At 1.2 ounces, the Petzl Bindi is the lightest of our picks, past and present, and the difference is noticeable (our previous running headlamp pick, the Black Diamond Sprinter, weighed a little over 4 ounces). Many running headlamps include a strap that goes over the top of your head, which can be uncomfortable, but the Bindi’s cord manages to keep the headlamp secure without one. It’s also adjustable with one hand and much easier to wear with a hat or ponytail. The Spot 400 has an IPX water-resistance rating of 8, which means it will work submerged in up to 1.1 meters of water for up to 30 minutes. We dropped the light into a shallow bucket of water and it continued to shine, even in the water.
Like other high-end air mattresses, this version has air coils for added support and comfort, as well as a flocked surface designed to hold sheets in place. And at 45 pounds, this air mattress is on the heavier side, but we appreciate that it comes with a rolling case for easy transport. The manufacturer promises a quick and easy setup, taking only three minutes to inflate and deflate.
The bag’s mummy cut fits close to the body and features a shaped draft collar and adjustable down-filled face gasket to keep warm air in and cold air out. A nifty glow-in-the-dark zipper with an anti-snag slider allows for easy entry and exit. The bag may also be zipped up with another compatible Mountain Hardwear sleeping bag (with a right zipper) to create a bed for two. It comes with a compressible stuff sack and mesh storage bag for transport.
Designed to contour to a woman’s figure for the most comfortable, body-mapped, thermally efficient sleep, we loved the additional zippers along the side of this bag. Plus, the zippers allow for added ventilation if you start to feel too warm. This lightweight bag has a jacket-style hood that contours to the shape of a woman’s face for a cozy fit, plus a cordlock that lets you un-cinch it with one hand. When used with the brand’s sleeping pad, it protects from the cold ground. After using the bag for a total of five nights in temperatures ranging from 24 to 31 degrees, we loved its warmth and comfort regardless of whether you’re a side or back sleeper.
After six months of using this sleeping bag, we love it whether you’re heading off on a cold weather expedition or mountaineering trip. If you’re planning to take it on an intense climbing trip, the safety quotient is well worth the higher cost. The one downside to a very lofty, down-filled bag is often packability, and this bag takes a little longer to pack up. Our top pick is the Marmot Sawtooth 15, which we found impressive for its versatility, comfort, and innovative design features. But there are a lot of factors to consider when selecting a sleeping bag, including the temperature range where you intend to use it and your sleeping style (side, back, starfish, restless). To accommodate a range of needs, we also chose our favorite bags for side sleepers, kids, and budget-conscious campers, among others.
We then literally (and carefully) leapt into each mattress and noticed how well it stayed put or if it felt unstable or scooted across the floor. The next day, we checked to see if they’d lost any support and remeasured their height to see how much they’d deflated. One of the most common concerns with air mattresses is their durability, so if any of them showed wear and tear or ripped during handling, we took note. Once they were deflated and put away, we appraised the portability of the packaged air mattresses. We noted if they came with a storage bag or case, how heavy they were to lift, and whether the pumps and cords were tucked neatly away. Finally, using all of our ratings, we determined the top air mattress for every situation and budget.
I purchased this sleeping bag for warm weather camping trips at the local lake. For fifteen dollars I wasn’t expecting (or needing) anything that would stand up to freezing weather. Unfortunately the workmanship was more than a little upsetting, even for that price. It’s built with inflatable safety bumpers around the entire perimeter of the mattress, and even if your child were to accidentally roll off, the bed is just a few inches off the ground. While this option is on the pricier side compared to some on our list, users say it’s worth the splurge, thanks to its superior comfort and ease of use.
It’s filled with 850-fill down insulation, which provides optimal warmth, comfort, compressibility, and packability, and the 10D recycled shell is both lightweight and durable. The mummy cut is designed to maximize the warmth-to-weight ratio, and the four-chamber hood helps to maintain an even loft around the head. The contoured ozark trail backpack footbox follows the natural position of the feet, and the draft collar blocks the escape of warm air from inside the bag. Sleeping is a very personal experience; we all have our individual styles and tendencies. Temperature is one factor; some folks are always cold at night, while others run warm or even hot.
For dog walks and evenings at camp, the middle setting (200 lumens) did just fine. (This also made the battery last longer.) The lowest setting is 6 lumens, which is bright enough to read a map by. The Spot 400 is an easy-to-use, bright-enough headlamp that provides long-lasting battery life and reliable performance, year after year. Whether you’re headed ozark trail backpack into the backcountry or just taking your dog on a nighttime walk, with a good headlamp you’ll never be caught in the dark. Backpacking Light community posts are moderated and here to foster helpful and positive discussions about lightweight backpacking. Please be mindful of our values and boundaries and review our Community Guidelines prior to posting.