I use my pack as part of my sleeping insulation layer, under my legs. My sleeping pad is torso length. My shoes or boots form part of my pillow so I clean them as well as possible before they come in the tent. If they are wet and muddy then they stay in the minimal vestibule of my tent. Since the vestibule is in front of the entrance, I prefer to keep it clear in case of a nighttime call of nature. My tent is a BA Fly Creek or a Gatewood Cape. The Gatewood has a more useable vestibule. Both tents have enough room for all gear except my bear canister and I stow all my gear indoors.