To care for your sleep system when camping, you’ll mostly want to keep it clean on both the inside and outside. Also, remember to dry it when overnighting in the wild after a rainy evening, should it soak up excessive moisture. A camping sleeping system is an essential item (or collection of items) to let you rest comfortably through the night. Come rain or shine, you’ll need to rely on it to keep yourself safe and out of harm’s way. This becomes especially important in harsher weather conditions, where rain or icing may truly test the integrity and waterproof grading of your sleeping bag, pad, and tent. To be adequately prepared for your next outdoor adventure, read the rest of our tips in this article!
Why Is Caring for Your Camping Sleeping System Crucial?
Picture this: it’s Friday afternoon; you’re dog-tired after an exhausting work week. Fortunately, you have a camping trip planned – a perfect chance to recharge. You hop in your car, drive to the campsite, set up, and settle in amongst your tranquil surroundings.
You wake up in the morning and step outside your tent. Your boot splashes into a deep puddle. Clearly, it rained hard last night. No time to waste, though. You chow down on something quickly and start your hike, hoping the sun will be enough to dry your gear. Every time you check it, though – still damp.
Eventually, you return to camp. Then, reality hits you: your tent, your sleeping bag, everything is still damp and clammy. You’ve no choice but to resign yourself to an uncomfortable night — wet, cold, and slightly shivering. The rain ruined your weekend getaway, no two ways about it.
Sounds pretty unpleasant, doesn’t it? Hopefully, you understand that one of the biggest mistakes you can make when camping is not securing and cleaning your sleeping system when the weather gets a bit unruly. A good night’s sleep is essential when camping and a well-maintained sleeping system goes a long way to make sure your trip is eventful in only the right ways.
Key Components of a Sleep System for Camping
What is a camping sleeping system, though? Typically, it consists of these components:
- Tent: To shield yourself from the elements and sleep through the night comfortably, you need a high-quality tent that offers enough room for you and all your possessions.
- Sleeping bag: A proper night’s sleep is imperative. Therefore, pick a quality sleeping bag that will work in the conditions you most frequently go camping in.
- Sleeping pad: When the ground below your sleeping bag is wet or colder than you’d like, a sleeping pad offers a very necessary extra layer of insulation to keep you from shivering away.
Those three form the pillars of any quality sleep system, though you can add a few extras, depending on your needs. A rain fly, for example, helps keep rainfall away from your tent and is particularly useful when you don’t fully trust its waterproofing capabilities.
The bottom line is the best sleeping system for camping is one that’s both well-maintained and tailored to your sleeping preferences. We talk about aspects of the former in the next section below.
Sleep System for Camping: Proper Maintenance Practices
Neglecting to care for your camping sleeping system can quickly mean your camping trip will take a turn for the worse. So, how do you avoid mistakes for a better camping experience?
First off, if you get caught in the rain, you’ll always want to sufficiently dry out your sleeping system before dozing off for the night. There are two best ways to do that:
- Avoid getting wet in the first place: Check the weather ahead of time and pack accordingly. If you need a rain fly, buy a rain fly. Camping in the rain also calls for tents with a higher hydrostatic head, so make sure you pick up a quality camping tent.
- Hang dry your gear: When the weather allows for it, hang your sleeping bag, tent, and sleeping pad in the sun and fresh air. This eliminates moisture and prevents mildew or mold from building up inside and compromising the insulation properties of your gear.
Additionally, properly caring for your camping sleeping system requires giving it a proper cleaning when necessary, both inside and out. Dirt, mud, and other contaminants can degrade the material, resulting in worse insulation, unpleasant odors, and poorer hygiene. If you notice any spots that need cleaning, do yourself a favor and give them a once-over right away, preferably using effective gear-aid tools.
The Takeaway
Waterproof camping gear can save your skin in a number of scenarios, but it doesn’t mean much if you’re also not adequately caring for your sleeping system. Good, restful sleep is essential for camping and hiking, and neither the best hiking boots nor the most expensive, showy tent won’t save you if you don’t take proper care of your equipment.
You may also read: 8 Must-Have Camping Gear Items for Your Next Outdoor Adventure