Choosing the right sleeping options for camping for every member of the family is an important part of any camping trip. A good night rest means you can enjoy a day of adventure full of energy and zest.
A good day of camping ends with a solid nights rest
When I was younger I could sleep on a concrete floor or a rocky field for the night no problem. I’d wake up the next morning, brush the grass out of my hair and feel like a million bucks.
Now that I’ve seasoned a little bit, if I don’t get a full eight hours with my head on a plush pillow and my back formed into a memory foam mattress I’ll wake up with a stiff back and a headache.
For all of camping’s glorious upsides, the one thing that still bothers me is sleeping on the cold hard ground. I take it you probably hate it as much as I do. So why do it anyway? Waking up with sore shoulders, a stiff neck and cold feet can leave you feeling sore for days. But, that doesn’t have to be the norm. There is no pride in hobbling around all day just to prove you don’t need a luxurious rest.
That said, there are plenty of awesome sleeping options for camping that will keep you warm and comfortable. Plus, you’ll wake up feeling just as refreshed each morning as if you just spent a night at the Hilton.
While choosing the right camping sleep system is important, the type of ground you’ll be camping on will also play a major role in what you need. It will determine how much cushion you need so you don’t feel the effects of the cold, hard ground. Sleeping on beach sand is much different than mountain rock after all.
So, what are your sleeping options for camping?
Well, there are quite a few tried and true methods that have been around for generations. But there are also some really cool and innovative new technologies that are plenty worth trying out.
- Sleeping Bag
- Sleeping Pad
- Camping Cot
- Air Mattress
- Hammock
What about some camping sleeping options for kids and babies?
Aside from all of the same options used for adults, your children and babies might need a more unique sleeping arrangement while camping. This is especially true for kids who haven’t camped before and need some similar comforts to home so they can sleep through the night.
A few additional sleeping options for young kids and babies include playpen/pack n’ play, pop up baby travel bed or a portable bassinet.
Let’s dig a little deeper into each type of sleeping system and some of the features to look for:
Sleeping Bag
The easiest sleeping option for camping is a plain and simple sleeping bag. Only bringing along this one item for your sleeping needs is also the lightest way to pack.
Sleeping bags come in a variety of sizes, shapes and materials to meet any trip need, whether it’s a backpacking or car camping trip.
What are the types of sleeping bags?
Sleeping bags can be most easily categorized by the season they’ll be used for and are generally broken down into three-season, summer or winter. Each type will have a range of temperatures that it’s rated for so it’s easy to pick the right one for your climate.
Synthetic vs Down Insulation
The most important factor in determining the temperature rating is the type of insulation used within the sleeping bag. The bag should indicate if it uses synthetic or down insulation.
Synthetic insulation is made of polyester fibers intertwined together. It’s meant to replicate the properties of down while not absorbing any water. It’s also cheaper than down. The disadvantage with synthetic insulation is that it is bulkier and heavier than down, making it less ideal for backpackers.
Down insulation comes from the soft and fluffy undercoat of goose or duck feathers. It has excellent insulating properties. Combined with its featherweight, these factors make it an excellent choice for backpackers looking to shed ounces off their gear weight. It is however more costly than synthetic insulation.
What’s good for the goose, is good for the…….sleeping bag?
Sleeping Bag Shape
Sleeping bags come in a few different shapes to meet the needs of every camper.
- Mummy Sleeping Bag: the mummy is tapered from wide on top to narrow at the feet. It has a hood on top so you can fully enclose it. The design allows for maximum heat retention within the bag, but also makes it difficult and uncomfortable to toss and turn at night.
- Rectangular Sleeping Bag: As the name suggests, this shape of sleeping bag is just an average rectangle. These bags are big and roomy so you can rest in comfort. They can also be zippered together with other rectangular bags which makes them a popular family camping piece. Because of their size and airflow, heat is not retained as efficiently in these bags.
- Semi-rectangular Sleeping Bag: This shape is a cross between the mummy and the rectangular sleeping bag. They are an excellent choice for someone needing to retain as much heat as possible, but who can’t stand the thought of not being able to move while you sleep.
Sleeping Pad
Alright, a sleeping pad won’t usually be used alone unless it stays uncomfortably warm at night so I wouldn’t suggest that this is a full sleeping system. However, having a sleeping pad underneath your sleeping bag will soften the base so you can sleep snug as a bug in a rug. Plus, many models work as great insulators to reduce the effects of the cold ground underneath.
There are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to sleeping pads. Choosing the right one will depend on your needs. What is most important when choosing a camping sleeping pad? Is it size and weight? Is it cost? Or is it comfort and insulation?
Sleeping pads come in three different variations, with each having its place among the camping world. Each of the three types are further expanded to an assortment of models, styles and functions to suit the fine details needed for each and every camper.
Air Pads
Air inflated sleeping pads come in a wide range of thicknesses and make for a wonderfully cozy rest. They can be extremely lightweight and compress very small, making them an excellent choice for the backpack camper. Larger, heavier varieties are also available if you’ve got the room for it.
Self-inflating Pads
Compressed open-cell foam expands as the valves are open. The expansion forces air inside the self-inflating pad until it has reached its full size. These camping sleeping pads are more durable than air pads and offer a comfortable sleep with good insulation. They’re also relatively compact and lightweight.
Foam Pads
Closed-cell foam sleeping pads are durable and inexpensive. In order to pack and carry them, they are usually rolled up, making them quite bulky and often carried on the outside of a backpack. Comfort levels are less than air pads and self-inflating pads, but their durability still provides plenty of camping trips when these become the best option.
Camping Cot
Camping cots are a nice sleeping option for camping when you’ve got the room to pack for it plus the room inside your tent. Cots are made of a foldable metal frame with fabric stretched across which provides the sleeping area.
They come in a variety of sizes and materials so you can get the durability and comfort you need. One of the best benefits of a camping cot is that it gets you away from the ground so you won’t be absorbing the cold while you sleep. They also provide the perfect seat inside your tent.
Types of Camping Cots
There are a vast number of styles of camping cots whether you’re looking for kids or adults.
Double Camping Cot
A double cot is designed for two people, making it the perfect choice for a romantic camping experience or for someone seeking some extra space on the bed. They also make an excellent choice for glamping in a glamping pod as they are easily folded and tucked away during the day.
Cot with Mattress
This type of camping sleeping option comes with a foldable frame and an air mattress to place on top. The air mattress adds the perfect layer of comfort and can come in different thickness and styles. Some air mattresses are even self inflating so setup is super easy.
Lightweight Cot
A lightweight camping cot will usually be made with an aluminum frame and is an excellent choice if you’ll be carrying gear any distance into camp or canoe camping across a lake to find the perfect site.
Tent Cot
This hybrid model provides a place to sleep combined with a tent for the solo camp sleeper. It keeps you and your tent completely off of the ground so you don’t have to worry about water getting in during a rainfall. It’s also an excellent place to send the snorer of the family.
Kids Camping Cots
Adorable kid size camping cots come in single size and bunk bed style to make their camping experience extra special. These are a great option for a large family in a cabin-style tent.
A Comfy Sleeping Option: Air Mattress
An air mattress takes a sleeping pad to a whole new level. They give the comfort needed whether you’re a side sleeper or back sleeper. They’re made of durable and heavy materials so the risk of puncturing a hole in one is less. However, they are very heavy and bulky, even in the smallest of sizes. Their comfort level makes up for the weight and room needed as long as you’ve got the space. They are best suited for car camping trips and come in a few different varieties.
Single Mattress
The single is ideal for a child or one adult. Generally, made to be quite thin they will be the lightest and smallest of the options.
Double Mattress
The double mattress is suitable for two adults if you don’t mind being cozied up with not much room to move around. The double air mattress can come in a number of different thicknesses so you can sleep high off the ground. Just remember to bring a portable air pump or you’ll be out of breath in a hurry.
Memory Foam Included
Many air mattresses come equipped with a memory foam top to add to the comfort. You might feel like you’re sleeping in your own bed. An excellent option for the glamper who doesn’t mind packing along the extra weight that this adds.
Camping Hammocks
One of the coolest sleeping options for camping has to be the hammock. It also might be the lightest and most comfortable. Most models can easily fit two adults but also pack insanely small weighing as little as 5 ounces. They can be equipped with all sorts of accessories like mosquito netting, cup holders and even come in a style known as the “hammock tent” which is fully enclosed and insulated.
Furthermore, hammocks are quick and easy to set up with easy straps and carabiners. However, you do need a couple of good, solid trees to hang it from which makes desert and mountain hammock camping a real challenge.
Make babies and toddlers comfortable
Any successful family camping trip with babies and young children will only be possible if they can get a full night’s rest. A few of the best solutions to ensuring that happens include:
Playpen or Pack n’ Play: Similar to a cot but with walls and designed for young children, these fold down small, are easy to pack, and ensure that no one rolls over the baby at night.
Pop up Baby Travel Bed: It’s like a tiny tent for newborns. These pop up structures enclose fully with a breathable mesh and can be attached to a padded sleeping mat for extra comfort. They also double as a beach shade during the day.
Portable Bassinet: Just like the playpen, a portable bassinet will keep other kids or even you from rolling over your baby while you sleep. At the same time, these won’t take up as much space.
More to think about for camping sleeping
What clothes to sleep in while camping?
Before tucking in for the night, throw on some clean underwear and socks to avoid any added moisture in your sleeping bag. A thin pair of pajamas or long underwear is best as wearing bulky clothing can actually reduce the efficiency of the sleeping bag to trap body heat.
Is a camping pillow necessary?
A pillow will certainly make your sleep more comfortable and reduce stress on your head and neck. If you don’t want to pack the extra gear, you can always substitute with some extra clothes or a jacket from your pack.
A tent light is a must
Waking up in the middle of the night to pee is a guaranteed part of any camping trip. Trying to find your shoes while you’re cold and tired is the worst part of it. Keep a light close by so you can tend to the kids or find a needed item.
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