How to sleep comfortably at night when camping?

[Newchallenge]

Inspired by previous threads - I like camping, we are camping for a whole week this year

How am I going to sleep - 2 nights nearly broke me! What camping equipment should I get?

Currently using selection of roll mats, quilts and a self inflating (tiny) air mattress. I still hurt my hips lying on my side!

We have two Outwell 15cm single SIMs pushed together with a Vango double sleeping bag and find this way more comfortable than an air bed. No matter how much you blow up an air bed it always needs more air the next morning and you end up asleep in a dip.

Proper pillows are also the difference between me waking up with a stiff neck/arm or not. DP once forgot the pillows and I was in agony the next morning. We had to go buy some from the supermarket for the following night.

Blanket underneath the SIM if it’s cold and nice thick socks for sleeping in. I always make sure I’ve got plenty of layers, a hat and blankets for when we’re sat outside in the evenings as it’s almost impossible to warm up again once I’ve got cold.

Thanks all, really helpful suggestions. I have tried sheet and duvet - definitely more comfortable than having my legs restricted in a sleeping bag, but not as warm. Usually bring pillows for the whole family.

Looks like I need to decide between air mattress, cot/fishing bed. And I need to work out how much to spend.

We've tried air mattresses before but the stickiness/plastic sweats, even with a sheet over - Ew.

I'm coming across really damn fussy aren't I?

Decathlon inflatable camp bed with a thick SIM on top

Vango Aurora Grande sleeping bag which is 1m wide so you don’t feel cramped and restricted. It is also very warm. Padding of the underside of a sleeping bag is better to sleep in than a sheet.

I sleep better in my tent than in my bed. I love it. The fresh air, the being snug in my tent whilst hearing the rustling of leaves etc. Best of all I love the patter of rain, as long as I know the morning forecast is good.

@rosesandsalvias

Camp bed, at least 5cm SIM on top, sleeping bag.

This! I slept beautifully when we camped in May with this setup.

We've tried air mattresses before but the stickiness/plastic sweats, even with a sheet over - Ew.

This is why you need a flocked matress plus a very thick and cozy topper over it

Definitely an eye mask.

I have learnt to accept that the first night is awful, but then it gets better.

I also have a small pillow for between my knees, as I tend to sleep on my side. I think that helps.

Bought a vango comfort 7.5cm SIM a few weeks ago and used it for 5 nights camping the week before last - it is so incredibly comfy, I had the best sleep ever camping (was an upgrade from an unbranded SIM that's maybe an inch thick). Regular camper so this is a game changer, it was about fifty quid. Was contemplating one of the decathlon inflatable bed bases, that would be a dream pairing probably comfier than my bed at home but the mat is so comfy I don't think I'll bother

air bed and proper duvet and pillows

@Namechangeforthis88

I have an 8cm SIM and a three or four season snooze pod sleeping bag. Tent has blackout bedroom. I have clinical looking bottle with feminine adaptor for emergency wees. Occasionally I sleep better camping than I do at home.

The snooze pod was a break through. Prior to that I typically went to bed fully dressed with two jumpers, goat wool socks over standard socks and a woolly hat on head, and still felt cold.

I love LOVE or snooze pods and they are brilliant for a good nights sleep

Single air bed, Teddy fleece fitted sheet from Dunelm, Snuggle pod sleeping bag which is wider in the middle than traditional sleeping bag, own pillows and hot water bottle!

I use a flocked air bed/mattress with sheet and a sleeping bag with our feather pillow. We have a good blackout pod in our tent and sleep better camping than at home.

Camp bed with a decent sim. We have Outwell dreamcatchers 10cm and it's like sleeping on a normal bed, albeit a bit narrower. I use a duvet but the rest of family use sleeping bags. Those and earplugs.

We've just upgraded to the Dreamcatcher XL 12cm SIM with a sleeping pod rather than a 'mummy style' sleeping bag. What a difference being able to turn over easily without getting twisted up.

Wait until everyone else is asleep then repair to the luxury hotel room you secretly booked earlier in the week.

HTH.

An Oasis bottle also works as a night time loo if needed

I would personally get a decent, thick self inflating mat, the Helium ones by Mountain Equipment are really good. If I had a car I'd perhaps get a double one just for me
On top of that you'd then have a thick blanket or a duvet, then a sheet, and then a sleeping bag with a thick blanket or two on top and a good pillow. Or a duvet on top instead of sleeping bag but a warm autumn weight one, bit drafty though. And a hot water bottle.

Camping is shite. I know its cheap but its still shite.

A really expensive 10inch minimum SIM with a rubber mat underneath the kind you use for holding rugs still

Duvet and real pillows and nice blanket

Rather be camping with my nice vango and robens equipment than in a scrubby b&b to be honest though. I’ve pulled up at some ‘hotels’ and been absolutely horrified!

I cheat and have an ancient tourer caravan. We use a 7cm self-inflating mat on top of the caravan bed, but I've been told that 10cm ones on the ground are actually quite comfortable.

Duvalay - expensive but total game changer

www.duvalay.co.uk

@MrsJackRackham

Plenty of red wine at night ensures I sleep like a drunken baby

Ahhhh yes, red before bed always does the trick.

Dd nest hammock

You need a hip dip. Before you pitch your tent, work out where you will be laying and did a small dip into the ground where your hip will be. It's amazing. I have had 2 major hip surgeries and this works every time.

@kittykarate that has made me laugh and has brought back so many camping memories! You're so right that it's like sleeping on a bouncy castle! Although when I did share a double inflatable it was with a guy twice my weight so he spent the night on the floor whilst my nose was almost touching the top of the the tent. When he got off it I swear I plummeted so fast I needed a parachute!