Sleep

Tent ("Home"): I'm traveling with a friend so we get to split up the weight and bulk of a tent, but since it is the only "indoor" space we have, we opted for a three-person tent as opposed to a more compact/light two-person one. Although it is a little heavier, we decided on a freestanding, double-walled model because it is more versatile and resists the morning dampness that can come from a single-wall condensation trickle.

"Bed": Sleep comfort is always important, especially when you're pushing your body day after day. The difference being comfortable and sleeping well makes on your ability to keep going in a sustainable way cannot be overstated. This is tricky because comfort usually also comes with weight/volume so it was a balance I had to strike when considering weight, warmth and volume. Ultimately I splurged a bit and got a thick (3 inches) inflatable sleeping pad in a rectangular shape so that I could move around a little with an R-value of 4.2. R value is a proxy for how insulated the pad is from the ground and it makes a huge difference once you're sleeping in temperatures below 45-50 degrees. Even if you have a very warm sleeping bag, if the air below you is cold you will feel it. it packs down to just 3 inches in diameter and is easily stored on one of my fork bags. For a sleeping bag, I went with a down spoon-shaped (think mummy but wider from the waist up) bag, rated to 15 degrees. The model I got has heat "gills" so its comfortable in a wide range of temperatures. It weights about 3 pounds and packs down to a bit over 8 liters so it isn't the smallest or lightest bag but it's plush and for a sleeping bag has a bit of a luxury feel. It occupies an entire side of my fork but I felt like it was worth it. I also have a tiny inflatable pillow. It is only a few ounces and a little bigger than a deck of cards but my neck appreciates the nightly support.