The Big 3
The Big 3 generally refers to your sleep system when you’re camping - this includes your tent, sleeping bag and sleeping pad. While there is a plethora of gear available out there. Here’s just a list that should get you started on your first backpacking and car camping trip. When I talk about car camping on this blog, it generally refers to parking your car next to a campsite and you do still have to unload your gear and set up your shelter for the night. I do understand that a lot of car camping nowadays meant sleeping in your vehicle. I unfortunately don’t quite have the luxury to do that yet so do keep that in mind.
I didn’t start backpacking until 2018 and bought a lot of my gear that year. A lot of the gear I own is still the same gear I’ve been using since 2018. I like to think of myself as a medium spender when it comes to gear. Obviously, as I’m going to more trips and whatnot, I do splurge on gear that I think would be more beneficial for me when I’m out in the backcountry (specifically in terms of shedding weight because carrying a 40lbs back out there really isn’t super fun!). If you feel like you’re not quite ready to commit to a piece of gear, there are also places that rent out gear.
REI has a somewhat decent rental program. You can rent out all the basic backpacking gear including tents, stoves, and even a bear canister if you ever find yourself heading into bear country. Check it out here.
Tents
Tents can be quite subjective but one thing to keep in mind is the size of the tent you’re getting. If you’re really looking to save on space and weight, you could potentially go for a 1-person tent. It’s going to feel snug but it does its job. Some people even opt for something basic like a tarp and use their trekking poles to set up the tarp. I personally prefer something more secure like a tent. Since 2021, I’ve upgraded my tent to a 2-person tent even though I go on solo trips. I like the extra space to stretch my legs and store gear. A general rule is 2-person fits one person nicely, a 3-person tent fits 2 people nicely and so on. If you have a backpacking partner, then you could potentially opt for something more luxurious since it’s most likely you and your partner will be splitting the weight.
REI QUARTER DOME SL 2 TENT (CURRENT)
What I like about products from REI is they are slightly more affordable without compromising on quality. This tent also held up well in rain and windy conditions although I don’t think the wind I’ve experienced have gone beyond 10mph. Don’t forget to purchase the footprint, which is sold separately. The tent is currently sold out at REI but the specs and details are still available to view.
I used to have the Quarter Dome SL 1 but I wanted more room inside the tent for gear and now, my dog! They are pretty similar and I like both equally. I used to use a tent exclusively for backpacking trips and car camping trips but recently just found it easier to keep one tent in my car and I’m ready to camp anytime.
REI Quarter Dome SL 1
This is essentially the smaller version of the above tent. I’ve used this tent in many exposed and rainy situations and it has never failed me. The only downside is it is relatively small. Now that I do go camping with my dog, I obviously would want more space.
The tent is currently sold out at REI but you might be able to score a used one for a good deal.
Marmot Tungsten 2P Tent w/ Footprint
I used to have a separate tent for car camping and backpacking but lately I’ve been somewhat lazy and have been using my REI Quarter Dome SL 2 for car camping trips as well. But while I used the Marmot Tungsten, I felt that it was a solid tent. It gave me plenty of room to move around in the tent (essential when you’re trying to change in the tent too!). But one of the poles did snap - the tent is still functional but I wouldn’t really take it out to places where high winds are a potential.
This is a good entry-level tent for anyone that’s looking to get started with camping. I’ve heard people that also take this on backpacking trips but I would only recommend it if you have someone to share the weight with. I own the 2018 version so I’m not sure if the 2022 is different.
Sleeping Bag
When choosing a sleeping bag, think about whether you want a down or synthetic bag. If you’re choosing a down bag, the fill would significantly impact how warm you are at night. I always bring a sleeping bag liner to me just in case my sleeping bag fails to keep me warm. Plus, it keeps the inside of it clean as well.
Some people opt for a synthetic bag in the PNW because down does take longer to dry. It’s never been a problem for me though as I do try my best to keep my gear dry.
KELTY COSMIC DOWN 20 (CURRENT)
I downgraded my sleeping bag back to the Kelty Cosmic Down 20 for now. I’m hoping to purchase the Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass 15. The reason for that is I’m a struggling millennial and sometimes gear can cost a lot of money. For now, I think the Kelty bag is sufficient for all my adventures. I also use it with a sleeping bag liner to increase the temperate rating a bit. I’ve camped in temperatures that got as low as 25 degrees and the Kelty has kept me quite toasty.
What I love about the Cosmic 20:
It’s cheap and it’s rugged. I’m not afraid that this bag would rip or fail me when I’m somewhat rough with my gear. It’s not the lightest or warmest bag out there but at $209.95, it’s a good entry-level bag for someone that’s just getting started with backpacking.
Find the Kelty Cosmic 20 here (they also have a men’s version).
Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass 15
I truly enjoyed the Bishop Pass 15. I took it out a couple times last summer when temperatures dropped to the low 30s. I also had my sleeping bag liner and I never felt cold. When I was camping out in the Goat Rocks Wilderness, I decided to ditch the rainfly for my tent because the weather was fantastic. Plus, stargazing in the tent is a completely different experience.
What I love about the Bishop Pass 15:
This page is also lighter and compresses better than the Cosmic 20. Nonetheless, it is significantly more expensive. They also come in Regular or Long - so if you’re tall, the longer one might fit you better.
Find the Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass 15 here.
Sleeping Pads
When choosing a sleeping pad, things to consider are whether you want an air pad or a self inflatable one. The latter would generally be bulkier and slightly heavier. Air pads tend to generate a little more noise than an inflatable pad though. Another thing to consider would be the R-Value - the higher the R-Value is, the more likely it will keep you warm at night. But like the sleeping bag, these two things go hand in had. Depending on what bag you have, you might not feel any significance with the R-Value until you get a low-temperated rated bag.
I own way too many sleeping pads but I do like to have a good night’s sleep especially when I’m car camping. When I’m doing that, I would stack up my sleeping pads to create more cushion.
Nemo Tensor Insulated Pad
I like the Nemo Tensor Insulated Pad because I’m personally a side sleeper and I think it does a great job to support side sleepers like me. It also creates minimal noise at night which I do hear a lot of complain about the lighter weight options of sleeping pads.
It also doesn’t take long to get the pad fully inflated. It comes with a stuff sack air bag type of thing that they call the 'vortex bag’. You just blow air into the bag and attach it to the valve, and with a few pumps, the pad becomes fully inflated. It’s also easy to deflate and it actually fits right back into the bag nicely!
The one listed below is a newer version and I believe the one I have is still similar but might be a tad heavier.
Find the Nemo Tensor Insulated Sleeping Pad here.
Sea to Summit Comfort Light SI Sleeping Pad
I guess REI has recently stopped carrying this pad or maybe Sea to Summit eventually discontinued it. I bought this because my first Nemo Tensor had a hole in it (I blame it on myself for not knowing my gear better). Lesson learned - don’t put your weight on your air pad while deflating it, the pressure was definitely too much which probably caused the Tensor to pop.
I wanted something that was self-inflating, and I wasn’t sure why. I tried this pad out at REI (like laid on it and rolled on it) and I really liked the feel of it. The fact that it also had these ‘friction points’ (see pattern on the picture) meant that my sleeping bag was shifting less.
I used this for my trip down to the Southwest - it kept me warm and whatnot but unfortunately I found a small hole in it. It was an easy fix as I was able to locate it pretty easily. The pad itself probably weighs too much for my liking but if you’re really going for comfort, you can’t go wrong with this pad.
Nemo Switchback Sleeping Pad
Ahhh, the classic backpackers’ sleeping pad. I bought this because I was going to attempt to only use this on backpacking trips. I couldn’t really handle just sleeping on the mat itself. It wasn’t bad but after a long day of hiking, I was really hoping for something with more cushion. My back did felt sore the day after but it could be due to carrying a heavy pack all day.
I still take this pad with me if I’m looking for extra insulation during colder temps and I always use it as an under layer when I go car camping since weight is definitely not an issue. More recently, I use it as an insulation pad for my dog. I put it under his dog mat so he could perhaps stay a little warmer when we’re both camping in 25-30 degree weather.
Simple piece of gear if that’s your jam.
Find the Nemo Switchback Sleeping Pad here.
REI Co-op Camp Bed Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad
This is one of the piece of gear that I purchased in 2018 and I’m still using it to this day. I like this pad because it’s relatively cush - sitting at 2.5 inches, it has relatively good insulation. Since it’s a self-inflating pad, I usually just lay it out in my tent first and let the air in and do its thing. It is not recommended to blow air directly into the valve since it could cause moisture to get trapped in the pad.
Perhaps that’s why it’s taking a little longer for it to fully inflate. Nonetheless, the REI Camp Bed is a reliable piece of gear. When I’m car camping, I stack my Nemo Tensor on top of it to create a more comfortable pad to sleep on at night. The price tag is also very reasonable, making it a great piece of entry-level gear.
That’s all I have for my Big 3 system. I’m constantly on the lookout for new gear to try but if it ain’t broken, it ain’t trash. While I am looking to shed some weight for my next backpacking trip, I also want to pay attention to the price tag. Just because a piece of gear is more expensive doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better. It made be made of higher quality material but depending on how you use it and how you treat your gear, that could make a difference. I personally don’t like the idea of bringing a $500-tent with me on the trail but if that’s your cup of tea, by all means.