How to be Comfortable While Camping as a Woman
If you are looking for tips for women to be comfortable in the woods, whether you have yourself, your wife or girlfriend in mind you have come to the right spot. If it is your first time camping as a woman, it can be a little nerve-wracking and I am here to make sure you are at least comfortable. For the gentlemen who are here, I can help make sure your significant other’s time in the woods is enjoyable. Camping is a great experience to be alone or share as a couple so let’s jump in.
Sleeping Comforts
Sleep can be where so many lose out on comfort and there are two tips for this category
Sleeping Bag
You will need to make sure that you have the appropriate comfort rating for your sleeping bag. Women tend to sleep colder, so if it will be down to 50 degrees, you may want to look at a 40-degree bag (I use a 20-degree bag). Make sure that you have a sleeping bag that has a good loft, is soft and not too loud so you can sleep quietly.
This is my number one item that I bring to make sure I have maximum comfort. Camping pillows are loud, uncomfortable and your head normally slides off of them(if you have the blown up camping ones). I use a My Pillow travel size, you could also use a toddler sized pillow. This is great because it feels like the pillow you have at home, is not noisy and will cradle your head so it does not slide off.
Footwear
Footwear is about a lot more than shoes, check out my top picks
Water Shoes
Tired of having to lace up shoes or boots everytime you go in and out of your tent? Tired of your bulky footwear weighing down your feet? I’ve got a solution for you: water shoes. These are great, they are breathable, lightweight and have a hard sole so you don’t hurt your feet on rocks and sticks. They also dry extremely fast, if you do choose to use them in the water. You can also slip them on and off, saving you time and helping keep your tent clean.
Merino Wool Socks
Merino wool socks are the only socks that will do when you are out in the woods, don’t even bother with cotton or nylon. Wool is anti-microbial which is great for when you’re in the woods because your feet will be safe from bacteria and won’t get stinky. Wool also does a great job regulating temperature and moisture wicking, keeping your feet cool in the summer and warm in winter. Merino wool is also very soft, I recommend Darn Tough.
Slipper Socks
Slipper socks are just nice to have for around bedtime when you are in the tent winding down. Being able to take your regular socks off for the night gives them a chance to breathe and air out, yet you still get to keep your feet nice and warm. Slipper socks also help to keep the inside of your tent clean. On the off chance, you get dirt or anything on the bottom of your feet, putting slipper socks on makes sure to keep the mess contained and from getting all over your tent.
Entertainment
You will have downtime while out camping and it will be nice to entertain yourself a bit instead of staring into space. Making sure you are entertained and not bored is a great way to help make sure you are comfortable
Books
Books are great entertainment and there are so many to choose from. Whatever genre you might be into horror, mystery, comedy, or something inspirational there is a book for you.
Games
Games are truly the most fun way to entertain yourself while out camping, especially if you are camping with others. You cannot beat the interaction of a game – it will get you talking and laughing with your camping partner(s). There are many cards and dice games to choose from, even for two players, some of our favorites to bring are Monopoly Deal, Catan the Dice Game and Hero Realms.
Bug Protection
Bug protection is super important, because honestly without it you will be miserable and itchy, you would not enjoy your time in the woods
Sprays
The most common form of bug protection that we use in the woods are sprays. We use one on ourselves, Sawyer Maxi Deet is our number one option for this. Permethrin is the second, and for this, we spray it on our clothes and tent before we go. It instantly kills bugs on contact and it is great for being out in tick country.
Beauty/Hygiene
Beauty and hygiene are often two things women need in there life to just feel good. The notion is often that it cannot be achieved while out camping, but I assure you it can and will make sure you are comfortable
Hair Ties
These are yet another simple product that can make the trip a completely different experience. I recommend you always bring extra as they break so easily. Hair ties get your hair out of the way so you can perform tasks that take more exertion, they also help get it off the back of your neck when you are hot and need to cool down. When you put your hair up and it can also keep you from feeling grungy and unkempt, giving you an overall boost of morale.
Baby Wipes
Baby wipes help you clean up, especially if you do not have an access to water source. Not to mention they come in handy for just wiping off your hands before dinner and at the end of a long day where you put in the work and got a little dirty. Honestly, everyone enjoys having baby wipes on a trip. Don’t forget to pack your used ones out!
Face Lotions
While I don’t recommend makeup in the woods, face lotion can help to make you feel like you are clean and presentable. There are so many options, but I have two main favorites that I think you will enjoy in the woods. The first option is aqua balms, they are very moisturizing and help you to feel like you did something with yourself. The downside to using an aqua balm while camping is that there is no SPF so you should still utilize a sunscreen. My second pick for you to wear while camping is tinted face cream. These face creams generally have an SPF, the one I use by Marcelle has an SPF of 25.
Nail Clipper
If you are a woman who will be camping or taking a woman you know camping you absolutely should bring a nail clipper. This is a very small item and often overlooked but can greatly improve your trip. It is nice to be able to take care of a broken nail or a hangnail right away. If you don’t take care of it right away you can snag it on your gear (possibly causing a run) or even injure yourself further.
If you are a woman or taking a woman such as your wife or girlfriend camping it is important to make sure you/they are comfortable. Especially if it is your/their first time adventuring out into the woods. Camping can be a wonderful way to spend time by yourself or with your significant other bonding and getting in touch with nature. However, it is easily ruined with just one bad experience. I hope you try out these small comforts and they make your trip the best and most comfortable it can be! Make sure to comment below what your must-have comfort is!