Thank you Mike! A double sleeping bag system can be a good solution. A thin ligjtweight synth bag outside and a down bag inside. All the moisture of condensation will be "collected" in the synth bag, what is easy to dry. The down bag always stays dry. That is my way to manage wet weather conditions.
Thanks Mike, a very nice video on a truly snow packed day wherever you live! ☃️ I too have the S2S Comfort Plus Insulated (its R value is shown as 4 on the S2S website btw). Very comfortable but quite thick so does reduce usable length of tent if tent sides slope inwards. I inflate it using the blow up bag at the other end of its stuff sack- really clever simple effortless device! I’ve recently bought a Z lite abc will use a section of it to boost the insulation under me on coldest nights. I’ve a Kelty Cosmic 20 sleeping bag. Very roomy (almost too roomy!) but I do bring my bike battery inside with me to keep it warm and ready for the next morning. The bag has down upper and synthetic underneath. I’d say it’s real comfort rating is around 3 degrees C, not 20F as implied in its name. I use a S2S silk liner to keep me warmer and cleaner. I tried a Thermarest down air pillow but was too solid compared with my down pillow at home. I’m now using a Thermarest Compressible Pillow which doesn’t pack as small but is light and comfy I find. I’ve got a luxury Hilleberg Allak2 tent which sometimes also contains my partner. My bike btw is a Brompton folding bike with rack. I’ve tried towing the gear in a trailer (both bike and trailer fit inside my tent) but I think weight and ease of movement on off road sections make it better to have all the gear physically on the bike itself. Maybe trailer would work well on flat terrain but in hilly country the extra weight is a noticeable drag. On the other hand it’s more aerodynamic than having a big bag on the front of a bike.
I DO have a whole different setup. I have a mosquito hammock, sil-nylon over-fly, nylon under-fly, down 3/4 under-quilt, PUFF full length under-quilt, down over-quilt with foot box, polyester sleeping roll liner, & a telescopic folding bipod. I live in Texas where we spend summers trying not to hyper-therm over 100F, winters trying not to hypo-therm under 20F, & spring & fall varying between winter & summer conditions depending where the wind blows. I can hang between 2 trees or posts, or with only 1 post available I can support the other end with my bipod. The hammock seals out biters, the over-fly deflects rain & dew, the under-fly deflects chill wind, & the quilts provide insulation that I can layer as needed. I can hang the over-fly to shelter without the hammock, or use the under-fly as a vertical wind wall. Sleeping in high winds just rocks me like a baby. I rarely use my tent or inflatable mattress or ground cover.
I am a minimalist camper. I just bring a PU coated polyester tarp, a sleeping bag and a foam insulation mat. Yes, the mat is a bit bulky, but it doesn't weigh more than an inflatable mattress and I sleep pretty well on it. Drawback of the tarp of course is that you need to find a proper spot with a tree and suitably even ground in correct orientation to the wind. My sleeping bag could do with some upgrading. It's a cheapo, the filling starts to get tired and the synthetic fabric is not very appealing. I like your setup with the liner. Something to consider.
My kit is almost exactly the same as yours and I've been using it also on the motorcycle for years although we don't seem to have many cheap but good alternative tents here in Australia. Love my Big Agnes copper spur though, thanks for the vid
Hi Mike, Haven't done a tour yet, but I have loads of camps under my belt already, as part of hiking, bushcrafting and backpacking. Can't do that now due to ankle damage but I can ride a bike so last September I got a new bike and have been building up the touring kit and my bike fitness since. My sleep an shelter system is based on yours with a few exceptions, mainly to reduce cost. The tent is the 20D green Cloud Up 2 that I got based on your (and others) reviews. I have a OneTigris hammock quilt already which I can use until the temps drop below about 8deg C. My sleeping pad is the NatureHike 120mm ultralight pad. I need comfort at 53 years, and my back hurts when I lay down. This pad has no additional insulation but I compensate by using a 1m x 2m Mylar/Foam sheet underneath. Almost covers the entire tent base and offers good protection for the bathtub from inside damage. The insulation this provides is significant. The pad also has a dry bag that can be used to inflate the pad in about 4 goes, saving your breath/energy, and preventing/reducing mould from getting in the pad from breathing. I have the AegisMax Nano 2 sleeping bag which I have yet to try, and an OEX thermolite liner (very similar to the Sea to Summit Reaktor liner) on the way. I also have a hammock system that I use in the woodland areas. I prefer to hammock camp as it reduces the pain in my back, and is much more comfortable than sleeping on the ground. My hammock system is quite heavy right now, being specified for bushcrafting it's made of robust parts, but I'm looking to introduce more lighter weight items so I can transport it on the bike. My first bike touring trips will most likely use the tent system though we'll have to wait until our lockdown ends and the weather calms down before venturing out. Stay safe Mike, best regards from the UK Andy
Hi Mike. Every time I see a youtube notification about your channel I'm so excited to see your video ! This morning i saw your adventure with Darren Alff from Prague to Vienna ! Great video ! Greetings from Romania !
Hi Mike. Another great video. Because of your presentation I bought the Sea to Summit pillow you demonstrated. It is a bit expensive, but oh my goodness what a great product and very comfortable. So a note from me to your subscribers would be to buy this pillow. I sleep so much better. Thanks.
Hello Brent! Yeah, it's one of those things you have to try out to believe. I guess most people just stuff a bunch of clothes inside a stuff sack. But as you point out your sleep really improves when you have a proper pillow. Thanks for the feedback!
Hey Mike, i always appreciate seeing the different kits people select, and reasons behind the selection. My choice leans toward cost, my opinion of it's value, vs name brand. Features, workmanship and material quality usually wins out. I'm with you on tent entrance...I use a double vestibule/double entrance two person tent. The rest of the kit is pretty similar to your's, though maybe not at the same level. Anyway, there's a bit a satisfaction outfitting my kit without having to donate a kidney. : ) Always enjoy your videos Mikael...hope you and family are all well.
Thank you, Mike. This was a really helpful and informative video. I have a similar setup but I also carry a ex-army Gortex bivvy bag as an additional sleeping option when I don't wish to pitch my tent. It also offers additional insulation, comfort and protection inside the tent when the weather is really bad. I look forward to more of your videos. Cheers. Joe. UK
Excellent video. Well done. I have Naturehike Cloud 1 tent and the same small sleeping bag. I use an emergency blanket to cover the sleeping pad. I have another emergency blanket which I can use as an additional layer for me as well. They are so tiny and light. All the best.
Hi there Mike, nice video, but for the tent I personnaly prefer one that can be set up in the rain, I have and old army tent from para commando team, you can set up outer lining first and then attach the inner tent so it stays dry if it rains. I saw a tent at Decathlon the "Forclaz trek 900 ultralight" you set it up with inner tent attached, so it stays dry, on you tube I found some tests and they all say it is a good tent. For the ground tarp,as I live at the sea, I when to a sailmaker and explained what I wanted and he took the measures and made a tarp with the eyelets for the pegs, in a heavy duty sailcloth but not heavy in weight. For the sleeping bag liner, it is a great idea I used one in silk (or similar) material, so bag stays clean, and you can wash the liner on road easily in a river or at a tap. And just forinfo in french they call this a meatbag (sac à viande) .
Snow in King’s Lynn as I watch. Mongar 2 for me. Summer down sleeping bag with liner, and lots of clothes if it’s cold. I’m vaccinated now, so feeling invincible 😂
Congratulations on both the vaccine and the snow. They have started vaccinating people over here as well, but I'm sure it's a couple of months until It's my turn. I'm not exactly in the most prioritized age group.
Just lucky with the vaccine, it was for the old folk, but logistics with transportation of the Pfizer jab means there was plenty for us NHS cannon fodder. It’s horrible wet snow here, and all the cars have summer tyres so not much fun, but better than being at work. Hope you are all well, and I love the double fenders
I have a Mountain Designs down sleeping bag, a lightweight Coleman sleeping bag for summer, an Exped synmat 7 sleeping pad, an Exped inflatable pillow and an MSR Hubba tent. For me the pillow is essential. Given how comfortable, cheap and compact they are, I cant see any good reason to use the clothes in the stuff sack option. I have friends who do, but they seem to enjoy martyring themselves.
Thanks Al! We got dumped on last week. We got 70 cm (almost 30 inches) of snow in 2 days. Now we've got a couple of rest days from all the shoveling until the next blizzard hits us on Thursday.
Nice, my setup for camping on my CRF 450L is very close to this having the 20D Cloud up 2, the Aegismax Nano 2L and the Thermolite reactor extreme. But I went with the S2S Etherlight XT and a nature hike pillow. Unfortunately I had the pillow before the Etherlight and I would probably by the Aeros if I had to get a replacement. But the inflatable nature hike pillow is a very good value option, it is slightly smaller and comes with a slightly padded pillow case which for me was the big difference and the soft material made it very nice to sleep on.
Hi Mike. This was a good thorough look at your gear and great explanations as to why you use each piece of gear. My last video of my Texas tour comes out today and I hope to do a follow up similar to this soon with a Q&A. I love the Sea To Summit pillow. I'm a side sleeper and this really helps me to get a good night's rest which really helps on the next days ride. Your explanation of down verses synthetic should help a lot of people decide what will work best for them and hopefully all of this information will help to get people outside. Great video and WOW, look at the snow. We finally got 4" (10cm) here in Texas but it was gone the next afternoon. Lol Take care and atb, Tony
Hi Mike! If you're thinking about buying it, make sure to get the large model. I have the regular one as well, but the difference is like night and day. With the regular version you almost have to inflate it to it's maximum, which maks it really stiff to sleep on. With the large one I usually have it inflated to about 50-60 % and it really feels great at that level. It's hard to explain, but believe me, go for the large model.
@@BikeTouringMike Thanks Mike. That's the issue with my current Alpkit one. It's quite small so needs more air, making it firmer. That Seatosummit looks like you can almost sink into it a bit like a normal pillow. Any extra luxury helps!
Akto / Exped Synmat 7 / Mountain Hardware Phantom Spark / stuffsack & fleece is my combo. Either that or Mrs F70100 meeting me at the end of each day with our campervan 😀.
Nice load out Mike , I also have the aegismax UL for summer and its great lightweight and packs away really small . Pillow looks quite big but packs away really small , might have to take a look at one ... TFS atb Dave
It's takes up less space than a Kopparberg ;-) Plus it barely weigh anything. The large one is the one to go with though. I have both and the regular one is to small and stiff for my taste.
I actually carry two light weigh pillows. As a side sleeper I find I need the height to be comfortable. I need to find a thinker pillow. Well worth the tiny weight/space for a good nights sleep.
I'm a side sleeper too, but I just put my inflatable pillow on top of my clothing stuff bag which is the rectangular roll top type which I just pat down flat. The inflatable pillow does tend to slide around, so I cut to size a piece of anti-slip mat (the kind used on car dashboards and kitchen cabinets) and placed it between the pillow and stuff bag. Doesn't slide much now, but it does create squeaking when I move about. So earplugs. =)
Another great Video Mike!! Being a Swede, I thought you would have a Hilleberg Tent? - very $$, but excellent quality and reputation. I wouldn't consider the camping pillow a Luxury at all.....getting a good night's rest is crucial when travelling on the bike and a good pillow certainly helps. I still have the original Thermarest one i bought back in 2017 for my first tour through New Zealand. That Sea to Summit one you have looks great though :)
Thank you Stephen. Hilleberg is a great tent brand, but maybe a little bit overkill for what I do. If I was camping in the Swedish mountains alot it would be great, but for my purposes my budget tent is enough for me.
I'm late. I have an old Sierra Designs Clip Light tent, I think. I haven't used it for some time so will have to put it up and then turn on a sprinkler to see if it is still waterproof with the fly on. It was a very light tent back in 1988. It is blue. I use a heavier synthetic rectangular sleeping bag, because I hate mummy bags. Then I have a sleeping pad similar to yours. I need to buy a pillow. That technology was not around in 1988. I'm starting to research a tour that might be done on my e-bike. I'm thinking two nights? or three? and might stay in motels so I can charge up my bike. This all depends on Canada letting me into their country as it is a bike trail in the U.S. north to Canada, then a bit of road and onto another bike trail, then a road back. The border has been closed for almost a year now. I don't know whether to carry camping gear or not. Also, I dropped my bike off at a bike shop for a tune up. I wanted to learn how to take off the rear tire--it is complicated. The bike mechanics told me not to do it because it is hard--a cable must be disconnected and brake taken apart. They told me my tires were so good, I'd probably never have a flat (Schwalbe Marathons) so now I feel cursed. It is a Dutch bike, a Gazelle Arroyo. It's good to ride but difficult to work on. Take care.
Hi Mike, Great video. Would you still recommend the seatosumit Comfort Plus XT rectangle sleeping mat? Does it keep you off the ground when side sleeping? Thanks!
Hi, thanks I think I do similar stuff to you and was planning a months trip to Norway in June mm maybe next year. Just bought a tent , had Terra Nova laser space2 great tent for 2 . Was looking at Naturehike mongar 2 , like you top tents expensive and don't camp on mountains too often . But came across wild country foehn 2 half price at £125 made by terra nova their 'skoda' level. Its good quality ,green and has 2 side doors so ticks all my boxes. Ah sleeping bags I now take 2 lightweight summer down bags a naturehike square down sleeping £70 but my old one has had it so looking at a down sleeping blanket £36 and a liner which I've opened up the bottom as I hate getting my feet hot.This sounds a lot but no bigger than a med down sleeping bag. I find that especially in say portugal in winter its still quite warm when I go to bed so too hot with warmer bag but gets really cold then I pull second bag over me . Anyway that works and flexible and same price actually less than my old Rab down bag. I have a thermarest x lite amazingly small size and weight but seemed to go down a little at night and exped pillow ok not perfect. I use carradice super c rear panniers and their large saddlebag ang barbag and have loads of space. But don't film etc.Do you take a chair' Oh i use Anker solar panel about £30 which was great. Hope this is useful.
@@paulkennewell2752I've only just got it and weight wasn't my main concern as its 2 man , decent quality made by terra nova, self standing with 2 side doors . I literally came across it looking through terra nova site and it was half price. Also the porches are a good size. Obviously I don't want to be carrying a massive weight but I don't mind for a tent that i'll use for a few weeks at a time and I'm a bit of a plodder!
I used the Naturehike Cloud Up 2 a few times and then upgraded to the 3F UL Lanshan 1 (side door which I also prefer) with a trekking pole, and then also upgraded that to a folding carbon fibre stick. More costly overall but shaves of about 500g in weight. About the smallest sleeping bag you have, is it possible to use that with an emergency blanket to get a better temperature rating and still enjoy the small size and low weight? I currently only travel in warm places and don't actually bring a sleeping bag at all, but I'd like to try going to cooler places next. Would like to avoid having to own multiple sleeping bags.
Hey Mike - thanks for the video! I am not comfortable purchasing down materials given the inhumane practices required to gather it. Do you have any recommendations for synthetic yet affordable sleeping bag / sleeping mat? Thanks
Hi, long time watcher first time commenting haha, very informative video. What size is your aegismax SB? I’m a 185cm tall and I don’t know if I should buy the 180cm or the 2m one.
Ortlieb bag shower is a Must, if its cold u could hot 1L water, but the shower is very important. Feel and stay clean helps to sleep very well and confort, feels home. I saw a bycicling touring pro never shower, its uuuuhg
Never thought of bringing this, but I might consider it. I think in Darren's defense when he's been cycling here up in Scandinavia a shower isn't as necessary as it would be in your region. Most of the year it's not too hot so you don't really work up a sweat, and therefore can go for a couple of days without a shower. I try to stay at campgrounds now and then to take care of my hygiene.
Hi Mike, I am planning a northern sweden summer bike trip. And my current sleeping bag is Marmot Fulcrum Eco 15, which has komforttemperatur: -6°C and limit: -12.9°C. Would that be too warm for the summer? I am also planning to go to the mountain areas like Kebnekaise.
Northern Sweden is a really big area so it differs a lot in temperature. The big sleeping bag I showed in the video has a comfort temperature of -5. I have never used that for a summer tour around here. But then again you say that you are thinikng about going to Kebnekaise. If that is the case it could definitely come in handy, even in summer. The weather up there can change from super warm to cold and miserable in 30 minutes. But if you're not doing that, my recommendation would be to go for a sleeping bag at around +5C. That should cover most weather. Usually summer night temperatures lies between 5-15 C in Northern Sweden.
Mike, congrats for the vídeo. Now that I see you biking in the snow, would you tell me which type of shoes do you use? I am hardly cold but my feet get cold even sometimes in early summer. I will be able to go in shorts and a T- shirt but I suffer from cold feet. Any typ will be highly welcome😊😉
Vad är din erfarenhet av Thermolite Reactor? Jag har en billig liner idag och den är väldigt jobbig att ta sig in i och ut ur när den är inuti sovsäcken. Materialet för Thermolite Reactor verkar mycket mer töjbart så kanske inga sådana problem.
What does your camping setup look like? Please let me know!
Thank you Mike!
A double sleeping bag system can be a good solution. A thin ligjtweight synth bag outside and a down bag inside. All the moisture of condensation will be "collected" in the synth bag, what is easy to dry. The down bag always stays dry. That is my way to manage wet weather conditions.
Thanks Mike, a very nice video on a truly snow packed day wherever you live! ☃️ I too have the S2S Comfort Plus Insulated (its R value is shown as 4 on the S2S website btw). Very comfortable but quite thick so does reduce usable length of tent if tent sides slope inwards. I inflate it using the blow up bag at the other end of its stuff sack- really clever simple effortless device! I’ve recently bought a Z lite abc will use a section of it to boost the insulation under me on coldest nights.
I’ve a Kelty Cosmic 20 sleeping bag. Very roomy (almost too roomy!) but I do bring my bike battery inside with me to keep it warm and ready for the next morning. The bag has down upper and synthetic underneath. I’d say it’s real comfort rating is around 3 degrees C, not 20F as implied in its name. I use a S2S silk liner to keep me warmer and cleaner.
I tried a Thermarest down air pillow but was too solid compared with my down pillow at home. I’m now using a Thermarest Compressible Pillow which doesn’t pack as small but is light and comfy I find.
I’ve got a luxury Hilleberg Allak2 tent which sometimes also contains my partner.
My bike btw is a Brompton folding bike with rack. I’ve tried towing the gear in a trailer (both bike and trailer fit inside my tent) but I think weight and ease of movement on off road sections make it better to have all the gear physically on the bike itself. Maybe trailer would work well on flat terrain but in hilly country the extra weight is a noticeable drag. On the other hand it’s more aerodynamic than having a big bag on the front of a bike.
I DO have a whole different setup. I have a mosquito hammock, sil-nylon over-fly, nylon under-fly, down 3/4 under-quilt, PUFF full length under-quilt, down over-quilt with foot box, polyester sleeping roll liner, & a telescopic folding bipod. I live in Texas where we spend summers trying not to hyper-therm over 100F, winters trying not to hypo-therm under 20F, & spring & fall varying between winter & summer conditions depending where the wind blows. I can hang between 2 trees or posts, or with only 1 post available I can support the other end with my bipod. The hammock seals out biters, the over-fly deflects rain & dew, the under-fly deflects chill wind, & the quilts provide insulation that I can layer as needed. I can hang the over-fly to shelter without the hammock, or use the under-fly as a vertical wind wall. Sleeping in high winds just rocks me like a baby. I rarely use my tent or inflatable mattress or ground cover.
I am a minimalist camper. I just bring a PU coated polyester tarp, a sleeping bag and a foam insulation mat. Yes, the mat is a bit bulky, but it doesn't weigh more than an inflatable mattress and I sleep pretty well on it.
Drawback of the tarp of course is that you need to find a proper spot with a tree and suitably even ground in correct orientation to the wind.
My sleeping bag could do with some upgrading. It's a cheapo, the filling starts to get tired and the synthetic fabric is not very appealing. I like your setup with the liner. Something to consider.
My kit is almost exactly the same as yours and I've been using it also on the motorcycle for years although we don't seem to have many cheap but good alternative tents here in Australia. Love my Big Agnes copper spur though, thanks for the vid
Hi Mike, Haven't done a tour yet, but I have loads of camps under my belt already, as part of hiking, bushcrafting and backpacking. Can't do that now due to ankle damage but I can ride a bike so last September I got a new bike and have been building up the touring kit and my bike fitness since.
My sleep an shelter system is based on yours with a few exceptions, mainly to reduce cost. The tent is the 20D green Cloud Up 2 that I got based on your (and others) reviews. I have a OneTigris hammock quilt already which I can use until the temps drop below about 8deg C. My sleeping pad is the NatureHike 120mm ultralight pad. I need comfort at 53 years, and my back hurts when I lay down. This pad has no additional insulation but I compensate by using a 1m x 2m Mylar/Foam sheet underneath. Almost covers the entire tent base and offers good protection for the bathtub from inside damage. The insulation this provides is significant. The pad also has a dry bag that can be used to inflate the pad in about 4 goes, saving your breath/energy, and preventing/reducing mould from getting in the pad from breathing.
I have the AegisMax Nano 2 sleeping bag which I have yet to try, and an OEX thermolite liner (very similar to the Sea to Summit Reaktor liner) on the way.
I also have a hammock system that I use in the woodland areas. I prefer to hammock camp as it reduces the pain in my back, and is much more comfortable than sleeping on the ground. My hammock system is quite heavy right now, being specified for bushcrafting it's made of robust parts, but I'm looking to introduce more lighter weight items so I can transport it on the bike.
My first bike touring trips will most likely use the tent system though we'll have to wait until our lockdown ends and the weather calms down before venturing out. Stay safe Mike, best regards from the UK
Andy
Hi Mike. Every time I see a youtube notification about your channel I'm so excited to see your video ! This morning i saw your adventure with Darren Alff from Prague to Vienna ! Great video ! Greetings from Romania !
Thank you George! You're comment surely made my day better. Thanks for the kind words.
Hi Mike. Another great video. Because of your presentation I bought the Sea to Summit pillow you demonstrated. It is a bit expensive, but oh my goodness what a great product and very comfortable. So a note from me to your subscribers would be to buy this pillow. I sleep so much better. Thanks.
Hello Brent! Yeah, it's one of those things you have to try out to believe. I guess most people just stuff a bunch of clothes inside a stuff sack. But as you point out your sleep really improves when you have a proper pillow. Thanks for the feedback!
Hey Mike, i always appreciate seeing the different kits people select, and reasons behind the selection. My choice leans toward cost, my opinion of it's value, vs name brand. Features, workmanship and material quality usually wins out. I'm with you on tent entrance...I use a double vestibule/double entrance two person tent. The rest of the kit is pretty similar to your's, though maybe not at the same level. Anyway, there's a bit a satisfaction outfitting my kit without having to donate a kidney. : )
Always enjoy your videos Mikael...hope you and family are all well.
Thank you, Mike. This was a really helpful and informative video. I have a similar setup but I also carry a ex-army Gortex bivvy bag as an additional sleeping option when I don't wish to pitch my tent. It also offers additional insulation, comfort and protection inside the tent when the weather is really bad. I look forward to more of your videos. Cheers. Joe. UK
Glad you liked it, and thanks for taking the time to write a nice comment!
Excellent video. Well done. I have Naturehike Cloud 1 tent and the same small sleeping bag. I use an emergency blanket to cover the sleeping pad. I have another emergency blanket which I can use as an additional layer for me as well. They are so tiny and light. All the best.
Hi there Mike, nice video, but for the tent I personnaly prefer one that can be set up in the rain, I have and old army tent from para commando team, you can set up outer lining first and then attach the inner tent so it stays dry if it rains. I saw a tent at Decathlon the "Forclaz trek 900 ultralight" you set it up with inner tent attached, so it stays dry, on you tube I found some tests and they all say it is a good tent. For the ground tarp,as I live at the sea, I when to a sailmaker and explained what I wanted and he took the measures and made a tarp with the eyelets for the pegs, in a heavy duty sailcloth but not heavy in weight. For the sleeping bag liner, it is a great idea I used one in silk (or similar) material, so bag stays clean, and you can wash the liner on road easily in a river or at a tap. And just forinfo in french they call this a meatbag (sac à viande) .
Snow in King’s Lynn as I watch. Mongar 2 for me. Summer down sleeping bag with liner, and lots of clothes if it’s cold. I’m vaccinated now, so feeling invincible 😂
Congratulations on both the vaccine and the snow. They have started vaccinating people over here as well, but I'm sure it's a couple of months until It's my turn. I'm not exactly in the most prioritized age group.
Just lucky with the vaccine, it was for the old folk, but logistics with transportation of the Pfizer jab means there was plenty for us NHS cannon fodder. It’s horrible wet snow here, and all the cars have summer tyres so not much fun, but better than being at work. Hope you are all well, and I love the double fenders
you make some quality videos mike!
Glad you like watching them!
I have a Mountain Designs down sleeping bag, a lightweight Coleman sleeping bag for summer, an Exped synmat 7 sleeping pad, an Exped inflatable pillow and an MSR Hubba tent. For me the pillow is essential. Given how comfortable, cheap and compact they are, I cant see any good reason to use the clothes in the stuff sack option. I have friends who do, but they seem to enjoy martyring themselves.
Very nice reviews. Cold and snowy my kind of weather. Take care and stay safe, Al
Thanks Al! We got dumped on last week. We got 70 cm (almost 30 inches) of snow in 2 days. Now we've got a couple of rest days from all the shoveling until the next blizzard hits us on Thursday.
Nice, my setup for camping on my CRF 450L is very close to this having the 20D Cloud up 2, the Aegismax Nano 2L and the Thermolite reactor extreme. But I went with the S2S Etherlight XT and a nature hike pillow. Unfortunately I had the pillow before the Etherlight and I would probably by the Aeros if I had to get a replacement. But the inflatable nature hike pillow is a very good value option, it is slightly smaller and comes with a slightly padded pillow case which for me was the big difference and the soft material made it very nice to sleep on.
Hi Mike. This was a good thorough look at your gear and great explanations as to why you use each piece of gear. My last video of my Texas tour comes out today and I hope to do a follow up similar to this soon with a Q&A. I love the Sea To Summit pillow. I'm a side sleeper and this really helps me to get a good night's rest which really helps on the next days ride. Your explanation of down verses synthetic should help a lot of people decide what will work best for them and hopefully all of this information will help to get people outside. Great video and WOW, look at the snow. We finally got 4" (10cm) here in Texas but it was gone the next afternoon. Lol Take care and atb, Tony
This a great tent to use The North Face Stormbreak 2 Tent
I second that, I've used it for 4 months daily and it has served me well.
Great review, thanks Mike 🙏
Thanks Mike, might try out that pillow. Looks a decent size for the weight of it.
Hi Mike! If you're thinking about buying it, make sure to get the large model. I have the regular one as well, but the difference is like night and day. With the regular version you almost have to inflate it to it's maximum, which maks it really stiff to sleep on. With the large one I usually have it inflated to about 50-60 % and it really feels great at that level. It's hard to explain, but believe me, go for the large model.
@@BikeTouringMike Thanks Mike. That's the issue with my current Alpkit one. It's quite small so needs more air, making it firmer. That Seatosummit looks like you can almost sink into it a bit like a normal pillow. Any extra luxury helps!
Akto / Exped Synmat 7 / Mountain Hardware Phantom Spark / stuffsack & fleece is my combo. Either that or Mrs F70100 meeting me at the end of each day with our campervan 😀.
Very informative video, Mike. Thankyou.
Thank you Ian! Glad you found it useful.
Thank for the information , i like it very positive.
Nice load out Mike , I also have the aegismax UL for summer and its great lightweight and packs away really small . Pillow looks quite big but packs away really small , might have to take a look at one ... TFS atb Dave
It's takes up less space than a Kopparberg ;-) Plus it barely weigh anything. The large one is the one to go with though. I have both and the regular one is to small and stiff for my taste.
I actually carry two light weigh pillows. As a side sleeper I find I need the height to be comfortable. I need to find a thinker pillow. Well worth the tiny weight/space for a good nights sleep.
I'm a side sleeper too, but I just put my inflatable pillow on top of my clothing stuff bag which is the rectangular roll top type which I just pat down flat. The inflatable pillow does tend to slide around, so I cut to size a piece of anti-slip mat (the kind used on car dashboards and kitchen cabinets) and placed it between the pillow and stuff bag. Doesn't slide much now, but it does create squeaking when I move about. So earplugs. =)
Another great Video Mike!! Being a Swede, I thought you would have a Hilleberg Tent? - very $$, but excellent quality and reputation. I wouldn't consider the camping pillow a Luxury at all.....getting a good night's rest is crucial when travelling on the bike and a good pillow certainly helps. I still have the original Thermarest one i bought back in 2017 for my first tour through New Zealand. That Sea to Summit one you have looks great though :)
Thank you Stephen. Hilleberg is a great tent brand, but maybe a little bit overkill for what I do. If I was camping in the Swedish mountains alot it would be great, but for my purposes my budget tent is enough for me.
I'm late. I have an old Sierra Designs Clip Light tent, I think. I haven't used it for some time so will have to put it up and then turn on a sprinkler to see if it is still waterproof with the fly on. It was a very light tent back in 1988. It is blue. I use a heavier synthetic rectangular sleeping bag, because I hate mummy bags. Then I have a sleeping pad similar to yours. I need to buy a pillow. That technology was not around in 1988.
I'm starting to research a tour that might be done on my e-bike. I'm thinking two nights? or three? and might stay in motels so I can charge up my bike. This all depends on Canada letting me into their country as it is a bike trail in the U.S. north to Canada, then a bit of road and onto another bike trail, then a road back. The border has been closed for almost a year now. I don't know whether to carry camping gear or not. Also, I dropped my bike off at a bike shop for a tune up. I wanted to learn how to take off the rear tire--it is complicated. The bike mechanics told me not to do it because it is hard--a cable must be disconnected and brake taken apart. They told me my tires were so good, I'd probably never have a flat (Schwalbe Marathons) so now I feel cursed. It is a Dutch bike, a Gazelle Arroyo. It's good to ride but difficult to work on.
Take care.
I buy the naturehike cloud up 2 green, allso there madrass whit pillow in same, same sleepbag as u but bright green...
Hi Mike, Great video. Would you still recommend the seatosumit Comfort Plus XT rectangle sleeping mat? Does it keep you off the ground when side sleeping? Thanks!
Hi, thanks I think I do similar stuff to you and was planning a months trip to Norway in June mm maybe next year.
Just bought a tent , had Terra Nova laser space2 great tent for 2 . Was looking at Naturehike mongar 2 , like you top tents expensive and don't camp on mountains too often . But came across wild country foehn 2 half price at £125 made by terra nova their 'skoda' level. Its good quality ,green and has 2 side doors so ticks all my boxes.
Ah sleeping bags I now take 2 lightweight summer down bags a naturehike square down sleeping £70 but my old one has had it so looking at a down sleeping blanket £36 and a liner which I've opened up the bottom as I hate getting my feet hot.This sounds a lot but no bigger than a med down sleeping bag. I find that especially in say portugal in winter its still quite warm when I go to bed so too hot with warmer bag but gets really cold then I pull second bag over me . Anyway that works and flexible and same price actually less than my old Rab down bag.
I have a thermarest x lite amazingly small size and weight but seemed to go down a little at night and exped pillow ok not perfect.
I use carradice super c rear panniers and their large saddlebag ang barbag and have loads of space. But don't film etc.Do you take a chair' Oh i use Anker solar panel about £30 which was great.
Hope this is useful.
Been looking at the Foehn - but seems a little on the heavier side - how do you find it?
@@paulkennewell2752I've only just got it and weight wasn't my main concern as its 2 man , decent quality made by terra nova, self standing with 2 side doors . I literally came across it looking through terra nova site and it was half price. Also the porches are a good size. Obviously I don't want to be carrying a massive weight but I don't mind for a tent that i'll use for a few weeks at a time and I'm a bit of a plodder!
I used the Naturehike Cloud Up 2 a few times and then upgraded to the 3F UL Lanshan 1 (side door which I also prefer) with a trekking pole, and then also upgraded that to a folding carbon fibre stick. More costly overall but shaves of about 500g in weight.
About the smallest sleeping bag you have, is it possible to use that with an emergency blanket to get a better temperature rating and still enjoy the small size and low weight? I currently only travel in warm places and don't actually bring a sleeping bag at all, but I'd like to try going to cooler places next. Would like to avoid having to own multiple sleeping bags.
Hi Mike,
The link for the sleeping pad doesn't work. I thought I'd just let you know ;-)
Cheers
Hey Mike - thanks for the video! I am not comfortable purchasing down materials given the inhumane practices required to gather it. Do you have any recommendations for synthetic yet affordable sleeping bag / sleeping mat? Thanks
Hi, long time watcher first time commenting haha, very informative video. What size is your aegismax SB? I’m a 185cm tall and I don’t know if I should buy the 180cm or the 2m one.
Ortlieb bag shower is a Must, if its cold u could hot 1L water, but the shower is very important. Feel and stay clean helps to sleep very well and confort, feels home. I saw a bycicling touring pro never shower, its uuuuhg
Never thought of bringing this, but I might consider it. I think in Darren's defense when he's been cycling here up in Scandinavia a shower isn't as necessary as it would be in your region. Most of the year it's not too hot so you don't really work up a sweat, and therefore can go for a couple of days without a shower. I try to stay at campgrounds now and then to take care of my hygiene.
very nice video
Thank you Moshe!
The two dislikes are the wheels
Hi Mike, I am planning a northern sweden summer bike trip. And my current sleeping bag is Marmot Fulcrum Eco 15, which has komforttemperatur: -6°C and limit: -12.9°C. Would that be too warm for the summer? I am also planning to go to the mountain areas like Kebnekaise.
Northern Sweden is a really big area so it differs a lot in temperature. The big sleeping bag I showed in the video has a comfort temperature of -5. I have never used that for a summer tour around here. But then again you say that you are thinikng about going to Kebnekaise. If that is the case it could definitely come in handy, even in summer. The weather up there can change from super warm to cold and miserable in 30 minutes. But if you're not doing that, my recommendation would be to go for a sleeping bag at around +5C. That should cover most weather. Usually summer night temperatures lies between 5-15 C in Northern Sweden.
Mike, congrats for the vídeo.
Now that I see you biking in the snow, would you tell me which type of shoes do you use? I am hardly cold but my feet get cold even sometimes in early summer. I will be able to go in shorts and a T- shirt but I suffer from cold feet. Any typ will be highly welcome😊😉
Vad är din erfarenhet av Thermolite Reactor? Jag har en billig liner idag och den är väldigt jobbig att ta sig in i och ut ur när den är inuti sovsäcken. Materialet för Thermolite Reactor verkar mycket mer töjbart så kanske inga sådana problem.
Nice 👍
Tack för tipsen. Vad är det för kudde du använder?
So, you're not riding the Brompton today, Mike?
No, unfortunately I don't own a Brompton.
Why do I need the same gear you have? I'm not you.
2x speed. Thank me later
Tack för tipsen. Vad är det för kudde du använder?
Den heter Sea To Summit Aeros Premium Pillow. Finns på Amazon, Outnorth mfl. Kan verkligen rekommendera den.
@@BikeTouringMike tack