How to choose a tent and sleeping bag for a hike. Izvestia's instructions

A tent and a sleeping bag are the basis for a comfortable stay in nature. They provide warmth, adequate sleep and protection from the weather at any time of the year. Izvestia tells you how to choose the right equipment, what to look for when buying, and how to properly care for travel supplies so that they last a long time.

What are tents and sleeping bags?

Tents and sleeping bags vary in design, season, purpose, and number of seats. Summer tents are good for hot or warm weather. They are light, roomy and have good ventilation. However, they are not suitable for low temperatures. Three-season and winter versions do a better job of this task, but are usually more difficult.

Main types of tents:

• tourist (domed, gable) : designed for hiking, they are lightweight and low in height, easy to install and take up little space in a backpack, usually have an aerodynamic shape for wind resistance;
• camping (hub): Suitable for long trips and parking, especially when traveling with a family or a large company, they have plenty of space, a high ceiling and plenty of storage compartments.;
• Expeditionary: they are made of durable material and have a reinforced structure for use in extreme weather conditions, often shaped like a hemisphere, tunnel (half-shell) or tent.
• Sleeping bags, like tents, are chosen based on the purpose of the trip and the season. It is important to take into account their size, shape and type of insulation so that they are warm and comfortable to sleep in. The length of the model should be 10-15 cm more than the height of the intended tourist.

There are two types of sleeping bags:

• Cocoon: anatomically shaped sleeping bag (narrow in legs, wide in shoulders), often equipped with a hood and a thermal collar around the neck, which ensures maximum heat retention, but limits freedom of movement;
• Blanket: this equipment has a rectangular shape, provides more space, but may be less warm. When buttoned up, you can sleep in a bag like in a regular sleeping bag, and if you unzip it, you get a large blanket for two or three people.

Tourist's tomorrow: preparation for the hiking season will cost 22 thousand rubles

The average check for a minimum set for outdoor recreation has increased by 15-20 over the year.%

What to look for when choosing a tent and sleeping bag

The size and capacity of the sleeping bag and tent should correspond to the number of people who will use them during the trip. Compact and lightweight models weighing up to 2 kg are suitable for a single hike, and more spacious ones for a group of several people. Accordingly, they will weigh more. The fabric should be durable and moisture-resistant, preferably with a mosquito net to protect it from precipitation and insects.

What else needs to be considered:

• temperature regime: it must meet the weather conditions for the duration of the hike;
• filler: down is warmer and lighter, but is afraid of moisture, synthetic (holofiber or thermofiber) dries faster, is resistant to moisture and easier to care for.;
• important details: it is good if the equipment is equipped with a hood with a drawcord to protect against drafts, windproof flaps for less heat loss and a compression bag that significantly saves space in the backpack.

How to properly care for and store a tent and sleeping bag

Tents and sleeping bags should be stored in a cool, dry place, avoiding prolonged compression. Before removing the equipment, it must be cleaned of sand and dirt using a soft-bristled brush, soap solution and warm water, paying attention to hard-to-reach places: seams, zippers and corners.

If the tent is heavily soiled, it can be washed in warm water without powder and bleach — they can damage the water-repellent impregnation. And then dry thoroughly to avoid mold formation. After drying, the awning and the bottom can be additionally treated with a water-repellent solution.

Sleeping bags can be washed in a washing machine at a temperature of 30-40 ° C with the addition of special fluff or synthetic products. It is better to dry the sleeping bag unfolded until it dries completely, avoiding direct sunlight and heat sources.

What additional accessories are needed for the tent

To make your vacation as comfortable as possible, you can take an external floor or an additional bottom with you. It is useful on uneven or rocky surfaces, and also serves as an additional insulation. A flashlight or LED lamp will also be useful for lighting inside and around the tent and folding organizers for things that can easily be transformed into a shelf or shelving.

What else is useful on a camping trip:

• Awning: provides additional protection from rain and sun;
• hooks and clamps for guy ropes: they can be used to change the length and tension of the storm harness;
• tourist seat for rest and sleep;
• Repair kit: glue, patches, needles and other tools to repair minor damage;
• first-aid kit: it should contain antiseptics and disinfectants, dressings, painkillers and antipyretics, medicines for allergies and stomach upset.

Earlier, Izvestia told about the main dangers that can await tourists on a hike.

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