Anonymous
Post 04/09/2026 18:58     Subject: Sleeping pad for tent camping
It looks like she didn’t have the rainfly or the footprint. So really, she only had part of a tent. It would have been wise to go to REI or read up a bit on tents to start with, but at this point it seems like there’s no mystery as to what the problem is.
Anonymous
Post 04/09/2026 17:11     Subject: Sleeping pad for tent camping
We got this one 8 years ago and it’s still good ( only the prices tripled now). We had it at heavy thunderstorm condition and it didn’t get us wet. You need a tarp under tent, plus another waterproof layer above tent.

https://a.co/d/03TDm12R
Anonymous
Post 04/09/2026 14:05     Subject: Sleeping pad for tent camping
Anonymous wrote:You should not buy any of this online. You need to go in person to an REI and ask them for advice. Take your tent and they will help you figure out why you are getting water inside


This is good advice. If OP were more experienced, ordering online is fine. OP is clearly inexperienced and would benefit from guidance from the staff at REI or similar so that's the best route in this case.
Anonymous
Post 04/09/2026 14:01     Subject: Sleeping pad for tent camping
You should not buy any of this online. You need to go in person to an REI and ask them for advice. Take your tent and they will help you figure out why you are getting water inside
Anonymous
Post 04/09/2026 12:10     Subject: Sleeping pad for tent camping
Anonymous wrote:There is a rain fly that goes with the tent but is sold separately. Just look up your tent on Amazon the scroll down and look for the “buy together “ suggestion. If you don’t have the “footprint” or under tarp that goes with it I’d buy that too. Each item is probably under $50.

I’d order Thermarest pads from Amazon too. We had them in the past and recently paid for something more expensive from REI and I don’t see (or feel) the difference.


Thank you. I see them once I scroll to the bottom.
Anonymous
Post 04/09/2026 10:10     Subject: Sleeping pad for tent camping
There is a rain fly that goes with the tent but is sold separately. Just look up your tent on Amazon the scroll down and look for the “buy together “ suggestion. If you don’t have the “footprint” or under tarp that goes with it I’d buy that too. Each item is probably under $50.

I’d order Thermarest pads from Amazon too. We had them in the past and recently paid for something more expensive from REI and I don’t see (or feel) the difference.
Anonymous
Post 04/09/2026 09:31     Subject: Sleeping pad for tent camping
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Thank you. Two more things, it has 50 percent chance of rain on one day, what to do? Our tent does not have extra layer of fabric on top. Will water go in from the top and bottom? Is tent waterproof? And weather may drop to 50 degree at night.


Some tents are made of waterproof material, some are not. Mine is mostly constructed of a mesh fabric that the rain will go right through. So if there's any chance of rain, I put the rain fly on (that's the extra layer of fabric that goes on top). It is waterproof. If you don't have a rain fly, you can set your tent up under a tarp or canopy. Your tent may be waterproof all over, I don't know. Do you have a link to the tent you own?

Water can also seep in through the bottom of the tent that is in direct contact with wet ground. A ground cover or tarp under the tent helps immensely. Just make sure that the tarp doesn't stick out from the edges of tent - rain will collect on the tarp and pool between the tarp and the tent, which defeats the purpose. The tarp should be completely hidden by the base of the tent - fold the corners in if you need to.

For the temperature, make sure your sleeping bag is rated for that temp. You can sleep in long underwear and wool socks if you need more insulation. I wear a warm hat too. Most important, make sure that anything you wear to bed is clean and dry - wet socks (even just damp from sweat) will make you miserable overnight.


We got this 4 people tent last year. Is that waterproof? There is no fly on top of it. We are going to camping next weekend. Please let me know if I should order anything from Amazon, like to keep ourselves warm, not wet etc.... we have 2 young kids with us. Thank you.


https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0D6NQKDWJ?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
Anonymous
Post 04/09/2026 08:40     Subject: Sleeping pad for tent camping
Anonymous wrote:Thank you. Two more things, it has 50 percent chance of rain on one day, what to do? Our tent does not have extra layer of fabric on top. Will water go in from the top and bottom? Is tent waterproof? And weather may drop to 50 degree at night.


Some tents are made of waterproof material, some are not. Mine is mostly constructed of a mesh fabric that the rain will go right through. So if there's any chance of rain, I put the rain fly on (that's the extra layer of fabric that goes on top). It is waterproof. If you don't have a rain fly, you can set your tent up under a tarp or canopy. Your tent may be waterproof all over, I don't know. Do you have a link to the tent you own?

Water can also seep in through the bottom of the tent that is in direct contact with wet ground. A ground cover or tarp under the tent helps immensely. Just make sure that the tarp doesn't stick out from the edges of tent - rain will collect on the tarp and pool between the tarp and the tent, which defeats the purpose. The tarp should be completely hidden by the base of the tent - fold the corners in if you need to.

For the temperature, make sure your sleeping bag is rated for that temp. You can sleep in long underwear and wool socks if you need more insulation. I wear a warm hat too. Most important, make sure that anything you wear to bed is clean and dry - wet socks (even just damp from sweat) will make you miserable overnight.
Anonymous
Post 04/09/2026 08:03     Subject: Sleeping pad for tent camping
Your tent material should be waterproof, though water can leak in through flaps. We put a tarp on the bottom before setting up a tent and use a yoga mat under the sleeping bags. You dress warmly and buy a temperature-appropriate sleeping bag.
Anonymous
Post 04/09/2026 06:01     Subject: Sleeping pad for tent camping
Thank you. Two more things, it has 50 percent chance of rain on one day, what to do? Our tent does not have extra layer of fabric on top. Will water go in from the top and bottom? Is tent waterproof? And weather may drop to 50 degree at night.
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2026 13:11     Subject: Sleeping pad for tent camping
The egg crate looking ones are best if you backpack
Anonymous
Post 04/07/2026 23:35     Subject: Sleeping pad for tent camping
Therma-rest. Tried and true.
Anonymous
Post 04/07/2026 22:00     Subject: Sleeping pad for tent camping
Go to rei and lie on different samples. The old closed cell foam pads are not as comfortable as the newer inflatable ones. There are so many types, and it’s best to go lie on them.

Are you sure it was dew that made the walls wet? I think it’s more likely to be condensation from your warm breath at night. Leave vents open, use a ground tarp and rainfly as PP advised. That will help the condensation to collect between the rainfly and the tent rather than inside the tent. It won’t be 100%, but it should help.
Anonymous
Post 04/07/2026 16:15     Subject: Sleeping pad for tent camping
For ease of packing up, you can't beat the folding closed-cell foam pads. For more comfort but still relatively easy, I like the self-inflating Therma-Rest pads.

Not sure I understand the water issue. There shouldn't be water inside your tent. Do you have a waterproof ground cover or tarp under your tent? Rain fly? Where was the water getting in?
Anonymous
Post 04/07/2026 15:44     Subject: Sleeping pad for tent camping
Please recommend an water proof easy to roll/fold back for a single person sleeping pad at tent camping. All of the tent walls are soaking wet last time we used due to dew. Thank you.