Travel Guides Outdoor Adventures Camping
Camila Pérez B
Heading outdoors is a great way to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The quiet hum of nature all around you, the crisp air filling your lungs, and the starlit nights can make for an unforgettable camping adventure. However, this idyllic image can fade very quickly when you wake up the next morning after a long night on the hard ground — feeling every pebble and twig — and with an aching back to show for it.
Enter a simple yet brilliant hack to prevent this from happening: jigsaw foam tiles. Remember those colorful, interlocking foam tiles you might have played on when you were in kindergarten or seen in children’s playrooms? Well, they’re not just for indoor fun anymore. These lightweight, portable tiles can be the perfect answer to your camping woes.
How does it work? Once you’ve finished securing your tent to the ground, fill the tent floor with foam tiles until you’ve created a soft base. Most of these pieces can even be cut to size, so you don’t have to worry about any awkward gaps or mismatched corners. Then, unwrap your sleeping bag and other bedding essentials — and voilà! You’ve got yourself a cushy, soft floor that provides some much-needed comfort — but that’s not all.
A comfortable camper is a happy camper
Aleksandarnakic/Getty Images
What’s so great about this camping hack? Well, for one, foam tiles provide an even and soft surface that molds slightly to the shape of your body and offers a delicate layer of cushioning. This small barrier between you and the ground makes all the difference between a night spent tossing and turning and a peaceful, restful sleep.
Additionally, these foam tiles can serve a dual purpose. Not only do they cushion, but they also insulate — ensuring you stay warm and cozy throughout chilly nights. Plus, coming in at around $30 for a set of 18 tiles means they’re also incredibly affordable — more so than a lot of camping mattresses out there, which can easily set you back $200 or more.
Investing in these foam tiles is a small price to pay for added comfort and a good night’s sleep. After all, adequate rest will help rejuvenate the body, keep you alert, and prepare you for the next day’s adventure — whether it’s hiking, fishing, or just relaxing by the campfire — all so you’re free to explore safely and confidently.
