the inflation sack makes the process a whole lot easier. 

The inflation sacks, if you didn’t already know, are wide open on one side and feature a valve on the other side. And all you have to do is attach the valve to the air mattress, allow the air to come into the bag through the wide opening, and simply roll the bag down, pushing the air into the mattress. 

These inflation bags save you a lot of time and energy. And once you figure out how to use them, you’ll have your mattresses blown up within minutes. 

Follow our Adventures and Subscribe

Don’t forget to check out our YouTube channel, Great Family Adventure, and keep an eye out for more awesome videos we’ll be publishing shortly.

If you enjoyed this article and are hungry for more family adventure tips, tricks, reviews, and adventures, head on over to the Great Family Adventure YouTube channel and feel free to sign up for our Hazeadventure.com newsletter.

The post Camping Gear Upgrades: Our Latest Camp Set-Up appeared first on Hazeadventure.

Sometimes, getting a good night's sleep while out in nature can be challenging. But these days, you can really find fantastic equipment that’s going to allow you to have a wonderful rest, regardless of where you are. 

The two products that I’m going to be comparing today are actually double sleeping bags. And that’s because Nick and I recently upgraded to a double, as we’ve found that we really appreciate bunking down together as opposed to sleeping in individual bags. Plus, double setups are a lot more fun, especially when you have your kids climbing in to cuddle with you.

So, if you’re thinking about upgrading to a double sleeping bag, here is a side-by-side comparison of the Zenbivy sleeping system and the Big Agnes Double Pad and Big Agnes Sleeping Bag.

Mattresses

One of the first things I want to talk about is mattresses. And right off the bat, the Big Agnes mattress, the Rapid SL, is a lot more compact than Zenbivy’s. 

However, if we’re going somewhere where we can use our car, then I’ll likely choose our Zenbivy mattress. Zenbivy’s mattress is a double-inflation mattress. And what I really love is that inside, the mattress, there is a layer of foam similar to a traditional mattress. 

That interior foam really makes the Zenbivy one of the most comfortable camping mattresses on the market. But with that added comfort, comes an increased size which can make it difficult to transport to and from a a campsite.

On top of its comfort, the Zenbivy mattress is also incredibly easy to blow up thanks to its self-inflating valve. The valve essentially allows air into the space between the foam. So you really don’t have to do much work in order to create a solid foundation!

Zenbivy Set Up

Now, let’s talk through the setups, starting with Zenbivy. Firstly, Zenbivy’s double quilt is 25°. And unlike a traditional full sleeping bag, the Zenbivy quilt, is an actual quilt with an additional fitted sheet. 

To keep the quilt in place throughout the night, Zenbivy added toggles that you can clip onto the fitted mattress sheet. And once all the toggles are connected, you’ll ultimately feel like you’re inside an actual traditional sleeping bag.

In order to keep your head from getting cold, Zenbivy also added a cover at the end of the sheet for extra warmth and protection.

Overall, the Zenbivy quilt, mattress, and sheet system is bigger in size compared to other camping setups. But it is incredibly warm, comfortable, and well-thought-out. So I really can’t fault it. 

Big Agnes Set Up

Moving onto the Big Agnes setup. And like I said previously, one of the biggest differentiators is its size. Big Agnes’ mattress and sleeping bag are both a lot smaller than the Zenbivy’s. And this, in turn, makes them far more manageable when you need to carry them over long distances.

One thing we particularly love about the setup is the inflation bag that comes with it. Many air mattresses these days will come with a similar fancy little bag that essentially allows you to trap air and compress it into the mattress. 

In addition to the mattress, the Big Agnes setup comes with the King Soloman double-person sleeping bag. And this sleeping bag is a 35°, which follows the traditional sleeping bag style. 

Unlike the Zenbivy, the King Soloman sleeping bag already has a sheet integrated into the bag. So it's a simple case of laying it over your inflated air mattress and using the toggles to tighten it around the base. 

You’ll further find that as the King Soloman is a traditional sleeping bag, there are zippers that run down both sides, making it far easier to get into and out. The zippers also allow you to fully close the bag when it's not in use to prevent dirty, sandy feet from getting in your bed. 

All in all, because of the size of the Big Agnes setup, I would certainly favor it when we have to trek along way to our campsite. 

Sleeping Bag Price and Cost Comparision

The next part I’m going to review about these two double sleeping bags are their price points. Zenbivys set up comes as a package for about $520. And considering it's a sleeping bag for two people, not one, I think that is a very good price point. 

Big Agnes’ price point, however, is slightly cheaper as it sits in the $399 range. 

Both sleeping bags are made with high-quality materials, which is obviously reflected in their price. So, although they are more expensive than other products on the market, you know you’ll be using them for years to come. 

Comfort

Comfort is obviously one of the most important factors when deciding on a sleeping bag. And I’ve found the Big Agnes and Zenbivy are equally as comfortable. But for different reasons.

The Zenbivy materials and the fact it is a sheet and quilt combo make the Zenbivy camping setup feel very light and as if you were getting into a traditional bed at home. Combine the sheets with the 50 by 77 mattress, and you’ll have plenty of room for you, your partner, and any little ones who climb in throughout the night. 

The Big Agnes, despite being more compact, is also incredibly roomy and provides Nick and I with more than enough space while camping. I will admit that we aren’t the biggest people. But the Big Agnes mattress and sleeping bag are more than enough for us. And we’ve used them multiple times without complaints.

The Companies Themselves

And the last thing I wanted to touch on was the companies themselves. Big Agnes and Zenbivy both have amazing missions, with Zenbivy focusing on providing its customers with the very best sleep. And Big Agnes knuckling down to reduce water use when developing their products. 

Both sleeping bags receive the stamp of approval from me and my family. So, it really comes down to your preferences when it comes to a camping setup. For a compact, easy to set up option, opt for the Big Agnes. And for a spacious, luxurious feeling sleeping bag and mattress combo, invest in the Zenbivy!

Follow our Adventures and Subscribe

Don’t forget to check out our YouTube channel, Great Family Adventure. And keep an eye out for more awesome videos we’ll be publishing shortly.

If you enjoyed this article and are hungry for more family adventure tips, tricks, reviews, and adventures, head on over to the Great Family Adventure YouTube channel and feel free to sign up for our Hazeadventure.com newsletter.

The post Big Agnes Sleeping Bag vs Zenbivy Sleep System appeared first on Hazeadventure.

Step 1: Use the best sleeping bags

Big Agnes Lost Ranger UL 3N1 Review

If you follow along with Backpacking TV, then you've heard me recently brag about this brand new sleeping bag. When I first saw it, I hardly knew what to think. I had never seen a sleeping bag like this. Probably because the Lost Ranger Ultralight is more of a comprehensive system, rather than a single unit that you haphazardly climb into at night. This 3-in-1 package was originally rated to 20-degrees fahrenheit. It has recently been revised to 15-degrees, due to its exceptional performance. 

The first thing to note is that you essentially get 2 sleeping bags when you buy this system. There is the inner, mummy bag, which on its own is rated to 35-degrees. So in a good range of conditions, this is all you will need.

When the occasion calls for it, the inner bag easily slides into the outer layer, which ends up looking more like a cozy quilt. The outer bag, on its own, is rated to 50-degrees. If you're a fan of fastpacking and you have the right weather-window, this baby will be your best friend.

What's even better is that the quilt wraps around and attaches to your sleeping mattress. AND it has a pocket for your pillow! No more wrestling with your balled up bag, or blindly searching for your errant pillow in the middle of the night. Cursing your one cold leg and stiff neck in a fit of frustration will no longer be required. This whole system stays in place for that REM-inducing goodness. 

Another fun fact about the Big Agnes system is that the full-length side zipper can attach to a 2nd unit, if you feel like expanding the slumber to 2 people. Oh, how we have been historically misled about the potential romance of backcountry camping. But no more! Just don't eat too much of those dehydrated meals before bed (if you catch my drift).  

A final hot-tip about the Lost Ranger 3N1

is that you can rotate in your existing sleeping bags for even more refined temperature ratings. The updated limit of 15-degrees is certainly impressive, but I'm no stranger to winter camping. I sometimes will need that extra boost. I have another 20-degree bag that I've leaned on a lot in the past. The other night when I saw that the nighttime low would drop to a mere 14-degrees I used this mix. This turned out to be a great call as I slept comfortably through the night. 

The bottom line is that the core elements of the Lost Ranger make me feel like I'm at home in bed. At first glance, I had my reservations, but now I'm a tried-and-true convert. I do recognize that the price point ($549.95 USD) might be a bit intimidating for the average camper.

Going with the non-ultralight version is still a great choice and will save you a few extra bucks. The Big Agnes Lost Ranger 3N1 will give you excellent range and a comfortable homebase, which will ultimately lead to improved sleep.  

If you want more info on this sleep system, check out my video: Gear I'm Stoked About.

Step 2: Use wider sleeping pads

How wide should a sleeping pad be?

A quality sleeping bag is only part of the equation. Don't discount the power of the sleeping pad/mattress. I used to strictly prioritize minimalism, which led me to balancing on a piddly 20-inch-wide mattress. Lately, I've upgraded to a 25-inch one, and I can't believe the difference it has made. That increase in width means that my arms can rest comfortably at my side, rather than slipping off the edges onto the cold, hard ground. And more importantly, in the middle of the night, my inevitable adjustments don't send half my body confusingly into no-man's-land. 

The funny thing about this discovery is I happened upon it by accident. I went with the Big Agnes Q-Core SLX Insulated Sleeping Pad, which was definitely the one I wanted. When I got home, I realized that I accidentally bought the 25-inch version, rather than the intended 20. Taking this as a sign from the Sandman, I decided to give it a whirl. I awoke 3 days later in an unexpected reverie. I knew that I had been living a lie up to that point. Screw the slight extra bulk and miniscule weight difference, a good night's rest is well-worth other sacrifices. 

Best night sleep backpacking

Usually getting through the night is just a grind-it-out means to completing otherwise incredible hiking trips. But nowadays, I'm legitimately enjoying my time in the tent. When you actually catch some zzzs, it makes recovering from the previous day's efforts that much easier. Therefore, sets you up for a noticeably better day 2, 3, and beyond. Once you figure out your best set-up, just get someone to read this article to you in their best ASMR voice and you'll be all set! Sleep well friends. 
If you enjoyed this rundown and want to learn more, check out all my gear reviews and other tips on BackpackingTV.

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links where Eric Hanson earns a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you, but it’s a great way to show your support. Thanks!

My favorite backpacking gear list

NOTE: These are affiliate links where I’ll earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you, but it’s a great way to show your support. Thanks!

Backpack

Sleeping Bag

Satellite Communicator

Camp Stove

Cook pot

Freeze dried Food

Headlamp

Rain Jacket

Fleece Mid-layer | ALL-PACA Fleece Hoodie

Down Puffy Jacket (warm!)

Down Puffy Jacket (lightweight)

Hiking Boots

Hiking Socks

Gloves | Hestra Bike Ergo Grip Glove

Water Filter

Water Bladder

Camp Pillow

Folding Knife

Trekking Poles

Sunglasses

The post Sleeping Tips for Backpacking appeared first on Hazeadventure.