Rooftop tents are convenient, comfortable and safe, eliminating mud, animals and uneven terrain from the basecamp equation. But they’re not the only way to elevate the sleeping experience outdoors.

Traveling with your own equipment is a no-brainer for an avid skier. Who wants to waste time and money at the rental shop just to flail down the mountain on subpar skis? Still, as a New Yorker, using ...