The Art Of Staying Comfortable During Outdoor Adventures

Outdoor adventures are exciting, refreshing, and full of the most amazing moments that you’ll remember for a long time to come, but if there’s one thing a lot of people are concerned about when it comes to camping and being in nature, it’s comfort. Clothes can easily get damp, sleep can be hard to come by, and discomfort can basically turn what should have been a relaxing, stress-reducing time outdoors into something that makes you feel worse than when you arrived. 

That’s the last thing you’ll want, but the good news is that you can make your outdoor adventure comfortable (or as comfortable as possible – if you compare things to your own bed and living room, you’ll never be one hundred percent satisfied, so try to avoid doing that!) by making some good choices before you go and when you arrive. With that in mind, keep reading so you know exactly how to be – and stay – comfortable when you’re outdoors. If you can do that, you’ll have the most amazing time. 

Photo by Timur Weber

Dress For The Outdoors

When it comes to outdoor adventures, one of the easiest ways to make sure you’re as comfortable as possible is to dress for it, and using layers is an excellent way to cover all your bases so you can be comfortable whatever the weather and wherever you are. The fact is that when you’re outdoors, temperatures can change really quickly, especially if you’re out and about when seasons are changing from one thing to another, and you really don’t want to get stuck somewhere with big, bulky clothes when it’s warm, or thin t-shirts when it suddenly gets chilly. 

To get your layering right, you’ll want to start with a moisture-wicking base layer to keep your sweat from making you uncomfortable, and then you can add a mid-layer on top of that for some insulation. Finally, add a waterproof layer so that you can be protected against the wind, rain, or whatever else the weather wants to (literally) throw at you. 

One thing you’ll definitely want to avoid is cotton, even though in your day to day life that’s something you’ll probably want to wear a lot. The problem is that cotton can actually trap moisture which just leaves you feeling cold and clammy and, of course, uncomfortable. Instead, you’ll need to look for wool or synthetic fabrics because they dry quickly and you’ll end up more comfortable that way. 

Don’t Forget Your Footwear

Once you’ve got your main clothing dealt with, you might think you’re going to be comfortable no matter what, but that’s only the case if you’ve remembered to pack or wear the right footwear as well – if not, it won’t matter what else you’re wearing because your feet will be so uncomfortable you won’t be able to walk anywhere or enjoy yourself anyway. That’s why you need to think carefully about your footwear and choose something that’s suited to the terrain you’re in, like hiking boots for rugged trails, lightweight shoes for casual walks in the park, and waterproof boots for damper areas, for example. 

And one other thing to remember as well as getting the right footwear for the adventure you’re planning is to break that footwear in before you head off if it’s new. Otherwise you’ll probably end up with blisters and pain even if the footwear is precisely what you’re meant to be wearing. On top of that, invest in quality socks made from something like merino wool or synthetic materials (as we’ve discussed above) so your feet stay warm and dry – there’s nothing worse than cold, damp feet when you’re trying to have fun. 

Don’t forget the camping essentials

If you’re new to camping or don’t really find you pack all of the essentials you need when camping, then this handy list below will ensure you’re ready for any outdoor adventure in the future:

• Headlamp/Flashlight
• Lanterns for ambient lighting
• Multi-tool/Knife
• Repair Kit for the tent and other repairs
• First-aid kit
• Navigation like a map and compass

This list isn’t exhaustive, but it will help you get started on the essentials beyond your tent, clothing, and food supplies.

Know How To Stay Dry

Speaking of wet, it’s wise to know how to stay as dry as possible on your outdoor adventure because you’ll be a lot more comfortable if you can do that (and there’s less chance of you getting sick as a result of spending too much time being damp and cold). Of course, sometimes getting wet can’t be helped, but if you know how to stay as dry as possible (and how to dry off as quickly as possible), that’s definitely going to help your comfort levels (and enjoyment levels, come to that). 

Make sure you take a reliable raincoat or jacket with you, and invest in some waterproof trousers – that way, even if the heavens open, you’ll be able to stay pretty much dry no matter whether you’re in the middle of a walk or sitting in your tent (leaks do happen, after all). Plus, it’s not just you who needs to stay dry – all your gear will need to be protected too, so get some waterproof sheets and bags to make sure it happens. 

If you do get wet, don’t worry – if you’ve packed well, it shouldn’t be too much of a problem. Rather than bringing bulky bath or beach towels with you, pack some quick drying towels for camping because they’re compact, lightweight, and they’ll dry off quickly so if you need to re-pack them, they’re not instantly going to make everything in your bag wet and smelly. 

Work Out How To Sleep Well

One thing that a lot of people think is sure to be a problem when they go camping is getting a good night’s sleep – after all, how can you sleep as well as you can at home when you’re in the great outdoors, surrounded by nature (and bugs), and essentially lying on the ground? 

Well, it can be done, although it will take a little work and making sure you’ve got the right equipment. Firstly, you’ll definitely need a high quality sleeping bag, and make sure that when you’re buying it, you check it’s made for the conditions you’ll be using it in, otherwise you’ll end up being uncomfortable anyway. If you’re not sure, ask the experts in the store or go to an online forum for advice, because getting this bit wrong will probably mean you don’t sleep well at all. 

But the sleeping bag isn’t everything – you’ll also need a good sleeping pad to put under it – foam or perhaps an inflatable one (if that’s your choice, you might also need a pump, so make sure you’ve got room to pack one). Then there’s the tent – get one with good ventilation so there’s less condensation and you’ll feel better, especially when you also bring a cozy pillow which means your neck won’t be sore for the next day’s adventures.