This summer, my partner and I were exploring new camping gear that focused on comfort. With her being five months pregnant, but still wanting to spend time outdoors, we knew that a bit of “luxury” might go a long way. So here’s what we slumbered upon:
MSR Freelite 3-Person Ultralite Tent
When looking at tent options, we opted to try an ultra-lightweight design. Any weight savings would be justified by carrying less on our backpacking or overnight paddling trip excursions. Tents seem to offer the biggest swing in weights, something tackled head-on in our review of larger, family focused tents last summer. While roomy and offering great weather protection, weight was pushing up to 20 lbs. in some of those models.
Enter the MSR FreeLite 3-Person Ultralight Backpacking Tent. With a packed weight of 2 lbs. 11 oz. we felt that we had have hit a sweet spot. The tent has a quick and intuitive setup combining a tri-pole with a short cross bar. Note, it can help to unzip the tent doors to release tension prior to attaching the cross-bar’s contact points.
The tent comes with six stakes and tie downs that should always be used, as even a small breeze threatens to take this ultralight shelter for a ride. Taking along some spare stakes and extra line might also be a good idea.
One concern that buyers should be aware of is that in interest of keeping weight as low as possible, the rain fly doesn’t extend down to the ground on the headwall side. Most backpacking tents are double-walled, but the Freelite opts for a single waterproof fabric wall on that end of the tent. This might be a concern if your plans include wetter destinations since accidentally pressing against the wall might let some water in.
We found the 3-person size to be plenty fine for the two of us, plus gear and our toddler. But keep in mind, as with all backpacking tents, a “3-person tent” basically means 2 people with some gear.
The interior also features two mesh pockets (with cable ports) and overhead gear loft for keeping things like phones and headlamps off the floor. The complete mesh roof makes this tent a great fit for stargazing on those warm summer nights.
For durability, keep in mind that this tent is made with extremely lightweight and high-end fabric. You might want to consider pairing with an MSR footprint if your weight allowance permits. That said, by using the tent correctly you should be just fine.
Overall, this tent is a great pick if saving weight and picking drier/warmer destinations are your goals.
This tent retails for $560 and more information can be found here.
Therm-A-Rest Boost 650
The new Therm-A-Rest Boost 650 series of sleeping bags has been getting some good traction in the outdoor media space, and with good reason. Featuring a center zipper AKA WarmZip that allows the bag to expand to semi-rectangular shape, creating more unrestricted and cooler sleeping positions. When zipped up, the bag conforms to a more typical mummy shape and increases the temperature rating up to 10 degrees F. Combined with a puffy draft collar and cinch-able hood, this bag offers plenty of cozy sleep options in one compact package.
It doesn’t stop there either. In our opinion, one of the coolest features are the additional side zippers that create arm-holes. Whether you’re reaching for that water bottle in the middle of the night, venting excess heat or reading your book in your camp chair, this added bit of versatility makes it hard to go back to other sleeping bags!
And while we were a bit concerned that all these extra features and zippers would add weight, Therm-a-rest did a great job at keeping the bag light and packable. The Boost 650 comes in two temperature ratings and six different sizes. We tested the Short model in 20F and it weighs 2lbs 4 oz. For reference, the Boost 650 20F in the largest size (Long Wide) weighs in at 3lbs 13 oz.
The insulation is 650-hydrophobic down and mostly bulked around the top, core and shoulders where it’s most efficient. The shell and liner are made from recycled nylon and seem plenty durable to us in the spectrum of backcountry sleeping bags. Needless to say, this bag did a great job at helping my pregnant partner dial in her ideal sleeping temperature. Getting the right size also helps too, she mentioned that often sleeping bags are too big for her, adding weight and dead space near the feet. The size small fit her 5’4″ height perfectly.
This bag ships with a mesh loft sack and nylon compression sack. Some users online called-out the small-size of the stuff sack, and while we agreed that it is a tight fit, it still works. Note, that we did test the smallest size, which might have played a factor.
All things considered, this sleeping bag is a great option for campers looking for versatility in a single unit. The arm-holes and center zip alone are kind of a game changer for temperature regulation and versatility.
This bag retails for $300 to $375 depending on the size. More information can be found here.
Therm-A-Rest Trail Pro sleeping pad
When looking for a pad to pair with this bag, we wanted to try to hit the sweet spot between an ultralight option and the most comfy pad we’ve used for car camping, The MondoKing. As far as we can tell, the Trail Pro pad by Therm-a-rest fits the bill.
Weighing in at 1 lb 14 oz., this regular sized pad works for a variety of different camping situations. Sure, it’s a bit bulkier and heavier than other ultralight models, but we feel the benefits are there to be had if space and weight tolerance are not the biggest concerns.
This is a true all-season pad and is ideal for everything from car-camping, overnight paddletrips and moderate backpacking. The self-inflating foam rises to a 3 inch thickness, providing ample cushion for all types of sleepers. Therm-a-rest claims an impressive warmth-to-weight ratio, obtained by using a continuous layer of thermal foam nestled between alternating ridges of air and foam.
We really like the inflation valve. The wingnut style is intuitive and large in size, making both the inflation and deflation process a breeze. Care should always be taken with your sleeping pads. Punctures do happen, but we found the material used to be both soft and durable.
The stuff sack is a good design as well, with a flared opening and compression straps. Personally, I know I tend to rush morning pack ups and having a stuff sack that is tolerant of my sometimes less than fastidious nature is appreciated.
Overall, this pad offers a great blend of versatility and comfort for the size. Two sizes are available, Regular at $160 and Regular Wide for $170. More information can be found here.
Crazy Creek Canoe IV Chair
We also wanted to include the latest evolution of Crazy Creek’s Canoe Chair. These chairs are just awesome, especially if you pair it with your favorite canoe or kayak. The Canoe IV is made from a very durable TPC coated waterproof polyester fabric, including a pair of drain holes, and includes carbon reinforced fiberglass stays to help support the backrest. And speaking of support, I find that the strap adjustments can help maintain good paddling posture and give my low back a break during those longer days on the water.
Designed with canoes in mind, the chair is easy to fasten to most boat seats and collapses tightly in place for portaging. When off the water, the two side straps adjust for the desired angle of recline next to the campfire.
We highly recommend these chairs as an interesting alternative for those thinking about bringing regular camp chairs on their overnighter – especially for kids that might not mind sitting closer to the ground. It also pairs well on top of coolers (looking at you rafters!) and fireside stumps. Or, since canoe-butt is a real thing, just leave it attached to your boat permanently.
The Canoe IV comes in green or blue for $80. More information can be found here.
—Aaron Black-Schmidt
