According to a recent report[1], camping holidays are expected to replace many people’s international holidays this year, and it’s easy to understand why. Not only is camping in the UK great fun, it’s also an all-weather activity – whether 30-degree heat or 12 degrees, wet and miserable!

Sleeping away from your normal mattress and on harder surfaces can cause problems for your back, however, and so to prevent any aches and pains from getting between you and your next camping holiday, President of the BCA, Catherine Quinn, has shared her top tips for more comfortable camping.

1. Prep your sleeping area first – Before you put up your tent, make sure you remove large stones or sticks that could dig into your back.
2. Protect your back – Ensure your back is protected against a hard and potentially damp surface by sleeping on a quality approved camping mat or air mattress. Try these out in the shop before buying to find the right base for you – most good stores will have samples available.
3. Keep hydrated – If it’s hot, then you can get very warm ‘under canvas’. Make sure you drink plenty and have a bottle of water available during the night to stay hydrated.
4. Lift and carry with care – Take care when loading and unloading your camping gear. It’s a good idea to pack your gear into multiple lighter bags, so you can distribute the weight more evenly and reduce strain on your back. If you’re going group camping, divide and conquer the load between you to avoid overloading yourself.
5. Sleep sensibly – Try to sleep in a position where your spine is in a straight line as this helps to avoid neck and back pain.

[1] UK Camping Trends Report 2021