Explore the Outdoors With The Traveller Backpack and Microlite 950 Sleeping Bag

As summer arrives, many people will leave the towns and cities and venture out into the forests, mountains, and wilderness areas to enjoy nature. If you are staying overnight, you might need a sleeping bag and you will need a backpack if you are venturing a distance from a road and vehicle. I recently had the opportunity to review two products by Mountain Warehouse: the Traveller 60L 20L Backpack and the Microlite 950 Square Sleeping Bag. 

What Are the Traveller Backpack and Microlite 950 Sleeping Bag?

Mountain Warehouse opened in the United Kingdom in 1997 and over the past ten years has expanded to Canada, New Zealand, and the United States. Most of the outdoor clothing and equipment they sell is of their own brand. Both items are currently available directly from the Mountain Warehouse website. The Traveller Backpack comes in either black or green and is currently on sale for only $69.99 which is a savings of 30%. The Microlite 950 Sleeping Bag is also on sale for just $39.99 which is over 50% off. It comes with a blue exterior and orange interior and you can select to have the zipper on either the right or left side. 

Let’s take a look at each of these products individually.

Traveller 60L 20L Backpack

The Traveller Backpack is actually two backpacks in one. The main backpack is large with a total carrying capacity of 60 L. It also includes a 20 L daypack that easily detaches and connects to the main backpack using a zipper. The full dimensions of the backpack are 29 inches high, 16 inches wide, and 17 inches deep. The backpack weights only 4 lbs and the daypack a little over a pound.

The main backpack has some great features. The interior is one large compartment which is accessible with a study zipper that extends down almost 2/3 the length of the pack. A cinch cord in the liner can separate the interior into two compartments, with the lower third of the backpack accessible from another zippered opening near the bottom of the pack. There are also two straps that run horizontally across the upper compartment to secure a sleeping bag other others items to the interior frame. This keeps larger items up next to your back and prevents them from shifting while in motion. A zipper near the top of the flap opens to reveal another small compartment for keeping items organized. Finally there are straps on the exterior to help keep the back closed and so that all the pressure of a stuffed pack is not on the outer zippers.

While there is plenty of space in the backpack for carrying your equipment, the Traveller Backpack is also designed to be comfortable to use. The padded shoulder straps can be easy adjusted up or down to customize the fit between the wearer’s shoulders and waist. The padded waist belt helps put part of the weight  on your hips to reduce the fatigue on your back and shoulders. There is also a chest strap to hold the shoulder straps together to further spread the weight across your chest so there is less backwards pull on your shoulders. The chest strap can be moved up or down to make it comfortable for both male and female users. 

The Traveller Backpack is also designed for versatility while travelling. In the past, I have had to fly on an airline to get to the location where I was backpacking. This backpack has a zippered panel that unfolds from the bottom of the backpack and uses a zipper to cover the waist belt and should straps, making a smooth surface so your straps don’t get caught on things. I also found this covering great for keeping the straps and belt clean when you are settling in at a campsite. A padded handle along one side of the pack lets it be carried sideways like a suitcase. It also includes a detachable strap that connects to the top and bottom of the pack on one side so you can carry it sideways over your shoulder. Finally, if out in inclement weather, a rain cover can be extended from a flap at the bottom of the pack and wrapped around the pack to keep your pack dry. 

Though the backpack is great for carrying your equipment to your campsites, sometimes you want to take small excursions from your site. The daypack not only provides 20 L of additional carrying space, it also allows you to have a smaller pack to take water, snacks, and safety items with you for hikes without having to take the full backpack. The daypack features one large compartment, a smaller zippered compartment along the back, two pouches along the side and an elastic webbing along the back for attaching things. It is also easy to connect and detach from the main backpack. 

Microlite 950 Square Sleeping Bag

If you are like me, you want to be comfortable when it comes time to sleep. The Microlite 950 sleeping back has a square bottom so your feet and legs have room to move around. It weighs less than 5 lbs. and is 85 inches long so it can comfortably sleep people up to 6’4”. This extra-large sized sleeping bag can be doubled up with another of the same type so two people can sleep together. When doing this, you will need one left-handed bag and one right-handed bag. this is because unlike most square-shaped sleeping bags, the Microlite 950 has a top and a bottom. On the topic of zippers, this bag has a two-way zipper so you can unzip from the top or bottom. This can be useful if you need some ventilation for your feet. The Microlite 950 is considered a 3 season sleeping bag good for late spring to early autumn and will keep you warm down to 40°F. In an emergency, it can help maintain your body temperature down to 14°F.

While the bottom of the sleeping bag is squared, the top is curved almost like a hood. This lets you zip up the top to your neck and have the top cover the top of your head. There are even cords that let you cinch the neck around around your shoulders and close the hood around your head to keep you warmer. The shell and lining are made of ripstop fabric for durability and the entire sleeping bag, including the filling, is 100% polyester. There is even an inner pocket to keep your valuables safe while you sleep. The Microlite 950 stores easily in its included stuff bag which is only 15 inches long and 8 inches in diameter. It will fit easily into the Traveller Backpack with plenty of room to spare. 

Why You Should Get the Traveller Backpack and Microlite 950 Sleeping Bag

Over the decades I have been camping and backpacking, first as a youth and then as an adult leader, I have seen equipment improve tremendously. Looking back at my old frame pack, I can’t believe how much better new backpacks are today. I still have my old sleeping bag from 40 years ago. My father bought me a good quality bag which was extra large and as a scoutmaster himself assured me I would appreciate the room. As I grew up and continued to use it as an adult, his guidance kept me comfortable through many nights outdoors. However, I think I may have found a replacement with the Microlite 950. It has plenty of room and I really like the hood feature which keeps my head warm on cold nights. Plus, unlike my old sleeping bag, the Microlite 950 rolls up into a much smaller size making it great for backpacking. 

I like the versatility of the Traveller Backpack. I find it very comfortable and easy to adjust, even while you are out on the trail. The padding on the waist belt keeps the weight of the pack on your hips and spreads it out over a larger area. I also like the ability to adjust the shoulder straps up and down as well as the ability to pull the back in tighter towards the shoulders or let it pull away depending on the load and how it is packed. The rain cover is always close at hand in the pouch at the bottom and the large zipper lets you open up the front to let you access all of your stuff without having to rearrange it to get it out from the top. In addition, the ability to cover the shoulder straps and keep them clean while laying the pack on the ground or for travelling and to carry it like a suitcase make the Traveller Backpack truly a traveler backpack. If all that were not enough, the detachable day pack is a wonderful bonus. Normally I would have to stuff a day pack into my backpack, taking up space. However, not only does the day pack easily attach to the backpack, it can also carry additional supplies and equipment. It is like its own compartment with more storage. 

Before I had a chance to try out these two products, I had not heard of Mountain Warehouse. However, after using them, I am very impressed not only with the quality of the products but also their price. While they are great deals with the current sales, even their normal price makes them very affordable as compared to similar items. If you are planning a camping or backpacking trip, then I recommend the Traveller Backpack and Microlite 950 sleeping bag. 

Check out the Mountain Warehouse site for more information on these two products as well as the many others that they offer.

Disclosure: GeekDad received a sample of these items for review purposes.

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