A sleep system is the sum of the things you use to achieve a good night’s sleep outdoors. It can be broken down into three component categories: Sleeping Bags, Sleeping Pads and Pillows.
1. Sleeping Bag or Quilt
Traditionally, sleeping bags have been the sole choice for the adventurer in terms of insulation, but in the past few years, quilts have risen in popularity due to their lighter weight, unique comfort and targeted design. Both sleeping bags and quilts use either down or synthetic fill to insulate and achieve their EN/ISO temperature ratings. Picking the right fill type - Synthetic vs. Down, temperature rating and size is how you arrive at a solid choice for component #1.
2. Sleeping Pad
It is important to take a close look at the R-value of any pad because this measures how much the pad insulates you from the ground; the higher the number the more insulation the pad provides. If finding your perfect sleeping pad feels daunting, check out our ultimate guide to sleeping pads help guide you through the process.
3. Pillow
Even if you have limited space in your pack, you can fit the Air Head™ Lite in your pocket on the way out the door. Gone are the days of waking up in the middle of the night with the zipper of your jacket pressed against your head, Therm-a-Rest has you covered with our lineup of backcountry-ready pillows.
4. Bonus Category: Clothing!
When measuring the EN/ISO temperature ratings of sleeping bags in our cold chamber, the sensor-loaded mannequin that tests the bag is wearing clothes. That’s right, it is wearing base layers, which means sleeping bag temperature ratings assume that a real user is wearing clothes. Base layers are critical to staying comfortable all day and all night. A warm hat and fresh socks stave off frigid temps, while a dry base layer on top and bottom ensures that your sweat doesn’t leave you chilled.
Check out our blog post for more detailed information on this topic.