My Top 4 Backpacking Sleep Hacks (That Nobody Knows About)

Sleeping in the backcountry does NOT have to be uncomfortable & challenging. Let me share some of my top sleep hacks for getting a full, restful night of sleep in the backcountry WITHOUT breaking the bank.

Gear In This Video:

#OutdoorVitals #BackpackingGear #backpacking #hikinggear #sleephacks #backcountrycamping #ultralightbackpacking

[theaknights]

2 things have upped my sleep quality dramatically the last couple years. 1st, I'm a side sleeper so an inflatable travel knee pillow (2.8oz) fixed all sorts of soreness I was getting in my knees, hips, and back. 2nd thing I've done the last year or so has been to spend about 5 minutes stretching right before laying down. I also try to stretch withing a few minutes of arriving to camp, but that stretching right before bed has worked wonders for me!

I use the hoodie/beanie thing too when I sleep. That's a good one. I'll have to use the pad levelling trick though, thanks!

[UberHypnotoad]

My #1 trick: work your ass off all day. Want to sleep better? Get exhausted.

[davidwilkes]

Thanks for the great video. #4 is the only one I don't already do, but I am going to start. I agree with you that not over inflating my pad is the #1 thing that helps me get a good night sleep.

[Lv_o]

Your “show & tell” regarding the down Balaclava has completely changed my mind about it, I now see it on my “must get” list.

[davemack]

If your feet are sore or a bit swollen on a through hike, if sleeping on your back, you can put your pack under your feet or sleeping mat to elevate them. Works wonders by morning and helps a lot with comfort as well. You can always kick it out if you want to start sleeping that way and then roll over on your side during the night. That's what I do when tent sleeping. In my hammock, it's easy to slide around and elevate your feet a bit.

[jasonwondersoutdoors]

Good stuff here! I use a small kitchen sponge & damp it to wipe off the sweat & dirt from hiking. Especially my armpits & brachium. And a small camp towel, my stove pot towel does double duty, to dry off - even in winter. I can’t sleep if those or my neck have that “film” after putting in those miles.

[colbypark]

For me, first is using a 25" pad. As a side sleeper, I really need that. Second, I use my buff to go over my inflatable pillow to act as a pillow case. Then if I need, I can add clothing to the underside of the pillow (inside the buff) to make the pillow taller. Again, this is super helpful for a side sleeper.

[larrybell]

A pee bottle is a must. Do NOT want to crawl out of my bag, stumble around in the dark in my socks. It isn't yuck unless you miss the bottle. I also use down booties and it amazing the difference they make. I love all those hacks....the leveling one is one I haven't been doing.

[keithmeyers]

Ear plugs. Don't hear the squito's or the bears. I just wanna sleep. Fleece balaclava, yup, to cover eyes. You nailed a lot of stuff here.

[tanvach]

Actually some great tips. Love #4, will definitely try it next time.

[robingood]

My No 1 is to get a good hammock. Sleeping is way better, level is how ever you like it. Rain is no more nasty but relaxing. Ground level don't matter. If you are in a forrest, go for a 10-12f travel hammock with tarp.

[joehaubenreich]

1. Especially for cold weather, put tomorrow’s clothes in an empty stuff sack and use it as a between-knees pad when side-sleeping or under knees or lower legs for back-sleeping. An added benefit is that the clothes will be warm when you dress for the day.
2. Don’t cover your head or, at least, your mouth and nose, with your sleeping bag or quilt so moisture exhaled as you sleep won’t get trapped in the bedding.
3. Use a buff like a chin strap (folded into a band that goes over the head and under the chin) to keep your mouth closed, which reduces dry mouth and snoring—which other campers will appreciate.

[crstarkey]

Thanks for the vid Tayson. I wrap a buff around to cover my eyes and ears, works real well. I recently added a Nemo pad under my inflatable pad to increase warmth. Amazed at the difference.

[jadenm]

Great tips. I definitely will be using #4. I haven’t tried that one before. 1-3 are solid.

[frstesiste]

My most used pad is a 1-inch self-inflating Thermarest. Bought it before we got R-values, but the current one is R 3.1. It's thin so can't really afford to let air out for comfort. On the contrary, I let it try to self inflate for a while when I get to camp. Then blow some air into it and let the air cool/material stretch for a while and just before going to bed I add some more air. This has worked well on the AT, PCT and even winter camping, but getting one of the new thicker and actually lighter pads seem like a better option next time a need a new one.

[ClintGibbs]

Although I am primarily a hammock camper, these are very helpful. I use the Outdoor Vitals balaclava and never thought about using it the way you did on warmer nights.

On a completely separate note, I'm curious what camera you used to film this? As a content creator, I thought the video quality was really good.

[danielcluley]

Here are a couple more I have found.

1. Get a bit of elastic shock-cord and make a loop, tying the ends to your pillow (if you don't have tie-outs they make stick on patches). This will slip over your sleeping pad and hold it in place throughout the night.
2. If you carry a sit pad or thin pad, you can put it under your sleeping pad to stop it from sliding around so much and provide a bit more insulation. I carry a small section of thin pad.
3. When setting up your tent, if you can't find an ideal level site, situate your tent so that you pitch with the downward slope at your feet, and your sleeping pad is oriented that way. Again, stops your pad from sliding around as much or blood flow going to your head.
4. If you are a side sleeper and you get the dreaded nerve deadleg, there is a technique where you can move your bottom leg into a kind of "jack-knife" position. This takes pressure off the sciatic and other hip nerves and the numbness will go away.

[sylvanbonin]

I use most of those. Like many here, #4 is a new idea I'll have to try.

#1 is what i tell most people who say they hate sleeping on camping pads. Everyone does it wrong!

Also like many here, I recommend a wipe down before you put on those dry sleeping clothes.

...but first go pee one more time!

But the number one thing that has improved my side sleeping, moving around, going numb unless i can wriggle, oveheating but wanting to be covered up sleep...is getting a really good down topquilt from OV! It was a big leap of faith. I'd only ever used mummy bags but you said topquilt and i decided to try. Now i can stick a leg out or untuck a side for a little vent, easily change from back to side to other side, stretch out all the way, move my arms...its life changing. No more numb or sore spots. I can use a pillow between my knees on my side and under them when I'm on my back. I can hug a stuff sack full of extra clothes for arm support. (Yes, I sleep with a teddy bear at home. Its highly ergonomic!) Not that that's free, or even cheap. But depositing $10/month into my "OV savings account" sure helps!

[HikingwithRouletteRun]

That #1 is a for sure, and I have a FlexTail pump that will for sure over inflate my pad, which I do intentionally, then adjust downward from there. In regards to your bonus tip, I have found that if I cut liquid intake off two hours before going to bed, and going to the bathroom just before crawling into bed, it sure helps to alleviate having to go in the middle of the night, and I have to take a water pill medication.

I appreciate your video!

[journeyman]

Great tips Tayson. I've used the levelling tip and the bonus tip pretty consistently. 2 pillows, 1 for my head and 1 between my knees helps a lot. Also, I used for the first time my OV balaclava this past Nov. Worked great. I even just rolled it up when I just needed a hat on those chilly mornings.
Nate