Big Agnes Q-Core: geni.us/FzWO Nemo Tensor Insulated: geni.us/7zc0kJa S2S Ether Light: geni.us/NmXVe68 Zenbivy Light Bed: geni.us/5319bg Nemo Fillo: geni.us/JGBYwtT Therm-a-rest Compressible Pillow: geni.us/f502Zo0 S2S Aeros Premium Pillow: geni.us/QXjQ

I appreciate you getting to the point and not making this video 30 mins. Great stuff.

One very important aspect to consider when backpacking with others: noise. I can’t believe how LOUD most of these pads are these days. My dad kept me up all night because every time he adjusted, it sounded like a clown was making me a balloon animal.

One of the roughest parts of working as a wildland firefighter is getting a good night's rest. You made so many great points it actually relieved some of my anxieties for next season. Thank you for the recommendations, I know that gear is going to bring me some much needed rest.

Agreed. Also try a sleeping bag liner. It makes a HUGE difference in comfort. It acts like a base layer and keeps the cold, slick sleeping bag material off your skin. Makes it feel like your sleeping in cozy sheets instead of a ski coat burrito.

For a ~7 minute video, this was densely-packed with information. I appreciate you keeping the value of your viewer's time in mind. Great video - I'll be getting a thicker pad and better pillow myself. Might even start substituting a few things so I can bring my pillow from home.

A PILLOW! Not a rolled up jacket or the end of the backpack, but a dedicated pillow. Everything after that seems secondary. Even my most ultralight kit includes a comfy pillow. Maybe for one night you can get away without it but bad sleep adds up fast. Thank you for summarizing in minutes what it took me 25 years of backpacking to truly understand. I try to be ultra minimalist in every other respect, but to me the pillow is the bare minimum.

For my fellow unhoused people who learn from these videos but contrive cheap/alternative gear: 1. Fuzzy blankets are more lightweight/compact relative to the warmth you get from them when compared to average non-fuzzy blankets, & also when used underneath you they keep you from feeling annoying dirt/debris against your skin. 2. A spare hoodie is great to have (can tie it around your waist or otherwise tie it to things so it doesn't take much inventory space) because you can wear a primary hoodie while using the secondary one as a pillow, a face covering when sleeping during the day or in serious cold, a warm wrap for your feet (stick 'em in the sleeves!), a light moisture shield over your stuff, a knee pillow, or tie it into an extra bag for holding things, among many other uses. 3. If you're trying to sleep okay at night in an urban environment, cardboard & free newspapers aren't just stereotypes, they actually work for insulating you from the ground. Don't be afraid to look like a cliche, trust me, once you try these you'll wish you'd used them sooner. Also rolled up free newspapers inside a spare shirt can make a half decent pillow. Very belated edit: Also, concrete absorbs a lot of heat from sun during the day in warm enough seasons/areas, so it can be a nice thermal bank at night. Sure grass is a little softer but all that soil & moisture transmits cold very effectively. If you're using a thin bedroll anyway it may be worth feeling some cement for a moment to see if it's warm & setting up on that instead, it's usually not all that much harder (compared to dirt in areas I've been in anyway) & you might sleep a good deal warmer for it.

1:00 thick + wide nemo tensor : warm + comfy seattosummit ether light : best compromise between warmth and comfort q-core slx : most comfy but colder 2:30 quilt > sleeping bag bc you can move around zenbivy 7L sleep system : sheet + quilt + pillow holder + loops to hold the quilt in place 4:40 pillow : nemo fillo

I like how you described your journey towards good sleep. For me, it led me to a hammock-based system. It’s not for everyone, but once I learned the skills needed and figured it out, it’s the best sleep I’ve ever gotten outdoors. It really does make all the difference.

Sleeping in a hammock has given me the best sleep over any sort of tent. You can't always get a big sleeping bad to shove in your pack. With a hammock you don't have to try and negate the cold ground if you just have a pad to flatten out the bottom and a sleeping bag to curl up in, that's optimal imo. Of course if you have no trees around you, youre sort of out of luck.

I think it’s fascinating that we can have the same challenges but come to different conclusions. I had a Big Agnes q-core for years, it worked quite well for most applications, but when I started bikepacking across the US I came across a problem: gnarly spiked items that would deflate my pad. From goat weed to burrs I found myself battling a flat air pad in the middle of the night more often than I liked, and ended up changing my pad for one of those close cell foam pads. While it wasn’t nearly as thick, it was very warm, and I learned that I could make a very comfortable bed if I padded my sleeping area with pine needles or leaves.

Thank you addressing being a side sleeper. My hips and back are always achy after camping.

The other thing I learnt, is that going an extra size up (if it is an option) is also a good idea if you are an active or wide sleeper when it comes to sleeping bags/quilts, seems completely obvious but I have always gone for the smallest size possible to save on weight and cost, only to learn that my sleep always seems to be crap.

22 about to be homeless but still want to do good and achieve in life so watching you’re videos to learn how to survive the best I can so I can still work hard and get after it no mater what. Thanks man you help all sorts of people in all deferent times of need in there life. You should be proud.

Honestly a quality pillow is the key to a goodnight sleep anywhere and I’m glad you brought that up. As someone who has broken their neck in 2 different places I’ve been picky about pillows since then and it’s been like a quest to find the best pillow I can regardless of where I lay my head. I do plan on doing a lot more camping starting at the end of this month and I’ve been searching for the right gear to be able to get the best out of my adventures so I am so glad I stumbled across your video. I also like the idea of using a quilt vs a sleeping bag because I am a side sleeper as well and like to kick up my knee, which my old Marine Corps issue sleeping bag doesn’t really allow for. I still use it for now but things might change after seeing this really useful video. Thanks for the excellent video with quality, concise information. 👍👍

I went through the exact same progression. Started with a closed cell pad which led to back, hip, and knee pain. Tried my buddies inflatable and slept awesome. Went with a quilt for versatility... an improvement both in sleep and weight savings. Then discovered wide pads for keeping my arms from falling... another game changer. I've stopped short of the zen bivy and fancy pillows as adding more crap is not in the cards. I love my solid 8 hours in the backcountry.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I bikepack and I'm also, like you, a side sleeper. And I have noticed the very same issues you did with traditional sleep systems. I'm currently using a Sierra Designs Backcountry Bed which is a cross of a sleeping bag and a quilt and find it works for me. But a larger thicker pad is definitely on my shopping list along with a better pillow. Thanks again for a well-thought-out video.

Good info. I found switching to a quilt made a huge difference, as did switching to a self-inflating pad. They just seem to handle side-sleeping a bit better. And here is a little tip, particularly for big guys that struggle with any camp pillow. You need a pillow high enough that your head stays in a straight line with your spine if you sleep on your side. That is just an anatomical fact, there is no getting around it. So no camp pillow you will be willing to take backpacking will ever be high enough on its own. But you can make a crappy pillow out of your spare clothes, then put a more comfortable pillow like the small therm-a-rest on top of that thing, and voila, you have a pillow that is high enough to be comfortable. It doesn't matter that the lower pillow is crappy if the one above it is comfortable.

Before I even complete the video, this is by far the best video talking about outdoor sleeping system. Right to the point. Thank you very much!

Almost 2 decades in the military and this video has taught me a few things. It’s not completely compatible with some of the things I have to do while on exercise or OP’s but it does give some useful information and specific items for me to look into

After approximately 30 years of camping in various forms, seasons and styles, l agree with everything you are saying, having learned the hard way through experience. As l grew older, sleep became even more elusive so l added one more piece to my camp bedding. I was always responsible for not only my sleep systems, but of my companions, wife and children so a simple and inexpensive solution to comfortable sleep was the addition of a simple fleece blanket to everything you mentioned in the video. The fleece blankets are inexpensive, can be purchased almost anywhere, are often made from recycled plastic bottles, and add that warm feeling of being home, in your own bed. They are also easily washed and compactable. Simple solution to a comfortable sleep in the bush.

You put into words all the many little things that annoyed me when I was trying to sleep. Thank you SO much for finding solutions AND sharing them!

Thank you!!! Your comments about the width and thickness of the pad make me realize this is why I've been struggling to get a good night's sleep while camping. I feel relieved that I'm not the only one who can't sleep on a thin/narrow pad!

For fall and winter camping under your air mattress spread out a tarp one side waterproof upper the other side shiny reflective. Place the shiny side up so it reflects your body heat back at you. Over top your spacious air mattress place a 1/4 inch foam pad. This will add some more comfort and you are less prone to slide off slippery surface of air mattress while you sleep. Bring an infinity scarf or woolen toque or generous size neck warmer, one only uses for sleeping. Nothing more annoying than having cold nose or ears when you are trying to rest. This comes from 11 years in the infantry. Be well

Finally a camping video that has good cuts, interesting personality and I can watch without skipping at all

What really helped me is having a soft/natural fabric between the cold and clammy nylon or polyesters from my pad and sleeping bag. I've used a bed sheet sewn into a sleeping bag and I've used a yak wool blanket which feels pretty nice. I've also ditched the inflatable pillows and just stuff my puffy jacket in my neck gaiter for a quick pillow.

I've been into camping for 8 years. The points you presented in this video are exactly spot on! I agree with you 100%. The only thing I didn't use is a quilt + sheet, I just used bigger sleeping bags

Dang, that video was amazing! You mentioned specific products, you described what worked for you specifically, but discussed it in a way that I think anyone can put into practice, when putting together an outdoor sleep system. Can't wait to try this out!

Great if you have a fortune to spend. I’ve always used a sleeping bag unzipped like a quilt, except if I’m out in winter, best of both worlds then . One thing for a pillow, a home cushion in a vacuum bag, the pump is tiny to pack it back up too.

Once I got a sleeping bag with a quilt option, it changed everything. I have a thick, wide pad too and I am able to move around, which was impossible in a mummy bag. My wife, on the other hand, loves to sleep wrapped up in a cocoon. The downside is the pad is bulkier and heavier, but I now use an external frame pack and that carries weight MUCH better than an internal frame, imo.

This video transformed my camping life. I made immediate changes starting with ditching my sleeping bag in place of a regular bed sheet on my inflatable pad, a blanket, and a decent pillow. As I upgrade my gear, sleeping while camping has improved measurably. Thank you for breaking this down so effectively!

For the guy who prefers winter hikes even more than summer ones, warmth is a key for me. After I've got myself Therm-a-rest Xtherm pad and TNF Inferno -28C sleeping bag, I can say I've reached the level of comfort which allows me to sleep 9-10 hours straight in temperatures down to -20C in my underwear only. "Going outside" (for pee) almost naked in -20C and be confident that I am going to feel warm and cozy 10 seconds after I jump bag to my sleeping bag is priceless. As of the pillow - stuff sack still works perfectly for me (I've tried inflatable pillow and it is okay, but not in winter time definitely).

Nailed it. A couple of years ago I resigned myself to carrying the extra weight of a thick and wide pad. Invest in sleep.

In addition, I also recommend a sleeping mask and earplugs. Something that makes it darker as you're drifting off that can easily be shed the moment you need to see; could be a mask (like I use at home) or something like a hoodie (which I wear back to front while sleeping camping. Earplugs are a quality of life thing because when I'm out and about I'm much more alert, so the slightest noise is a _oh crap, is there something out there?!_ reaction. Eventually I might get so paranoid that I have to check outside (hint: on a Scottish island, there's nothing that can get you aside from the midges) and be assured that no, there definitely isn't anything to worry about. Earplugs reduce the worry of those noises _just_ on the periphery of hearing, which makes it ever so much easier to get to sleep.

I bought a cocoon pillow a few years ago and I’ve been very happy with it. I even take it on planes because it’s so packable. I totally agree about the thick pad. Last backpacking trip, I was willing to haul the extra weight to get my exped megamat lite up the hill, but I don’t regret it because I actually slept in the backcountry.

Thank you for making this video. I love backpacking but never being able to sleep has made me all but give it up. You hit each one of my struggles on the head. As a side sleeper I have found it near impossible to find a good arrangement. I'm excited to give this a try and hopefully enjoy backpacking once again.

Very good option for sidesleepers - sleeping pad for a hammock. It has "ears" to put arms-legs on it, which can also be bent to keep warmth at the sides. Klymit hammock V is a great example

That was one of the best intros I've seen on UKposts in a while. Great job, Steven!

For the best sleep and the lightest weight, go with a hammock and under quilt. Great video, appreciate the rapid pace with good info and visual examples. I'll definitely be watching more!

Probably the best video I have seen covering sleep systems. After a couple years of trying out things on my own, I've settled in on a Nemo Tensor wide pad, Enlightened Equipment quilt, Therm-a-Rest Synergy Luxe Mattress Sheet, and a Therm-a-Rest Compressible pillow. Then I stumbled across your video. I was SO close to your exact recommended setup! I only missed it by a Zenbivy sheet... I can attest to your setup; it works! I choose to carry the extra weight in exchange for a good night's sleep. As for the Compressible pillow losing loft - what I do to combat that is toss it in the dryer for 20 minutes or so (no heat) every so often. That restores its fluff in a BIG way, and then I store it unrolled. I only roll it right before I pack it, and unroll it as soon as my tent is set up. I'm kinda bummed that Therm-a-Rest has changed the design of the pillow recently. It used to roll into itself and cinch up like a taco. The newer ones fold in half, and don't appear to have the loft the original one had. The new design is a big fail, in my opinion. Probably explains why the old ones are now selling for 2x their original cost.

A combo of overhanging tent + hammock + mat + sleeping bag with a hood + airplane pillow that goes around your neck + any sort of a blanket inside of the sleeping bag for added warmth has been the best for me so far, honestly. Update: aparently it's totally suitable for both cold weather and large wildlife, but maybe not for insect/snake ridden places.

Nothing beats an informative yet concise video like this! Thank you! 100% fully agree with your endorsement of the Fillo. Changed my sleeping game. I have two versions and got one for my wife. I’m now likely going to pull the trigger on the zen bivy core sheet and Big Agnes mattress. Time to pass my NeoAir Xtherm on to a younger camper

WOW! It feels like you're the first outdoor buff to talk honestly about comfortable sleep - I too need to have one knee up - otherwise I get back pains... and I can imagine there are way more people out there who feel the same. This is video is really helpful, thank you!

100% agree with all you said. I went to large (but extra light) air mattress with excellent R and a high end quilt many years ago and It was amazing the difference! The pillow and other stuff makes perfect sense. Great info! Thanks

I am an extremely toss & turn-y side sleeper, and every issue you talked through is exactly what I've struggled with sleeping backpacking. The zenbivy light bed is especially the type of thing I'd been wishing my quilt provided and I am so excited to find it! I'll definitely be giving it a shot next

A free and pretty effective alternative to an air mattress is laying down soft needled bows like pine before setting up the tent, it adds a cushion under you and some space for air to insulate

Yes, I completely agree that sleep is a big issue when camping. And as old age (66) is creeping up sleep is getting more elusive. Sleeping systems that worked for me before aren't as effective anymore. Here is the system that I currently use for bicycle touring: - Wiggys sleeping bag. I use an overbag from a FTSS system that is good to 20d F and is the extra wide version so that I can pull one knee up as you have shown in your video (it takes some of the stress off of the lower back). Wiggys is all about moisture control, and his silicone-coated Lamilite fill does an excellent job of keeping the body dry. Most of his stuff is designed for extreme cold conditions, but the light overbag works just fine for warm weather; - an old Exped Downmat 7 (rated to R 5.7) with a Shnozzle inflator. A little narrow but well designed (20 oz weight); - a short three-section piece of the closed cell foam pad for the ground underneath the hip. I deflate the air mattress until my hip just hits the foam; - Therm-a-rest down Air Head pillow. Fits perfectly into the hood. The problem with inflatable pillows is that if they are over inflated then they are convex upward and hard. The trick is to keep deflating it until it is slightly concave and cradles the head. Unfortunately, like most inflatable pillows it is only 4" thick when full, so I sometimes shim it up with some loose clothes. It's surprising how much a quarter inch of thickness can make; - for pajamas in cool weather I use Brynje wool fishnet long underwear. Once again, its all about moisture control. Instead of storing the components separately I roll everything together and use an oversize compression bag to carry it. Your recommendation for using a quilt sounds interesting. I'm planning to experiment with it soon. Cheers!

I really dig this channel , I’m a long time backpacker and constantly learning, but recently my 13 and 10 year old have decided they’d really like to try backpacking ( we’ve family camped since they were little) my biggest challenge I think is going to be shelter fir the three of us. Great job keep up the good work.

Just got my new Nemo insulated from a warranty claim. Real comfortable pad. For years and years I used a stuff sack stuffed with my spare clothes,, I have since upgraded, and you are not wrong. A pillow is very important. Great video

So glad to have found this channel! Nowadays, even though I'm still a young dude, I've found out that I've gotta have a good sleep set up due to developing back issues. I miss my teen years of going on FTX's with nothing but a thin bag and crap mat, but somehow sleeping like a baby the moment I crawled into the hoochie tent. Saw some folks recommending hammocks in the comments, and as a person with anxiety who gets paranoid from noises outside my tent, having that ability to see my surroundings would definitely help! Big bonus for being off the ground and no zipper fumbling required.

Super duper agree! My best sleep while hiking was with a sleeping pad and use my sleeping bag as a quilt, plus a comfy small pillow. I slept like I wasn't even outdoors. 🙌

I have avoided camping out for decades because I didn't think it was possible to get a good nights sleep. This video opens up a whole new world of hiking possibilities for me. Thank you!

Something I've found that's worked really great for me, is I'll put my inflatable pad INSIDE my sleeping bag. I use a Klymit Static V and some Kelty bag I can't remember the name of, and putting the pad inside the bag made a world of difference. I'm a very active sleeper that tosses and turns, so my mattress pad would always slip out from underneath me, but my method completely eliminates this issue. I'll have to try that pillow you recommended. Right now I use a generic camping pillow that compresses down pretty small, but I swapped out the stuffing with some from a "squishmallow" (a type of stuffed animal with a proprietary stuffing that's very, very dense but still soft and malleable). The stuffing is like halfway between memory foam and a bean bag in consistency, and it's been super great (though it's much too warm for summer nights).

I always struggled in mummy-style sleeping bags and contoured pads, but mostly with the bag. However once I got a double pad (Exped duo LW) and sleeping bag (Sierra Designs backcountry duo) to share with my girlfriend, I slept very well. Even better when we car camp and bring our down pillows from home. Your tips here should set those with sleep issues on the right track 👍

I use an oversized sleeping bag too, not tried a quilt, but it sits in between a normal bag and a quilt. Works for me.

There speaks the voice of experience - thanks! The pillow is no.1 for me and the Nemo is the best I've found. A tip is to make a bit of elasticated webbing with velcro to make a strap to hold it in place on any air bed - works a treat. Packing a warming bag than you need allowing you to unzip it partially also gives that bit more freedom / comfort. Yet to experiment with wider pads ... but yes.

I’ve been backpacking since i was a kid and i did a stint in the marines. Never had any trouble sleeping in the field. It’s something i often look forward to now that i live in the city

Great insight to a comfortable nights sleep in the back country. I’d like to add a few tips. First, a comfortable pillow is key. One of my luxury items is a very soft pillow case. Plus it reduces the slip factor off the pad that most people battle… Second, I love using a silk cocoon liner. I’m not a fan of wearing pajamas/long underwear. I’m much more comfortable wearing a soft cotton teeshirt and shorts. Plus the liner adds warmth, protects the quilt from body oils, prevents you from compressing up against the quilt causing cold spots, and gives you a comfortable layer between you and the pad. Third, in order to increase the R factor of your pad and to reduce the cold from seeping up from the ground I recommend using a 1/8” foam pad to put under your inflatable pad. This foam pad can also replace your sit pad. I have a 20”x40” foam pad, 1.7oz, by Mountain Laurel Designs that I use. It has many uses, I can use it for yoga, to lay out all my gear on when the ground is wet, to nap on at lunchtime. And lastly, it’s important to wash the grime off your body. I find a clean body is imperative to a comfortable nights sleep! Happy trails…

I agree with just about everything you said in this video. The one thing I do differently is the cover on the pad; I use an over-sized cover/sheet that over-hangs the edges of the pad by quite a bit. In this way I can stick my legs out without having them on the ground. I can stretch out all the way and not worry about the cold shock. I strongly agree, also, that the proper pillow is absolutely critical for a good sleep that does not put a kink in your neck overnight. Nice video and great ideas. Thanks.

I have reached a similar conclusion. Life's too short not to have a good night's sleep while backpacking. I'm currently saving up for a quilt and the Big Agnes Rapide SL pad. Nice and comfy!

My favorite setup for side-sleeping might be a little expensive and slightly heavier but I take it on backpacking trips and I think it’s totally worth it - is a thermarest backpacking cot to level out the ground and give a little flex and an *under*-inflated Exped mattress on top of that to create amazing comfort and then my rei magma sleeping bag sometimes used as a quilt and a good pillow. I’m going to check out the fillo, that looks like a nice improvement.

Regarding quilts: be sure the quilt's straps that hold onto the pad are ELASTIC to give the quilt flexibility of movement. Regarding pillows: a good cheap pillow (self made) is egg crate 1.5 to 2 inch open cell foam cut to desired size inside a regular pillow protector (also cut to size with the cut side sewn closed.

I haven't been out there in a long while. But I'm looking at getting back out there soon, this is helpful thank you. My old favorite setup (for the summer time) was a sheepskin rug, a thin wool blanket, my regular pillow, and a tarp but only if it's more than a drizzle. For the mild winter time I just throw on a thicker wool blanket, and a little hotties hand warmers.

I figured the same things out myself early this year, and my backpacking trips were far more enjoyable throughout 2022 as a result. Great advice, I agree on everything!

I also recently realized how big a difference a good pillow makes. I had tried a stuff sack with clothes (soft, but is pretty much always compressed already with no loft) and inflatables (different shapes and sizes, but never actually comfy even when inflated to the right height), and I just ended up with the Thermarest compressible pillow. It still packs down acceptably small but it's made a huge difference to my sleep

A cheap and lightweight option that provides cushion, insulation from the ground, and squeezes down to a tiny tiny size, but has no problem fluffing back out when you pack it, and can have multiple uses, is a car washing sponge from the dollar tree. Been doing it for years now with no issues.

Great video. My old NeoAir not being repairable, I bought the new model, the NXT, large version. Since a few years I am also using quilts. The one I use now I made it myself, and it has a lot of straps. Thank to your video I now know that the only thing left is a proper pillow 🙂

Awesome video, great to know good sleep is possible and that suffering isn't just part of the experience. Would love to see a follow up video talking about how much pack weight these extra comforts add.

Hello! Great video and I agree with 99% of everything you pointed out. With regards to the pillow - I do agree that finding the best for YOU is the most important last part of your sleep system which in the end is the final and most important component. For me, I got a small cotton pillow case with a zipper and then I stuff my light weight down jacket into it and it seems to be the perfect amount of loft to match my pillow back home. In the end I don't add any real weight onto my overall backpack weight and it gives me great sleep results results.

I can highly recommend checking out the Klymit Pillow X Large. The design is so simple but clever that it solved my issues better than anything else i tried, including the fillow. Having an indentation in the center keeps your head cradled there, which was my biggest issue with anything inflatable. The material is soft and less rubbery than most so you don’t go deaf from readjusting your head. It works with setups like your zenbivy but also sticks to the not-velcro tabs that come with the etherlight xt pad to keep it in place. i recommend deflating it just a touch after filling it. Another small tip is if you’re looking at the etherlight pad, consider getting the womens model instead, especially if you’re a side sleeper. The shape is better for knees and elbows to stay on, the R value is slightly better, and the cost is the same. It’s fairly misleading calling it a woman’s design when imo it’s just a BETTER design, regardless of who’s using it.

I’ve found that having a decent pillow is the biggest factor for sleeping through the night. I always wanted a pillow that was part inflatable part cushion!! Thank you for showing me one exists!! And the quilt idea seems 👍😉

I have absolutely no issues falling asleep. My only struggle is it being too hot. I can sleep in cold since my body radiates heat like nobody’s business so it’s easier for me to stay warm than it is for me to cool off. Last camping trip, I slept with my new sleeping bag and a decent size fleece blanket. I still occasionally woke up and was cold so I threw my sleeping bag over me to trap more heat in but that was the only issue I had and the nights were pretty chilly here in the east coast in September this year.

This was SO helpful. Even just knowing that all of this stuff exists makes me hopeful that I can get back into backpacking after avoiding it for so long because I sleep so badly on the ground!

I use this exact setup, zenbivy + S2S ether light square pad + thermarest compress pillow and a Nemo Fillo on top of that. Slept in 20 degrees for two nights in a row and was warm, comfortable and refreshed in the morning!

Good points, and I really appreciate that you spent zero seconds promoting yourself as a person. With your hulking stature and legendary beard, you could constantly boast, but you don't. Increases your credibility manyfold.

One of the best, to the point backpacking videos I’ve seen. Thanks for making this

HOLY MOLLLLYYY!!!! The opening was way toooo epic to kick off the sleeping system of the backpacking video!!!! I'm in love with your edit!!!!

Yes!! I was waiting for a review on the Zenbivy Light Bed. Just finished an overnight with the Light Bed 10 and a Nemo Tensor and I was more than warm enough on a 40F night. Super comfortable and definitely packable with the dry sack and compression straps.

The best compressible pillow is the my pillow travel pillow. The patented fill can be compressed and is very comfy and when adjusted the fill actually stays in place. Think of having a shredded memory foam mattress in your pillow. Love them!

I think I may have invented the air pillow. Back in the late Eighties I hiked the Appalachian trail, and had by that time enough experience to know that you go light or you don't go. So I sewed a small pillow case (maybe 8x12) with an opening just big enough to squeeze in a bladder from a boxed wine container. Come bedtime I'd blow it up and throw my jacket over it (mainly to quiet the noise of the bag). It worked pretty well, and served as a second, emergency water container (in case the primary one got a puncture. Wine bladders also are great for fetching your nightly water supply. It too needs a protective (nylon) cover.

I love the Paria down pillow. Best part is, you can insert your down jacket in the lower bottom to make it even thicker. Wonderful purchase of a clever design.

The problem here is that if you are hiking, you want to minimize weight and size. So often the sleeping bag option is the best if your backpack is tight on space. In addition, if you do winter hiking (with temperatures colder than -20°C), sleeping bag is really the only that's going to keep you warm unless you have a stove in your tent or something like that.

I love my Q-Core, I took a similar journey as you and the width and QUIET of this pad is unbeatable, I recommend it to everyone. Big Agnes knows what they're doing.

I have the same knee problem!!! Thanks for these tips. 🥰

On a most recent section hike I took 2 inflatable pillows and no 2 do not work under my head but I discovered as a side sleeper the smaller trekology I had worked perfectly between my knees and took some stress off both knees and back while the off brand bigger pillow worked for under my head. I had never tried a quilt until 2 trips ago and I’ll not go back to bag I think until I hit below freezing temps and even then I’m not sure. Thinking below that it maybe my 15 degree bag and 25 deg quilt as a combo we will see.

The best change in my sleeping set up was when I started wearing a thin merino wool layer to keep myself not horribly sticky. I went on a 3 week hike last September, and I had several brilliant nights sleep

To help with my back pain( I’m disabled from an old motorcycle crash) I use the Amok Draumr hammock with an air mattress with insulation and you can still sleep on your side comfortably. This video is great 😊 I will be looking into those products. I only hammock camp solo but mostly tent camp with my kids.

Great video. I just got back from a backpacking trip with a Zen Bivy, Filo and Tensor based on your recommendations and had the best sleep ever in the backcountry. Keep up the good work.

I'm still working on fine-tuning my sleep setup, but the first game changer I figured out was to under-inflate my air mattress. Makes it feel squishier and conform better to my body's angles.

Pillow is, by far, the most important component of my sleep system! After trying ~10 pillows (including fillo), I kind of settled for Exped large down pillow. Not perfect, so the search goes on.

THANK YOU. You're recommendations may have just saved my backpacking experience

Inspired from this video i bought Big Agnes Los Dog 0, Big Agnes Insulated Q-Core Deluxe Wide and the Nemo Fillo. Slept in tent last weekend with my daughter and the scouts, never been so comfortable in a tent before, thanks!

I always sleep like a baby when camping so I clicked this video to see what I was doing correctly. Luckily for me, it turns out sleeping outside by itself is a warranty for a great night. I've even had great nights in a leaky tent on a slowly deflating mattress, ending up with my butt or hip on the ground. (it wasn't freezing). I'm in heaven as soon as I'm outside and sleep accordingly.

I don’t sleep outside often but still, this was an incredibly informative video and I will definitely take some of that info into account when buying new equipment in the next few months. Thank you

Thanks for the video. Although I have been backcountry, wilderness, hiking, and camping for years, I have struggled with getting good sleep during that process. Based on your recommendation, I purchased the big Agnes, insulated Q - core deluxe, 30” x 78”. I just spent three days and two nights in & around the Hurricane Creek wilderness area, in the Arkansas Ozarks. I slept better on this pad than any other, including my Tensor pad. With the size and weight probably I won’t take it on multi-day hikes, but I definitely will take it on shorter hikes and car camping The only negative, was the Inflation Sack. Unlike the Tensor, the Inflation Sack does not neck down where you blow into it, & I found it virtually worthless, and ended up just blowing directly into the pad.

I came across this now, and I've just subscribed. I'll add on to what has already been said, appreciate you valued time-keeping and managed to condense into a well-produced video!

I personally have some wonderful sleep on a setup like the one recommended against here. I use a z fold mat, a sleeping bag, and a sea to summit inflatable pillow that is slightly deflated. Works great for me and I'm happy to be spendings less on fancy camping gear!

What I've learned on two thruhikes and a lot of shorter ones is that the key to sleeping well with any system is to spend enough time on it to get used to it. After a while on a thruhike I'll sleep better on my pad than in the occasional motel bed. That said I've also found that something like a Z-rest works OK for me on softer ground, but not on the wooden floors of AT-shelters or on stony/uneven ground. My favorite (even after trying thicker air mattresses) is the thinnest self inflating pads like a Prolite (but trying a NeoAir UberLite is tempting). The thing with the self inflating ones is that they are soft and warm enough (for me) with less height which makes it easier to sit up in the tent and (slightly) reduce the chance of the sleeping bag touching the end walls. They also only need a couple of breaths to be fully inflated, but that's not a super important to me. Personally I find mummy bags preferable to quilts although I often unzip the bag completely making it almost quilt like. When it's cold though I think the mummy bag still works better and that's the main advantage. Just one item that extremely versatile and just works. Conclusion: It's not one system that works well for everyone. Take what advice fits your needs from this video and other advice on sleep systems. To see the other end of the spectrum take a look at the "JupiterHikes" channel.

One of the top informative no B.S. videos on what I was looking for. None better. So good I had to subscribe! And I purchased the Big Agnes Q-Core pad & Nemo Elite Luxury pillow! Next is the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL3 Mtnglo 3 person tent and footprint to replace my Mountain Hardware Skyview 2 person tent that I've owned & used for almost 20 years!!