How We Designed A Backpacking Sleep System With Kids: Part 1

I am all about that sleep, about that sleep! So you can bet your bottom that if I am going camping or backpacking I want a good night sleep. I do not want to be cold. I do not want to sleep on a rock or log. I want a nice peaceful night while enjoying the fresh mountain air. Who’s with me??!

If you have been following our blog you will know more about us and our purpose. If you are just joining us then go learn more about us and what we are all about here and here. As we start to dive into more detail make sure you are caught up and know where to start. Here are some basic tips to get you going.

Traditional

The traditional way to sleep while camping is with sleeping bags or blankets. That is how we have always done it in the past, and it works great. We stay warm and comfortable, and all is well. Even with kids in the mix the night goes fairly smooth. 😉 Car camping with kids is not that difficult. You can pack up the things you need, maybe some extras and head out. You can always pack extra blankets with not worry about weight, just in case you or your littles get cold. If you are worried about being uncomfortable then bring an air mattress, if it will fit in your tent. There is also always the option of a trailer or RV too. So if you get cold go crank up the heat. 😉

Backpacking

Things start to get a little more tricky when you want to go backpacking. The weight of your bag is the first trick. You want the lightest bag possible. Because with kiddos coming along it will be like adding a sack of bricks to your pack. Your pack HAS to be as light as possible WITHOUT sacrificing warmth and comfort. Warmth is definitely a need!  If you or your littles get cold your night WILL be miserable (and most likely the next day too).

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As we have started backpacking with our kiddos, we have been exploring different options to create the lightest and warmest possible sleep system to take with us. Don’t get me wrong there are some amazing sleeping bags out there but they can also cost some serious bucks. So if you are ready to lay down some moolah then go ahead and get yourself the lightest and warmest bag you can find. That is not always an option for everyone though, so we have also been trying to find the most affordable way to make it work.

Trial 1

All four of us slept in a two man tent. We have two Therm-a-rest NeoAir pads the pretty much fill the tent. These pads are on the higher end but are amazing. They are really comfy, insulate well, compact pretty small, and are only about a pound. We laid a down throw blanket that we ordered online from Costco over the pads. In an effort to cut weight and save space, we took one sleeping bag, opened it, and put it on top of us. We used a 0 degree bag from Outdoor Vitals. It weights in at 2lbs 13oz with just the bag. Our eight month old slept with me, and our two-year-old slept with my husband.

Here is what went well:

• Everyone was warm and pretty comfortable
• One sleeping bag and a down throw saved us a lot of weight compared to bringing two or more sleeping bags.
• We still had extra layers which is good because it was a pretty warm night (low 50’s high 40’s) (we could have handled a lot colder).

What didn’t go so well:

• It seemed like my husband and I were playing tug-o-war with the sleeping bag most of the night.
• Our two-year-old is a mover. Having her sleep with my husband wasn’t the smartest idea. My husband ended up wrapping her in his down jacket and moved her so he could get some sleep.
• The overall sleep system was still pretty heavy. Tent about 3lbs + sleeping bag 2lb 13oz + Down throw 1 lb + 2 pads 2lbs = 8lb 13oz

Moving Forward

Now that we have done our first test, we have come away with some new ideas to improve our sleep and cut some weight. Our two year old is going to need her own sleeping bag or quilt so my husband can sleep. We are trying out some simple lightweight and inexpensive down quilts and we are exploring different shelter options to try to cut some weight.  Watch for our post next week to learn about our second sleep system test. We want to work out all of the kinks and mistakes so when your ready to take your kids into the backcountry you have a good idea of what to take and what to leave home.

 

Comment Below: What questions do you have regarding backpacking with kids?

 

Adam & Paige

 

P.S. We love having the ability to get out and hike and camp on a weekly basis. Our business has completely redefined how we schedule our lives. Come learn what we are doing, watch a free live broadcast.

 

If this is useful let us know, comment below, or snap a photo of your adventures and hashtag it #Embrace_The_kids — We love to see the fun things you are doing and the adventures you are going on. Find us: @Embrace_The_Kids

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Inspiration: Grant Cardone, Dr John Demartini, Tony Robbins, Russell Brunson, Alison Faulkner- The Alison Show, The Original Power Couple, North Country Littles, Melyssa Griffin, REI, Osprey Packs, Deuter, Mike Clelland, Ultralight Backpacking.