Camping Spoon

Nemo-Noctrurne-30We find some interesting things from Nemo Equipment and the latest is the relaxed fit Spoon Shape Nocturne 30 Down Sleeping Bag. As the company asks, “who sleeps like a mummy? If that’s not you and you like to curl up while camping this sleeping back might just be for you. The Spoon Shape allows those inside to bend the knees and shift throughout the night.

It features 15 ounces of 700-fill DownTek water-repellant down that provides a 30-degree rating, while the outer shell is made from 15D rip-stop nylon that has been treated with DWR to repel condensation. The result is a bag that will give you room to move while keeping warm and dry.

Nemo Equipment Nocturne 30 Down Sleeping Bag Official Website

Wearable Bag Features Removable Boots

Selk'bagWe really liked the idea of the wearable Selk’bag, which was just one of a few wearable sleeping bags that we’ve come across , and now the designers have addressed an all too common problem with sleeping bags – namely hot feet. Sleeping bags might be great for retaining warmth but a little air on the feet is never a bad thing.

The other problem with the Selk’bag was that while it provided reinforced feet to allow for walking around, it wasn’t exactly ideal for providing dexterity on uneven ground. Now there is an option for removable feet.

The new Selk’bag Patagon offers zippered feet that are great for those times when you want to let in some air, or need to do a bit of walking – such as to answer nature’s call. Press release after the jump

Pad Bag

FNO-Integrated-Sleeping-BagAt first glance the Father Nature Outdoor Sleeping Bag looks a little like something we saw in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. It does have that “Mummy’s Curse” thing going on. But instead of a curse the FNO Sleeping Bag, which offers a sleeping pad that is sold with the bag, will provide you with a good night’s sleep in the wilds.

So if you’re heading out on an expedition to find a mummy’s tomb or just doing the camp out thing this bag, which is designed for adults up to 6’2” tall, is packed together with the padding to ensure that you’ll get that decent sleep. Continue reading Pad Bag

Cold Weather Cocoon

When camping in the winter no ordinary sleeping bag will do, but the Canon -40 from Nemo Equipment, which made its debut at last month’s Outdoor Retailer Show, is no ordinary sleeping bag. This one is rated (as the name suggests) to minus-40 degrees F. It is an odd looking sleeping bag, but it reportedly does the job.

And since it might do such a good job those inside could get heated up, so the Canon -40 offers ventilation gills to let you cool off. It also features arm holes so it can be worn while sorting gear and getting ready to face the cold morning!

Nemo Equipment Official Website

Napsack Wearable Sleeping Bag

We’ve seen a few wearable sleeping bags, including the Selk’Bag (one could allow wearers to look like a lifesize version of Gumby), but the latest twist on a wearable sleeping bag is the Poler’s Napsack, which is reportedly “part sleeping bag, part hoodie.” The big innovation here is the placement of zippers and kudos to the creators for taking a simple idea and creating something so unique. In this case the zipper at the bottom lets you get your feet out and since it cinches at the bottom you can wrap it around the knees and wear it like a smock. The zippers near the shoulders further let you pull out your arms. The result isn’t the most fashionable looking item but for camping and waking up in the morning before you can get a fire going it could be a welcome item to sleep in and wear.

Poler Napsack Official Website

Denim Field Bed

Not everyone wants camping gear that looks like camping gear. The Scout Field Bed, which is crafted in the USA from Italian organic selvage denim offers a look straight out of yesteryear. It looks ready for a cowboy with antique brass zippers, Horween Chromexcel horsehide pulls and leather tie-down straps – but features Climashield APEX Insulation that is rated to 20ºF. This way you can look tough and stay warm.

Scout Field Bed at Makr

Sleeping Bag With Vents

Many of the problems of sleeping bags have been solved. We’ve seen sleeping bags with small LED lights, and even bags that offer legs so you can walk in them but we haven’t seen a bag that offers vents to allow your legs to breathe. Some people like to kick off the blanket while at home and a sleeping bag doesn’t allow that.

At least most sleeping bags don’t allow that. The Zippered Vents Sleeping Bag is designed with four segments running horizontally across the body. This means you can open to let air in at the ankles, knees, waist or chest – and better still have a bit more freedom that most sleeping bags allow! Of course the bag will also keep you warm, because if it didn’t do that it wouldn’t be worth taking out camping. Continue reading Sleeping Bag With Vents

Sleeping Bag Nightlight

When sleeping in a tent or even under the stars the only light might often be from the moon and the stars above. That can make for a good night’s sleep but can make it hard to answer nature’s call. While a flashlight can be just an arm’s length away it can’t always be so easily found in the dark – the very definition of irony.

The Snugpack Chrysalis sleeping bag makes it a little easier to get out of the bag and find that portable light, as it offers a built-in LED light as well. It rests in a small pouch at the head of the bag, and is thus readily available! A night light for a sleeping bag! Continue reading Sleeping Bag Nightlight

Poler Takes You Back to Nature

While some camping gear has gone so high-tech that it might not feel like you’re actually getting back to nature, Portland’s Poler Camping Stuff brand, which launched last fall, is all about simple yet efficient. The company’s focus revolves around being “an outdoor brand that brings together surf/skate/snowboard culture and sensibilities into pragmatic gear,” and providing “simple, good looking, well designed gear.” The products offer a vintage look, such as the Napsack sleeping bag that will keep you warm at night and in the morning let you wear it while heading to the camp fire.

Poler Official Website

Meet the Down that Doesn’t Like Water

Down feathers are great for outdoor gear. It’s loft provides warmth in a lightweight form for jackets, sleeping bags and other garments. Yet when it gets wet, and that can easily happen outdoors, it loses its loft and therefore warming properties. Water might just be the downfall of down.

Continue reading Meet the Down that Doesn’t Like Water