Smaller sleeping pads by building bed under you

yeah, but my wife complains about the mess in our bedroom.

Thanks for the joke, LOL but I'd like some serious answers, please.

That's a good one, Thomas! I had to laugh out loud!

C'mon Guys, I asked a serious question about backpacking and I'd like a real answer from some more expierenced backpackers. There's plenty room for humor,and don't be mistaken, I like a good laugh, but at least answer the question!

According to his diary, John Muir did this every night in the High Sierra….with NO sleeping pad.

Yes, it works. Grass, pine needles, leaves–they all provide excellent insulation.

Thanks Nate!

Very doable, you're going to need to deal with ground cloth or sleeping system durability. Also, the insulation should be dry, and pine needles on the ground where I am are rarely dry.

Started doing this as a kid in scouts in the 60s. We didn't use any sleeping pads then. Now my old body needs all the cushioning I can get, so I do this when I can even under my 2.5 inch pad.
My favorite has always been pine needles. They seem to hold loft under weight somewhat better than leaves and grass. On our last AT trip last October, my wife and I piled six inches of leaves under our Double Rainbow when the weather turned cold, wet and brutally windy. We were warm and very comfortable.
I have aslo used leaves and such along the edges of a tarp pitcheed close to the ground to cut the wind.
We believe in leaving no trace, so we scattered what we've piled when we're done. Takes seconds.

Yes, in the summer there are plenty of dry materials such as dry pine needles up here in Idaho to build a bed out of and a groundcloth was already in my sleep system.

And I love scattering pine needles.It's an art you know.