Can you camp without a sleeping bag?
In early spring or autumn, it's difficult to sleep without a sleeping bag, but in summer, it can get too hot to sleep in one.
For those who are not yet used to camping in the spring or fall, you can also consider bringing your own bedding.
This method makes it easier to adapt to temperature changes and feels similar to sleeping at home, so it's reassuring.
Also, in the summer, if you wrap yourself completely in a sleeping bag, you might get too hot and wake up, so it's a good idea to spread it out and use it like a towel blanket.
Recommended sleeping bags
Montbell Down Hugger 800 #3
Montbell's flagship 3-season model.
Thanks to its unique stretchable fabric, it minimizes the space between your body and the sleeping bag, yet it's not so cramped that you can sit cross-legged in it.
Incidentally, the lower the number in #3, the lower the temperature at which it can be used.
ISUKA Alpha Light 700X
This is one of the more reasonably priced products in the Isuka range.
Yet, its basic performance is solid, and it can be used on 3000m peaks from spring to autumn.
It might seem like a bit overkill, but since the filling is made of synthetic fibers, it can withstand a little moisture, so it's safe for children to use.
NANGA UDD BAG 450DX
The feathers themselves have been treated with a water-repellent finish, overcoming their weakness of being susceptible to getting wet.
While the price is on the higher side, this product offers comfort that is well worth the cost.
How to store a sleeping bag
Synthetic sleeping bags should be folded to fit the width of the storage bag, and then packed from the bottom up.
In contrast, down sleeping bags are not folded; instead, they are simply stuffed into their storage bags to prevent the down filling from tearing.
When storing it at home, remove it from the storage bag and put it in a well-ventilated place away from direct sunlight.
I store mine in a laundry net from a 100-yen store to prevent dust from accumulating.
What should I wear under my sleeping bag?
When getting into a sleeping bag, pajamas are the most comfortable thing to wear.
Even without that, it's hard to fall asleep at night while camping, so it's best to wear clothing that isn't too restrictive, and pajamas will make you feel like you're at home.
However, it's not always practical to take a regular sweatshirt camping, so a cotton sweatshirt comes in handy.
Cotton is resistant to campfire flames, making it ideal for camping.
A sleeping bag mat is required.
When trying to sleep, even if you lay your sleeping bag directly on the ground inside the tent, you can feel the unevenness and coldness of the ground, making it difficult to sleep.
Therefore, you will need to lay down an air mattress or something similar.
For our recommended mats, please see this article.
(10 Recommended Mats for Family Camping)
