Bedroll vs. Sleeping Bag: Building the Best Sleep Setup

Trying to choose between a bedroll vs. sleeping bag? Here’s a secret: You can use both! However, there are some key points to understand, such as their features, benefits, and when you might use each separately.

So if you’re confused about the difference between a bedroll and a sleeping bag, Beckel is here to straighten it out.

Bedrolls vs. Sleeping Bags: What’s the Difference?

Bedrolls are essentially canvas tarps that are portable and lightweight, designed for a variety of outdoor activities, from bushcraft and cowboy camping to hunting. It’s also important to note that bedrolls, typically consisting of a durable canvas outer shell that you can sleep inside, are also the term used to describe the entire sleeping system, which includes a sleeping bag and sleeping pad. Ideally, you combine both the bedroll and sleeping bag, which is often where the confusion lies in choosing between the two.

To help explain, we’ve broken down the features and benefits of a bedroll and a sleeping bag, so you can better understand how they work together and the reasons why you’d want to use one over the other.

What’s a Sleeping Bag?

Most of us are familiar with sleeping bags. After all, sleeping bags are used by a wide range of outdoor adventurers, from car campers to outfitters. Designed like a zippable cocoon with filling, sleeping bags offer a modern setup that is both lightweight and insulative.

However, sleeping bags are primarily used within a tent shelter, on a sleeping pad, away from any moisture. How else can you use a sleeping bag? Inside a canvas bedroll tarp.

Here’s what defines a sleeping bag (and how it benefits a bedroll):

• Insulative filler and temperature ratings: Sleeping bags offer synthetic or down fillers that play a role in the temperature rating and trap your body heat, keeping you warmer inside a bedroll on cold nights.

• Protective shell: The outer fabric resists wind and light moisture, especially when paired with a rugged canvas bedroll cover, allowing you to sleep under the stars.

• Shape and design: Mummy bags help conserve the most body heat, while rectangular bags offer movement. Whatever you prefer, a bedroll shell keeps it stable on the ground or pad.

• Solo or system use: Works independently, but truly shines as part of a bedroll, offering a more weather-resistant shell that’s perfect for the backcountry.

What’s a Bedroll? Features, Benefits, and More

Typically, you’ll find canvas bedrolls (although they are made of other materials as well), which act as a durable outer shell. The outer shell could be as simple as a tarp, but there are advantages to using one made of canvas material.

• Long-lasting and durable canvas shell that provides a rugged exterior to stand up to hard outdoor surfaces and terrains. Breathable canvas fibers also provide airflow and limit moisture, keeping you comfy all night long. Beckel’s bedroll is made of water-resistant 10.1 oz Sunforger cotton canvas.

• Portable roll-up structure (usuall ywith straps and buckles) makes rolling, packing and transportation easy for long-haul trekking and outfitting adventures.

• Versatile shape and size unfolds and doubles as a practical tarp during all types of weather conditions, protecting you, gear, dogs, horses, and more.

• Zippers allow you to slide in and out while trapping heat and keeping you secure from things like bugs, critters, and slithers as you sleep. The Beckel bedroll has zippers that unzip completely or allow a second bedroll to be attached (for couples, families, and roomier double sleeping bags).

• Grommets on some bedrolls allow you to tie the bedroll off as a tarp or shelter.

Shelter & Warmth: Bedrolls and Sleeping Bags Working Together

Combining a bedroll and sleeping bag offers even more comfort and warmth to your sleeping system. Inside a bedroll, you can place a sleeping pad, a sleeping bag, and even a liner, rolling them up and keeping everything contained. Then, you can secure its straps to saddles, packs, or any other means of transportation you choose for heading to base camp.

Below is a list of what’s typically inside a traditional canvas bedroll setup. Feel free to adjust as needed. After all, there are exceptions to the rule and personal consideration to factor in.

• Sleeping Pad: Works as insulation from the ground and extra soft cushioning. Inflatable sleeping pads or a foam pad are ideal, as they are lightweight and pack down nice and tight.

• Sleeping Bag and/or Wool Blanket: Sleeping bags and blankets provide extra warmth by trapping heat inside the canvas bedroll. Bushcrafters use wool blankets, often as an alternative to a sleeping bag. Wool blankets are the more historically accurate and the traditional bedroll setup.

• Liner: This sheet-like liner keeps sweat away from the main sleeping bag interior, minimizing the need for cleaning. But for warm nights that don’t require sleeping bags, a liner can also protect your bedroll.

• Pillow: Think inflatable pillows. This could be as simple as a stuff sack filled with clothes. Beckel’s canvas bedroll features a sewn-in internal flap that covers your head – a handy addition in case of rain or cold weather.

More About Bedroll Practices and Additional Care

Exceptions to the Sleeping Bag and Bedroll Combo

Using bedrolls and sleeping bags together is not always necessary. Factors such as climate, season, terrain, your shelter (if you have one), as well as the size and weight you (or your horses/mules, bike, or ATV) can feasibly carry, all factor into the decision between a bedroll vs. a sleeping bag.

For example, during freezing temps and heavy rain, you might reconsider a bedroll, as you’ll need a more protective tent shelter anyway.

Another exception is if you prefer hammock camping. Slinging your hammock between trees above wet ground means no need for a bedroll. All you’ll need is a sleeping bag and a pad.

Spot Cleaning Bedrolls

One aspect of canvas bedrolls is that their natural material inherently patinas as it ages. Whenever and wherever it travels, it shows more and more character, telling a story of its own. Some folks appreciate the beauty in that.

However, if you do get a really bad, unsightly stain, canvas bedrolls are easy to clean. You spot-clean the outer shell with mild soap and water. No need to use bleach or a washing machine – it can ruin and deteriorate the canvas. Just keep it simple and spot clean.

Final Thoughts

Bedrolls offer a timeless way to sleep outdoors. In fact, they’ve been around for quite some time (take a look at Life inTent’s article about bedroll history). The cowboy-inspired sleep system will keep you warm at night and double as shelter when needed.

However, if you don’t want to sleep on a noisy blue tarp that sounds like a chip bag, and you want a modern canvas version, take a look at Beckel’s canvas bedroll – an updated take on a classic piece of outdoor gear.