One of the most common and avoidable problems with camping is not getting enough sleep. Sometimes even with the recommended eight hours of sleep, you won’t truly feel like you “got enough sleep”. But, you can always do things to help yourself get better rest. One thing you can do while camping is make sure you are using the correct sleeping equipment. Nothing will keep you awake on a hot summer night like sweating in your sleeping bag, just like nothing will keep you awake in the winter like shivering on your bedroll.
Let’s take a look at the seasons and what sleep equipment should be used in each season:
Summer: My favorite type of sleep equipment for the summer is my bedroll, pillow, and two sheets. Not your typical camping sleep equipment, but it keeps me nice and cool on those hot summer nights. I have also found that a hammock and a couple sheets, or a very light sleeping bag also work really well in the summer!
Winter: When I’m camping on those cold winter nights, I like to stay warm and toasty inside of a cold weather sleeping bag. MummyBags are what they are called, and they work great! They wrap you up like you’re in a cocoon, and will keep you warm all night long! I also find it helpful to bring my bedroll, just to make sure I have another barrier between me and the cold ground.
Spring/Autumn: This is the best time of year, in my opinion, to just a use a standard sleeping bag. Most sleeping bags are designed for spring and fall camping, so as long as you bring a sweatshirt and stocking cap, you will be A-OK if you get a little chilly. In addition, if you get a little warm, you can just unzip your sleeping bag a little and you’ll cool down nicely!
So there you go! Next time your friend asks if you want to go camp by the river before you float, you’ll not only be prepared with the information of what type of sleep equipment to bring, but you’ll also be prepared to have a fun day floating- after a nice night of rest.
