That’s exactly what I want to share with you today. So here are my ultimate, yet very subjective tips on how to sleep better outdoors, whether in a tent, under a tarp or in a simple shelter. Before we begin, one quick note: I’ve tested all these tips myself, and still use them regularly on tours. They work brilliantly for me, though one or two might not be everyone’s cup of tea.
Tip No. 1 – A good campsite
Finding a good campsite isn’t always easy. Depending on where you are, wild camping or bivouacking may be allowed, tolerated, or even completely forbidden. How this is handled across different countries and regions can be hard to navigate. Anni and I gave it a try anyway. If the topic interests you, have a look at our posts:
Looking for a place to sleep – What’s allowed when wild camping in Germany?
Hotel Europa – Where is wild camping permitted?
Aside from legalities, there are still a few things worth considering when choosing your spot.
Flat and dry
For a comfortable night, your sleeping spot should be as level as possible. If it isn’t, lie with your feet pointing downhill. A large rucksack at your feet helps to stop you from sliding. This keeps you lying comfortably and avoids the constant battle of slipping off your mat. If you’re sharing a tent, it also prevents you from rolling downhill into your neighbour. Sleeping with your head pointing downhill is rarely a good idea – unless you’re a bat…
You should also make sure the place is as dry as possible. That’s not always easy, especially after rain. Still, try to avoid ground that is completely waterlogged. Ground moisture can eventually seep through the tent floor, especially with older tents. Without a tent, wet ground is unpleasant anyway. A groundsheet helps, with or without a tent, but the drier the spot, the more comfortable your night.
Avoid tall grass and riverbanks
Near rivers and tall grasses, everything gets damp overnight thanks to dew. This is particularly relevant when bivouacking. If you don’t fancy waking up feeling freshly showered inside your sleeping bag, avoid places where heavy dew is likely. Forests or forest edges are usually better than open meadows or small hollows. A large tree with a dense crown can also offer decent protection.
On multi‑day hikes, I also like to keep an eye out for pavilions or lookout huts. It’s not exactly “full outdoors”, but you usually get good shelter from rain, and with a bit of luck a bench from which to enjoy the sunset before heading to sleep.
Tip No. 2 – The right sleeping mat
Finding the perfect mat is a science of its own. The best one for you depends on plenty of factors. I won’t dive into the sleeping‑mat rabbit hole here – if you’re interested, check out Simon’s article:
Sleeping mats: You make your bed, you lie in it
To keep it simple: a good mat suits you, your location, the season and the conditions. If you’re travelling by car, you can happily take one of those wonderfully thick, delightfully heavy, self‑inflating mats. Great for comfort, not so great for hiking or cycling.
So as is often the case, you need a good compromise. Lightweight mats can be uncomfortable yet durable – or durable yet uncomfortable. I wrestled with this problem for ages and eventually found a system that works perfectly for me. Here comes my own personal little trick.
The idea is a second mat…
I’ve got a dodgy back and need a mat that’s both comfortable and as light as possible. Last year on a multi‑day tour, I realised that once tired enough, I simply couldn’t rest properly because I was lying uncomfortably. That’s not fun after night three. So: lightweight and comfortable is ideal.
At the same time, I often sleep on rocky ground. So the mat needs to withstand rough terrain. With very thin air mats, I always worry a single stone might puncture them. A foam mat or thin self‑inflating mat would admittedly be best, but my back simply doesn’t tolerate them. A dilemma… but one I’ve solved.
I’ve always owned a relatively thin, but warm and incredibly durable THERM‑A‑REST mat. It’s practically indestructible. Even the worst conditions never harmed it, and I’m convinced it might just be bulletproof… who knows. But it’s the opposite of comfortable. So not enough on its own. I also have a second, small lightweight mat that provides comfort. Combined, they’re brilliant. Here’s the trick:
The durable mat goes on the ground. My sleeping bag goes on top. And INSIDE the sleeping bag goes the second mat. Brands like Klymit make special models for this. My inner mat is more of a grid than a full mat – but it cushions the pressure points at hips and shoulders perfectly. Then, the sleeping bag fills the gaps, which boosts both comfort and insulation.
And the weight? Both mats together are still under a kilo.
Tip No. 3 – Keep your head up!
Can you lie completely flat and sleep comfortably? Me neither. Maybe I’m getting old, whatever. Either way: a pillow is essential. But who wants to carry one on tour? They’re bulky, not ultralight, and it feels very contradictory to trim grams everywhere only to pack a pillow. But sleeping well matters. Here are two solutions.
Pack the stuff sack
The lightweight DIY version: use things you already have. Stuff sacks are always part of your kit – tent bags, sleeping‑bag sacks and so on. Choose the one closest in size and shape to a pillow. If you have a soft one (often the sleeping bag’s stuff sack), use that. Fill it with a few clothes – the softer, the better. A down jacket or fleece works great. Make sure the bag isn’t too firm or too floppy; loosely filled works best.
Travel pillow rulez
There are also travel pillows that weigh next to nothing and have a tiny pack-size. I’m a self‑confessed softie, so I’m a huge fan. Some weigh barely more than a large egg and compress down smaller than a pack of tissues. Tempting, right? That’s the deluxe‑softie version: a proper pillow that you simply inflate. They’re usually filled with synthetic fibres, so they don’t become a cold spot in low temperatures. And since they’re only used for sleeping, they stay clean – unlike stuff sacks or clothes.
Tip No. 4 – Clothes maketh the sleeper
Want a personal confession? Since we’re among friends… here it is: at home, I always sleep in underwear. Nothing else. No pyjamas, no nightdress (there goes my long‑kept secret). When I’m travelling, it’s similar but not quite the same. There are reasons for that.
The nightlife of thermal base layers
I think it’s really worth taking clothes specifically for sleeping. I prefer long, dark‑coloured thermal base layers. Use them only for sleeping and they stay clean, warm and comfortable even on long tours – especially when hygiene standards inevitably drop without showers. It’s a joy to have something fresh to sleep in.
Thermal base layers also keep you warm, which is useful on cool evenings. I can read in the tent without having to hide in the warmth of my sleeping bag. And another benefit: if you need to nip outside at night, you don’t need to rummage for clothes and wake everyone else. You can simply step out as you are.
Bonus: if you’re surprised by a cold snap, you have warm base layers ready for extra insulation.
Tip No. 5 – Tidying up
A few years ago, I was travelling through southern France in summer and had a very persistent nighttime visitor. Not only did he want to feast on my leftovers and make a racket, he refused to take the hint. Even after I told him several times that he wasn’t welcome, he wouldn’t leave. Have you guessed yet?
I’m talking about a hedgehog. When I first saw him, he was staring at me from inside my cooking pot. The pot still had food scraps inside but was covered with a lid and weighted down. Somehow he figured out how to open it and was happily munching away on my leftover spaghetti. Little rascal. I carried him into the woods – came back – and there he was again. This happened several times over, until everything was finally hedgehog‑proof.
Tidiness is essential
If you don’t want hedgehogs in your pot or mice in your coffee cup, tidy up before you go to sleep. Food leftovers and dirty dishes attract animals. If you don’t want them having noisy late‑night parties in your cookware, wash it or store it securely.
Flora can also be annoying. Dew can soak clothes and gear overnight. Anyone who has ever pulled on a dew‑damp shirt knows the feeling… But there’s a simple fix: pack everything away in your backpack or bring it inside the tent. Then it stays dry, and on cold nights you can warm the next day’s clothes inside your sleeping bag. I usually put my shoes on top of my backpack so they’re off the ground and protected from moisture.
Tip No. 6 – Don’t drive yourselves mad
Sleeping outside – especially in the woods – often triggers associations like “scary”, “dangerous”, or “creepy”. Fairy tales don’t help: robbers in the woods, wolves stalking children, mysterious night creatures… But here’s the truth: there’s nothing out there. Nothing threatening, at least. Even if it rustles, whistles or cracks: there’s nothing evil lurking. You can sleep outdoors peacefully.
Midnight snack for wild animals
People often claim wild animals see sleeping humans as easy prey, with wolves attacking hikers or scavengers making mistakes. But in Central Europe, the danger from wildlife is practically zero. No wild boar is going to nibble your toes off; no wolf is going to attack you in your sleep.
Wild animals only attack when threatened, cornered, or protecting their young. If you’re sleeping quietly, you’re not a threat. In fact, humans usually scare them off before we even notice them. If you want to be extra cautious, check your camping spot for tracks, as wild boar leave obvious signs. Avoid watering holes and areas near hunting stands depending on the season.
And creepy‑crawlies? Spiders, insects and similar creatures don’t usually crawl on you at night. Humans simply aren’t that interesting to them – except maybe mosquitoes.
So, off you go!
As you can see, with a few tricks you can massively improve your sleep outdoors.
“Hang on… Lisa, you’ve not mentioned sleeping bags!?! This is all about sleeping, and the sleeping bag is the essential bit of kit, and you say nothing? Highly suspicious…” Thanks, imaginary heckler. True, but there’s a reason. First: I simply don’t have any special tips regarding sleeping bags. Second: Stephan and Simon have already done a fantastic job explaining everything in their articles. So, my imaginary friend, there you go:
Getting the Right Sleeping Bag for Your Adventures: A Buyer’s Guide to Sleeping Bags
And:
Temperature Ratings on Sleeping Bags – What Do They Really Mean?
But now over to you…
What about you? What tricks do you use for a restful night outdoors? Maybe you’ve got tips of your own. I’d genuinely love to hear them as I’m constantly on the move and always keen to try something new. Write to me and I’ll definitely give your suggestions a go.
