It’s prime time for summer season tenting. Whether you favor glamping, tent tenting or backpacking, spending time outside and sleeping below the celebs is a unbelievable technique to decompress and escape the hustle and bustle of day by day life. Research exhibits that spending time exterior has quite a few bodily and psychological well being advantages. It can enhance sleep high quality by resetting your circadian rhythm to align with the pure rising and setting of the solar. It can decrease cortisol ranges and stimulate the discharge of serotonin, typically known as the “feel-good” neurotransmitter, which may also help regulate temper and improve your total sense of well-being.The apparent draw back to summer season tenting is the warmth. Dr. Michael Gradisar, head of sleep science at Sleep Cycle, explains, “Overheating during the night disrupts sleep, in the form of more frequent awakenings, night sweats and/or reduced sleep quality. For those already prone to rumination or insomnia, high nighttime temperatures act as an added stressor, making it even more likely you’ll wake and struggle to drift off again. The result? Fragmented sleep and groggy warm mornings.”The excellent news is that there are straightforward methods to maintain cool and comfy whereas tenting this summer season. Here are ten easy suggestions and methods for staying cool whereas sleeping exterior.How to remain cool whereas sleeping outdoors1. Mesh is finestWhen tenting in sizzling and humid situations, select a light-weight and breathable tent with loads of mesh materials and air flow panels. Tents with a mesh cover are best as a result of they permit for satisfactory airflow and forestall warmth from increase inside. If you are sharing the tent with a associate, kids or pets, be sure there’s adequate area for everybody. Feeling sweaty and cramped all evening is a surefire technique to damper your tenting expertise. My two-person tent is made nearly fully of mesh, which is nice for these heat summer season nights exterior. Aly Lopez/CNET2. Shoo, rainflyChoosing whether or not to make use of the rainfly can considerably have an effect on your consolation whereas tenting at evening. I’ve made the error of leaving it off after I shouldn’t have on a number of events, waking up with chattering tooth to sudden rain or snow. I’ve additionally saved the rainfly on throughout heat nights, resulting in stressed slumber in a much-too-stuffy tent.If there’s no precipitation within the forecast, it’s finest to depart the rainfly off whilst you sleep on sizzling summer season nights. The additional airflow not solely helps stop overheating however you may even have an incredible view of the celebs within the evening sky above.3. Reflect the solarIf you’ll be able to’t preserve your tent out of direct daylight, contemplate masking it with a reflective sunshade or tarp. Be conscious of the solar’s motion all through the day and regulate the tarp as wanted for optimum safety. Leave area between the sunshade and your tent to stop sizzling air and condensation from getting trapped.I additionally advocate putting a groundsheet or tarp beneath your tent. It will add an additional layer of safety between you and the arduous floor and safeguard towards potential rainfall. A tarp can even lengthen the lifespan of your tent by defending its flooring from tears and rips.4. Tent location and angleWhere and if you pitch your tent are essential parts for a cushty tenting expertise. First, prioritize a campsite that gives loads of shade. This will assist preserve you cooler and forestall your tent from accumulating warmth. It could even be price holding your tent disassembled in the course of the day and reassembling it after the solar has gone down — that manner, there’s much less alternative for it to warmth the tent. Angle your tent in order that the door faces the breeze. For optimum air flow, open all of the vents and mesh home windows in your tent, however make sure the door is closed to maintain bugs out. If you need or want to make use of your rainfly, contemplate getting one which extends over your tent to create a small awning or shaded space within the entrance, which may also help preserve the inside cooler in the course of the day. An awning can even present some additional shade and assist preserve the within of your tent cooler. Shepard/Getty PhotosWhen tenting, it’s finest follow to go to mattress and get up with the solar. Why? Your tent will heat up shortly as quickly because the solar rises. If you’re making an attempt to sleep in since you went to mattress too late, it’s possible you’ll end up tossing and delivering your sizzling field of a tent all morning.Read extra: 8 Hobbies to Boost Your Mental Wellness This Summer5. Use a conveyable fanRunning a fan in your tent at evening may also help flow into the air and create a cool breeze, permitting you to sleep extra comfortably. Portable followers are available in varied sizes and styles, a lot of which provide adjustable speeds and customizable airflow settings to suit your preferences. Fans particularly designed for tent tenting are usually light-weight, battery-operated (some are rechargeable) and will embrace hooks or clips for handy attachment inside your tent. You’ll need to contemplate the battery’s run-time and the way typically you’d must cost your fan for those who’re tenting for a number of nights in a row with out entry to electrical energy.When organising the fan in your tent, place it above your sleeping space slightly than on the bottom to keep away from obstructions brought on by folks or gear. If your tent has vents, align the fan to attract cool air in or push heat air out by these openings.One transportable choice is the Coghlan’s Camping Fan, which options three fan speeds, a hook for hanging and a built-in gentle. If you need one thing extra highly effective, take a look at the Shark FlexBreeze Fan, chosen by CNET editors as the most effective outside tech merchandise of 2025. Portable air-con models are additionally out there if you wish to indulge a bit and your campsite scenario permits for it.If you are searching for a fan to chill you down as you progress round in the course of the day, contemplate a wearable neck fan. This permits you to keep hands-free whereas having fun with a refreshing breeze.Read extra: Survive the Summer Heat Wave With These Must-Have Cooling Products6. Ditch the tent Generally, hammocks sleep cooler than tents. They normally don’t have as a lot insulation, and the open area between you and the bottom gives extra airflow and warmth loss. Dillon Lopez/CNETIf your tenting setting is secure and the climate is obvious, you would possibly need to contemplate skipping the tent and utilizing a hammock or making an attempt cowboy tenting as a substitute. Cowboy tenting means sleeping on the bottom with only a mattress pad and sleeping bag, with out a tent for shelter. Similar to the tent, you’ll be able to place a tarp beneath your sleeping pad for added safety. As all the time, be conscious of potential wildlife hazards and be sure that you securely retailer any meals and attractants to keep away from drawing native wildlife to your campsite.7. Skip the sleeping bagMost sleeping luggage are designed to offer insulation and heat. Unless you’ve a light-weight, warm-weather sleeping bag with much less insulation and extra breathability, you would possibly need to contemplate forgoing the sleeping bag altogether. Instead, pack a light-weight sheet fabricated from moisture-wicking supplies equivalent to linen, bamboo or cotton. Check out our record of the perfect cooling sheets for warm sleepers in 2025, examined and authorized by CNET specialists.You can even stick your toes out from the sheet as you sleep, which can assist regulate your core physique temperature. “As the body prepares for sleep, it naturally releases heat, especially from the hands, feet and face. This cooling coincides with increased sleepiness. But when your environment is too warm, your body can’t shed heat effectively, making it harder to fall and stay asleep,” says Gradisar.8. Stay hydratedThough it appears apparent, I can’t emphasize this sufficient: keep hydrated. The threat of dehydration will increase as you progress and sweat all through the day, which might result in critical points like dizziness, fatigue and decreased cognitive functioning for those who’re not consuming sufficient. Engaging in outside actions in your tenting journey, equivalent to mountaineering, swimming, biking and even taking part in yard video games, will be bodily demanding, making it much more necessary to drink loads of water.It’s clever to pack extra water and ice than you assume you may want, particularly at increased elevations, the place dehydration can happen extra shortly. If you intend to drink alcohol, make sure to eat loads of water to assist offset its diuretic results. Additionally, remember the fact that alcohol can have an effect on your sleep high quality. “Even moderate alcohol intake exacerbates the likelihood of waking from sleep,” explains Gradisar.The common rule of thumb is to carry two gallons of water per particular person for every day of tenting. This quantity contains the estimated two liters of water (on common) you may drink day by day and the water you may want for cooking and cleansing. Before you head out in your journey, test if the campground has a potable water system the place you’ll be able to refill. If you are mountaineering and tenting within the backcountry, discover out the place your water sources shall be alongside the way in which, equivalent to lakes, rivers and streams. Water is remarkably heavy — carry a filtered water bottle or Lifestraw so you’ll be able to refill and keep hydrated on the go with out having to hold extra water weight. I extremely advocate the Grayl GeoPress Purifier Water Bottle, which filters shortly and effectively. Read extra: Best Filtered Water Bottles of 2025 As a salty gal, I like the citrus salt taste of the LMNT Electrolyte Drink Mix. Aly Lopez/CNETConsider bringing a cooler with ice and frozen water bottles for those who’re automobile tenting. This manner, you’ll be able to preserve your cooler chilly and have backup water. It additionally doesn’t damage to carry some electrolyte powder so as to add to your water bottle. Electrolyte packets may also help you keep hydrated by replenishing the important minerals it is advisable operate correctly. My private favourite and certainly one of CNET’s finest electrolyte powders of 2025 is LMNT.9. Rinse off earlier than mattressIf your campsite provides showers, make the most of that and rinse off earlier than mattress. Showering may also help decrease your core physique temperature, which alerts to your mind that it is time for sleep. If there aren’t any showers, contemplate taking a dip in a pure physique of water close by, wiping down with potable water or utilizing moist wipes or cooling towels.10. Protect your self in the course of the dayTo assist keep cool whilst you sleep at evening, deal with holding your physique comfy all through the day. Wear ethereal, breathable, moisture-wicking, light-colored clothes to guard your pores and skin from the solar’s intense rays. Wear a hat and sun shades to protect your scalp, face and eyes. Finally, bear in mind to use sunscreen a number of occasions a day. The last item you need is so as to add the discomfort of a sunburn on prime of an already sizzling and stuffy tent scenario. I’ve been bringing the Badger Daily Mineral Sunscreen on my current tenting journeys, which is certainly one of our top-rated sunscreens by CNET editors. Aly Lopez/CNETOther gear to carry tenting this summer seasonHow you camp and what you carry is fully as much as you — you’ll be able to go tremendous minimal or pack the automobile to the brim as if getting ready for the apocalypse. Regardless of your setup, your journey shall be considerably improved if everybody stays secure and comfy with the fitting gear and tools. Here are just a few different tenting merchandise I take advantage of and advocate having available.Bear canister: If you reside in bear nation or are planning to enter bear territory, a bear canister is a should (except your campsite gives bear bins). For steering on choosing the fitting one, take a look at this enjoyable and informative article by Outdoor Life that evaluates the perfect bear canisters examined by precise grizzly bears. Bear canisters can even assist stop smaller animals, like chipmunks, pikas and marmots, from moving into your bag and accessing your meals.Handheld GPS and/or satellite tv for pc communicator: If you are heading into the backcountry, contemplate investing in a handheld GPS or satellite tv for pc communicator. These units provide correct navigation in distant areas and may also help you safely trek by unfamiliar terrain. In an emergency, a satellite tv for pc communicator permits you to ship misery alerts and talk with rescue companies. These instruments present an added layer of safety and peace of thoughts throughout your journey, enabling you to remain related whereas exploring and having fun with the distant fantastic thing about the wilderness. If you’ve an iPhone 14 or later, it’s also possible to use Emergency SOS through satellite tv for pc to contact emergency companies in distant areas with out cell service. I had to make use of this function not too long ago on a hike and was impressed by how nicely it labored.Portable energy financial institution: It’s enjoyable to go off-grid and disconnect from the “real world” whereas tenting, however being vigilant and conscious of your environment is necessary. I’ve discovered myself in a number of conditions the place it will have been extremely helpful — and even probably life-saving — if my cellphone battery hadn’t been lifeless. While I nonetheless put my cellphone on airplane mode to deal with residing within the second throughout tenting and backpacking journeys, I now additionally make some extent to maintain a minimum of one particular person within the group’s cellphone charged in case of emergencies. Read extra: Best Power Banks for iPhones in 2025Insect repellent: Avoid organising camp close to stagnant water, because it will increase humidity and attracts undesirable bugs equivalent to mosquitoes. There’s nothing worse than being too sizzling and getting eaten alive by bugs. I just like the EPA-registered Natrapel Insect Repellent for holding mosquitoes, ticks and different bugs away.
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