This Brilliant Camping Hack Is A Bedding Upgrade Worthy Of The Social Media Hype

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Summertime and camping go hand-in-hand, and the latter is widely considered a favorite American pastime. Whether you're looking to test your limits and master the art of camping on your own or visit bucket list camping destinations, getting out into the great outdoors is the perfect way to unplug and channel your inner Bear Grylls.

For beginners, there are lots of ways to make tent camping feel a lot less intimidating, especially when it comes to mastering the art of sleeping outside and on the ground. After all, every camper knows the importance of a good night's sleep and making sure your setup is cozy, warm, and inviting, rather than having a cold sleepless night and waking up with a stiff back. Ouch!

Luckily, a recent TikTok video by user @adventuresofthewests highlights a brilliant camping hack that's worthy of the hype on social media. Simple and cost-effective, the hack is all about adding layers to ensure that your sleeping arrangement keeps you nice and toasty. Specifically, the user suggests adding a base layer of an emergency blanket — sometimes referred to as a space blanket — made of Mylar, a material commonly used in electrical insulation that's extremely durable and strong. Ultimately, this simple, yet effective bedding hack can make the difference between enjoying a relaxing night under the stars or going through an uncomfortable experience.

Adding an emergency blanket as the base layer for your camping bed creates an insulated barrier between you and the cold ground — a game-changer that can help you sleep more comfortably while camping. Even better, in the clip, which has amassed over 500,000 views, the creator shows just how easy it is to set everything up.

First, start by unfolding the emergency blanket and laying it flat across the tent floor where the bed will be. Once the blanket is laid flat, you can place some foam mats down as an added layer, before adding an additional top blanket and a self-inflating mattress. Finally, top it off with an extra blanket or sleeping bag, and you're all set.

Knowing how to prepare for bad weather while camping is a crucial part of sleeping outside, and that's precisely why an emergency blanket can come in handy. Since these blankets are 90% heat reflective, they are the perfect lightweight material to provide warmth. Beyond that, they're also wind and waterproof. Commonly used in sporting events, such as marathons, to keep athletes warm after sweating, emergency blankets should definitely be part of your camping gear arsenal. At the end of the day, there's no such thing as being too prepared when it comes to camping.

TikTok users jumped to the comment section to discuss this cozy camping bed hack, with several of them lauding the idea. "During first aid training they tell you 1 layer beneath is worth 5 on top. So it's actually MORE important!" one user commented. Meanwhile, another user responded with: "This is so helpful as a camping newbie thanks."

Along with helping you sleep better, emergency blankets can be used for a variety of other purposes. For example, you can use them as a backup blanket in case you forgot your sleeping bag, and they can even work as a rainfly to place over your tent in order to keep your sleeping area nice and dry (since nothing is worse than a wet or damp tent interior). Additionally, a hot meal when you're spending time outdoors is an unspoken luxury, and using a heat-reflective blanket is a game-changer when it comes to keeping your food warm while camping. To do so, simply line your cooler with the blanket's reflective side facing inward, and it will keep things warm for when you're ready to chow down.

Convinced? These emergency thermal blankets available on Amazon come in a four-pack and cost about $7, which is an absolute bargain for such a useful product. With so many uses for such a low-cost item, having a few of these in your camping gear — or even in your car emergency kit — seems like a no-brainer.