When going out camping or hiking there are hundred of problems you may face, but few are common like this “sleeping and getting wet during the night” because of condensation or absorption of moisture. The reason may be any but this problem lead to sleepless nights. As I was sitting and thinking about camping and this question popped into my mind that how to keep bedding dry when camping?. I’ve searched the whole web and gathered some useful information on this topic.
How to keep the bedding dry when camping?
To keep your bedding dry when camping, you have to keep every equipment of for sleeping dry which are – pillows, sleeping pads, and sleeping bags. To keep them dry you need to follow different processes for particular essentials. The process includes the use of foam pads, waterproof ground cloth, etc. To understand the complete process read the steps written below.
Use close foam pads
To keep your pads dry when camping use closed foam pads. The reason behind this is that open foam pads contain tiny cells and are loosely packed which lets the moisture come inside. On the other hand, if you use closed foam pads there is very little chance of it getting wet because the cells are packed closely which creates isolation inside and doesn’t let the moisture flow in. open foamed pads are less springy than closed foam pads because of soft foam.
The sleeping pad gets dry after using a closed foam pad?
In case your sleeping pad gets dry after using a closed foam pad, then use the dry cloth to wipe it up. This is usually the case when you let the pad in open for long hours and directly put it inside the van or bag. So, avoid this situation make sure to put your pad in a dry sack bag or a tight airbag that doesn’t allow the air to enter inside and protect the pad from abrasion.
Know when to inflate the mattress
Take your mattress or pad out of the bag just before when you going to sleep. This way you reduce the chances of letting the pad to soak the moisture. After taking out insulate the mattress. For best experience use the mouth insulating mattresses or pads.
Keep the tent dry from inside
Open the windows
Open the windows of your tent if the weather is clear to let the air flow inside. This prevents the condensation to store inside the tent. Besides that, it allows the air you exhale to flow out, which usually causes condensation inside sleeping bags. If it is raining make the balance between rain cover and ventilation.
- If you are camping during hot days or when the temperature is minus then there is a huge possibility of condensation. So, the best way to avoid your bed or tent get wet from condensation is to open the windows of your tent just before you go to bed.
- Permanent condensation vents are provided in the situation like rain which will help in killing the condensation. Use this option correctly by facing the vents in the direction of wind flowing.
Open the flyer
Open all rainfly doors to maximize the airflow. You can also open the rainfly vents for cross ventilation.
Although if you apply this option your rainfly will be wet the next morning but not to worry because the moisture is left outside. Sometimes if you are lucky you may find the fly dry but this is rare.
Note: Deploy rainfly if it is raining.
Use the camp fan
The camp fan is the best way to promote air circulation inside the tent. Besides that, it also helps in keeping the insects away. Carrying a fan with you on camping is a good way to kill condensation and prevent any moisture inside, especially on rainy days. Today camp fans are very light and easy to carry, But not a great option for backpackers because takes space and also adds extra weight.
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Waterproof ground cloth
If you are going camping or hiking always carry a waterproof ground cloth with you. The ground cloth is usually placed under mattresses or floor to protect the sleeping bag and sleeping pad from water, dew, and ground moisture. Some tents do not have any floor because of weight reduction reasons. So, it is always best to carry a ground cloth if you do not want your bed to get wet, and your happy night leads to a sleepless night.
The other benefit of using ground cloth is that it doesn’t let the dirt slip in and attach to the sleeping pad.
Use sleeping bag liner or barriers
If you are using sleeping bags instead of blankets which is usually the best option then make sure to use a sleeping bag liner or barriers. Using this will help in blocking the moisture from your body to reach the sleeping bag. This way you keep the bag dry on wet nights for countless nights. If you don’t know how to use it, it is very simple to use, place the sack (barrier) inside your sleeping bags, and you are done.
Avoid bringing wet clothes and gear
If you are camping for real then there is no chance you don’t get wet, unless you don’t sweat or get wet. And when you are wet, never bring your wet clothes or gear inside the tent because the water stored in clothes will vaporize which will cause condensation.
If you cannot leave your gear or clothes outside, use the dry or waterbag to stop the airflow. If you don’t have a dry bag then use a plastic bag this may not be the best option but it may help you.
Camp location
Location is very important when setting up the tent. The wrong location not only condenses the tent from inside but also makes your bed wet, leads to a sleepless night. Avoid choosing a location with too hot temperatures and too cold temperatures. Choose the place where the weather is normal mostly hot but the wind is floating.
Also, make sure the face of your tent is in the direction of wind flow.
Note: Setting up your tent near water is always a bad idea because of to weather and low earth surface it leads to moisture inside the tent.
Avoid fire inside a tent
A lot of people prefer to use fire inside a tent for cooking, especially when it’s rain outside. But cooking inside or burning fire will increase the condensation inside a tent which makes everything inside wet, also water vapourization creates a huge volume. The best way is to either cook outside or eat dry food on a rainy day.
Besides that, a fire inside a tent is also dangerous in many ways. So, always avoid cooking or using fire for any purpose inside the tent.
These are some steps that you apply that will be helpful for you in keeping the bedding dry when camping. I’m not sure these steps will solve your all problems but will surely help in one or another way. If your question is not covered in this topic. You can send me your question through email, we will give our best to help you.
