Short answer: most bad nights in a tent come from three things: a cold, hard ground, the wrong sleeping bag for the temperature, and a lumpy or tilted spot. Get off the ground with a pad, pick a bag rated for the night-time low, and choose a flat spot, and you'll sleep much better.
Here are nine tips that work for car camping, beach trips and weekend campouts.
1. Sleep on a pad, not on the tent floor
The ground pulls heat out of your body all night, and roots and rocks dig into your back. A sleeping pad fixes both. Even in summer, a pad is the single biggest upgrade for camp sleep.
Our Inflatable Sleeping Pad with Pillow (from $45.99) is 74.8 x 23.6 in and about 2 in thick. It has a built-in pump you press with your hand or foot, so there's no blowing it up by mouth, and it packs to about 10.6 x 3.9 in.
Tip: for cold nights, look for a pad with a higher R-value, or put a foam mat under an air pad.
2. Match your sleeping bag to the temperature
Check the forecast low for the campsite, not the nearest city. Nights in the mountains and deserts can be much colder than the daytime high suggests.
Our Envelope Sleeping Bag ($48.99) is made for spring, summer and fall camping. It is roomy, with more space for your legs than a mummy bag. It is not made for freezing nights, so for winter camping use a bag with a low temperature rating.
3. Use a liner to keep your bag clean
A liner goes inside your sleeping bag. It keeps sweat and dirt off the bag, and you can wash the liner instead of the whole bag. On warm nights or in a cabin, you can sleep in the liner alone.
Our Ultralight Sleeping Bag Liner ($40.99) weighs 4.5 oz and packs to 2.4 x 2.4 x 5.9 in.
4. Bring a real pillow (or one that stays put)
A rolled-up jacket slides around all night. Bring a camp pillow, or use a pad with an attached pillow so it doesn't drift off.
5. Pick a flat spot and check for slope
Lie down on the spot before you set up the tent. If there's a slope you can't avoid, sleep with your head uphill. Clear away pinecones and stones first.
6. Change into dry clothes for bed
Clothes you wore all day hold sweat, and damp clothes make you cold. Keep a set of dry sleep clothes and socks in a bag just for bedtime. A warm hat helps on chilly nights.
7. Eat a snack and use the bathroom before bed
A small snack gives your body fuel to stay warm. And getting out of a warm bag at 3 a.m. is no fun, so go before you zip in.
8. Rinse off before bed
Sunscreen, bug spray and sweat feel sticky in a sleeping bag. A quick rinse with a rechargeable camp shower and a bucket of water makes a big difference, and keeps your bag cleaner too.
9. Block light and noise
Campsites can be bright and loud. Pack an eye mask and earplugs. They weigh almost nothing.
FAQ
Why am I always cold when camping?
Usually because you're losing heat into the ground. Use a pad under your sleeping bag, wear dry clothes and a hat to bed, and choose a bag rated for the night-time low.
Is an air pad or a foam pad better?
Air pads are thicker and more comfortable, and pack smaller. Foam pads can't pop and add warmth under an air pad. Many campers use both on cold trips.
Do I need a sleeping bag liner?
You don't need one, but it keeps your bag clean, is easier to wash, and works on its own on warm nights.
Get the full sleep setup: pad + bag + liner, and 3 items get 15% off automatically at checkout. See Sleep Better Outdoors. Every order ships free to the US. Most orders arrive in 7–15 business days, so order before your trip. Packing for a weekend? Use our car camping checklist.