If you want to stay warm and comfortable while sleeping at camp (who doesn’t!) you’ll need to build a camping sleep sleep system that is appropriate for the type of camping you’ll be doing and the overnight temperatures expected. The goal of the sleep system is to provide insulating and waterproof layers between you and the ground, while also ensuring that you stay warm and comfortable all night long.
Your Camping Sleep System: Key Components
Your camping sleep system will be comprised of 4 key components:
- Reflective vapor barrier
- Sleeping pad
- Sleeping bag
- Camping pillow (optional)
Reflective Vapor Barrier
A vapor barrier is any material that resists moisture diffusion across it. When placed inside your tent as a liner, a vapor barrier ensures that you and your gear are separated from any moisture that makes it through your tent floor.
When you choose a vapor barrier that is made of reflective material (like the one I use from SOL), you can also benefit from having lost body heat (infrared radiation) reflected back at you instead of dissipating into the ground.