Bed roll suggestions please

[EtienneB]

Before I post a new thread I always search to see if something similar already exists, it seems in this case, not.

I will start to frequent a spot in the bushveld where there are beds and mattresses already, I just need to take my own bedding.2x pillows, sheets, season suitable duvet and a blanket or two. I need something dust and waterproof and as compact as possible, if it is small enough I can carry it on the (adventure) bike as well.

I am sure I am not the first ever person on the forum who has had this thought . . If I have to have it made, so be it, but I have no clue about sizes.

[Emmie L]

Again, here I am with my trusty down duvet. It folds up so tiny. There's a reason why I like it for camping. It's lightweight, but warm.

[Spiceman]

Tents direct used to have this. I don't know if they still fo it.

https://meerkatoutdoor.com/

[EtienneB]

Again, here I am with my trusty down duvet. It folds up so tiny. There's a reason why I like it for camping. It's lightweight, but warm.

Well noted, and I will (al)most certainly include it in the package. I am saying (al)most because I will have to get one then. Geld, waar is jou einde . . .

[Spiceman]

At some point, in the '90's it was quite popular in the SA Army with members deploying a lot. It was funded by members themselves, it was not issued.
But it was quite large, since trucks were used for transport.

[EtienneB]

At some point, in the '90's it was quite popular in the SA Army with members deploying a lot. It was funded by members themselves, it was not issued.
But it was quite large, since trucks were used for transport.

I remember them, I used one a few times back in 1984. This is the concept I am after, albeit with modern enhancements, like Emmie's down duvet.

[Peter Connan]

I always thought this was exactly the type of thing the sleeping bag was invented for? Just wish their bags had enough room to accommodate a pillow.

[Viertrek]

Before I post a new thread I always search to see if something similar already exists, it seems in this case, not.

I will start to frequent a spot in the bushveld where there are beds and mattresses already, I just need to take my own bedding.2x pillows, sheets, season suitable duvet and a blanket or two. I need something dust and waterproof and as compact as possible, if it is small enough I can carry it on the (adventure) bike as well.

I am sure I am not the first ever person on the forum who has had this thought . . If I have to have it made, so be it, but I have no clue about sizes.

During my backpacking days I used to use my old army bivy shelter. In case you don't know what a bivy shelter is.

It is basically a smallish waterproof nylon tarp (2m x 2.5m if I remember correctly), with press studs all round and with gromets in strategic spots to tie it down.

You can use it like a normal tarp to make a rain shelter or fold it in half and clip it together to make a sort of bed role type "bag" where you can put your sleeping bag in and just sleep on the ground with no other ground sheet or other protection, just like a bed role. It protects one in a normal sleeping bag from cold winds, rain and dust.

It is strong and light and folds up smal, so easy to carry in a backpack.

Maybe it gives you an idea.

[EtienneB]

During my backpacking days I used to use my old army bivy shelter. In case you don't know what a bivy shelter is.

Think it's time for a visit to the army surplus store close to Voor HK in Pretoria.

[Viertrek]

Think it's time for a visit to the army surplus store close to Voor HK in Pretoria.

While you are looking for a bivy shelter, also try to get a groudsheet as well. I think the groudsheet is 2m × 1m and made of a thicker stronger nylon. We always used the groundsheet underneath, especially when you use the bivy as a rainshelter. The groudsheet also rols up small and are easy to attach on a backpack.

We normally would put the groundsheet at the bottom of a trench, dug for one person, and then pitch the bivy as a low profile rain shelter or roof over the trench, when rain or heavy dew is expected. It makes for a relatively safe and cozy sleeping quarter in the bush.

More than one bivy can also be ckliped together to make a larger shelter. Very versatile piece of kit.

I still have my bivy and groundsheet. But it is used for other purposes, nowdays.

[BushNomad]

SA Railways used to bring that bedroll
in a canvas cover ... blankets, sheets and all
rolled out in a minute ...

[Viertrek]

SA Railways used to bring that bedroll
in a canvas cover ... blankets, sheets and all
rolled out in a minute ...

But isn't it to bulky and heavy to carry on a backpack?

[Fred56]

But isn't it to bulky and heavy to carry on a backpack?

The canvas bedroll, with mattress is far too heavy for a backpack, I think mine comes in about 12 kgs.

[BushNomad]

But isn't it to bulky and heavy to carry on a backpack?

It is indeed ...
but as per OPs opening post
he's taking everything the same
except the canvas cover !
I would just take a Sheet to cover
the mattress, a pillow & a Down Sleeping Bag
that can be opened out as a duvet .

(I was just reminiscing about
the good days on Shongololo etc !)

Dont think he's BackPacking .

[Maml]

If there's a mattress and it's undercover (except you ask for waterproof as well, which could just be for the travel part of the trip?), then tarp, pad and groundsheet possibly aren't needed, unless you're going to use the system 'under the stars' in which case a 3mx3m tarp would be ideal (plus cordage, pegs, etc).

Sleeping bag, inflatable pillow and bivi will be most suitable in terms of dust & weather protection (plus tarp if in the open).
Otherwise there's always the lightweight hiking tents that will do what the bivi, tarp and groundsheet will do, only better.

I've used the 'highlander hawk bivi bag' very successfully in all types of weather (camp and climb shops).
Add your favorite sleeping bag and pillow (suggest the sea to summit Aeros), plus ground sheet/tarp and you're good to go (my tarp is imported, but anything around 700g-1kg will be good).

If no mattress, then I'd add an inflatable pad & a cheap, closed-cell foam pad to protect it from the ground/punctures.
Plus, it will be your lightest/smallest option for throwing on a bike.

With all 'light and fast' or MotoX gear you get what you pay for, hence the prices are usually steep. The kit lasts though, if you look after it.
Some of my stuff is 20+yrs old & still going strong.

Hope that helps.

Edit: there are also 'swag bags' available (likes of 4x4 or canvas camp shops), but not suitable for bike transport (canvas bag that all fits into & is rolled up).

[BushNomad]

This is an inflatable pillow,
of Memory foam I think .
Can be rolled up, and if properly tied,
to be 1/4 of its open Volume .

... but a Down Pillow can also be
tightly rolled ... & thats what I would use.

[Damdan]

"(I was just reminiscing about
the good days on Shongololo etc !)"

Correction.
The good days were about the oranje snel, transkaroo, bloutrein and a 4th one I have now forgotten

[Viertrek]

"(I was just reminiscing about
the good days on Shongololo etc !)"

Correction.
The good days were about the oranje snel, transkaroo, bloutrein and a 4th one I have now forgotten

I have used the old groundsheet and bivy a lot, for stealth caming nex to the road, during my Ride Safe days in the army. I had a 1200km route from Potch to Springbok and use to carry my groundsheet, bivy, army sleeping bag, gersey, bush jacket, raincoat and waterbottle, all in a tog bag with our unit logo on it. Obviously toiletries as well.

Big part of this route was through the Kalahari and the nights can get cold in that part of the country.

But the setup had served me well and every thing fitted inside an tog bag which can easily be carried while on the road.

[EtienneB]

It is indeed ...
but as per OPs opening post
he's taking everything the same
except the canvas cover !
I would just take a Sheet to cover
the mattress, a pillow & a Down Sleeping Bag
that can be opened out as a duvet .

(I was just reminiscing about
the good days on Shongololo etc !)

Dont think he's BackPacking .

Quite correct, it is not for backpacking purposes. It is really only the bedding, like in the good old days, for me, even further back. South African Railways.