To view product reviews and more product comparisons like this, visit the Motorcycle Test Kitchen category page.
No matter where you go, there you are—and you have to get some sleep. For motocampers, this
can mean anything from parking lot asphalt to a quiet, perfectly groomed campground. We all sleep
different, and there’s bound to be a portable, packable solution to your sleeping needs in this month’s moto gear roundup.
Abel Brown Alpha Blanket
If you’re a hot sleeper or simply don’t like the confines of a traditional sleeping bag, you can turn yourself into a cozy taco inside this generously-sized (80”x51”) blanket. It’s filled with synthetic down, so it weighs just 22 ounces and will dry quickly if it gets wet. You can cram it into a stuff sack as small as 8”x6”, which makes it easy to pack on your bike. Perfect for keeping in the car, SUV or RV for unexpected layovers.
Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket
Another blanket? Absolutely! This one launched the entire brand, and its stylish “Rocky Mountain sunset fade” color scheme makes it not just functional, but beautiful as well. These blankets are durable thanks to their VersaWeave outer shell and can even be staked to the ground with loops at each corner. The filling is 100% post-consumer recycled synthetic, so it’s eco-friendly, too! Available in multiple colors, sized for one person (52”x75”; 7”x16” packed) or two (84”x80”, 8”x19” packed).
Sea to Summit Traveller
Down Sleeping Bag
This one offers a great transition from a blanket to a bag, as it’s easy to use open or closed thanks to a full-length zipper and drawstrings at the shoulder and foot. With its 650+ fill rating, it’s good down to about 45° F (7° C)—perfect for three seasons in moderate elevations. The website adds a “women’s comfort rating” of 52° (11°). You can even zip two of them together to share with a friend. Packs down to less than four liters of space.
Feathered Friends Swallow
UL 20/30 Sleeping Bag
One of 35 different sleeping bags offered by Feathered Friends, the Swallow Ultra Light is the company’s flagship offering and comes in fills suitable for temps down to 20° F (-7° C) or to 30° (-1°). The 30° bag is less expensive, but both mummy-style bags feature a high-tech water-resistant yet breathable outer fabric holding in 950+ Fill Power Down. YKK zippers keep things smooth when you’re getting in or out, and adjustable baffles help you direct insulation to your cold spots. Weighs just 21 ounces and packs down to about eight liters.
Big Agnes Dream Island
20 degree Doublewide
Let’s face it—camping with a companion is simply more fun, and it’s even better when you snuggle close. The Dream Island DW facilitates all sorts of camping shenanigans without having to zip two bags together, and it’ll keep you warm down to 20° F (-7° C). It features ripstop and water-repellant synthetic outer fabrics and 50% post-consumer recycled filling. It’s a beast to pack, though, coming in at nearly seven pounds and requiring quite a bit of pannier room. Still—if you’ve got the space and a snuggly friend, it’s probably worth it!
For more product features such as this, visit past issues of our magazine, the BMW Owners News.
