Sleep System

Here's my sleep setup for hill and mountain trips.

In a bothy here, so no groundsheet needed.
 

Pillow

No proper pillow...just a dry sack with clothes inside. 

Ground Sheet

I use a Rab Element Solo Ground Cloth which is designed to be used with the Rab Element Solo Tarp Shelter System.  I bought this because its dimensions provided a generous footprint for my sleeping pads. 

The water-resistant 40D coated nylon material is strong and durable.  I've had mine a few years now...and not a hole to be seen.  It provides great protection from wet ground and things that might puncture my pad.  Weighing in at 180g and packing down to nothing...this is flawless simple kit.

I still ponder whether to buy a bathtub style groundsheet, but I've never had a problem with ground water coming into my shelter due to good site selection.

Closed-cell Foam Pad

The reason I take one of these in addition to an inflatable pad is simple.  If the inflatable gets punctured then I at least have something to insulate me from the ground, which could be critical.

I carry a Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite Sol, strapped onto the outside of my pack, and it makes for a great sit mat as well during breaks.  The concertina folding style is excellent for quick deployment and packing.

With an R-Value of 2.6 it contributes well to winter camping and also provides another layer of protection for the inflatable pad. 

Inflatable Pad

While not giving total comfort, the amount my Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xtherm does give is enough for me to sustain multi-day adventure.  I've tried sleeping on just foam and it's miserable.  Over time I have learnt to sleep better on this pad by alternating sleeping on my right side and then on my back.  After long periods of slumber my muscles will start to ache from being in the same position.  It's not the best...but it suffices.

This pad has been and still is the best pad out there for a few years now.  It delivers the best warmth-to-weight ratio of any air mattress with an R-Value of 5.7 and my long version weighs just 570g.  Combine the value of my closed-cell pad and I sleep on a R-Value of 8.3 which is damn toasty.

It can be a little tedious to pack away but it's a must have item for ground camping.  Mine's still going strong after 3 years which does surprise me...not one puncture.  I think the ground sheet and foam mat does help prevent one from happening but still...I am impressed.  If mine died tomorrow I'd just order a new one.

Sleeping Bag

My sleeping bag, or quilt I should say, is the Revelation X quilt by Enlightened Equipment.  No longer manufactured, it was discontinued in 2014, when the original Revelation quilt was redesigned.  The X model was cheaper in price than the original and used cosmetic seconds outer fabric which was slightly heavier.

I got the long/wide 0 degree version with a 5% overstuff if I remember correctly.  The constriction of  my old mummy bag had been annoying me, so this wide quilt at a good price was a no brainer.  Filled with 850 fill power goose down, the bag compacts down to a reasonable size.

The quilt can be used like a standard sleeping bag or you can attach it to your pad with the straps.  Both work just as good....in warm weather you can even open it right out to form a blanket.  The top of the quilt clips together around your neck and can then be cinched closed to stop warm air escaping.  Simple effective design that works a treat.  As with most quilts it doesn't have a hood...I use my clothing hoods to insulate my head instead.

The quilt has always kept me warm on my adventures and I try to keep it as dry as possible by using a more heavy duty dry bag for it.  Most of the time I don't use a bivvy bag but always carry one for emergencies.  Sometimes I will actually use it for really bad/cold weather, or when I know there is going to be a change in wind direction overnight potentially blowing rain through the entrance of my trailstar.  Normally my shelter is all the protection my quilt needs.

My Revelation X has been going strong for over 3 years now and it has served me well.