Nothing can really quite match the experience of being out in the wild, the fresh air, the smell of pine on the wind, the distant view of snow-capped peaks. It’s all very romantic to even say, but to be out there in the backcountry is unlike anything that can be written or spoken about. This is all true. But it is also true that being in the wild is not always the most comfortable. Sometimes, it feels like to experience the pastoral, you have to sacrifice a good night’s sleep and the creature comforts that we all have at home. That shouldn’t be the case.
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Another solution to find a soft bed in the wild is to rent or buy an RV. This isn’t the most practical or cost-effective idea. So, this blog is going to take a look at some things that nearly anyone can do to get some sleep, enjoy the brilliant outdoors, and relax in the lap of luxury. Keep in mind, not all of these 8 suggestions need to be made to have a good time. Take what you want, and leave the rest. Just obey the golden rule in the wild: Have some fun.
1. The Tent Upgrade
Tents are made incredibly well these days. Think about it. When was the last time you even saw a tent repair kit sold in an outdoor store? They used to be everywhere and came with every tent purchase. It’s just the case that the materials used these days last longer, and when a modern tent does get damaged, there’s little to do (in some instances, with lower quality tents) to fix them. Because of this, some people will end up holding on to a tent they purchased years ago. It might be a little too small. It might be a pain to set up. It might have a funky smell. Whatever it is, if it’s not comfortable and inviting, you’re not going to want to spend any amount of time in it. If this is the case for you, it’s time to grow into an adult tent. It’s time to go canvas.
Canvas is one of the best tent materials on the market. It’s a perfect four-season tent material because it breathes in the summer, and windows can be opened to let a fresh breeze blow through. And in the winter, the tight-knit material forms a frozen, insulated layer that traps in heat. It’s remarkably durable and great in heavy rain and winds. But more to the point of comfort, for their price, canvas tents are spacious, tall, allow for plenty of extras like tent stoves, foldable tables and couches, and still have a great feel of being in the great outdoors. So, stop kicking around in an old dome tent from a box store. The first step to really enjoying your camping trip is to enjoy your personal space.
2. Sleep Beyond the Sleeping Bag
Similar to tents, people will often hold on to sleeping bags for far too long, but that’s not really why sleeping in the wild ends up being uncomfortable. The biggest mistake people make when purchasing a sleeping bag is buying way too much bag. If your bag is rated for −30 degrees Fahrenheit and you’re only a three-season camper, you’re going to spend much of the night sweating it out, getting cold, wrapping up again, and then repeating the cycle.
Along with too many bags, make sure you’re getting the most comfortable fibers. Many newer sleeping bags that are very cold rated are made of polyester and are designed to be slept in with a certain amount of clothing. Cloth bags are softer on the skin, warm up nicely, and can be used around the tent like a throw. White Duck Outdoors just released a new line of Slumbernest™ Sleeping bags with four different cold temperature rating groups: 0 degrees, 30 degrees, 40 degrees, and 50 degrees Fahrenheit. They have flannel on the interior that is buttery soft, and they are incredibly affordable. With that kind of quality and affordability, some can get a winter and a summer bag to optimize comfort.
But a properly rated bag is only the beginning. If you want extreme relaxation, you need a cot. We are not beasts of burden. We should not be sleeping on the forest floor. Getting off the ground will improve sleep temperature and keep you from uneven sleep that foam or inflatable pads can induce. Also, if you’re already upgrading to a canvas tent, consider some extra pillow and throws. Make a scene of it. Enjoy your personal vibe in the wild. Whatever makes you comfortable in the hours before bed at home, you should have with you camping. The thought of sleeping in a tent shouldn’t make you cringe. It should be anticipated.
3. Bring the Camp Kitchen Sophistication
Another popular item seen as people peruse the outdoor equipment store is lightweight, just-add-water, dehydrated meals. These are fine if you’re spending a few days floating the Grand Canyon. In some cases, they are even pretty tasty. But they can’t even touch a good home-cooked meal in a proper Dutch oven, or over an open flame with wood charring the meat and vegetables, instilling a smoky flavor in everything it touches. With a proper tent and camping setup, a good meal can change the entire tone of the camp.
Cooking on the fire is great. But doing every meal there can be a hassle and oftentimes people end up eating cold soup out of cans when the weather turns. To avoid this, a reliable camp stove is necessary. It was the camp stove that actually revolutionized camping in the 1950s in post-war America. This meant that people could have their favorite meals in the wild, and the sentiment hasn’t changed.
Now, after you’ve moved into a proper canvas tent, a good tent wood stove will not only heat your comfy living space, but it will also provide an incredible cooking surface. Anchor Stoves come in a few sizes to fit any-sized tent, and they have a tray that can keep food warm, a cooking surface, and an adjustable damper dial that keeps the heat right where it needs to be. With this and a few preparation surfaces, some foldable tables work great; the title of Camp Chef will never again be elusive.
4. Put the Lights Out
One of the best ways to improve the mood of the camp is to dangle some battery-powered string lights. Everyone in camp should have their own headlamp, but when you’re going for optimal comfort, 3 or 4 headlamps flickering in all directions can be more annoying than relaxing. Set the tone in the tent with some string lights. Keep the lights low and with a few blankets thrown around, the whole scene can start to feel like a lounge space or the waiting room at a spa.
If you’re left with some darker corner, place a lamp on a small, propped end table and throw a colored scarf over it. DO NOT do this if it is a gas lamp. In fact, if you are burning a gas lamp indoors, you can run the risk of building up deadly carbon monoxide (CO). To best control the gas in the tent and the heat, just stick to battery-powered lamps and lights.
5. Have Fun with Furniture
I’ve mentioned a few times the different types of furniture to increase the lounge spaces and the comfort level overall, foldable couches, double chairs, and chairs. This is an incredible advancement that the outdoor industry has made in the last 10 years. Effectively, what we are talking about building here is a clamping tent setup. These foldable furniture items are a 10x multiplier and immediately turn your setup into a luxury tent. You’ll have some extra throw blankets and pillows to sleep with; now you have an extra space to rest on before bedding down.
6. Clean Body, Clean Soul
Depending on how long you’re going to be out in the wild, a good shower can change everything. One huge aspect about camping that turns a lot of people off is getting dirty. After a long day hiking in the sun, swimming in a lake, or even sweating it out in winter clothes, one can result in some unsavory body odor. There are tremendous personal showers that can be heated with solar power. The difference between a good trip and a bad trip, sometimes, is just a good cleaning.
Speaking of cleanliness, no one likes the funky flavor of purification tablets in water. Bring enough water, or get a dependable water filter that provides effective contaminant removal, has a good flow rate (you don’t want to be there all day), is easy for everyone to use, and has a long enough filter life that multiple people can make good use of it.
7. Keep it Cool or Heat it Up
We’ve talked a bit about getting a good tent wood stove for the winter, and that is always a good idea if you’re into a canvas tent. But controlling the temperature is a huge factor when it comes to providing comfort. Air needs to move to keep fresh, and nobody likes stagnant air in a tent. For the summer, canvas tents have windows and doors that can be propped open, and with a proper mesh installed, they can let in plenty of fresh air while keeping the bugs out. The fine line to toe here is the shoulder season, spring, and fall. Luckily, as I stated above, canvas is an incredibly versatile material and is ideal for all four seasons. While this is the case, one thing that is often overlooked in both winter and summer is the personal fan. They are battery-powered or rechargeable, can be moved from here to there, and usually will last a few days on one charge. A little breeze can do wonders for comfort.
8. Bring the Power
The whole point of getting away from civilization is to leave the electronics at home, but this doesn’t have to be a hard and fast rule. If you’re not headed to a meditation retreat, or some kind of spiritual cleansing, a little time on the phone won’t kill anyone. Afterall, we’ve grown accustomed to having them around. Not to mention that’s how everyone takes photos these days.
Moreover, those electric fans and lights from above might need to be charged when you’re out on a long, 10-mile hike. You don’t want to sacrifice the camping experience. No one is recommending bringing a 1,500-watt, gas-powered generator to power a 72-inch flatscreen. But if the kids have some games to keep them calm on their tablets, letting them escape during the dying hours of the day is a great way for everyone to relax. For those workaholics that can’t sleep without checking email one last time, this is also a great benefit. Just remember to take a little time and shut off the screen.
Make the Wild Scene Your Scene
With all of the modern comforts, there’s no need for anyone not enjoy every minute camping, especially when sleeping. We all have the things that we prefer close to us, whether it’s a good blanket, a warm cup of tea or milk before bed, or having the time to cook a dish you normally wouldn’t at home, it can all be done at camp. The idea that everything must be absolutely minimal is a thing of the past. Everyone has the means, the know-how is available in a handy blog (you’re welcome), and we’re all working hard to have some fun. Why not be comfortable doing it?
Keep what you love about home and combine it with everything you love about home. If that means making your crew a luxury tent, then make the best luxury tent the world has ever seen. The best part about the outdoors is that everyone experiences it differently, and there’s no reason we all shouldn’t embrace that for ourselves and for each other.
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