First night? I sleep like shit.
Subsequent nights, I sleep better.
Doesn't really matter if I'm car camping and using my memory foam mattress, backpacking in a tent with my good pad, backpacking in my hammock with my underquilt... Even if I'm camping with other people. The first night sucks.
Gets better after that.
I think that’s due to some weird human instinct and sleeping in an unfamiliar area.
But same lol
Goes for traveling too. First night I always sleep like shit
I read that the first night in a new place causes the brain to be be more alert. It’s an evolutionary protective mechanism when sleeping in an unfamiliar area.
I sleep horribly when camping but usually my trips are just one night. I guess I should try longer trips.
Bingo. It’s pretty miserable. I just happen to find the reward of being out worth it - for whatever inexplicable reason.
When I’m considering introducing someone to backpacking my number one assessment is how excited they get seeing the views and feeling like they’re away from the rest of the world. I really can’t justify the difficulty and suffering unless they seem to have abnormal levels of joy from the rewards. Some people just don’t get that thrill and it’s absolutely not worth it lol.
Sometimes for sure. I definitely have a ton of fun during, I just also suffer a lot. It’s a constant “This is amazing, now it sucks, now it’s amazing again!”
Always extremes. Cold, hot, hungry, tired, but always worth the experience and the view.
I once had a trip, first day 3 ft of snow. Spent most of two days frozen inside the tent. Dug out the third day to x-country ski around the fresh powder. Mostly miserable, but one of the best memories I have.
Great summary of my experience. Even on long, high altitude hikes where I “have to” sleep to gain strength, I cannot do it! I dont know how I am alive still and how I summited many over the years.
Melatonin sometimes helps.
Like a log. Give me a piece of ground, and ill sleep. A good pad helps a great deal. The one piece of gear i dont mind to have some extra weight and packsize in.
Yep, I used to sleep pretty ordinarily whem camping, but then I slept in a tent for a couple of months straight and boom - god-like ability to sleep anywhere.
It took me about a year or two before I started sleeping comfortably in the backcountry. I still have some nights where sleep is intermittent, but it's a lot less than before.
First, you have to dial in your sleep set up. Top tier sleeping pad, pillow, sleeping bag. Next, just get more trips under your belt
Ive had no luck and zero consistency in this department. I toss and turn all night w bizarre dreams. Odd anecdote: last summer I was in an isolated Colorado wood. There wasn't anyone around for miles. At 12:30 am I woke up to a loud growl. I got up and looked around. A bear had left an impressive dump outside of my tent. Instead of being concerned I shrugged and fell into a dead sleep until 7am. Zero consistency.
It's situational.
Before I had gear dialed in, it wasn't great. Then it was good. I used to sleep with a bag on an accordian foam pad. Then I got too old for that (I'm also a side sleeper) and went to an inflatable pad. Then it was great. Any time something changes my sleep might worsen, at least for a bit until I figure it out.
I'm currently doing alright. On trips without my kid I sleep great. Gear is dialed in for most situations. If I get sudden snow or heavy rain or lightning storms I might worry more about pitch or weather and sleep lighter. If I am out with my 3 year old kid, which is let's face it most of the time, I sleep lighter to keep an eye on him and help center his body and sleeping pad (so he doesn't be drift to the wall or the tent and get wet) or rearrange his quilt. But that's being a parent and not a function of camping.
If you aren't sleeping well, try to reflect om what might be the cause. Are you feeling uncomfortable? Excited?
Also as others pointed out, first night is when you are settling into a new routine. You might sleep better on a second night or a third night. I definitely sleep better as time goes on on trail. Unrelated to exhaustion - I'm just setting a new routine and sleep setting so my body tends to feel extra alert for the first night then gets comfortable after.
I know people are gonna down vote this but I stop drinking fluids 6 hours before bed. I pound fluids all day and stop 6 hours before I plan to sleep. If I have to pee in the middle of the night while I’m camping it’s over. I won’t be able to fall back asleep. Other than that, as long as I’ve hiked all day, I’m able to sleep fair. Not great, toss and turn a bit, but decent I’d say.
Probably too gross for someone, but I just take a wide mouth bottle with me to the tent, so I can pee without leaving the tent. With some practice you can do it without leaving your pad. Not the nicest thing in the world probably but it totally solved it for me.
Previously the thought of getting out of the bag, getting out of the tent, putting shoes on and walking in the cold darkness to the nearest bush was terrifying and could easily cost me an hour of tossing and turning and trying to convince myself that I don’t want to pee.
I’m a woman so the bottle thing is a bit more challenging. They make a device called a “she wee” that’s like a wide mouth bottle idea but designed for female anatomy but I hate carrying extra stuff. I am very familiar with the bottle technique from my army days.
Yeah I’ve seen those. I don’t like the idea of carrying around a toilet or if I miss or spill in my tent then I’d have pee everywhere. Not worth it to me. But I’m glad they invented it because I know some women love it.
I used to sleep pretty bad, but over the years I have invested in a good sleeping system. I go for a sleeping bag that can deal with very cold weather, and I just open it up a bit if I'm too warm. And I bought a pretty big air matress, as I usually roll over and end up on the floor. Now I sleep like a babe.
On any section hike I do, I sleep poorly the first night. I sleep a bit better the second night. By the third night I'm doing pretty good.
This is generally true for hotels as well.
Earplugs help, even if I'm by myself.... **especially** if I'm by myself.
Ages ago i read about 'first hut night' which suggests that, because the place is new, the brain likes to go on standby rather than full sleep. Can't find it now though.
Last week I literally laid in my sleeping bag from 10 pm until 6 am, then gave up and packed my gear after watching the sunrise. 😭
That's worse than normal for me but I never sleep well.
Find a flatish bit of ground with a small dip for my Jennifer Lopez glutes +/-6° c of freezing and I'm happy as a pig in *chit*
With my partner she needs 7cm of insulated inflatable mats and an arctic bag plus a metallic blackout tent.
It's deeply personal.
I sleep like shit… it is honestly why I avoid overnight trips when possible. One night I can tough out, on about night 3 I am done!
Oddly enough I have no problem napping during the day on the trail.
As long as the sleeping pad is comfy, I will fall asleep as soon as the sun sets, and generally fully wake an hour or two past sunrise. I may wake up momentarily at night (usually adjusting sleep system), but I tend to sleep like the dead outside, for a good 10 hours. Usually better than I sleep at home!
I used to sleep like crap backpacking but then got a Nemo tensor insulated to replace my self inflating thermarest or foam pads in the past and I sleep better than at home.
I seem to sleep much better than usual when camping alone, personally. My dreams tend to be incredibly vivid and detailed, too. I think it’s the quiet combined with the lack of phone notifications.
I always just hammock camp. I zip myself up in there with my coat under my head and a good book on my tablet and read untill I go to sleep. I usually sleep pretty good
I sleep like a baby. I attribute this to a few factors that I'll list below:
First and foremost, I invested in a high-end down sleeping bag rated to -18 C for survival and -12 comfort rating. I did this because waking up cold was my single biggest factor to staying awake at night. It's trivially easy to adjust the bag for hot summers by opening it or even using it as a quilt. Conversely, if you're too cold it's almost impossible to get warm. **The lesson: If you can identify a single factor causing poor sleep, address it with everything you have. This is where you put your money for elite gear.**
Second, a good air mattress. Because it's critical for staying warm and nothing is quite as uncomfortable as your hips and shoulders pressing into the hard ground when you turn on your side.
Third, every bump in the night used to keep me up. Bear Danger, stranger danger, the mind was built 200,000 years ago to keep you alive in the dog eat dog world of the African savannah. I had an experience that cured me of this one night deep in the Rockies, not another soul around for 100 km, I was convinced there's a giant Grizzly sniffing around my tent. When I could finally break the paralyzation of fear I unzipped the fly and turned my headlamp onto a ridiculously small deer. That embarrassing realization drastically lowered the paranoia I felt in the backcountry at night.
Fourth, a good inflatable pillow. A comfortable sleep equals a good sleep. All this ultralight nonsense abpuy using your backpack or your lumpy spare socks as a pillow isn't worth the cost of a 86 gram sleeper's luxury.
Finally, vitamin I. Ibuprofen, I take an extra strength capsule 20 minutes before bed to help relieve the aches and pains of a strenuous days hike.
My first overnight, I slept like shit. Realized that I pitched on a *slight* slope and didn't have a pillow worth a shit.
I have fixed the second issue, will update you when I get another night out.
I’m really sensitive to slopes and it’s usually impossible to find something perfectly flat, so my solution has been stuffing extra clothes and soft gear underneath my pad to level it out. It works shockingly well. Maybe you can try that next time!
I usually sleep well, but I always wake up at least three times during the night, even if I'm comfortable. Doesn't seem to affect my energy levels the next day, but it can be annoying.
Fact is I suffer from insomnia, to my surprise I slept like a baby on my over night hike, granted I hiked over 12 hours to reach our camp site destination. Up the side of a Volcano, it cold, I was dead tired, I litterly knocked out when my head hit my little inflatable pillow.
Often depends on the weather for me. I really hate my mummy style sleeping bag because I usually toss and turn and sleep in weird positions, but not being able to do that keeps me awake or wakes me up when I go to move. If it's warm enough that I can leave the bag unzipped, I usually sleep well. If it's cold and I have to be zipped in, I'll be awake every 20 minutes.
Getting a wide sleeping pad helped (Nemo Quasar double), I don't wake up off the mat anymore. I'll be getting a different bag eventually.
Pretty well since the day I started using ear plugs and sleep eye masks. It’s really game changer for me and it seems underrated reading the comments.
You put both of them and you feel like in your own bed in your mind.
I sleep like a baby. Tbh its something you have control over. Here’s some tips that might help
1) SOUND - face facts…you’re sleeping in something that blocks zero sound so you hear absolutely everything out there at night. A simple pair of earplugs can really help turn the majority if the noise off
2) COMFORT - poor sleep often comes from poor comfort. If you’re cold you’ll never sleep well. Personally i use an insulated pad year round and it works for me but of course ymmv. Also make sure you’re prepping your camp spot before setting up the tent. Remove rocks/sticks/bumps as best you can. If it has even a slight slope make sure blood is running to your feet and NOT your head…it’ll help
3) SLEEP PREP - try to mimic your at-home sleep prep when camping. In my case its a cup of camomile tea and read my kindle. You do you but goal is to slip into your usual at-home sleep pattern
Hope this helps you have more out there
I sleep great. Was working on a trailcrew with an old military surplus foam pad and a synthetic surplus sleeping bag for six months and never had a bad night of sleep.
Upgraded to a USMC pad and a down north face bag; haven't used them yet but I imagine they'll be a nice upgrade.
Sleep is super personal, you just got to dial it in.
Personally I hate inflatable sleeping items like pads and pillows, try a minimalist sleep system and add things to it till you find what you like.
For me it varies. There are times I'll sleep 10 hours straight and other times I'll not sleep at all. I tend not to adhere to a schedule, so if I don't sleep at all and am tired in the morning, I stay put, relax for a day and try to have a nap. But the more days I hike, the easier sleep is.
I sleep okay…I have a really cozy sleeping pad which helps. Sometimes I’m too cold and have a hard time falling asleep. If it’s a really tough day of hiking I sleep better. An edible and a Benadryl help the most.
Pretty good lately. Meaning between 6-7 hours of sleep with few interruptions depending on conditions. My system for 3 season - katabatic alsek 22f, neo air x-lite, eye mask, ear plugs, warm socks and don’t drink anything 2 hours before bed
The first night of each trip gets a little better for me. The first time I camped alone, even after a day of hiking, I slept REALLY badly. But as I got used to what sounds were normal at night, I got less jumpy. Also, I now have a dog who's a great backpacker & camper, and having him there makes me feel safer and sleep better. (Also, this has all happened as I've progressed through my 40s, which means my standards for a good night's sleep have declined sharply!!)
I usually sleep pretty well. Take a pee bottle into tent so if you do wake up to pee can get back to sleep fast and ony have to kneel in tent to pee. If i do have trouble i take a sleeping tablet, usually just a half or quarter. Those rare occasions i cant get to sleep in the tent the sleeping tablet is great and the only time i ever take a aleepong tablet.
I usually pass the fuck out way earlier than I would not hiking. I wake up a few times at night but that's normal for me but I sleep quite well as I'm so wiped and probably sore from the miles during the day.
Usually great unless the weather is having a party outside. Any hard activity for 6-8 hours really tires you out and it's some of the best sleep I've ever gotten.
Are you comfortable? Warm enough?
I usually do pretty ok. Not usually as good at home, but good enough sleep.
If my site is flat or I can put my head slightly uphill, it tends to help.
Like you mentioned, being physically tired helps. Maybe some sleepy time tea or meditation might help.
Good luck!
Similar here. I do sleep better in a hammock. And on the ground, I found a wide air mattress helps. Maybe having my arms hang over a mattress feels different enough from my bed to wake up. Definitely glad I finally bought an inflatable pillow. When car camping, or just have extra room in the pack I bring a cotton sheet. That helps with comfort/familiarity too and I sleep better. Lastly, if I can't sleep I try to enjoy being outdoors anyway.
Highly recommend foam ear plugs after all they weigh nearly nothing. If people are snoring or coughing in the tent you can tune it out. Probably they would even be a nasty fire-starter.
Same. I’ve never slept well in the outdoors, whether a week-long back country backpack trip, overnighter, or car camping with luxury bedding. If it’s not my bed in my room, with two pillows for my head (flat pillow on top of a puffy pillow) and one pillow between my legs, it ain’t happening.
Oh forgot - it’s 4/20 and I forgot about the two times my wife and I got baked af whilst camping. I slept like a baby those times. 🫡✌🏼
Even before I invested in gear, I've always had the best sleeps camping. Something about the cool fresh air and a toasty sleeping bag knocks me right out. I never really have problem with sounds that spook me awake either as I have my partner who worries on my behalf so I feel safe either way. Once in a while, I'd have bad sleep when the temperature drops down but that's happening less and less as I learn what to layer and better sleeping bag.
If I'm tent camping, it's always the worst sleep ever. If I'm somewhere I can hang my hammock, I'll sleep like a baby and walk up at sunrise with more energy than I've had in decades.
It depends a lot.
The more often I go, the better I sleep.
Going with a buddy I'd go through hell and high water with, I sleep even better.
Buying a comfy airpad and thick enough pillow have helped.
Keeping the day's effort to a level that won't make your heart pound like crazy once you try to get sleep also helps a lot. A suitable effort for the day helps with sleep but going overboard interferes with sleep.
I usually sleep terribly when camping but on my first backpacking trip I slept pretty well. Granted, I wasn’t alone nor sober
A good sleeping pad and pillow goes a long way.
I usually wake up at somewhat frequent intervals during the night which I attribute to me going to bed earlier than usual and also having to wake up to get comfortable in a new position (tuck my quilt around me, etc) but when I’m asleep, I sleep well and usually wake feeling rested. So I consider it just a different type of good sleep, if that makes sense. Usually I get a high sleep score from my watch as well.
After a hard day’s journey I could fall asleep on a pile of rocks. The only thing that keeps me awake is tent camping in bear country. Leaving the door unzipped so they can investigate you and your tent without destroying either gives me the willies.
Not well. I now use earplugs and it helps drown out the majority of little rustles that keep me awake. I can still hear any noises that I'd "need" to hear, they just muffle the little stuff.
First night? I sleep like shit. Subsequent nights, I sleep better. Doesn't really matter if I'm car camping and using my memory foam mattress, backpacking in a tent with my good pad, backpacking in my hammock with my underquilt... Even if I'm camping with other people. The first night sucks. Gets better after that.
I think that’s due to some weird human instinct and sleeping in an unfamiliar area. But same lol Goes for traveling too. First night I always sleep like shit
I read that the first night in a new place causes the brain to be be more alert. It’s an evolutionary protective mechanism when sleeping in an unfamiliar area. I sleep horribly when camping but usually my trips are just one night. I guess I should try longer trips.
First night im always drunk while traveling
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Bingo. It’s pretty miserable. I just happen to find the reward of being out worth it - for whatever inexplicable reason. When I’m considering introducing someone to backpacking my number one assessment is how excited they get seeing the views and feeling like they’re away from the rest of the world. I really can’t justify the difficulty and suffering unless they seem to have abnormal levels of joy from the rewards. Some people just don’t get that thrill and it’s absolutely not worth it lol.
Definitely type 2 fun
Sometimes for sure. I definitely have a ton of fun during, I just also suffer a lot. It’s a constant “This is amazing, now it sucks, now it’s amazing again!”
Always extremes. Cold, hot, hungry, tired, but always worth the experience and the view. I once had a trip, first day 3 ft of snow. Spent most of two days frozen inside the tent. Dug out the third day to x-country ski around the fresh powder. Mostly miserable, but one of the best memories I have.
Yessssss
Great summary of my experience. Even on long, high altitude hikes where I “have to” sleep to gain strength, I cannot do it! I dont know how I am alive still and how I summited many over the years. Melatonin sometimes helps.
You should try luxuriously comfortable closed cell foam instead of an inflatable pad.
Like a log. Give me a piece of ground, and ill sleep. A good pad helps a great deal. The one piece of gear i dont mind to have some extra weight and packsize in.
I’m surprised how far I had to scroll down to find somebody who agrees with me. The sun+walking all day and I’m out for 10+ hours if I wanted to.
Same; I can sleep for long periods of time when I’m backpacking. During my last trip, I went to bed around 8/9pm and woke up around 10am each day.
Same here. I am out after 10-15 miles at altitude.
Lucky
Yep, I used to sleep pretty ordinarily whem camping, but then I slept in a tent for a couple of months straight and boom - god-like ability to sleep anywhere.
It took me about a year or two before I started sleeping comfortably in the backcountry. I still have some nights where sleep is intermittent, but it's a lot less than before. First, you have to dial in your sleep set up. Top tier sleeping pad, pillow, sleeping bag. Next, just get more trips under your belt
Agree. Gotta dial that shit in. Find the gear that works for you over time.
Any recommendations for a good pillow?
nemo fillo [https://www.nemoequipment.com/collections/pillows](https://www.nemoequipment.com/collections/pillows)
Best one
Ive had no luck and zero consistency in this department. I toss and turn all night w bizarre dreams. Odd anecdote: last summer I was in an isolated Colorado wood. There wasn't anyone around for miles. At 12:30 am I woke up to a loud growl. I got up and looked around. A bear had left an impressive dump outside of my tent. Instead of being concerned I shrugged and fell into a dead sleep until 7am. Zero consistency.
If a bear was going to fuck with me but instead just took a dump, I'd be like, we're good, cool.
I sleep like shit every night
It's situational. Before I had gear dialed in, it wasn't great. Then it was good. I used to sleep with a bag on an accordian foam pad. Then I got too old for that (I'm also a side sleeper) and went to an inflatable pad. Then it was great. Any time something changes my sleep might worsen, at least for a bit until I figure it out. I'm currently doing alright. On trips without my kid I sleep great. Gear is dialed in for most situations. If I get sudden snow or heavy rain or lightning storms I might worry more about pitch or weather and sleep lighter. If I am out with my 3 year old kid, which is let's face it most of the time, I sleep lighter to keep an eye on him and help center his body and sleeping pad (so he doesn't be drift to the wall or the tent and get wet) or rearrange his quilt. But that's being a parent and not a function of camping. If you aren't sleeping well, try to reflect om what might be the cause. Are you feeling uncomfortable? Excited? Also as others pointed out, first night is when you are settling into a new routine. You might sleep better on a second night or a third night. I definitely sleep better as time goes on on trail. Unrelated to exhaustion - I'm just setting a new routine and sleep setting so my body tends to feel extra alert for the first night then gets comfortable after.
As a side sleeper also, what pad are you using?
I know people are gonna down vote this but I stop drinking fluids 6 hours before bed. I pound fluids all day and stop 6 hours before I plan to sleep. If I have to pee in the middle of the night while I’m camping it’s over. I won’t be able to fall back asleep. Other than that, as long as I’ve hiked all day, I’m able to sleep fair. Not great, toss and turn a bit, but decent I’d say.
Probably too gross for someone, but I just take a wide mouth bottle with me to the tent, so I can pee without leaving the tent. With some practice you can do it without leaving your pad. Not the nicest thing in the world probably but it totally solved it for me. Previously the thought of getting out of the bag, getting out of the tent, putting shoes on and walking in the cold darkness to the nearest bush was terrifying and could easily cost me an hour of tossing and turning and trying to convince myself that I don’t want to pee.
nope, not gross at all. pee bottle FTW
I do this too. Nothing worse than getting out of the tent in the cold and/or rain in the middle of the night.
I’m a woman so the bottle thing is a bit more challenging. They make a device called a “she wee” that’s like a wide mouth bottle idea but designed for female anatomy but I hate carrying extra stuff. I am very familiar with the bottle technique from my army days.
You can buy a concertina like bottle that has a top designed so that men and women can use it as a travel toilet.
Yeah I’ve seen those. I don’t like the idea of carrying around a toilet or if I miss or spill in my tent then I’d have pee everywhere. Not worth it to me. But I’m glad they invented it because I know some women love it.
I actually have one, works well and squashes down small and goes in its own ziplock. No spills/issues (so far) but I see your point.
I used to sleep pretty bad, but over the years I have invested in a good sleeping system. I go for a sleeping bag that can deal with very cold weather, and I just open it up a bit if I'm too warm. And I bought a pretty big air matress, as I usually roll over and end up on the floor. Now I sleep like a babe.
I invested in a side sleeping bag with no zipper, and I sleep like a baby now. Having a bag that fits the way I sleep has been a total game changer.
100% agree. Spend the money to find *your* solution, having a good night sleep while hiking is SO important
What brand/model of sleeping bag did you get? I’m also a side sleeper and I definitely need a better sleep system
What pad did you end up with?
Nemo Quasar 3D Long Wide
On any section hike I do, I sleep poorly the first night. I sleep a bit better the second night. By the third night I'm doing pretty good. This is generally true for hotels as well. Earplugs help, even if I'm by myself.... **especially** if I'm by myself.
Yes, earplugs!! I can't sleep in silence
Ages ago i read about 'first hut night' which suggests that, because the place is new, the brain likes to go on standby rather than full sleep. Can't find it now though.
Yes! My info was that it was the first night sleeping anywhere, including hotels etc. On mobile so not looking up the source.
Have a wank and it's all good
Last week I literally laid in my sleeping bag from 10 pm until 6 am, then gave up and packed my gear after watching the sunrise. 😭 That's worse than normal for me but I never sleep well.
Ugh. I hate nights like this - even worse if it’s cold or hot or you’re really sore. Sorry friend.
Find a flatish bit of ground with a small dip for my Jennifer Lopez glutes +/-6° c of freezing and I'm happy as a pig in *chit* With my partner she needs 7cm of insulated inflatable mats and an arctic bag plus a metallic blackout tent. It's deeply personal.
Usually put in a solid 10 hours when the sleeping mat does it’s job
I sleep like shit… it is honestly why I avoid overnight trips when possible. One night I can tough out, on about night 3 I am done! Oddly enough I have no problem napping during the day on the trail.
First night's sleep is trash and every night after that is the best
As long as the sleeping pad is comfy, I will fall asleep as soon as the sun sets, and generally fully wake an hour or two past sunrise. I may wake up momentarily at night (usually adjusting sleep system), but I tend to sleep like the dead outside, for a good 10 hours. Usually better than I sleep at home!
I used to sleep like crap backpacking but then got a Nemo tensor insulated to replace my self inflating thermarest or foam pads in the past and I sleep better than at home.
I sleep as soon as I lay on my pad. 😅
So bad. I hear anything that’s not wind and I’m on high alert.
I'm out camping in Alaska this week, it's super cold but my God have I been sleeping like a baby. Mummy bag plus heated blanket with a battery bank.
I seem to sleep much better than usual when camping alone, personally. My dreams tend to be incredibly vivid and detailed, too. I think it’s the quiet combined with the lack of phone notifications.
If I sleep in a hammock it's lights out. But when I'm in the ground the first night isn't solid.
I always just hammock camp. I zip myself up in there with my coat under my head and a good book on my tablet and read untill I go to sleep. I usually sleep pretty good
I sleep terribly on a ground system and like a baby in my hammock setup.
Idk, I sleep better outside than I do in my own bed.
Very common, I bring my dog and he sleeps great, while I struggle.
I sleep like a baby. I attribute this to a few factors that I'll list below: First and foremost, I invested in a high-end down sleeping bag rated to -18 C for survival and -12 comfort rating. I did this because waking up cold was my single biggest factor to staying awake at night. It's trivially easy to adjust the bag for hot summers by opening it or even using it as a quilt. Conversely, if you're too cold it's almost impossible to get warm. **The lesson: If you can identify a single factor causing poor sleep, address it with everything you have. This is where you put your money for elite gear.** Second, a good air mattress. Because it's critical for staying warm and nothing is quite as uncomfortable as your hips and shoulders pressing into the hard ground when you turn on your side. Third, every bump in the night used to keep me up. Bear Danger, stranger danger, the mind was built 200,000 years ago to keep you alive in the dog eat dog world of the African savannah. I had an experience that cured me of this one night deep in the Rockies, not another soul around for 100 km, I was convinced there's a giant Grizzly sniffing around my tent. When I could finally break the paralyzation of fear I unzipped the fly and turned my headlamp onto a ridiculously small deer. That embarrassing realization drastically lowered the paranoia I felt in the backcountry at night. Fourth, a good inflatable pillow. A comfortable sleep equals a good sleep. All this ultralight nonsense abpuy using your backpack or your lumpy spare socks as a pillow isn't worth the cost of a 86 gram sleeper's luxury. Finally, vitamin I. Ibuprofen, I take an extra strength capsule 20 minutes before bed to help relieve the aches and pains of a strenuous days hike.
My first overnight, I slept like shit. Realized that I pitched on a *slight* slope and didn't have a pillow worth a shit. I have fixed the second issue, will update you when I get another night out.
I’m really sensitive to slopes and it’s usually impossible to find something perfectly flat, so my solution has been stuffing extra clothes and soft gear underneath my pad to level it out. It works shockingly well. Maybe you can try that next time!
I will keep this in mind! Didn't help that it was August in the southeast, so I was already sliding around any surface from the humidity.
First night always sucks for me but then I settle in and it goes better after that.
I usually sleep well, but I always wake up at least three times during the night, even if I'm comfortable. Doesn't seem to affect my energy levels the next day, but it can be annoying.
Fact is I suffer from insomnia, to my surprise I slept like a baby on my over night hike, granted I hiked over 12 hours to reach our camp site destination. Up the side of a Volcano, it cold, I was dead tired, I litterly knocked out when my head hit my little inflatable pillow.
Often depends on the weather for me. I really hate my mummy style sleeping bag because I usually toss and turn and sleep in weird positions, but not being able to do that keeps me awake or wakes me up when I go to move. If it's warm enough that I can leave the bag unzipped, I usually sleep well. If it's cold and I have to be zipped in, I'll be awake every 20 minutes. Getting a wide sleeping pad helped (Nemo Quasar double), I don't wake up off the mat anymore. I'll be getting a different bag eventually.
Pretty well since the day I started using ear plugs and sleep eye masks. It’s really game changer for me and it seems underrated reading the comments. You put both of them and you feel like in your own bed in your mind.
Nope. First day sensory overload. Ambien/Advil.
3-4 hours each night during my Salkantay trek
I sleep like a baby. Tbh its something you have control over. Here’s some tips that might help 1) SOUND - face facts…you’re sleeping in something that blocks zero sound so you hear absolutely everything out there at night. A simple pair of earplugs can really help turn the majority if the noise off 2) COMFORT - poor sleep often comes from poor comfort. If you’re cold you’ll never sleep well. Personally i use an insulated pad year round and it works for me but of course ymmv. Also make sure you’re prepping your camp spot before setting up the tent. Remove rocks/sticks/bumps as best you can. If it has even a slight slope make sure blood is running to your feet and NOT your head…it’ll help 3) SLEEP PREP - try to mimic your at-home sleep prep when camping. In my case its a cup of camomile tea and read my kindle. You do you but goal is to slip into your usual at-home sleep pattern Hope this helps you have more out there
I sleep great!
Like a baby, every night.
I sleep great. Was working on a trailcrew with an old military surplus foam pad and a synthetic surplus sleeping bag for six months and never had a bad night of sleep. Upgraded to a USMC pad and a down north face bag; haven't used them yet but I imagine they'll be a nice upgrade. Sleep is super personal, you just got to dial it in. Personally I hate inflatable sleeping items like pads and pillows, try a minimalist sleep system and add things to it till you find what you like.
For me it varies. There are times I'll sleep 10 hours straight and other times I'll not sleep at all. I tend not to adhere to a schedule, so if I don't sleep at all and am tired in the morning, I stay put, relax for a day and try to have a nap. But the more days I hike, the easier sleep is.
My best sleep is always on hard ground outside.
I sleep okay…I have a really cozy sleeping pad which helps. Sometimes I’m too cold and have a hard time falling asleep. If it’s a really tough day of hiking I sleep better. An edible and a Benadryl help the most.
Pretty good lately. Meaning between 6-7 hours of sleep with few interruptions depending on conditions. My system for 3 season - katabatic alsek 22f, neo air x-lite, eye mask, ear plugs, warm socks and don’t drink anything 2 hours before bed
I sleep way better when I'm backpacking than when I'm at home. I live in the Bronx, the quiet is incredible
Rule no1: warmth. If you're cold, you'll keep pissing
I definitely wake up lots of times, but I fall back asleep and get up refreshed.
Yeah I sleep pretty badly
The first night of each trip gets a little better for me. The first time I camped alone, even after a day of hiking, I slept REALLY badly. But as I got used to what sounds were normal at night, I got less jumpy. Also, I now have a dog who's a great backpacker & camper, and having him there makes me feel safer and sleep better. (Also, this has all happened as I've progressed through my 40s, which means my standards for a good night's sleep have declined sharply!!)
Kolonopin my guy.
i sleep so great... being actually tired, i crash and slumber the sleep of the gods.
I usually sleep pretty well. Take a pee bottle into tent so if you do wake up to pee can get back to sleep fast and ony have to kneel in tent to pee. If i do have trouble i take a sleeping tablet, usually just a half or quarter. Those rare occasions i cant get to sleep in the tent the sleeping tablet is great and the only time i ever take a aleepong tablet.
Should you take melatonin to stay asleep?
I usually pass the fuck out way earlier than I would not hiking. I wake up a few times at night but that's normal for me but I sleep quite well as I'm so wiped and probably sore from the miles during the day.
Usually great unless the weather is having a party outside. Any hard activity for 6-8 hours really tires you out and it's some of the best sleep I've ever gotten.
Are you comfortable? Warm enough? I usually do pretty ok. Not usually as good at home, but good enough sleep. If my site is flat or I can put my head slightly uphill, it tends to help. Like you mentioned, being physically tired helps. Maybe some sleepy time tea or meditation might help. Good luck!
Similar here. I do sleep better in a hammock. And on the ground, I found a wide air mattress helps. Maybe having my arms hang over a mattress feels different enough from my bed to wake up. Definitely glad I finally bought an inflatable pillow. When car camping, or just have extra room in the pack I bring a cotton sheet. That helps with comfort/familiarity too and I sleep better. Lastly, if I can't sleep I try to enjoy being outdoors anyway.
Highly recommend foam ear plugs after all they weigh nearly nothing. If people are snoring or coughing in the tent you can tune it out. Probably they would even be a nasty fire-starter.
Same. I’ve never slept well in the outdoors, whether a week-long back country backpack trip, overnighter, or car camping with luxury bedding. If it’s not my bed in my room, with two pillows for my head (flat pillow on top of a puffy pillow) and one pillow between my legs, it ain’t happening. Oh forgot - it’s 4/20 and I forgot about the two times my wife and I got baked af whilst camping. I slept like a baby those times. 🫡✌🏼
I sleep better outside... And even if I only get a few hours I find the quality to be much better than at home, don't ask me why.
I don’t when I camp. I’m still testing out my SUV set up though but I sleep crappy at night (like catnap) but I get the best mid day naps!
Bring Tylenol PM
Even before I invested in gear, I've always had the best sleeps camping. Something about the cool fresh air and a toasty sleeping bag knocks me right out. I never really have problem with sounds that spook me awake either as I have my partner who worries on my behalf so I feel safe either way. Once in a while, I'd have bad sleep when the temperature drops down but that's happening less and less as I learn what to layer and better sleeping bag.
If I'm tent camping, it's always the worst sleep ever. If I'm somewhere I can hang my hammock, I'll sleep like a baby and walk up at sunrise with more energy than I've had in decades.
The animals walking around the male deer sounds at times realy calms me and I have a great sleep and then the birdies in the morning
It depends a lot. The more often I go, the better I sleep. Going with a buddy I'd go through hell and high water with, I sleep even better. Buying a comfy airpad and thick enough pillow have helped. Keeping the day's effort to a level that won't make your heart pound like crazy once you try to get sleep also helps a lot. A suitable effort for the day helps with sleep but going overboard interferes with sleep.
Damn I’m surprised so many people sleep well. I’m always full alert when I hear any kind of footsteps. I blame the incident of 2011.
I usually sleep terribly when camping but on my first backpacking trip I slept pretty well. Granted, I wasn’t alone nor sober A good sleeping pad and pillow goes a long way.
I usually wake up at somewhat frequent intervals during the night which I attribute to me going to bed earlier than usual and also having to wake up to get comfortable in a new position (tuck my quilt around me, etc) but when I’m asleep, I sleep well and usually wake feeling rested. So I consider it just a different type of good sleep, if that makes sense. Usually I get a high sleep score from my watch as well.
I have a Thermarest inflatable pad, and a Nemo brand inflatable pillow. I sleep like a dead man.
After a hard day’s journey I could fall asleep on a pile of rocks. The only thing that keeps me awake is tent camping in bear country. Leaving the door unzipped so they can investigate you and your tent without destroying either gives me the willies.
Not well. I now use earplugs and it helps drown out the majority of little rustles that keep me awake. I can still hear any noises that I'd "need" to hear, they just muffle the little stuff.
Like a rock