Camping Gear
I do not do a lot of camping, but when I do, I want my gear to be comfortable and easy to use. Here is a listing of the gear I have found to work well.
Tents
Here are a few tents that I recommend for motorcycle travel.
MSR Hubba Hubba 2-Person Backpacking Tent
My riding buddies Peter and Steven both use the MSR Hubba Hubba tent and have found them to be easy to set up, durable and packable.
MSR Habitude Family Tent (6 Person)
This is a bigger tent that can sleep up to six (4 comfortably) but it is easy to set up, even for on person and provides more space with the ability to stand. If you are trailering your bike to a location or pulling a trailer this tent is a great option. We carry this when Cathy and I camp together.
Sierra Designs Meteor Lite 2 Person Tent
Ove the years, I have used various visions of this tent and of course it has evolved, getting lighter and easier to pack. Sierra Designs always offers excellent quality and the Meteor, comes in 2 and 3 person versions.
Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL Ultralight Bikepacking Tent
Big Agnes offers a line of "bike-packing" tents that are designed to be carried on bicycles--which are also perfect for we motorcyclists. These tents are ultra-light, simple to set up and pack small.
Sleeping Bags
I have a hard time sleeping when I camp, so for me, have to be comfortable. This means that I need to be able to sleep on my side and not fall off my sleeping pad. For me, this means I have gone to "sleeping systems" and zipper-less bags rather than the typical mummy bags.
Sierra Designs Backcountry Bed 20 Degree Sleeping Bag
I have an older version of the Frontcountry bed that is a great three season bag. This is the newer version of the 20 degree bag. I really love the zipper-less design in that it allows me to roll and move without fighting my bag. One cavate is that this bags do pack a little larger than a standard backpacking bag. I use a compression sack to make it as small as possible. Even with the larger pack size, the comfort is well worth it.
Big Agnes Lost Ranger 3N1 Sleeping Bag
This is a bag that I have been looking at as a possible upgrade in the future. These sleeping systems are actually three bags in one. There is a base pad that fits securely over your pad, a outer quilt and an inner mummy type bag for colder temps. The bags comes on both 15 and 0 degree versions and they pack very small.
Sleeping Pads
As I have already mentioned, comfort is very important to me, so I need a good pad.
Exped Megamat 10 Insulated Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad
If you are looking for the king/queen of comfort, this pad is it. Not, inexpensive and it does not pack light, but it is amazingly comfortable. I bought this for my wife, but it is so nice that I now carry it for myself. I am able to pack it and all of my camping gear in a single 60 liter dry bag. This pad comes in both single and double versions.
Less expensive option
Exped DeepSleep Mat 7.5 Sleeping Pad
A less expensive option that will still give you amazing comfort is the Exped Deep Sleep pad. This pad is a bit lighter and packs just a bit smaller, but it is still pretty big at 26 inches long (when packed).
Lighter and smaller packing
Exped Ultra 5R Sleeping Pad
If you are looking for a smaller and lighter packing pad, then EXPED's Ultra series is one to look at.
Lighter, smaller and insulated!
EXPED Dura 8R
Along with the Ultra Series of Mats, EXPED also offers the Dura system of down insulated mats (Downmat technology).
Mini Pump
Save your breath and buy a mini pump!
FLEXTAILGEAR Portable Air Pump MP2 Pro
This is one of the best things I have every purchased! Great for blowing up sleeping pads and it doubles as a tent light.
Camp Stoves
Of course, when camping you need to cook, or at least boil water for coffee.
MSR PocketRocket Deluxe Ultralight Camping and Backpacking Stove
The best small backpacking stove out there is the MSR Pocket Rocket, at least in my opinion. I have used jet boils and they are great for boiling water, but to cook a meal the pocket rocket is the better option.