Sleeping in Style on the Campsite

Anyone who has ever gone camping before knows that when dawn hits, there’s only one thought on your mind: the quality of your sleep. Sleeping uncomfortably on the ground can be torture throughout the night, not only causing you pain but taking away from precious hours of energy-replenishing sleep.

That’s why it’s important to plan for a good night’s sleep even before you head out into the woods, particularly if you plan on sleeping on a good-sized tent that will protect you from the elements and give you your own “room” outdoors.

First, if you plan on sleeping in style, you’ve got to have a good foundation for a comfortable night’s sleep. In other words, you absolutely have to have something buffering between your bones and the ground.

An air mattress is ideal for this kind of buffer: not only will it provide you with the same kind of comfort that you might get indoors, but they pack into smaller spaces when deflated, much like a sleeping bag.

Of course, for those of you who have used an air mattress before, you might be rolling your eyes and saying “an air mattress? How will I ever fill it with air in time to get a good night’s sleep?” The answer? Go online to find the Coleman Quick Pump. Simply fill it with batteries and the air will flow automatically into your air mattress. Voila.

You can’t simply rest on an air mattress all night and expect a decent night’s sleep, however, particularly if you’re in a northern state. In the northern states, the temperature can drop unexpectedly even on summer nights.

It’s tempting to bring extra sheets and blankets, but this might add unnecessary bulk to your load. Instead, simply use a zip-able sleeping bag and unzip it over your mattress. You’ll receive the coverage of a normal blanket with the insulation of a sleeping bag.

As for pillows, this one is up to you. You can bring a pillow from home if you have the room for it, but some air mattresses will also come with inflatable pillows that will be easier to pack. If you’re someone who can’t live without their pillow made from Down, this might be an indulgence you won’t want to leave at home.

Remember to plan your entire camping experience ahead of time so that you have the equipment and know-how for some rustic fun without the discomforts of being outdoors.

Photo Credits: kysbydabeach

This post involves:

air mattress, bones, camping, coleman, dawn, elements, good foundation, precious hours, sized tent, sleep, sleeping bag, sr 1, target, torture

... and focuses on:

camping equipment, camping tips

Posted by Hike Camp Fish on May 13, 2010 in camping equipment, camping tips. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.