Miserable time in a tent

[Hackleback]

A roomier (rectangle) bag may help, more weight, but if you sleep better, worth the weight. another option might be Tylenol PM or Benadryl.

The joys of getting older I suspect. I never know when Im going to get a good (or not so good) nights sleep.

 

[Owenst7]

If your trouble sleeping is related to claustrophobia and a lack of headroom, check out the Wall Tent Shop's Wilderness Canvas Tent with a 6' sidewall. We make these in an 8x10 and adding a foot to our standard 5' sidewall is going to give you a 9' peak and might make you feel more at home. That combined with a quality sleeping pad or bag could help you out significantly.

How much does that weigh?

 

[Where's Bruce?]

I too am big and a side sleeper. I do ok with an air mattress but its not great. I went the hammock route and its significantly better but not ideal. Just make sure if you go that route go long and wide as its easier for us side sleepers. Otherwise those ultra lite cots are a good solution as well.

I agree. Who says hammocks are for warm weather. They are damn toasty little cocoons in the winter cold. Less space to heat, properly insulated they are ideal bivy camps.

All packed up-leaves no trace.

 

[Tyler Beck]

How much does that weigh?

The Canvas only is going to come in at 50lb. Not practical for going too far, but if it produces better sleep quality it may be worth the effort.

 

[Owenst7]

The Canvas only is going to come in at 50lb. Not practical for going too far, but if it produces better sleep quality it may be worth the effort.

OP said he's only talking about backpacking. My entire load out with weapon and food and backpack is 50 lbs.

Might be worth trying a hammock in mild conditions to see how you like it, then looking in to underquilts and stuff. Hammocks just get heavy and/or expensive to do cold weather comfortably. I do sleep better in a hammock than anything else.

There's a learning curve that turns a lot of people off. A lot of people try an ENO (which are a couple feet too short) and decide it's not for them. You really need an ~11' hammock and hang it with a lot of droop, then lay in it diagonally. It would be a good idea to spend some time on hammockforums.net researching before you get a credit card out.

 

[rm06]

Side sleeper here as well, 6', 200lbs. I use a Therm-a-Rest NeoAir 30" pad which is about a pound heavier than the XLite and when I'm on my side my shoulder and hip do not touch the ground. I'm on the hunt for a new sleeping bag or quilt as well and exploring options.

I've learned over the years that for me personally, the biggest factor that affects my sleeping is my physical conditioning. When I haven't been hitting it hard at the gym or going on training hikes my sleep at high elevation suffers.

 

[Big Nasty]

I tried both quilts and sleeve bags, both worked but wasn't great. I finally got a Nemo spoon bag this year and finally fits my style of sleep. I can toss and turn all night, not get cold from drafts, side sleep(insulation all around)and has the most leg room I've found in any bag. To me it's worth the extra pound.

A thicker sleeping pad will help, there's a couple 4" out there but really it's only going to do so much at high altitude. I read a study that showed the effects of sleep in places other than your bed, this was in hotel rooms, that the first 2 days most people got horrible sleep no matter what. Naturally you body goes into high alert mode subconsciously. I can't imagine what sleeping in the wilderness at high altitude coupled by hunting does to your body. That being said I noticed if I can keep my tent in the same spot over the entire hunt I get better sleep. I also try get a 2 hr nap in around noon if things are slow. I never use sleep aids but when I'm in the backcountry I'll take 2 Tylenol pm at night. Tried melatonin, it's given me ultra weird dreams every time. Obviously dehydration is an issue, peeing out my bag in a floorless is a must nowadays.

I also listen to a book on tape from audible.com on my phone, stops my mind from racing. I have only ever hunted solo, which also adds another level of alertness but I feel ya man, it can be hard to sleep.


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I totally agree with the above statement about the nemo sleeping bag, I'm A big guy and only sleep on my side, the spoon shape of the bags was a perfect fit. Best bag I've had IMO. I also wear ear plugs and take Benadryl and getting solid nights sleep now.

 

[Sverimerica]

I agree. Who says hammocks are for warm weather. They are damn toasty little cocoons in the winter cold. Less space to heat, properly insulated they are ideal bivy camps.

All packed up-leaves no trace.

Is it nice and cozy for cooking?

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[huntsman22]

if you cook in your lap......

 

[archer wapiti]

Nothing like a pot of hot nosh on your belly while you're laying in your hammock with an underquilt below and bag/quilt above.

 

[huntsman22]

cozy......

 

[Sverimerica]

Nothing like a pot of hot nosh on your belly while you're laying in your hammock with an underquilt below and bag/quilt above.

Which is why I cant get into hammocks....seems inherantly flawed

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[Owenst7]

Is it nice and cozy for cooking?

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I just lean over while still in my bag and cook on the ground next to me. I actually find it more comfortable and a lot safer than trying to cook in my tarp shelter. I can't spill anything on my bag/quilt, and I can't catch my shelter on fire.

Once I make coffee and hot breakfast, I slide upward in my hammock so that I'm sitting upright with my back supported. Similar posture to a lounge chair, and still in my bag/quilt. I find this much more comfortable than sitting cross-legged on my pad or supported on my side/elbow. Again, if I spill something, it only gets the ground wet and not my insulation.

I hang my hammock so that the lowest point is only about 12" off the ground, so about the same situation as sitting in a lounge chair with your drink on the ground next to you. Hanging it any higher just makes it harder to get in and out of, and is somewhat difficult for me at 5'10" if I have the proper amount of slack to lay flat in it.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

I just lean over while still in my bag and cook on the ground next to me. I actually find it more comfortable and a lot safer than trying to cook in my tarp shelter. I can't spill anything on my bag/quilt, and I can't catch my shelter on fire.

Once I make coffee and hot breakfast, I slide upward in my hammock so that I'm sitting upright with my back supported. Similar posture to a lounge chair, and still in my bag/quilt. I find this much more comfortable than sitting cross-legged on my pad or supported on my side/elbow. Again, if I spill something, it only gets the ground wet and not my insulation.

I hang my hammock so that the lowest point is only about 12" off the ground, so about the same situation as sitting in a lounge chair with your drink on the ground next to you. Hanging it any higher just makes it harder to get in and out of, and is somewhat difficult for me at 5'10" if I have the proper amount of slack to lay flat in it.

Clearly the guys commenting haven't tried hammock camping and frankly until you have it's difficult to understand the post above. It's not harder or easier than using a Jetboil in a tent vestibule. I find it more comfortable, warmer, easier and faster to set up and I like it doesn't go back in my pack with mud on it in rainy conditions.

 

[Owenst7]

Clearly the guys commenting haven't tried hammock camping and frankly until you have it's difficult to understand the post above. It's not harder or easier than using a Jetboil in a tent vestibule. I find it more comfortable, warmer, easier and faster to set up and I like it doesn't go back in my pack with mud on it in rainy conditions.

They have their advantages and disadvantages.

What sold me was realizing I can sleep anywhere on a steep slope and lay flat, so long as there's some trees around. Sometimes I get stuck in steep areas and have trouble finding a flat spot big enough for just my pad to lay down. When I have my hammock with me, it's just about instant. It's great to take a break on a hot day while climbing a steep hill.

Makes a killer lounger to use in front of my spotter too. Goes with me on all my scouting trips, especially when it's hot and the breeze is appreciated.

 

[big10hunter]

When you guys say benadryl...what kind do you mean?

 

[Big Nasty]

When you guys say benadryl...what kind do you mean?

Benadryl the allergy capsules, helps with allergies but mostly just puts you to sleep for a solid 6-8 hrs.

 

[Owenst7]

When you guys say benadryl...what kind do you mean?

 

[mk_v]

Haha that’s exactly what it does.


Mk

 

[Grouser1]

I just cannot sleep in a tent in a sleeping bag anymore. I am a side sleeper and move around a lot. I do not want to go to a teepee or tarp. any other suggestions?

Look at Big Agnes sleeping bags/pads. Pad fits in a sleeve on the bottom side of the bag. You can't roll off of it and you can toss and turn all you want. This means they can add room to the bag without adding weight, as the pad acts as the insulation on the floor side. No claustrophobia. They make super lightweight tents as well.