This clunky bag is a Coleman Montauk 20F “big and tall sleeping bag” and it’s so big I can’t fit it in anything. I’ve never bikepacked/backpacked/even really camped all my life and I would really like to get into any of it, but I don’t know anyone who does, so I planned to solo-camp. Since I’m extremely broke, I bought some cheap Walmart stuff – i.e. a bag, inflatable sleeping pad, a tent, other equipment and such. — All I want to do right now is try sleeping in the woods for a single night since I’ve never done it before. Can I just cram everything on my bike and wish for the best?
I’ve spent many hours researching all this stuff and I get that a down bag would be much lighter, all the stuff about the temperature rating, etc. But I just cannot afford to get good equipment right now and I just want to dip my toes in the water.
local_gear_repair on
Most folks that are using a rack will use panniers, bags specifically designed to mount to the rack. If you want to give bikepacking/touring a try without spending a bunch of money on gear you’re unsure you’ll keep using, see if you’ve got a friend who can loan you some or if you can find some for cheap on the secondhand market.
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Great post thanks
This clunky bag is a Coleman Montauk 20F “big and tall sleeping bag” and it’s so big I can’t fit it in anything. I’ve never bikepacked/backpacked/even really camped all my life and I would really like to get into any of it, but I don’t know anyone who does, so I planned to solo-camp. Since I’m extremely broke, I bought some cheap Walmart stuff – i.e. a bag, inflatable sleeping pad, a tent, other equipment and such. — All I want to do right now is try sleeping in the woods for a single night since I’ve never done it before. Can I just cram everything on my bike and wish for the best?
I’ve spent many hours researching all this stuff and I get that a down bag would be much lighter, all the stuff about the temperature rating, etc. But I just cannot afford to get good equipment right now and I just want to dip my toes in the water.
Most folks that are using a rack will use panniers, bags specifically designed to mount to the rack. If you want to give bikepacking/touring a try without spending a bunch of money on gear you’re unsure you’ll keep using, see if you’ve got a friend who can loan you some or if you can find some for cheap on the secondhand market.