Now that you have an idea of what kind of pack to throw on your back and what kind of tent you’ll want to call home, here’s some advice for how to survive those Arabian or African nights…
SLEEPING PAD
One of the most important aspects of the sleeping pad discussion is packability. For that reason, sleeping pads like these Big Agnes ones on the left, that end up looking a lot like a raft are a great option. They deflate all the way down and roll up in a little sleeve. A lot of people also like Therm-a-Rest pads. Thermarests have a little more than just air for a cushion and don’t puncture as easily, but they don’t pack as small and aren’t as cushiony when inflated. If you are a side sleeper then you will want all of the cuhsion you can get! A sleeping pad is an item that you could buy online once you know what you want. It’s not a bad idea to take your pack with you to the store and see how the pad fits inside or outside of your pack. Whatever you do, keep in mind that this will often to be your bed and you cannot underestimate the value of a good night’s sleep. Try sleeping on it at least once before you Launch.HEADLAMP
The main thing to say about a headlamp is to just get one. You’ll use it a lot, especially when you need to walk to the bathroom in the middle of the night or when you want to play cards after dark with no electricity. You will frequently find yourself in places where electricity is not available at night or is sporadic. A head lamp is also great for when you want to read and your teammates all want to sleep.
MUMMY VS, NOT MUMMY
When shopping for a good sleeping bag a good shape to look for is a mummy bag. It cinches around your face and in the event that you end up in a real cold spot, which will probably happen once or twice, you’ll be glad to have a warm bag. The pciture on the left is a mummy bag. Speaking of warmth, there is always the question of what degree bag to get. The jury is still out on this one because everyone has a different level tolerance when it comes to hot or cold temps. Most guys’s body temps tend to run a few degrees higher, so a 20-40 degree bag might work great. For those who dread being cold, a 0-15 degree bag is probably a good idea.
SLEEPING BAG
SYNTHETIC VS. DOWN
There are two types of filling for your sleeping bag. A true down filled sleeping bag is lighter and will pack smaller. It’s also more expensive and can be very tough to deal with if it gets wet. A bag with synthetic filler is a bit heavier and won’t pack down as easily, but is no problem if it gets wet. It is generally recommend that you get a synthetic bag for the Race as you never know when you might get rained on and you’d hate to have to wait a day or two for your bag to dry out. However, a down bag can be worth the risk if you are diligent about keeping it dry.
MUMMY VS, NOT MUMMY
When shopping for a good sleeping bag a good shape to look for is a mummy bag. It cinches around your face and in the event that you end up in a real cold spot, which will probably happen once or twice, you’ll be glad to have a warm bag. The pciture on the left is a mummy bag. Speaking of warmth, there is always the question of what degree bag to get. The jury is still out on this one because everyone has a different level tolerance when it comes to hot or cold temps. Most guys’s body temps tend to run a few degrees higher, so a 20-40 degree bag might work great. For those who dread being cold, a 0-15 degree bag is probably a good idea.
SLEEPING BAG LINER
There may be times when it’s too cold to sleep on top of your sleeping bag or too warm to sleep inside. You can find what’s called a sleeping bag liner to use in this instance. They sell some that are made of silk. You can use it as a standalone item when you want a little less than a bag, or you can use it like a sheet inside your sleeping bag. A cheaper alternative to a silk sleeping bag liner is to bring an old top sheet with you. The great thing about having a top sheet is that it makes it feel more like you are sleeping in your own bed from home. They can also serve as a room divider, a towel, or a toga.
PILLOWS
Many Racers opt for the Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow because it can do just that – compress down. You can also use the draw string to hook it to your pack and have hands-free traveling. It’s also not a bad idea to bring a pillow case from home. It helps keep your pillow clean from dirt and sweat (which there will be a LOT of) and is another way to help it seem like you’re sleeping in your own bed. This isn’t the only option though. You can bring a pillow from home or even tote along the ever popular Pillow Pet. A Pillow Pet may seen ridiculous now but there will likely come a time when a fluffy stuffed lady bug is just what you need to make it through the night. You will likely want to avoid any blow up pillows because they have a tendency to get holes in them and/or deflate through the night. No matter your choice, bring at least one or two pillow cases. (Tip: Pillow cases can also double as laundry bags.)
