This Wildly Popular Camping Gear Can Keep You Awake All Night And Make Tent-Sharing Miserable

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Even the most rugged campers will tell you that some small comforts can really make a difference in your experience. One such item is a sleeping pad, which creates a small cushion from the ground that your back will thank you for in the morning. But as with many types of essential camping gear, not all pads are made equal. One of the biggest annoyances of a sleep mat? The sound. If you've ever shared a tent with someone who had a squeaky mat, you know exactly what that means.

The swishing and rustling sound that happens every time someone rolls over is enough to drive anyone crazy (and lose a lot of sleep). So how can you stay comfortable and noise-free while sleeping in the great outdoors?  A lot of it depends on the type of sleep pad you select and what it's made from. One wrong move and you — and your tentmates — will be in for a noisy, restless night of sleep. 

Whether it sounds like balloons rubbing together or rustling a bag of potato chips, a noisy mat isn't fun for anybody, and there are actually quite a few posts in forums dedicated to camping and climbing that take on the topic. It seems like everyone is on the hunt for the perfect lightweight, quiet sleeping pad. The quest can be difficult because most mats are made from lightweight, durable materials like polyester or nylon, which tend not to muffle sounds, and filled with insulating materials akin to the reflective film of an emergency blanket.

That's not to say that there aren't quiet options out there. The Nemo Tensor is mentioned in several forums as a quiet option. Even though it contains the metalized film that keeps you warm but causes noise, the company has created a special design to create a quiet sleep experience. On the other hand, some well-loved sleep pads can start off noisy and fade over time. According to some users, this is the case with the Therm-a-Rest Neoair XLite, which has a well-documented issue with noise when first used.

Fortunately, according to one user on a climbing gear discussion forum, that will change. "The Neoair gets quieter as it wears in and the internal mylar becomes wrinkled," they write. "You can accelerate this process by folding, rolling, and crumpling the pad at home." Other suggestions for keeping your sleeping pad noise-free include putting it inside a sleeping bag liner, wrapping it in a blanket, or, in a funny twist, bringing some earplugs. There's also the option of a foam pad (or a child's toy mat), though many prefer inflatable pads due to their weight and the space they save. 

So when selecting the perfect sleeping pad to add to your camping equipment, don't forget to consider the noise factor in addition to other things like shape and the temperature you'll be sleeping in. By weighing all of these factors, you'll be able to have a comfortable, noise-free sleep that will leave you well-rested for a full day of outdoor adventures.