Life's better outside with Bundy Outdoors

Like most things when it comes to hiking, a sleeping bag needs to be small, compact, but comfortable and ultimately warm. It seems like a lot to ask, but with ongoing technological advances, you can most certainly have your cake and eat it too! What are the different types of Hiking Sleeping Bags? Just like camping sleeping bags, hiking sleeping bags come in all shapes, sizes and temperature ratings and can be filled with natural fibres such as down or have a synthetic fill. Rectangular Sleeping Bags: Rectangular sleeping bags are the most traditional shape; they tend to be seen as room and have space to roll over or stretch out. Mummy Sleeping Bags: These shaped sleeping bags are shaped exactly as they sound, like a mummy of Egypt. They are wider at the shoulders and taper down to the feet and all tend to have hoods. They are snug but do offer limited movement if you are a restless sleeper. How do I choose a hiking sleeping bag? The first step is to choose what activity y...

What’s the best sleeping mat for me? Sleeping mats come in an almost endless range of size, shapes, colours, features and benefits and can range from less than $10 to well over $400. Deciding what is going to be the best sleeping mat for you can be a difficult process and there a several things that you should take into consideration before making a purchase. One of the most important features is of course comfort, and when it comes to comfort there are many variables that influence the level of comfort a mat can provide. Some of these variables you need to consider is the climate and terrain where you are most likely to be using your sleeping mat which in turn effects the insulation and padding features needed for a great night’s rest. For example, if you plan on sleeping directly on the ground in an alpine climate, then a sleeping pad with insulation properties is a must to avoid getting a chill from underneath. Another thing to think about is noise, yes that is right noise. D...

A sleeping bag is something that most people have used or owned in their lifetime, whether it was used for a school camp or if you and your family are long time, seasoned campers. But not all sleeping bags are created equal and not all sleeping bags can be used year round or are suitable for every single trip you undertake. What is the purpose of a sleeping bag? The purpose of a sleeping bag is to keep the user warm by trapping body heat. The comfort ratings developed for sleeping bags are developed for the average person. The purpose of a sleeping bag is to keep the user warm by trapping body heat. The comfort ratings developed for sleeping bags which are used by most manufacturers are developed for the average person using EN/ISO (EN 13537) standards developed in 2002 and is still the only international rating system set by a standardised laboratory test. Is there a sleeping bag that can be used for everything? Season, weather, and location all play a vital role in the quality of y...

Sleeping Bag Liners are placed on the inside of your sleeping bag. There are several key reasons to use a sleeping bag liner, and these include additional warmth, hygiene and to extend the life of your sleeping bag. What are the key benefits of a sleeping bag liner? Warmth: One of the key reasons people use sleeping bag liners, is for extra warmth. Just like sheets on a bed, a sleeping bag liner can add different levels of warmth depending on what it is made of. Sleeping bag liners can be made of light weight silk , cotton , or a combination of both , further sleeping bag liners can be made of fleece which creates a soft and cozy cocoon inside your sleeping bag in the cooler months. Hygiene: Again, just like sheets, a sleeping bag liner creates a barrier between your body and the sleeping bag itself, helping to protect it from body oils, sweat and any creams/sprays you may have put on your skin. And like bedsheets a sleeping bag liner can be removed regularly for washing, ensuri...

Lets get the low down on down. If you have ever spent a night outdoors, either camping or hiking and you spent the whole night shivering and desperately awaiting the sun rise, then you understand the need for a quality sleeping bag with the right temperature rating. Down are the fine under-feathers that provide superior insulation and warmth in waterfowl (ducks, geese). Down has long been used as the epitome of warmth and luxury in beds, pillows, doonas, duvets, jackets and…. You guessed it, sleeping bags. Down as a filling is more expensive but has a better weight to warmth ration and can be packed down smaller than synthetic fills. And when cared for properly, a down sleeping bag can often last longer than synthetic sleeping bag. And price will vary greatly over the range of sleeping bags depending on the brand, quality, fill power and weight. Why can a Down Sleeping Bag last longer than a Synthetic Sleeping Bag? Down as a natural fibre is surprisingly resilient, and can with...

Hiking is a great way to get out and experience first-hand the great outdoors in all its glory. Hiking can be as simple as a day trip in a National Park right through to an epic 14-day adventure or longer. Hiking is similar to backpacking wear you have everything you need to survive right there in your backpack, Including items such as a Hiking Tent, Hiking Stove and Cookware, Hiking Mats and Pillows, Clothing and Food. All these items are generally made to be extremely lightweight and compact to allow for you to easily store and carry while adventuring. What Do I Need to Go Hiking? There are many products on the market designed to make your next hiking trip successful, while there are some cool products out there, not all are essential to everyone. Below is a basic outline of some the items you may need for your next hiking and backpacking trip. Hiking Backpacks: One of the most critical components to being able to successfully hike anywhere in the world is to have a reliable and...

Daypacks are the perfect solution for the traveller who wants to leave most of their gear at their base location, and carry the smaller important items like passports, wallets, cards, and cameras. A daypack is also the perfect solution for any outdoor activity that requires you to carry more gear than you can put in your pockets. Daypacks come in all shapes, from backpack attachable, to stowaway compactable, and a practical daypack will help make your day-to-day activities easier to complete and help you on your journey.   Daypacks are not only for hiking, or travel but are common amongst commuters and businesspeople alike, a daypack is convenient to carry and large enough to accommodate a wide range of day-to-day essentials if necessary. What to look for in a daypack? There are four main things to consider when purchasing a daypack: Purpose/Activity: How will you use your daypack? This will help narrow down your search to those bags that have the features you requir...

Installing a spotlight on your car or 4wd can improve the amount of area you can see during the dark. Spotlights can offer a greater degree of view increasing visibility during low light conditions. Not all spotlights are for driving, some spotlights are used for hunting, fishing, security, and rescue. Spotlights can be mounted to any fixed point on a vehicle. A spotlight such as Powa Beam Spotlights can be mounted on the roof of the vehicle with a remote handle located in the cab allowing the spotlight to be moved and rotated into position to illuminate the subject you are trying to see. You are also able to mount a spotlight to the door of your car or 4wd without the need to permanently modify the body of your vehicle. This can be done with the use of a window mount. Vehicle mounted spotlights are available in LED, Halogen and HID. How do you pick spotlights? The first thing you need to think about is how you are going to use your spotlight. If you want to pinpoint something ...

Hitting the trail can be tough just carrying a backpack, but to keep yourself and your child happy on the trail, it’s important to select a carrier pack that excels in comfort, safety and build quality. The child carrier backpack should be adjustable for both the wearer and the child as they grow. A child carrier backpack must have a supportive design that provides a safe and comfortable experience for both the child and parent/carrier. Each backpack must have a quality load distributing harness, a good suspension system and adequate padding. Organisation is no less important in a child carrier backpack than it is in an adult’s hiking backpack. You still need to be able to take the all-important essentials. Ventilation is also important as not only will the carrier need to have sufficient ventilation to maintain a comfortable carrying experience, but the child too, must have adequate air flow. What should I look for in a Child Carrier Backpack? ·      Safety ...