Any time you are thinking about loading up the car for a weekend of fun in the great outdoors, there are a number of things to consider when packing. An avid outdoorsmen myself for many years, I will be the first to tell you that the older you get, the more comfort your body will require while sleeping in this environment. “Travel light, freeze at night!” is a phrase to remember. Quite simply, when you plan your trip and think about everything needed, where do you cut from your packing list to save on weight? But we’re taking a canoe you say…
Imagine putting two men that weigh 170 lbs each into a canoe going down a river. Chances are your not going to have many problems. Consider for a minute however the weight factor that is added when you take along a tent, fishing gear, a cooler (including ice, food and drinks), sleeping bag, lantern, and the occasional kitchen sink. Now take that times two men and we may have to start looking into cutting some things out. How deep is the water where you will be traveling? Will you be dragging the bottom during the entire trip? What will you do if you end up having to forage the canoe around an obstacle such as a downed tree or worse yet, a waterfall? In some cases you will be required to carry your canoe quite far to make your way around such a obstacle. Do you want to carry a canoe plus all that other gear? Maybe you’re ok with making two trips.
There are many options that you can choose from when purchasing a camp bed or sleeping mat as they are sometimes called. First things first, don’t settle on a cheap sleeping bag. Spend the money on a good, yet lightweight bag that packs up small. If you plan on taking a tent, only take a tent that will serve your needs. If there are two men going, you won’t need a three-room eight-man tent. See where I’m going with this?
Camp beds come in all types and sizes. Once you apply the thinking above to your situation, go from there and decide how important a good night’s sleep to you. The most important thing a camp bed or sleeping mat does is it puts a layer of something between you and the ground. They’re not designed mainly for comfort as you might have thought. They help keep you warm believe it or not. Having even just a half-inch layer of foam between you and the cold ground can make a big difference in how well you sleep at night. Foam mats are cheap and can weigh as little as 8 oz. and as much as 2 lbs. Cost ranges from $10 to $40 depending on the material and thickness. They do add comfort, but are mostly for warmth.
Next we have the more comfortable air mats. Slightly thicker, they weigh just 2 lbs and can be self-inflating or blown up. On the upper end of the scale, there are mats with cushy pillow tops and plush fleece covers that can keep you warm and have you feeling refreshed in the morning. These mats weigh in at 8 lbs and have a hefty price tag. Though they roll up easily, but they are not exactly compact.
Another option is the air mattress. We have all seen them used around swimming pools. Light, easily stored and compact, the made-for-camping models are even puncture resistant. Yes I said resistant! They come with a repair patch if that tells you anything. Starting at $15, they are not a bad investment if you’re full of wind and feel like blowing the thing up right before bed. Pumps are available, but what are you saving by having to carry a pump along with you?
Last, but not least we have a great bed to be used in the canoe situation. The metal frame cot weighs just over 7lbs. and can hold up to 225 lbs. It folds up nicely and can be stored in your canoe easily. They are priced at $25 to start and can go as high as $80 for one that can support upwards of 300 lbs. They can also be used in the bed of a pickup truck quite well and even at home if needed.
Any of these beds can be purchased at your local sporting goods store or online from a number of outdoor shops. I hope you find this information useful to your next adventure.
