Your local sporting goods store often has camping gear you can check out. Talk to a store employee about what your options are and which items have been rated highly before making a selection. You can also search online for retailers that sell sleeping gear. Websites often offer plenty of information on which camping gear is the best to get for your situation and which brands are worth the price.
If you’re camping with another person, consider a sleeping bag that can fit 2 people for extra insulation and warmth. You can also use 2 sleeping bags for yourself or 2 people. Open your first sleeping bag and lay it flat. You can put a sheet over it if you want and then open the other sleeping bag to use as a blanket. A removable sleeping bag liner can help keep your sleeping bag cleaner if you will be using it for several nights. If it rains or snows, you will probably need to sleep in your sleeping bag inside a tent, vestibule or other makeshift cover for protection.
You can get a compressed foam mattress covered with waterproof nylon that provides good insulation. The foam expands once the twist valve is opened. You can also blow into the valve to get the cushioning more to your liking. If you are backpacking, consider a 1" to 2" thick pad so that it is lighter to carry and takes up less room. A thicker pad for better comfort can also be purchased if you prefer. Fitted sheets might be available for some pads. If your back gets sore lying flat on the ground on something like thin foam, then use a jacket folded in half lengthwise and rolled into a cylinder underneath your pad for the small of your back.
You can use a hat, a backpack or some other material under your legs and feet for insulation.
You can usually get an air foot pump or electric pump to blow air into your mattress if you don’t want to spend the time and energy blowing it up yourself. Air mattresses tend to be bulky and can be heavy as well, depending on the brand you get.
If you do decide to use a hammock, make sure you can find a spot that will accommodate it.
Camping on the beach can be uncomfortable with sand getting into everything. You can use flannel sheets instead of cotton here because the loose weave will allow sand to pass through the material. It can be helpful to bring an old comforter from your house to use as a blanket because it’s familiar so might help you fall asleep.
You can use spare clothing or an insulated jacket as a pillow. If you can’t spare any clothing, you can roll up a backpack and stick it underneath a blanket.
Trees provide shade and possibly even fruit, so they can be a good place to sleep. Always check the branches above you and make sure none are dead or dying so they won’t fall on you while you sleep. A pine tree is an ideal place to sleep under. The old needles and twigs that have fallen over the years can be soft and very insulating. While grassy areas can seem inviting, they can encourage condensation to form overnight. If you find a cave, it can be a good place to get out of the elements but always watch out for animals.
Sweaty or damp clothing always needs to be taken off as soon as possible. You can put extra clothing outside of your sleeping bag to add more insulation if needed. Wear a beanie or other type of hat. Your head and face can get very cold since heat escapes from exposed areas. Covering these areas will go a long way to keep you warm. You can also cinch your hood to keep heat in.
If you can, put a medium piece of cloth down over your bed before laying down on it. You can use a towel, sheet, sweatshirt or slip cover. You can use a washcloth, paper towels or clothes as a pillow between the rock, tree or ground that your head is laying on.
Use dry clothing and extra blankets to fill the spaces in your bag around your body so that there is less area for your body to heat. Use a water bottle full of warm water. Put it next to your body, preferably your torso. This can help generate more heat.
Take this opportunity to look at the twinkling stars, smell the clean air and listen to the sounds of the wilderness.
Be prepared for nighttime bathroom breaks. Put a flashlight or headlamp near you, along with your shoes.
Eat foods that contain the sleep hormone melatonin, such as tart cherries or walnuts.
A warm beverage can be soothing and help you keep warm. Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages, though, if it is cold. They can actually increase heat loss because consuming alcohol tends to dilate blood vessels under the skin.
Try sleeping near a river (keep a safe distance). The sound of rushing water can serve as white noise that drowns out unnerving night sounds. Eventually, you will be tired enough to fall asleep. It can be rough at first but if you are sleeping on the ground for more than a night or 2, it will start to get very easy. Being as comfortable as possible is the most helpful thing you can do to fall asleep on the ground.
