Men are naturally a tad overconfident. The internet can debate whether that's due to nature or nurture. But it's a given. We men are disproportionately involved in all sorts of accidents, ludicrous street quarrals, and grand yet hopelessly futile attempts at wooing. I'm no exception to this, at least when it comes to accidents and romantic endeavors. And now, you might wonder, what does this have to do with a travel blog about Norway? Well, that's the segue I'm about to make.
When I had just emigrated, I felt it was high time to treat myself to a new lightweight tent. After all, that's why I had come to Norway: for the great outdoors. I'll spare you the entire purchasing process; it unfolded quite spontaneously. It happened to be my birthday, and how pitiful it may sound, I had no one to celebrate it with. So I decided I deserved to give myself a birthday present.
But here's the twist. c Let's start with my sleeping bag. Comfortable down to -5 degrees Celsius, while the temperature was plummeting to at least 10 degrees below freezing. Furthermore, I had brought along a rather basic sleeping mat that provided minimal insulation from the frozen ground.
This brings me back to my earlier point; men are undeniably overconfident. So, if you're a woman reading this, don't fret. You're likely well-prepared for your journey through the Norwegian wilderness. If you're a man or an over confident non-binary, hold the line, as I'm about to impart some excellent advice.
And that advice goes as follows: INVEST IN A GOOD SLEEPING BAG. By "good," I mean a sleeping bag that suits your body size, matches the route you intend to take, and fits into your backpack. The reason it's crucial for the sleeping bag to fit your body size is that the volume of air you need to warm with your own body heat shouldn't be excessive. This prevents the space between your body and the inner lining of the sleeping bag from cooling down. If the sleeping bag is too snug, there won't be enough room between you and the inner lining, and the warm air won't keep you insulated.
Now, regarding the type of journey you're embarking upon. As I write this, it's around 20 degrees Celsius here in Oslo. However, just last week in Valdres, it was 8 degrees, raining, and there were warnings of snow above 1000 meters. Imagine you're planning a roughly two-week journey through Norway; you should be prepared for all four seasons to rain down on you. It might not be that extreme, but it's better to be prepared. So, bring along a sleeping bag that would keep you warm during autumn or winter.
To be precise, one that remains comfortable at -10 degrees. Personally, I use the -10°C Falketind sleeping bag from Norrøna (or Norrona for those without an 'ø' on their keyboards) Its insulation is truly unparalleled, and I've never found myself sweating in it, unlike other sleeping bags I've used.
I dare say this is one of the finest brands out there. Plus, the fact that it's Norwegian adds a touch of extra appeal for me. Another factor that influenced my choice is the craftsmanship and their commitment to sustainable materials and practices. When they design something, durability takes precedence over profit margins.
Well, by now, you probably grasp the gist. I'm a fan. So this piece of text might not be entirely objective. But then again, what piece of writing is? It is the best sleeping bag I've ever had!
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