Building a Sleep System

Your sleep system can make or break a camping trip. We run through the basics of selecting your first mat, bag, pillow and liner to set yourself up for a comfortable night's sleep.

So you’ve decided to try your hand at an overnighter or a multiday? 

Congratulations! Waking up with the sunrise or to birds chirping a few metres away from you is an absolute delight- unless you’re not a morning person, then disregard said singing birds.

If you’re new to the camping market, then allow us to introduce you to an important term: “sleep system”. This is a term for your whole sleeping kit and usually includes a sleeping mat, sleeping bag, and pillow; liners and blankets are optional inclusions as well. 

Starting from the ground up, make sure your tent has a tarp or ground sheet to provide the first layer of protection against the terrain and chill that can come up from the ground. It will also increase the life of your tent floor.

Sleeping mat/pad:

Your sleeping mat can make or break a good night's sleep. Sleeping mats provide padding under you and insulated mats limit your body heat being drawn out by the cold ground.

Take your time when deciding which mat works best for you. Some are filled with air alone, making them pack especially small, while others contain foam, which inflates on its own and adds extra padding. They also come in a variety of shapes and thicknesses. All of these choices of course affect the weight and packed size of your preferred mat, so keep in mind how much space you’ll have in your pack.

Before you come in store or shop online, consider your sleeping style. 

• Do you lie on your side, back or front? Side sleepers put more weight on a smaller area, and may need extra padding at the hips and shoulders. Your choice of pillow height will also be affected by sleeping position.
• Do you roll around a lot? Some mats, include many in the Nemo range, feature higher edges to keep you centred on the mat. Look for quiet fabrics too, so your tossing and turning won’t wake up tent-mates.

Always test the mat and take into consideration what is needed to set it up, this may mean you need to carry a hand pump or only need a few breaths of air. We recommend using a pump (dry-bag style, hand-powered or electronic), to minimise moisture and mould buildup inside the bag from breath, maximising the usable life of your mat..

If you’re used to a plush mattress at home or suffer from hip/back issues, it’s worth opting for a thicker, more plush mat, and bearing the extra pack weight, to ensure you get a good rest. Even thick and comfy mats like the Sea to Summit Comfort Plus series pack down surprisingly small and light.

Sleeping mat insulation is rated with an R value (resistance to heat flow). Which value you need depends on the weather and whether you are a warm or cold sleeper. See one of our earlier blogs for more information on R values. 

Sleeping bag:

Choosing a sleeping bag is so important, we’ve written a whole blog on it! Check it out here: How to Choose a Sleeping Bag 

Liner:

A liner is essentially a large pocket that you encase yourself in when inside your sleeping bag. It provides extra warmth and helps keep your sleeping bag cleaner for longer. Just like a sheet on your bed at home, a liner captures any oils from your body so they’re not absorbed by your sleeping bag. This reduces clumps of feathers or fibres forming in your sleeping bag and maintains an even distribution of the insulation. 

Pillow:

If you’re tight on space, then a rolled up jumper can suffice for an evening, but to avoid any neck injuries, headaches or disrupted sleep, try out a lightweight pillow which can be inflated to your preferred pressure. Sea to Summit mat and pillows also have a locking system to stop the pillow from sliding off your mat throughout the night. 

Blanket:

When sleeping in cooler environments, a lightweight blanket can really help retain warmth while both asleep and when sitting around your campsite. In warmer climates, a blanket can even replace a sleeping bag.

If you have any sleeping requirements which we haven’t covered here, feel free to ask us in store or contact us online. 
We hope this guide helps you get a great night’s sleep, for maximum enjoyment of the day ahead.