7 Tips for Sleeping in a Tent

 If you are new to the world of camping or maybe you have decided to go out in nature for the first time and sleep in the open air, we at Extreme Sports will help you with the preparation by giving you some invaluable tips on how to make your vacation smooth and smooth.

Camping has become increasingly popular in recent years. This is a great opportunity to get closer to nature, recharge your batteries and relax from the dynamic and fast-paced city life. Of course, camping and sleeping in a tent, however, require preparation and planning in order for the outdoor experience to be complete. Here are our seven tips if you decide to sleep in a tent.

Planning

When we decide to go out in nature and spend the night in a tent, we must take in mind and plan some basic factors. And since we will sleep in the open air in the mountains, the forest, the dam or the sea, one of the main things we need to get acquainted with is the weather conditions and the forecast during our vacation. Another major factor for our good time is choosing the right season and the right temperature conditions during our camping experience. It is important to think about where we are going. Whether in the wild or in a camping area with built infrastructure - sheds, fireplaces, bathrooms, electrical installation, etc. This will allow us to better plan what to take with us so that we are prepared and there are no surprises. Among the main things we will need during camping are the right camping equipment, the necessary equipment, clothes, food and, last but not least, an additional plan if the weather surprises us and does not allow us to sleep in the open air.

The preparation

Once we have a good plan for our vacation, it's time to pack our bags and leave. Often times we either forget something very necessary and important, or we take too many unnecessary things with us. Above all, however, it is important to inspect your equipment and make sure it is in order and ready. If you have the opportunity, set up your tent in the previous days and carefully inspect all parts. Unfold your sleeping bag and blanket. Inspect the folding chairs and table. Prepare a lantern, headlamp and other light. Replace the batteries if necessary. Take spare external batteries with you, which are well charged. Prepare the necessary utensils, a small grill, change your gas bottle if necessary and check the condition of your gas stove. Freeze food and prepare the cooler bag. Check your first aid kit and replace something if necessary. Buy an insect repellent and sunscreen. Be sure to bring between 10 or 20 square meters of nylon or tarpaulin from a nearby hardware store, which you can use for a floor or canopy, for shade or just to save yourself from heavy rain. Prepare a small bag with essential tools - a screwdriver, a knife, pliers, a hammer, a small ax, a spatula, scissors, "pigtails" and a roll of tape. It is better to have them, if possible, of course. Finally, prepare the necessary clothes and shoes for your vacation.

The place

You have already planned and prepared for your exciting camping experience. Of course, the place we go to is also essential. Whether it will be in the mountains or at sea. In the forest, on the river, next to the dam. In some wild and sheltered place or in a separate campsite. There are some basic rules that are good to think about and follow when we are already there. For convenience, it is good to set up the tent and gather in the light of day. It is usually easy in the separate camping areas, because the places for tents and the terrain are prepared. Nearby you have a barbecue area, running fresh water, perhaps, sinks, showers, a shop or restaurant and more. However, if you come across such a place, it is good to consider the following things. Set up your tent in the tent area. To rest fully, stretch yourself as far away from others as possible. Meet and greet your "neighbors". Sometimes spending such places meets us with interesting and pleasant people with whom to share the time there. Avoid behaving as if you own the place and you are the only one. Comply with the surrounding tents, especially if there are children and babies. Keep quiet in the early hours, afternoon and evening after 22.00. Be friendly and smile. If necessary, help a person in need with the construction of his camp, share tools, utensils, even food and water. When leaving the place, be sure to leave everything in its original form, even cleaner.

If you choose a wild place for your vacation, there are also important things to consider. The terrain where you will set up your tent is essential. Choose a flat place that is not too overgrown or rocky. An attractive idea is to use the shade from the crown of a tree, but this also has its risks. During the summer months, the colors of the trees can fall off and stain the top layer of your tent. Fruit or cones may fall on it at night, waking you up and startling you. If you are near a river or other body of water, be sure to be at a safe distance from the water. One of the most enjoyable activities in the evening is to light a fire and prepare our food there. Let's sit near him, warm up and feel comfortable. But often we do not think about whether the place is suitable for fire. Dry grass, shrubs and branches of low trees are easily flammable. First of all, look for signs prohibiting lighting fires. See if there is already such a hearth built around you. If not, dig a little soil, fence the area with stones and, if you can, place sheet metal or a stone slab underneath. This will leave the place clean the next day and the grass will grow again. Collect dry and, if possible, already fallen branches and trees. Do not cut or damage the trees around your tent. The night before going to bed, make sure that the fire is extinguished and there is no danger of fire. The next day, when we gather and leave, you stay the place as you found it. If you have the opportunity, collect and dispose of garbage found there.

Camping equipment

The tent: During our holiday the tent will be "our house". That is why it is important what exactly we will choose. When making this choice, it is good to consider whether we will carry it on our backs or transport it and place it somewhere. In case we will carry it on our backpack, it should be compact and light - single or double, tunnel or dome. But we carry a lot and put it somewhere, we can choose a bigger and heavier tent. Another factor is how many people will use it. In order to have enough space inside, it is always right to multiply the places by two. For one person - two-seater, for two - four-seater, etc. For greater convenience, we can choose one with a vestibule, where we can leave some of our luggage, as well as two entrances for ventilation and easier access. Nowadays, most tents are two-layer. The upper layer protects us from external conditions and it is important for it what kind of water permeability column there is. The same goes for the floor of our tent. Each tent comes with pegs and additional ropes. It is always good to stretch the tent with them, regardless of the conditions at the moment. Entrances should always be closed with zippers to avoid the entry of insects, spiders, snakes and more. Usually such a small space should be ventilated. Therefore, if you have the opportunity, open the entrance only the second mesh part. Of course, avoid cooking inside, eating and more. As mentioned before, always have nylon or tarpaulin on hand just in case.

The sleeping bag

Made of down or synthetic fibers, mummy or "straight" sleeping bag is an important part of our camping equipment. Again, it is important to consider whether we will carry it with us or transport it. If it is on our backpack, it should again be compact, light, preferably fluffy. In a compression or ordinary tobra, each sleeping bag has recommended temperature limits of comfort and extreme ones. When we buy our bag, we take into account its size, type, place and time when we will use it. It is always appropriate to provide between 3 and 7 degrees below the recommended for use, depending on where we go. For safety, you can always take bed linen with a sack, a bivouac bag or just a lightweight fleece blanket.

The sleeping mat

There are many types and different camping blankets on the market today. The choice is great. The mat in our tent insulates us, softens so far with the ground and helps us sleep more peacefully and comfortably. Blankets are often single-layer or double-layer, with different thickness, length and width. Another type are self-inflating blankets or a type of "mattress" that further increases our comfort during our stay.

The pillow

There are different types of small camping pillows - down, artificial, inflatable and others. They will contribute to a more pleasant and long sleep outdoors. But know that you can always put a few clothes in the compression bag of the sleeping bag and this will be your pillow.

As part of the camping equipment are also all camping furniture - folding light tables and chairs, beds, cabinets and more.

We at Extreme Sports love camping and sleeping outdoors. And we always strive to be well prepared to have a good time. We hope you find this helpful and helpful. And we are always there to give you more. In our Outdoor store Extreme Sport we have all the necessary equipment for your full time and we can always advise you what else you will need. Welcome to our shop.

Photo credit: Husky, Kilpi