Litehiker
Well-Known Member
Nuc Worker,
I was a Notrdic Ski Patroller for 10 years and an alpine (downhill) ski patroller for another 6 years. As a Nordic patroller I was a "Senior Patroller" rank (top ranking) and a winter survival instructor for two ARMY ROTC units for 3 years. So I know a bit about winter camping. Done it in snow trenches, snow caves and tents and was comfortable in all.
The "sleep naked" advice is total ********. I'll be glad to take that person on a winter camping trip and let them sleep naked with the choice of adding clothing if they are cold. Two or three nights will tell the story. ;o)
Remember, "Insulation is insulation", whether that of a shelter, sleeping bag or clothes. It all adds up.
1.3 SEASON->Usually 30 F. or 20 F. ratings With heavy polyester long johns & a fleece balaclava in my 20 F. bag I can go to 10 F. with my REI FLASH Insulated air mattress or Thermarest Trail Pro self-inflating mat. With puffy down jacket and pants over the long johns I can go to 0 F. Done it.
2. WINTER->should be rated to at least -20 F. With a good winter mattress like Thermsrest Neo-Air X-Therm or two summer mattresses a true -20 F. bag will be good to its rated temperature if you wear heavy long johns. With more puffy insulating clothing as described above I'm sure it would be good to -30 F. at least.
YES, get in a bag naked and you will heat the bag up faster because you are losing heat faster. But, IF YOU NEED IT, you will want clothing. In fact you need at least light long johns to keep the bag clean from you body oils.
So let's say I sleep naked in my 20 F. bag in 30 F. weather. Yes, I'll likely be OK but not as comfortable as if I had light long johns on. Bag linings DO get uncomfortably cool.
And you need "sleep socks" the thickness depending on temperatures you intend to sleep in. And a balaclava B/C your head will get out of the hood during the night.
And for winter nights in 0 F. and lower you will want a nose cover. Sounds crazy but a cold nose is no fun all night and you will unconsciously bury your head in your bag to warm it and breathe moisture into your bag, a no-no.
In the morning: After getting out of the bag and dressed take the bag outside, weather permitting. Compress (do not roll!) the bag to squeeze the moist air out of it as much as possible to keep that moisture from freezing in the bag and melting that night, dampening and compromising the insulation, any insulation.
->Never, ever roll a bag for storage or any other reason. This shifts insulation to the foot permanently or it tears down baffles.
->Always store a sleeping bag totally non-compressed to retain insulation loft and thus warmth.
Eric B.
So take your military bags if you can carry them. Otherwise take just the warmest one and your insulative clothing. You can zip up your parka and put it over the foot of your bag for more warmth and to keep the bag from melting frost off the tent wall and wetting the bag.
PM me if you have more questions. LL Bean down bags are just about the best for the money if you are in the market for a new bag.
I was a Notrdic Ski Patroller for 10 years and an alpine (downhill) ski patroller for another 6 years. As a Nordic patroller I was a "Senior Patroller" rank (top ranking) and a winter survival instructor for two ARMY ROTC units for 3 years. So I know a bit about winter camping. Done it in snow trenches, snow caves and tents and was comfortable in all.
The "sleep naked" advice is total ********. I'll be glad to take that person on a winter camping trip and let them sleep naked with the choice of adding clothing if they are cold. Two or three nights will tell the story. ;o)
Remember, "Insulation is insulation", whether that of a shelter, sleeping bag or clothes. It all adds up.
1.3 SEASON->Usually 30 F. or 20 F. ratings With heavy polyester long johns & a fleece balaclava in my 20 F. bag I can go to 10 F. with my REI FLASH Insulated air mattress or Thermarest Trail Pro self-inflating mat. With puffy down jacket and pants over the long johns I can go to 0 F. Done it.
2. WINTER->should be rated to at least -20 F. With a good winter mattress like Thermsrest Neo-Air X-Therm or two summer mattresses a true -20 F. bag will be good to its rated temperature if you wear heavy long johns. With more puffy insulating clothing as described above I'm sure it would be good to -30 F. at least.
YES, get in a bag naked and you will heat the bag up faster because you are losing heat faster. But, IF YOU NEED IT, you will want clothing. In fact you need at least light long johns to keep the bag clean from you body oils.
So let's say I sleep naked in my 20 F. bag in 30 F. weather. Yes, I'll likely be OK but not as comfortable as if I had light long johns on. Bag linings DO get uncomfortably cool.
And you need "sleep socks" the thickness depending on temperatures you intend to sleep in. And a balaclava B/C your head will get out of the hood during the night.
And for winter nights in 0 F. and lower you will want a nose cover. Sounds crazy but a cold nose is no fun all night and you will unconsciously bury your head in your bag to warm it and breathe moisture into your bag, a no-no.
In the morning: After getting out of the bag and dressed take the bag outside, weather permitting. Compress (do not roll!) the bag to squeeze the moist air out of it as much as possible to keep that moisture from freezing in the bag and melting that night, dampening and compromising the insulation, any insulation.
->Never, ever roll a bag for storage or any other reason. This shifts insulation to the foot permanently or it tears down baffles.
->Always store a sleeping bag totally non-compressed to retain insulation loft and thus warmth.
Eric B.
So take your military bags if you can carry them. Otherwise take just the warmest one and your insulative clothing. You can zip up your parka and put it over the foot of your bag for more warmth and to keep the bag from melting frost off the tent wall and wetting the bag.
PM me if you have more questions. LL Bean down bags are just about the best for the money if you are in the market for a new bag.
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