My old foam pad versus today's camping sleep setup

I dug out that blue foam pad I used for years, and it's barely thicker than a yoga mat. Back then, I accepted waking up achy and cold as just part of camping. Now, with insulated air pads that mold to your shape, I actually feel refreshed in the morning. What gear change made the biggest difference for your rest outdoors?

3 comments

3 Comments

river_foster471mo ago

Was it the pad or something else that helped you sleep better? For me, getting a real camping pillow was a game changer. I used to just stuff a jacket in a sack, but having proper support for my neck stopped the morning headaches.

the_seth1mo ago

When you said insulated air pads mold to your shape, it reminded me of my own switch to a hammock setup. I used to toss and turn on the ground no matter what pad I had. Then I tried hanging between trees, and it was like sleeping on a cloud because it cradles your whole body. @river_foster47, your pillow tip would have saved me from neck cramps back when I was stuck on the ground. Now I use a small pillow with my hammock and it all just works. Getting off the floor made a bigger change for my sleep than any pad I ever bought.

the_tyler1mo ago

My buddy swore by his old mummy bag for years. Finally switched to a quilt last season and said it was like sleeping in his own bed, no joke.

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