My old foam pad versus today's camping sleep setup
I dug out that blue foam pad I used for years, and it's barely thicker than a yoga mat. Back then, I accepted waking up achy and cold as just part of camping. Now, with insulated air pads that mold to your shape, I actually feel refreshed in the morning. What gear change made the biggest difference for your rest outdoors?
Was it the pad or something else that helped you sleep better? For me, getting a real camping pillow was a game changer. I used to just stuff a jacket in a sack, but having proper support for my neck stopped the morning headaches.
When you said insulated air pads mold to your shape, it reminded me of my own switch to a hammock setup. I used to toss and turn on the ground no matter what pad I had. Then I tried hanging between trees, and it was like sleeping on a cloud because it cradles your whole body. @river_foster47, your pillow tip would have saved me from neck cramps back when I was stuck on the ground. Now I use a small pillow with my hammock and it all just works. Getting off the floor made a bigger change for my sleep than any pad I ever bought.