Added Weight For better sleep

[S.Clancy]

Id say a thicker pad at minimum. It also helps to be a lighter weight human. I know I slept better on a pad at 170 lbs than I do at 185-190 lbs.

 

[stan_wa]

I'm usually feeling pretty dialed in with my sleeping bag being my "2nd bed" following the summer. I don't do much or any camping in the winter months so

Would you say that your Friday night or first night out sleep is improved as you get more used to even when sleeping at home during the week.

 

[stan_wa]

Id say a thicker pad at minimum. It also helps to be a lighter weight human. I know I slept better on a pad at 170 lbs than I do at 185-190 lbs.

I got about 10 lbs to lose via summer training . I’m not sure I have noticed a difference.

 

[Poser]

Would you say that your Friday night or first night out sleep is improved as you get more used to even when sleeping at home during the week.

for sure.

 

[ianpadron]

Relying on substances and/or earplugs to get a good night's sleep in the backcountry isn't something I'd ever feel comfortable with.

Feeling groggy or being partly deaf when you've got a bear rolling through camp is a recipe for disaster.

I've had too many run-ins with critters at night for me to play that game on purpose.

 

[S.Clancy]

Relying on substances and/or earplugs to get a good night's sleep in the backcountry isn't something I'd ever feel comfortable with.

Feeling groggy or being partly deaf when you've got a bear rolling through camp is a recipe for disaster.

I've had too many run-ins with critters at night for me to play that game on purpose.

I stuff ear plugs in all the time in griz country. I doubt ear plugs are decreasing my chances of survival much on an already extremely unlikely event.

If ear plugs help you sleep better you could argue they make you more aware during the rest of the day to potentially avoid a conflict while out and about.

Avoiding conflict in your tent is about proper food/attractant storage

 

[ianpadron]

I stuff ear plugs in all the time in griz country. I doubt ear plugs are decreasing my chances of survival much on an already extremely unlikely event.

If ear plugs help you sleep better you could argue they make you more aware during the rest of the day to potentially avoid a conflict while out and about.

Avoiding conflict in your tent is about proper food/attractant storage

To each their own, but taking away one of your most important senses while sleeping in the woods isn't ideal. Takes 1 time for that decision to be regretted.

My "ah-ha" moment regarding ear plugs occurred in the Selkirks of Idaho with an overly curious pack of wolves on a solo November hunt. Not interested in re-living that.

 

[S.Clancy]

To each their own, but taking away one of your most important senses while sleeping in the woods isn't ideal. Takes 1 time for that decision to be regretted.

My "ah-ha" moment regarding ear plugs occurred in the Selkirks of Idaho with an overly curious pack of wolves on a solo November hunt. Not interested in re-living that.

Working in Bridger-Teton I was ramming ear plugs in my ears every night for 80-100 nights a year for 3 years. Not to mention however many nights in WY or MT working for game agencies or hunting/backpacking.

If your gonna get nailed it's gonna be when you are out moving around unless you are extremely unlucky (it's extremely unlucky anyways) or you are really dumb and have food or something in your sleeping area with you.

 

[rogerdoger]

Don't look at your Garmin sleep score. It will only put the negative thought in your head that you didn't get enough sleep.

 

[gtriple]

I think a few of you are in to something with the practice sleeping on it at home. I would guess I spend 15/20 night a year in the backpack tent so enough to tinker with the set up but not enough to adjust. I have found that after a few nights in a row I sleep better. This leads me to think a few night at home would help. Or I’ll just be tired at the start of my trip haha

When im Gone every week end hunting from mid August thru mid December the wife is very understanding but if I start sleeping in the yard that might be a bit to much haha.

Has anyone noticed if sleeping on your bed for a few nights between trips ( as a weekend warrior) resets your “getting used to it” I’ll have to pay attention to that this year .

I’ll try the wide pad, ear plugs , and a melatonin

You should try a different pad design. The baffle design in the NeoAir line is the least comfortable possible way of doing baffles in a sleeping pad.

I’d highly recommend the REI Helix in a wide version. I slept horribly in the backcountry until I got this pad.

 

[ianpadron]

Working in Bridger-Teton I was ramming ear plugs in my ears every night for 80-100 nights a year for 3 years. Not to mention however many nights in WY or MT working for game agencies or hunting/backpacking.

If your gonna get nailed it's gonna be when you are out moving around unless you are extremely unlucky (it's extremely unlucky anyways) or you are really dumb and have food or something in your sleeping

I'm glad you haven't had any issues, still wouldn't recommend anyone voluntarily disable themselves in the backcountry.

 

[stan_wa]

Don't look at your Garmin sleep score. It will only put the negative thought in your head that you didn't get enough sleep.

It just away for me too identify if I’m sleeping well or not because obviously you’re gonna feel it during the day but it just makes it easier to track if I’m worried about performance I’m not really the kind of guy who gets in my head about stuff I always hunt hard and see it all the way through the end just need a couple naps along the way lol

 

[Aperventure]

This is great discussion, thoughts and ideas.

My opinion is wider & thicker pad is very crucial, but I sleep on side usually with 1 leg straight the other bent waist- knee 90-90 so the extra width and depth due to hip pressure point is important. If you’re a Back sleeper? Maybe not as much of an issue.

The other things discussed really help me:
Pillow that is tall enough important for side sleeper also.
Wearing long Johns so no sweaty knees
Sleep socks vs regular day socks
Beanie on head

And the mental aspect; reflecting & journaling either on phone or pen/paper about for the hunt/scout went that day, what tomorrow. and then any life things you got going on family, kids, work, etc that can creep in and disrupt sleep. Different communication expectations for family and feeling if you are / aren’t meeting the Can be a stressor.

I really like the try sleep system in backyard idea tho. Not sure I’d want to do if 1-2 nights before a trip or not. But if I did and it made a significant difference, How easy would that be? Pretty dang easy. Might be worth trying

 

[KevinInID]

Ear plugs and a sleeping bag with a hood.

 

[199p]

I have played around with running one of these under my pad

Z Lite Sol™ - Closed Cell Foam sleeping Pad | Therm-a-Rest®

A mainstay of thu-hikers and minimalists, the Zlite SOL is a virtually indestructible closed cell foam sleeping pad with a reflective coating added warmth.

cascadedesigns.com

Not worth taking just to use when sleeping but i found its great when glassing and having a mid day snooze
but i found it epic to sleep on having it under my XThurm. got it to protect my tent floor - pad on a few of the spots i go the ground is rough and i use it between the ground sheet and the tent floor and take it out for the day when leaving camp.

 

[stan_wa]

Do any of the users out there wear a smart watch and have sleep scores vs different things they tried?
the sleep score does not tell everything but im really interested to hear if anyone has tested and experience it. in general the consensus seems to be a small weight penalty is worth better sleep but a doubling the weight of the pad is a Huge penalty

 

[nphunter]

I’m 5’7” and 220ish most hunts and use a BA Q’core insulated pad, it’s 4” think and very comfortable. I’ve slept hundreds of days on this pad about 30-50 each year and it’s awesome. I run a 20deg bag and I put my large puffy in the bag that the sleeping bag comes in and use it as a pillow. I sleep better in my tent than at home in my bed. A few Advil PM or melatonin gummies are always in the pack as well, I also carry a little electric pump that doubles as a light and phone charger, love not having to spend a bunch of time blowing the pad up.

 

[NickyD]

I’m 5’7” and 220ish most hunts and use a BA Q’core insulated pad, it’s 4” think and very comfortable. I’ve slept hundreds of days on this pad about 30-50 each year and it’s awesome. I run a 20deg bag and I put my large puffy in the bag that the sleeping bag comes in and use it as a pillow. I sleep better in my tent than at home in my bed. A few Advil PM or melatonin gummies are always in the pack as well, I also carry a little electric pump that doubles as a light and phone charger, love not having to spend a bunch of time blowing the pad up.

I’ll second the Q’core. I’ve had it a few years and it’s provided the best sleep I’ve had in the backcountry. 30” wide really helps. It’s on par with my Exped megamat and I can pack it in. 6’ 270 lbs

 

[Pzak]

I also pay the weight penalty and use a Qcore when I sleep on the ground and I add a Z Lite to help with reducing punctures when I run my floorless Seek. I justify the extra weight as I also use it as a glass pad during the day. If it is more than 5 days, I like my hammock. Way better sleep, but more weight.

 

[Demlockian]

Air pads are like mattresses; each person will have a different preference. I would recommend going to your local REI and trying different brands at home before going back into the field. This way, you can return what doesn't work fairly easily (Amazon is pretty good on returns also).

An option you might like is the REI Rail series of pads, as they have "edges" to help keep you centered on the pad. I use mine in Alaska when the temps drop (think sub-freezing). All other times of the year, I use a Sleepingo cheapie ($35) from Amazon that's just under 14oz and has lasted five years.

https://www.rei.com/product/216364/rei-co-op-airrail-plus-sleeping-pad