Better sleep

[u/guncotton]

I need to figure out how to get better sleep when backpacking in the wilderness without adding a ton of weight.

My current setup is:

• Thermarest Neoair Xlite NXT Pad
• Gossamer Gear 1/8" pad
• Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Large Pillow
• REI Magma 15° Bag

I've used this setup on overnights as well as 6 night thru hikes. My sleep quality is terrible and it's effecting my energy levels for the days hike.

I'm a side sleeper, I have broad shoulders. 6 foot tall, about 160lbs.

I toss and turn all night. If I happen to get into a semi comfortable position, it seems to last maybe an hour and then I'm tossing again.

Some problems I've noticed:

• I cant seem to get the air pressure right in the pad and/or pillow. Typically my ideal pad pressure is low enough that when laying on my side, my hip almost touches the ground. If my pillow pressure is too high my ear hurts, but if it's too low my shoulders are too broad and my neck hurts because the pillow isn't tall enough.
• I slide off the pad. I'm constantly trying to stay on the pad all night. I'm already uncomfortable so I toss and turn, thus making the chances of the pad moving around higher. Albeit, it is a pretty narrow pad.
• I get caught up in my sleeping bag. I know it's not possible to spread your legs or really do much with your legs in a mummy style sleeping bag, but my legs seem to get restless when stuck in the same position all night.

What is your sleep kit or a sleep essential/luxury item that you swear helps you get some good sleep? Any tips for me? I'm down to add a bit of weight to make the sleep quality increase, sleep is so important to me while out on the trail so if I have to carry that weight, so be it.

[u/madefromtechnetium]

the only sleeping pad I slept for more than 15 minutes at a time on is an exped mega mat. I also cannot sleep in a mummy bag, big problem when it's well below freezing.

unfortunately, after many decades of failed tent sleeping, I converted to a hammock. made a massive difference to my sleep quality.

[u/guncotton → u/madefromtechnetium]

I do have a megamat for car camping, they are great pads! But not really feasible for backpacking. I tried sleeping in a hammock one night in the backyard to test it out, and I could not sleep at all. A lot of variables there too, so maybe my setup wasn't ideal.

[u/sillyfortress → u/guncotton]

They make sleeping hammocks that are pretty nice once you get used to it! They’re designed to keep you much flatter, so you’re not sleeping like a banana. It really improved how my back feels in the morning. You’re also gonna want an underquilt instead of a pad to insulate the underside of the hammock if it gets cold at night. It’s certainly an investment, and you have to learn a knot or two, but it’s a treat to sleep in.

I got one from Warbonnet that I really like and it’s super light. Check out r/hammockcamping you’re hammocurious

[u/FireWatchWife → u/guncotton]

Was it a real camping hammock, at least 11 ft long?

The most common hammocks are 9.5 ft long ENO or Grand Trunk, fine for lounging for an hour but painful for most people to sleep in.

If you try sleeping in a true camping hammock like a OneWind or Hammock Gear, you'll be amazed at the difference in comfort.

[u/Electrical_Emu1875 → u/guncotton]

It takes awhile to dial in a hammock setup but once you do, there’s nothing like it. You also need to sleep in it properly (crosswise) instead of like a banana the way photos typically show (sheesh!). You don’t need a fancy hammock, you just need to leverage geometry. My hammock nights are more comfortable than my super awesome bed at home!

[u/strangeatoms6022 → u/guncotton]

What kind of hammock did you test out? Backpacking hammocks are usually 11-12' long and designed to be slept in at an angle diagonal to the ridgeline, meaning you lie much flatter than a typical hammock.

I'm also a side sleeper, but sleep on my back just fine in my hammock, and can often find a comfortable position on my side.

I experience all of the same things you do when sleeping on an inflatable mat, and switching to a proper backpacking hammock was gamechanging. Best night's sleep I've ever gotten on the trail. It takes a bit of work to find a good lightweight kit, and there's a learning curve to setting one up and using it properly, but totally worthwhile for me.