Mother Nature doesn’t take reservations.
And that means she may displace you at any time, place or season, which is exactly why you need to be prepared with the most rugged, badass sleeping bags and tents on the planet. So, if you’ve got no place to stay and the temperature heads south of zero or you find yourself on the hard ground until the floodwaters subside, you’re covered. Literally and figuratively.
SLEEPING BAGS
Product: Sol Thermal Bivvy
MSRP : $30
Description: Waterproof, windproof and built for survival! This bivvy reflects up to 80 percent of your radiated body heat back to you!
The metalized non-woven fabric provides protection against the elements and reflects heat, weighing only 9.1 ounces.
It’s built to last through snowy conditions and is AMK’s top-selling item.
Product: Sol Emergency Bivvy
MSRP : $17
Description: It’s only 3.8 ounces! This pocket-sized SOL Emergency Bivvy is your backup against the unexpected.
It’s available in an ultralight stuff sack, can be used repeatedly and it’s made from rip-resistant heatsheets to reflect 90 percent of our body heat.
Durable, repairable and will give you the comfort of extra warmth
Product: Grouse Mountain
MSRP : $259.95 TO $279.95
Description: 600-fill goose down for optimized insulation. A half pad sleeve allows for attachment to the pad, with wiggle room for legs
Mummy shape decreases weight and packed size; cotton storage sack and nylon stuff sack included
Built-in pillow pocket holds a fleece or Big Agnes pillow
Product: Emergency Bag
MSRP: $3.99 AND UP
Description: Provides shelter against wind and rain while retaining body heat to keep you alive
Prevents or treats hypothermia
Comes in a compact box, readily available for emergencies
Product: Emergency Bag
MSRP: $3.75
Description:This emergency sleeping bag is pocket-sized, handy and lightweight
Keep it in the glove compartment of your car, a backpack or emergency kit
Designed to reflect 80 percent of radiated body heat for warmth and dryness; use as a sleeping bag, ground cover or radar reflector
Product: Dreamlite 500
MSRP: $95
Description:The affordable Dreamlite 500 has a Polydown soft Polyester fiber fill, lined with soft-nylon Taffeta
Lightweight (1 lb. 5 oz.) and packs down super small; great for a summer sleeping bag that’s not too bulky and hot—even use it as a sleeping bag liner for winter.
For the extra tall, Dreamlite is also available in long
Product: Women’s Casper 15°F
MSRP: $134.90
Description: Features Rteq insulation that is a blend of four unique polyester fibers for denier, loft, weight and thermal efficiency
The Women’s Casper is the anatomical shape that fits the female form—4 inches shorter and 2 narrower than the regular Casper, while generously cut at the hip level
Has the feel of cotton; insulation-filled draft tube runs the length of the zipper to hold in warmth
Product: Snowline +20° Down Sleeping Bag
MSRP : $229
Description: 600-fill premium European goose down. 40-ounce denier ripstop nylon shell, raised footbox for comfort, YKK zippers for smooth closure
3-season mummy bag with down insulation—ideal for drier conditions; nylon stuff sack and cotton storage bag
Product: Coromell O
MSRP : $239.95
Description: 550-fill power down, 40D nylon ripstop and 50D polyester micro-pongee liner
This bag features a removable hood and other extras like sleeping bag security loops, slant-baffle construction, Cheveron stitching, two-way locking blanket zipper, hang loops for storage and zippered chest pocket
Unzip the hood in warmer weather
Can be fully unzipped and opened to use as a flat blanket
Product: MTN Speed 32
MSRP: $400
Description: Insulated 850-fill down provides outstanding warmth. Max warmth, with minimal weight—15.7 ounces! Five chamber hood design maintains even loft around head for consistent warmth. Insulated draft tube with anti-snag panel prevents cold spots along the zipper line
Product: Women’s Eleanor 30
MSRP: $259.95
Description: 600-fill down for light weight and warmth
Stays drier seven times longer than untreaten down, retains 34 percent more loft than untreated down exposed to moisture, dries. 33 percent faster than untreated down. Revolutionary DriDown technology for a “hydrophobic” finish
Product: Traverse Series
MSRP: $479 TO $569
Description: 850+ loft European goose down and protected with 3D NanoShell technology for water repellency and condensation management
Prepared for winter camping in subzero climate
Relaxed mummy shape cut larger on the hood, broader on the shoulders and at the chest for comfort
Product: Lone Pine 20
MSRP: $89.99
Description: Fleece-lined hood, two-layer construction adds warmth and prevents cold spots Flip-over hood allows user to flip the hood inside out for flatness or shape Anti-snag zipper protection; draft tube along zipper for heat loss prevention; extra foot space for comfort, without the bulky weight (29 ounces)
TENTS
Product: Jagged Peak
MSRP: $299.99 TO $349.99
Description: Easy entry and ventilation with two doors covered by mesh windows. Two vestibules for gear storage and extra weather protection. Easy assembly with pole clips that quickly snap over tent poles
Product: Fly Creek 2 Platinum
MSRP : $499.95
Description: Three season, freestanding and ultra light Packed weight is only 2 pounds, 3 ounces. Made of breathable ripstop nylon and polyester mesh Sparse, fast and adventurous— just like you
Product: Katabatic Tent
MSRP: $599
Description: A four-season expedition tent with double-wall construction for condensation control, two-vestibule design for space and storage, steep walls for maximized floor space and a 6-pocket interior organizer for your gear. Made of 40D rip-stop nylon, polyester and aluminum poles ASG12.
Product: Skylight Tent
MSRP: $449.95
Description: Part of the Superlight Series, capable for three seasons with a hybrid single/double-wall construction; the tent’s front has a mesh inner wall for ventilation and panoramic view 2-3 person capacity with one door opening . Weight when packed is about 5 pounds.
Product: Zeus 2 Classic
MSRP : $209.90
Description: Light and large, this innovative design is for the solo traveler but can expand to accommodate two campers Minimum weight is 3 pounds 14 ounces. Aluminum frame, easy set up, high and low venting door vents for circulation and mesh storage pockets.
Product: Eureka Solitaire
MSRP: $94.90
Description: Eureka’s most compact solo tent, for perennial backpackers Minimum weight of 2 pounds 9 ounces. Durable 6.3 mm of fiberglass frame, nylon pole sleeves aid in set up and stability, has two storage pockets and one flashlight loop.
Product: Shangri-la 3 Tent
MSRP: $199.99
Description: This tent for three weighs in at only 4 pounds 5 ounces. Combining the Flysheet and Nest, the versatile Shangri-La is light, has two larger peak vents, high internal gear loops for clothes lines and hanging items. Pitches with 4 stakes, packaged with 8 Mesh is designed to keep bugs out, but let air flow in for summer nights.
Product: Supermega UL 2 in Tree
MSRP: $430
Description: Mountain Hardwear’s lightest two person backpacking tent for three seasons, weighing in at just more than two pounds Designed for going fast and light without compromising in protection, strength or storage space Watertight construction with fully taped fly, vestibule for added storage and convenience
Product: Parthenon 4
MSRP: $399.95
Description: Equipped for three seasons, with a capacity of four people. The freestanding design means easy set up, with more than 61 feet of floor space. Great for a comfy night’s sleep with the whole family under one roof . A double track door unzips to create a full awning that provides protection from the sun or rain when sitting outside.
Product: Polar Tunnel 4
MSRP: $999.95
Description: Four person, four season tent . The low-to-the-ground design is built to withstand strong polar gusts of wind, while also being weatherproof . Built to house a team of four intrepid winter adventurers, with plenty of space, air vents and hanging pockets ASG.
Editor’s note: A version of this article first appeared in a 2013 print issue of American Survival Guide.