Have you ever gone camping and struggled to get a good night’s sleep? If so, you’re not alone. Sleeping in a tent can be surprisingly uncomfortable, especially if you’re not used to it.
What is the most comfortable way to sleep in a tent? You can make sleeping in a tent much more comfortable with the right outdoor gear.
In this blog post, I’ll share sleeping gear options and my top tips for getting a quality night’s sleep while camping. Keep reading to learn more!
The best places to pitch a tent
When you come to a campground you should take a look where you will set up your tent. Do you think that a tent location isn’t important for good sleep?
Think twice. You won’t rest comfortably in a camping tent if the ground is too rough so find a place that is appropriate.
Pitch it on a flat surface and avoid trees, hills and pitching it too close to water sources due to possible floods and mosquitos. Consider the elements so you won’t be exposed to direct sun and wind gusts.
Know the whole procedure for setting up a tent the right way to avoid tent setup mistakes.
Camping bedding ideas
How to make tent camping more comfortable and which is the most comfortable camping bed? What is the best thing to sleep on when camping?
You have a lot of options when it comes to picking tent bedding. Whatever brand you settle for, just ensure it packs small and inflates. Here is the comfort gear that will make your nights pleasant.
Camping air pillow
Pillows are an important part of camping bed equipment. As you won’t take your home bed pillow with you I advise that you take an air pillow that you inflate at the campsite.
The most comfortable camp pillows are great to take with you on a camping trip because you can pack them in your backpack. Make sure that one will inflate easily and provide head and neck support.
It’s so easy to pack it as it deflates to a small size and can be stored in the pack or in the car.
A comfortable camp pillow must provide good head and neck support so pay attention to its structure and shape.
Pro tip: If you forgot to carry one as I did on my first outdoor expedition, just stuff everything you can in a T-shirt, or any cloth and use it as a pillow.
A sleeping pad
Sleeping pads for camping are also called sleeping mats. They are made with different materials and offer various types of comfort.
Closed-foam sleeping pads
For example, closed-cell foam pads are inexpensive, but not very comfortable. Inflatable sleeping pads come with a pump to inflate them and a valve to deflate them easily.
This makes it easy for you to inflate the pad and pack it up again later. I can’t imagine staying in a tent without it so I always take it on my outdoor trips.
Closed-cell foam sleeping pads are made of stiff, solid foam that keeps you warm. This type of sleeping pad is not the most comfortable but offers good insulation.
Foam sleeping pads
A foam sleeping pad is also water-resistant, so if you buy one with a plastic coating on top it will easily slide over the moist ground without you having to worry about wetting your sleeping pad.
Inflatable sleeping pads
You can buy an inflatable sleeping pad which is generally made of nylon and filled with air or other materials like foam.
These mats are high on the comfort scale while low on portability because they can’t be deflated into a small package for easy carrying.
An air camp mattress
How to make a camping bed more comfortable? An air mattress is a basic piece of equipment for comfortable sleeping while camping.
It is an upgraded bed that many campers like to use for their camping trips. An air mattress is used in bigger tents that have more sleeping space than smaller dome tents.
You will use an air pump to get it ready for resting. Some models have a built-in pump so you won’t need to take another with you.
These beds are made from different materials, thicknesses, and features so you can choose your most comfortable mattress.
What is the most comfortable mattress for camping?
When looking for a mattress, you want one that is lightweight, compressible, comfortable and insulates well.
Air mattresses can provide all of these factors, but they can take time to inflate. Some air mattresses have an integrated air pump that will help you to inflate them in no time.
A self-inflating mattress combines the warm insulation of foam with the convenience of inflatable materials that are easy to inflate with just a few breaths.
They’re lightweight, compact, durable, and they insulate well too. Some even have foam on top for that extra comfy feel.
For those who don’t mind spending some extra money, an airbed is the most comfortable sleeping mattress option.
A camping cot
A camping cot is a piece of outdoor gear that serves as an elevated bed for sleeping.
It provides a firm, level surface to sleep on that will not touch the ground. With it, you will avoid the wet (and cold) ground, dirt, and crawling animals.
Campers like to use camping cots on a long car camping trip to have a comfortable outdoor sleep. It provides more support than sleeping on the hard ground and can alleviate leg cramps.
Choose one if you are older and suffering from rheumatism or arthritis as you won’t be exposed to the bare grounds.
Camping cots also give you more room for storage if you need extra gear which means you won’t trip over it all night.
Most cots have a waterproof covering over them in order to reduce the amount of moisture from outside touching you while you sleep.
These beds can be adjusted so they can be stored in your vehicle but you can’t take it backpacking or on a camping trip on foot due to their weight and size.
The outdoor cot beds come in various sizes and designs which suit the budget of every person who will use them for their outdoor necessities.
A sleeping cot is folded and unfolded quickly, offering comfortable bedding in no time. Before choosing the most comfortable camping cot for yourself, know if the bedding will fit in your tent.
If you are looking for the best camping cot, there are many factors to consider before buying one. You need to know how much weight it can hold and weather-proofing is also important.
Some come with storage compartments so you can pack your belongings away at night. Look for a cot that is lightweight and easy to carry as well as one that will fold away easily.
I recommend the Teton Sports Outfitter XXL camping cot as it is strong and sturdy, providing an easy setup due to the pivot arm.
A sleeping bag
A sleeping bag is the most common outdoor gear among campers and backpackers who want to stay warm all night. It is great to have as you can use it inside the shelter or outside without a tent.
Its main purpose is to keep you warm while temperatures go low. You have plenty of sleeping bags on the market (car camping sleeping bags and backpacking sleeping bags) that come with different shapes, comfort level, season rating, insulation, size, style, internal pockets, and other useful features.
Most sleeping bags can be rolled and packed inside a backpack or in the car. Before buying one make sure that it will be the right size for you and handle the temperatures that you expect.
A camping blanket
If you won’t rest in a sleeping bag and if going winter camping it is good to think of a warm camping blanket. It is a blanket designed for camping, backpacking, and other outdoor activities.
As such, it is made to be lightweight and easy to fold or roll up into a small package that fits into a backpack, picnic basket, or the like.
There are a lot of them available to buy but you should think of warmth, comfort, versatility, packing, and design before making a purchase.
I suggest that you opt for one that is waterproof, compresses easily, has a good insulation rating, is lightweight and packable.
How do you make your camp bed comfortable?
A camping bed should be padded, have a pillow, have a cover or be built so it’s enclosed on top, have cloth fabric around the side to prevent contact with the ground, and should provide for insulation from temperatures outside.
If you’re camping in winter, air mattresses are best because they insulate you from the cold ground. The most comfortable way to sleep in a tent is to use a camping air mattress.
The thinner the air mattress, the more comfortable it will be because you won’t have to lift your weight as high in order to get off of it. However, if you’re traveling far and need it to be lightweight, then a foam pad may be best for you.
How can you sleep better while camping?
You should pay attention to warmth, softness, and support in order to have a comfortable sleeping experience while staying outdoors.
Some people find it easy to fall asleep outside, but others will struggle with it. If you are not tired when laying down in the tent, there might be many reasons for that.
Maybe you are too warm or not warmed up enough after a day of hiking or activities. You can try to adjust your clothes or maybe take off some layers or just use a lighter sleeping bag.
Your sleep pad also plays an important role in being comfortable while camping, so be sure to choose it wisely.
Opt for an eye mask if you are sensitive to light so you won’t have interrupted sleep in the early morning.
What is the coolest sleeping material?
If you intend to camp in warm temperatures make sure that you pack the lightest sleeping material. Try to use a sleeping bag with vents to prevent condensation buildup.
The lightest material is silk. It is extremely thin yet very strong and provides little warmth.
If you are looking for something more portable but still very light then a waterproof sheet or a nylon parachute material would be your best bet.
Bring an inflatable mattress, sleeping bag, and inflatable pillow if you want a comfortable way to sleep in a tent in summer. To make sure you don’t suffocate from condensation place the mattress on top of a tarpaulin.
Bamboo is another option as it is a great material to sleep comfortably. It has long fibers and extremely high tensile strength making it light and very durable.
If you choose to sleep on top of a bamboo platform then you can place your mattress, inflatable camp pillow, and sleeping bag on that. This will protect the tent floor from moisture and dirt.
Pack warm clothes
No matter when you will be camping, make sure that you will have enough warm clothes. What is best to wear to bed?
Cotton is the right answer. Why does cotton work? It is a material that absorbs moisture and keeps your body heat at a comfortable temperature while you sleep.
When you sweat, the fabric will wick the moisture away from your skin to keep you dry. In cold weather, cotton holds in warm air close to your body.
Even if you have a sleeping bag that will keep you warm you should have long cotton clothes on you while resting.
Don’t forget to take extra clothing like T-shirts, shirts with long sleeves, long underwear, pants, pajamas, and cotton socks.
Control the temperature
The temperatures can get chilly at night, even in the summertime. If you will camp in the mountains or in a desert, you will definitely need to warm yourself.
If you haven’t listened to the weather report for your camping destination, now is the best time to do so. You need to have an idea of the expected weather situation and temperature to have a joyful trip.
Sleeping bag liners
Ensure your sleeping bag and a camping bedroll are made right for the temperature. With sleeping bag liners, you will be able to obtain the temperature and feel cozy.
Not all sleeping bags have a sleeping bag liner so make sure that you buy the right one if going camping in cold temperatures.
Sleeping bag liners are a great “extra” to have when camping out in a cold environment. Since they fit well inside a sleeping bag, they can be nice and cozy.
When you get out of your sleeping bag, just unzip it and climb into the liner for some extra warmth before climbing back into your regular bag.
Tent heaters
Tent heaters are one of the most practical and effective ways to stay warm in a tent while car camping.
I am so glad that companies thought of them as they make mine and your outdoor adventure more enjoyable.
Make sure you purchase a tent heater that is safe to use inside a tent. You will find different ones that use gas or electricity to operate.
If you will use a propane tent heater make sure that you ventilate the tent so you won’t have side effects of the carbon monoxide that builds up while the heater is running.
If you will go backpacking or camping on foot you can make an exception and use a hot water bottle that will help you to have a good sleep.
Get some earplugs
Take earplugs with you if you can’t stand the screeching and chirping of bugs throughout the night. You have to evade those noises.
It may seem manageable if you haven’t camped before, but once it gets late and everywhere gets quiet, the noise can be pretty disturbing.
Earplugs are small, disposable, and cheap, and they don’t take much space in your cosmetic bag. An mp3 device is also a good option just don’t forget to turn it off when you go to rest.
Keep it clean and dry
You must be prepared for the worst when camping. Use a tarp as added rain protection or as a footprint under the tent to prevent water from seeping through the seam.
If you will use it as a footprint it shouldn’t be bigger than a tent’s floor because the gathered water can make your tent leak.
Personal hygiene
Personal hygiene is important, especially when staying in nature. Use anything available to a sponge bath, whether it’s in a creek or a water jug. Baby wipes are handy as well.
If you are more of a glamper type you can get a portable shower and experience outdoor comfort in full.
After a wash-up, you will sleep better.
Sleep cozy all night
What is the most comfortable way to sleep in a tent? Making your camping adventure worthwhile isn’t hard if you know some tricks and camping sleeping equipment that will enable you to sleep comfortably.
Consider the most comfortable ways to sleep in a tent and prepare yourself before going to enjoy the great outdoors, and you will have a wonderful outdoor experience.
Invest in the outdoor sleeping equipment that I told you about and think about which ones are appropriate to take with you regarding your needs and travel options.
