| So you have parked the car and put your rucksack | | | | great, but maybe tiring, hiking you will want to ensure |
| on. You have checked the map and put your first | | | | that the tent was easy to put up without too many |
| step out to start your planned hike. There is no | | | | complications. |
| better feeling knowing that this is just the start and | | | | 2. Sleeping bag |
| the joys are to come. However before you get | | | | Sleeping bags are also important as part of your |
| there we need to consider a plan and ensure that | | | | hiking and gear for sleeping. For hiking I would buy a |
| we have all the right hiking and gear that is | | | | tapered or mummy type bag that tends to be |
| necessary. There are 2 pieces of equipment for | | | | thinner at the foot end. This will ensure extra warmth |
| sleeping that sometimes do not get the right kind of | | | | because your body does not have to work so hard |
| attention which is your tent and sleeping bag. These | | | | to keep warm. Also ensure that the sleeping bag has |
| are all important when buying the right hiking and | | | | a hood (due to the amount of heat that is generated |
| gear for sleeping. | | | | from your head). |
| 1. Tent | | | | The other important thing about sleeping bags as |
| In my experience there are 3 major factors to | | | | part of your hiking and gear is the stitching. Cheaper |
| consider when you purchase a tent for hiking. | | | | bags are stitched through the actual bag creating big |
| Firstly there is the weight to consider. You need to | | | | pockets. Manufacturers then fill these pockets with |
| consider how big the tent needs to be depending on | | | | insulation. As the stitching is through the actual |
| the size of your group and how much you want to | | | | sleeping bag there are pockets of cold spots all over |
| carry. So really the weight is a "trade off" and needs | | | | the sleeping bag. So avoid these sleeping bags. |
| to be considered carefully. A 2 or 3 man tent is great | | | | Instead go for the sleeping bag that has offset |
| for the right hiking and gear for one person to carry. | | | | stitching. This where the stitching is in the middle of |
| Secondly you need to consider how your tent packs | | | | the insulation so that there are no cold spots. |
| into your rucksack. Is the tent packing volume the | | | | So have a great time hiking. However make sure you |
| right size for your rucksack? Will it fit OK? | | | | have the right tent and bag as it is an important part |
| Thirdly, how easy is it to set up? After a long day of | | | | of your hiking and gear. |