Sorted for a Tent, bit big when packed but should fit across me Oxford Tail bags. Really want to squeeze everything in the Tail Bags I've got so gonna have a play about loading the bike up at the weekend and see what will fit.

Seen this for a sleeping bag �42 http://www.outdoorscotland.co.uk/sho...eeping_bag.htm

I like the idea of a hammock for a spot of 'rough' camping - Instant camp and bed if there are suitable trees (and they do reckon that hammocks are as comfy as anything when you set them up right) but can also be used as a tent/bivvy in the absence of trees. http://hennessyhammock.com/use-as-a-tent.html

I know this is a bit late but i have used bivy bags for a good few years and a good goretex one will add another few degrees easily to your sleeping bag, army surplus ones should be fine if in good nick, i also use a thermarest as i went off blow up airbeds in sub zero temps and find these are better insulation, hope this (belatedly) helps, regards, Jim

I've done a fair bit of cold weather camping (and warm weather!) - I've camped at the Elefantentreffen for 4 out of the last 6 years and in 2011 went motorcycling and camping in Norway. in February. in -15 to -20 deg C.

I really enjoy camping in the snow.
http://www.sweller.co.uk/norwaybound2011/#DSCF6289.JPG (I was on the old Armstrong).

Elefant 2010:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...1&l=f33670ed67

My top tips are:

Decent tent with Alloy poles (fibreglass break at very cold temps)
Coleman Dual Fuel stove is the best and most reliable I've had (I've tried a few and seen others use theirs, the Coleman just works but it's a bit heavy) - gas is utterly useless under freezing.

For sleeping:
Thermarest - this is a must.
I use an Army surplus cold weather sleeping bag. The absolute ********.
Like this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/British-Ar...-/171206597930

I find sleeping in socks and thermals allows for that extra few degrees chill

Another top tip: make sure you keep your boots in the tent as if you drunkenly leave them outside they freeze solid overnight and you can't get them back on....

I've been dreaming of a Hilleberg tent (maybe one day :eusa_wall:), but have been curious about hammocks for a while now. The other day, a workmate (ex-Canadian) brought his hammock (War Bonnet - Blackbird) to work and set it up in some trees. He showed me its features and let me have a test lay. Seemed really comfy, and has some great features. No worries about terrain (unless there're no trees, although can use as a bivvy bag in a pinch), works well for hot/cold weather, bloody light, small pack size (no poles), and also makes great chair/lounge. Damn sight cheaper than a Hilleberg too.
It's got me thinking.

The eternal dilemma. I camp year round and in various locations from high mountain huts and snow holes to summer beaches and commercial valley campsites. I have tried 'layering' with silk liners, fleece liners, bivvi bags etc and also tried different sleeping bags sizes/weights/temp ratings. My conclusions are . . . there are no ideal solutions. As with all things it is personal preference but if it helps anyone, here is what I have found works for me in some different situations.

Take the temperature ratings on the bag as a guide only. A bag that says 'good to -5 is never actually good to that temp. You will survive but certainly not sleep comfortably.

Bivvi bag over sleeping bag. Good. I use this a lot, especially in snow holes (for obvious reasons of water) but also in the summer to help facilitate wild camping, be it beach or woodland. There is nothing better than sleeping in the open without being surrounded by a tent when the weather is fine. If the weather is forecast fine and/or warm then I often use a tarp as well as the bivvi bag. The tarp just gives peace of mind just in case it rains but obviously no thermal qualities. Tarps are also good for shade when exploring in hot weather for a lunch siesta. Bivvi bags DO add warmth but not a huge amount. The hooped bivvi bags are a great idea and some swear by them. I tried then when I was in the army and found them a little claustrophobic. Sort of the same hassle as a tent but without any of the benefits. Tarp and simple bivvi bag I find better. You can sit up and also cook under a tarp.

Silk liners and fleece liners are useful but I tend to find them hassle as well. I get tangle up in them when I get up for the inevitable wee in the night having drunk to much beer the evening before! Fleece can be fun as you can get static shocks and flashes of light as you move around in the night. Sort of your own internal lightning storm. Not conducive for good sleep though. Both silk and fleece retain thermal properties when damp.

For me the system of owning loads of sleeping bags works. My son informed me the other day that I have 11. That is slightly wrong though as some are for their use as well. For bike camping I use a chunky winter bag rated -10. This is big in a dry bag on the bike but it weighs next to nothing so not really an issue. I don't use a liner and the bag is a synthetic bag rather than down. Down is lighter and warmer for its volume but looses its thermal qualities when wet/damp. Also synthetic bags can be home laundered easily. I don't use a bivvi bag as I will be in a tent.

For summer camping I use a summer bag and carry/use a bivvi bag as well. What summer bag, 5 degree rating or 10 degree, depends on where. Northern Spain in August, 10 degree, Massif Central 5 degree. Depending on the plan I will either have a tarp or a tent. Occasionally both. A small billy no mates tent is light and easy to pack but useless for cooking in. So the addition of a tarp to act as a porch strung between the bike and tent works well. I can pack a tarp, sleeping bags and sleeping mat (more on that next) and tent into a fifteen litre dry bag strapped on the back of the bike easily.

Sleeping mats. I use a inflatable Multimat. 70mm deep so keeps me off the ground. and comfy. Don't inflate air beds to hard. However air beds are comfortable but can be chilly in the winter. So in the winter I either use a Thermarest or a foil blanket under my airbed. I have never had a good nights sleep sleeping directly on the ground, even the beach, as the ground always gets cold in the night, let alone hard. In fact sand is always cold to sleep on as soon as the sun leaves it, even in the summer.

Tents. Small with tarp for summer or larger with a porch for winter/wet weather. The luxury of dry space for togging up is a must in cold wet weather for me. Most camping with a bike is on flatter ground so a valley type cheap tent is perfect.

However I now refer to my first statement. There are no perfect solutions and its down to the individual and the type of trip and duration. Anyone can survive a night, most can cope with two, but its only the prepared who enjoy camping and can travel for longer periods. All bodies are different as well. My son is the width of a bean pole but sleeps hotter than me. Thus requiring a smaller bag.

Couple of last things. Zips. You will see bags with zips on both sides, big zips, little zips and many other configurations. For me I have discovered that my favorites sleeping bags have either one or no zips. Zips create drafts and are horrible to lie on. Little zips break easily so chunky is good. Zips normally have a baffle inside the bag to help reduce these issues but if the baffle is to small it just jams in the zip. Try any bags zip out whilst lying in it in the shop. You WILL look like an arse but better discover a difficult zip then rather than in the dark on Salisbury Plain. Mummy bags are less comfy than square bags as well. I use a mummy bag for weight saving but on a bike this is less of an issue so use a square one. Finally, if your chilly at night, hat and socks on. You will be sorted then.

Hope that helps a bit. Happy camping.