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best tips for ultimate camping comfort

July 8, 2020

It’s hard to beat drifting off to sleep under a starlit sky, a breeze rustling through the trees. At the same time, sleeping outdoors and, more specifically, on the ground can be a literal pain in the neck. Waking up to an aching back and hips can be a serious downer to the start of your day, especially if you’re planning to hike and you’re over the age of 40. We just aged up, so you can take it from us.

But camping doesn’t have to be hard on your body. With a few considerations, camping can be the blissful and relaxing disconnect it should be.

First and foremost, car camping will most likely lend itself to a more comfy experience, simply because you’ll be less restricted in what you can bring. With that said, sometimes less is more. Think through what you really need and pack in advance using a list. No point in bringing an air mattress, for instance, if you’ve left the compressor pump at home.

sleeping comfortably while camping

Air mattresses | Self-inflating pads | Foam toppers

If you’re sleeping in a tent, there are a lot of choices for what to put between you and the hard ground. You could use a simple inflatable air bed, self-inflating pads, foldable camping pads, a foam mattress topper, a slim floor futon, a rollable exercise mat, or you can go with nothing… which we personally wouldn’t recommend. Foldable or self-inflating camping pads, or an exercise mat for that matter, will be the most portable options, with air beds, foam toppers and futons being far bulkier but often cushier alternatives. If you’re looking at self-inflating or folding camping pads, check the R-value before purchasing. The higher the R-value, the more insulated the pad will be (and you) from the cold ground.

Pillows

Good quality pillows can mean the difference between a restful night’s sleep and a miserable one. But, unfortunately, pillows are also extremely bulky, and even if you’re car camping, they will still take up a significant amount of space. Inflatable pillows are a great option for backpacking, with travel pillows coming in a close second for portability but increased cushiness. And when we say travel pillow, we don’t mean the u-shaped donut contraption that hooks around your neck, although those would work just fine for some people. Instead, consider investing in a travel pillow that compresses down and fits within a small stuff sack.

Blankets

Depending on your camping location and time of year, temperatures can fluctuate greatly over the course of the day. If you’re packing for camping, be sure to check the overnight lows and humidity where you’re going. One of the biggest comfort mistakes one can make is choosing gear that isn’t warm enough for your overnight climate. Because we mostly car camp, we make sure to bring extra blankets with us, and we tend to have a few different options. Some are smaller and lighter weight for bundling up by the fire and outside of the tent; others are more intended for adding an extra layer overtop a sleeping bag.

Sleeping Bags

Choosing a sleeping bag might seem simple, but there are a few key considerations to keep in mind that can make a huge difference. First, it’s good to think about your short and long-term goals. If you plan to do more car camping, for instance, you may not need to concern yourself with weight. If you’re backpacking, on the other hand, weight becomes a huge factor, and you’ll want to take a close look at not only the weight of the bag(s) but also their dimensions. Another aspect to consider is their temperature rating. We use a few different sleeping bags, including a Big Agnes Cabin Creek 15 Double Sleeping Bag, which is great if you want a double sleeping bag that can handle colder temperatures of around 15 degrees Fahrenheit.

Tents

A tent’s capacity and seasonality are important factors when upping your camp comfort. Is the tent you own or want to buy large enough to comfortably accommodate those who will be sleeping in it? Do you care about having a little bit of extra room in the tent for storing items such as your backpack and anything else you don’t want to get wet? How much elbow room do you want between you and your sleeping companion? These are just a few factors to consider when selecting a tent.

Another is seasonality. If you’re planning to camp during the spring, summer, and fall months, consider a 3-season tent. Typically, these are a great lightweight option that will be built with plenty of ventilation panels. Make sure it comes with some sort of rainfly for protection from light winds and rain. Beyond 3-season tents are 3-4-season tents and 4-season tents. What’s the difference? Basically speaking, a 3-4-season tent is designed for additional use in the early spring and late fall, whereas a 4-season tent is built to shelter you from extreme winds and snow. They can get a bit warm in the summer as they’re constructed with less ventilation.

Currently, we use a North Face Stormbreak 2 Tent, which is a slim and lightweight option that can be used for both car camping and backpacking.

2. relaxing comforts

Hammocks

Having a hammock can really up the relaxation factor at any campsite. Sling it between a few sturdy trees—this is not always permitted at every campsite—and you’re good for a quick nap or even an overnight sleep.

Seating

It sounds funny, but we sort of take sitting down for granted. Most of us have dining chairs, a couch, and maybe some other accent chairs in our traditional homes to choose from. But out in nature, the ground doesn’t provide much comfort or back support on its own. Thankfully, there are numerous compact seating options that are great for camping, including everything from the traditional beach or lawn chair to stadium seats and ground sheets.

Portable Campfires

A good fire is often central to any camping experience. But fire bans and/or burn restrictions are common in drought-prone regions, especially in arid times of the year, and these limitations can put a damper on your dreams for a toasty fire. And even when there aren’t fire bans or burn restrictions in place, high wind, weather or poor planning might prohibit you from starting a fire. Or perhaps you’re a fire-building novice, and you don’t want to risk setting an entire forest on fire. To learn how to start the perfect campfire, check out our article on How to Build a Campfire for Beginners. There are other great alternatives to sparking an open flame, including portable campfires that are meant to be easily contained.

3. technology comforts

Portable Batteries

Inflatable air mattresses are great, but do you have a way to plug it in and blow it up? Some campsites have electricity, or you can use a power inverter plugged into a 12V auxiliary power outlet in your car, formerly referred to as the cigarette lighter outlet. Another great option is a portable generator, which can be extremely useful for recharging cell phones, laptops, camera batteries, a CPAP machine, or any other gadget you can’t leave home without. Charging decks have also come down in price in recent years and are probably the most portable option, especially if you just need something to juice up your phone.

Staying Connected

If you’re planning to do a lot of off-grid exploring, a personal locator beacon or satellite communicator can be a great piece of gear to invest in that allows you to reach help if you’re in an emergency.

4. camp kitchen comforts

Cooking and Eating Tools

Cooking out in nature can be a fun change from an indoor kitchen, and the experience can be as simplistic or extravagant as you want. A stove, fuel, utensils, and a few key pieces of cookware and dishes are really all you need to execute perfectly delicious meals while camping. Selecting what to bring is largely up to your personal cooking (and drinking) preferences, along with how much room you have in the car and whether or not you have to stuff it in your pack and carry it with you.

5. health and safety Comforts

Personal Hygiene | First Aid | Personal Safety

Staying safe should be priority number one when planning any adventure, camping included. And keeping up with personal hygiene will definitely make you feel refreshed and not all grimy and gross. We keep a pre-packed hygiene kit ready to go in our Element Camper. We also carry a snake bite kit, a first aid kit, bear spray, and a machete with us almost everywhere we go.