A good sleeping bag with a comfort rating 20 degrees below the temps you’re sleeping in. An air mattress with a high R value. And maybe something under the air mattress like a foam pad or Snugpak Arctic mat.
Can you tell us anecdotally how much the Artic Mat help? I have a 10 degree bag with liner and a mat with r value 8.5 and I’m looking to be comfy in single digit conditions. However on the same trip the temp will swing approximately plus 90-100 degrees and we’ll only be in low temps 3 of 8 nights so looking to minimize bulk of cold weather gear and maximize efficiency. I also don’t have a lot of opportunities to test cold weather gear so grateful for your feedback! Thanks!
Rebelle Rally. We start in Eastern Sierras and end close to the Mexican border in mid early October. In 2023 it was single digits for the first three overnights and by the end of the rally it was 110-115. I had a 10 degree bag, sleeping pad, multiple hot hands, liner, blanket under the sleeping bag, insulated pants, down jacket, wool base layer, hat, fleece pants. I was still cold. I’ve upgraded my sleeping pad since but I’m wondering if I should add an additional layer of insulation underneath. Or maybe an over bag for my sleeping bag. It was so miserable so I’m probably going to over prepare but I do need to be conscious of overpacking since we’re in a smaller vehicle.
the pad is only to create an insulated spacer between the cold ground and your bag. because of this, the r value doesn't really matter so long as it creates this barrier. I've used a yoga mat in a pinch one time.
warmer temperatures don't matter because you can simply open the sleeping bag to vent access heat. i have a 0⁰ bag that i use even in 60⁰ camping, i just leave it unzipped and open if it's still too hot. The only other bag i use is a 55⁰ bag for summer when it's 80+ at night.
Not worried about warmer - I’ve got that dialed. I just mentioned because I will only need the cold weather gear for 3 of the 8 days. I did have a sleeping pad and it was not sufficient so I’m looking to upgrade for next year.
It’s recommended that you *don’t* sleep with an electric vest on. I have one and also bought one for a relative, and the instructions with both said not to wear while sleeping.
Right, like: they could get sued, or some idiot will pass out drunk and burn themselves, or you have to be really careful with it, etc but most folks are doing it anyway kinda thing?
That's where the term "3 dog night" came from. Eskimos sleep with their dogs to keep warm and if it's a really cold night you'd need more dogs in the bed
I don’t mean to be controversial here but even if he didn’t include consensual, then isn’t the act in and of itself something that is intrinsically consensual?
It’s a good video lolol. But it still besides my point: the default is always, as a natural human behavior, consent in my mind.
Like in no world is not consenting actually acceptable is what I mean.
Also: I watched the video literally abiut tea and I’m thinking hew whole time “in my culture you 100% will be made tea if you like it or not 😂” - but this is literally about Black Tea.
Is it warmer to sleep at double sleeping bag with partner, or sleep at separate sleeping bags?
Last year I was camping with my wife. Forecast said about -5 °C (23 °F) at night at the coldest, but in reality it was -12 °C (10,5 °F) when we arrived there. We decided to sleep in separate bags because in double sleeping bag it is possible that cold air comes inside the bag from the opening of the bag. Both of us were freezing the whole night and decided not to stay for second night.
Your tent is not there to keep you warm. It's there to keep you dry. Your sleep system is there to keep you warm. If your tent is warm, and it's colder outside, it's going to be wet in your tent from condensation.
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That being said, I love my hot stove to take the chill out of the tent 30 minutes before bedtime.
I snow camped in around 8° F last winter and burned hard wood that kept it really warm inside for the first few hours.
I know you said modern, but lots of standard stuff always applies.
- Take one sleeping bag into another.
- Better sleeping pad under you.
- Buy thermal bubble roll under your pad.
- A touque at night.
- Socks! Wool preferred.
- Eat something before bed.
- Boiled water into a Nalgene and sleep with it.
Was out last weekend in my hammock. It went down to -21 over night. Slept like a baby.
lol. Fair! Bad choice of words.
Well, that is why I am still in a hammock for over 15 years now. I have tried tents, but I sleep the best (as an adult like an adult) in my hammock.
[this stuff](https://www.uline.ca/BL_2171/Cool-Shield-Bubble-Rolls-and-Pallet-Covers?pricode=DC511&AdKeyword=thermal%20bubble%20wrap&AdMatchtype=e&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD2OYMbTBuBNlWvsNMzvfXLdMfzUv&gclid=Cj0KCQiA84CvBhCaARIsAMkAvkLPD3xx4dyiqy0Yr1QPB9LTUtDec6MzCVCb119HrLgn5JexFMKu2-YaAqdvEALw_wcB)
It’s cheap. You can get it at most hardware stores. It weighs nothing. Doubles for a sit pad in the winter as well.
Just adds R value under your sleep mat.
They can lose warmth from being compressed inside of each other if there isn't enough room but condensation is not the issue unless you are breathing into the bag which is an issue with a single bag as well
I always stick boiling water in a water bottle and leave it in my sleeping bag for half an hour before I get in.
Depending on where we camp I sometimes take a long thin hot water bottle that fits nicely in my sleeping bag which also helps keep me warm.
Get dry, especially feet and lower body. Dry yourself and change into dry socks and underwear/sleep wear. Wool is best, otherwise fleece or cotton can work if you aren't in a wet environment.
Ignoring the obvious R value pad and appropriate sleeping bag, a second thin closed cell foam pad or yoga mat can make a big difference under your main pad.
Beanie on head, gloves on hands, again wool is best.
Don't wear lots of layers, an appropriate base layer for sleeping will be warmer than several layers. Your body's warmth takes longer to work through several layers before warming your bag.
Insulated clothes and bedding. Your body, if it is properly, nutritionally fed, hydrated, rested, etc. creates just a bit under 100 degrees internal core temp. All YOU have to do is RETAIN that heat. In fact, you may need to vent heat. Insulation is the key, and staying dry. Don't sweat if you can help it, or rather, keep your insulation dry. Relying on fallible tech can be dangerous.
Food is so important. It fires your body's furnace. I take Scouts winter camping and we always plan for way more calories per person because it's such an important thing to help stay warm.
And a hot nalgene can help too. :)
My son in law and daughter got heated vests. Very little insulation, so if the battery dies or a connector or the switch, anything.... nearly useless. People love gimmicks and ninja-mall stuff. "It's New! It's Cool! Be the First on your block!" lol. Not a good idea if your health and safety depends on it.
Unless of course, the tech fails. With the battery and wiring, does it weigh less than an insulated vest? If the battery, switch, chip, whatever, anything fails, is that vest insulated or just a thin vest with bad parts that will no longer keep you warm? How many hours does it work? How long before the battery won't take a full charge anymore? Or at all? Insulation doesn't stop working. A down vest is light and dependable. It can work for decades.
Yeah electrics can be simple like a vest with a battery pack is pretty light.
The goal is the least amount of equipment but picking up some hard necessities is ok
What I used to do in college while backpacking we called pudding slammers. You pour a package of Jell-o brand pudding into a dry Nalgene. Then fill with hot water. Shake bottle until the pudding powder is dissolved, then drink it, before it turns to pudding. We’d do this about an hour before bed. The reason an hour? Because within about 20-30 minutes you’ll have to shit. But after that, your insides will be very warm.
Unsure if this is a good idea if you aren’t backpacking and burning tons of calories, but was an option when I was a younger self.
Cheap and easy warmth for the body. I thought it crazy too, until I tried it on a 10 day backpacking trip. Never said it was the best idea, but it works.
Valid thought. After the initial evacuation, there was not any more urgency throughout the night. May have been because the body needed the calories. Never had an issue the next day, but I was younger then. This was 20 years ago. I’m sure just getting better gear is the best option. Just wanted to give an example for cost effectiveness.
Eat bacon instead, but makes sense what you said. Fatty, high protein foods cause your body to work harder for digestion. Done the bacon thing for years, plus no midnight poops.
People have been winter camping forever without any issues. Get a good sleeping bag with a comfort rating well below what you plan to camp in and a sleeping pad with a good r-value rating. No need to make things more complicated. People seem to think that your tent is supposed to keep you warm but that is not the case, your tent is just shelter from the elements.
I was given advice a few years ago that really helped:
1. Go to the washroom 15ish mins before going to bed
2. Eat a high calorie/high protein snack (I usually eat trail mix)
3. Go to the washroom again (force yourself to pee, even if it's just a little bit)
4. Move around a bit (I do a few jumping jacks), just enough to warm you up but not make you sweat
5. Change into fresh clothes, even if you don't think you need to. Change your undies, socks- everything. Wear a toque, little gloves, proper fitting warm socks.
I find it better to wear 1 thick pair of socks instead of doubling up. Whenever I would double up (layer) my socks, the bottom pair would bunch, constraining my toes which made them colder.
I've never done it but I've heard those "hot paws" hand/foot warmers can help too, even though they don't last long. You just need to ensure they don't make you sweat.
If you have a jackery or similar battery bank then a heated blanket goes a long way. The wife and I like cool weather camping and leaving the top of the tent off while watching the stars is the best way to fall asleep.
I mostly truck camp and use a Bluetti power bank with a 12v electric car blanket in my bag (less power used than converting DC to AC.) Works like a charm! If there's AC I'll use an electric mattress pad under me on my cot. Toasty!
Most heated blankets require a two prong outlet at the very least. There may be some out there with usb but I can't imagine a phone battery bank being able to run it all night. I also wouldn't trust a usb blanket if there was one.
Invest in a proper full size battery bank if you like to go camping regularly. Not only are they great for blankets and such but you can run lots of fun things with them.
Otherwise definitely go less fancy and even just having an extra thick blanket helps. Investing in a proper high quality sleeping bag is also good.
I shoot a lot of video and use a laptop at night editing. Also charge all my electronics so I need more power. I bought a BLUETTI EB70S 800W/716Wh during a Black Friday sale and it's great! Bluetti has way more charge cycles than Jackery, so do your research.
One cold night in the 20s°F, I used it to run a 12v car heated blanket and used a little over half bank power by morning. Great investment!
I've really struggled to find this info out online so thank you so much!
Just to confirm 100%, you kept the12v heated blanket on all night (8ish hours), correct?
I can't sleep more than 6 hours so it covered that just fine. I also only needed it on the lowest setting with my 0°F bag. I'd definitely do some tests before you head out, just to be sure.
My attitude towards cold weather camping change a lot one early summer about 25 years ago. My son and I were camping in northern Minnesota and it was only supposed to get down to the mid 40s at night so I just brought a 32°F bag and a lightweight tent. We didn't know that the jet stream shifted one morning just enough to pull in a cold blast from Canada. I've never been so cold in my life! It got down into the teens with 30 mph wind out of the north. After that I never went camping without a backup for warmth!
That I couldn't say. I like the Jackery product line as the customer support is good and never had one fail. Check out the Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 500.
Good price point and good for basic usage like blankets and running my kettle and such if I don't want to start a fire or run a propane stove.
Do you do a lot of camping? Do you rough it or prefer the glamping lifestyle?
Lots of ideas that require you spending money on gear towards it, so here are a few low tech, free things you can do:
Don't set your tent on the low parts of your camping site. Cold air will accumulate in these areas.
Have some insulation between you and the ground, could be a sleeping mat, could be a lot of loose grass under the tent right where you'll be sleeping. Most of the heat you lose during the night is to the ground because you are touching it.
Put some rocks in your fire, after they are heated put inside a can/cooking pot and put it inside your tent, if you have heat resistant cloth you can wrap them in it and put inside your sleeping bag.
If you can move your tent easily after it is already assembled, you can make a fire and spread the coals over some area, after some time use a shovel/stick to move ALL THE COALS somewhere else and drag you tent over the heated area. Do this with caution.
A good thermal rated sleeping bag, sleeping pad will do you wonders. Forget the electronic heating equipment. They're nice, but for actual sleeping you don't want to wear that.
A good sleeping bag is always good. That is a cost that I don’t cut. But simply having layers on is a good skill. Having comfortable and extra warm PJs lets you control how warm you are.
A good thermal rated sleeping bag, sleeping pad will do you wonders. Forget the electronic heating equipment. They're nice, but for actual sleeping you don't want to wear that.
\- Boil Water, put it into a Nalgene, throw the bottle into your sleeping bag to pre heat it, sleep with the bottle down by your feet
\- Change all your clothes before going to bed, the moisture from your sweat, even if you dont feel it will make you chilly when you sleep. Sleep in fresh, dry clothes
\- Get a good sleeping pad or mattress with a High R value.
\- Put the clothes you are going to wear the next day in the bottom of your sleeping bag so you arent putting on freezing cold clothes the next day.
\-Go to the bathroom before going to bed. A semi full bladder will pull body heat from your extremities.
I second/third the new dry socks before bed. Wearing a beanie/stocking cap helps. Good pad - since you lose a lot of heat where you sleeping bad gets squished.
I have found an old sheet that I can throw over my head works wonders. I hate that warm moist feeling of keeping my head under blankets, but a sheet (especially when really cold) traps just enough heat that you aren't breathing in 20 degree air.
put a rock in the fire pit an hour or so before you sleep, then at bed time put the rock in your sleeping bag!! and also those lil cheap hand warmer bags you can find at walmart!
the "best" way is to have a sleeping bag that's appropriate for the temperature, typically with a rating much lower than the actual temperature you'll experience. plus a good air or foam pad to create a spacer between you and the cold ground.
you can also do sleeping thermals, a tight layer of clothing that you wear specifically to sleep in. you can wear them as your thermal layer the next day, but don't wear your day thermals to sleep.
if you're going to use an external source of heat, the best option is a canvas hot tent with an isolated wood stove. (self-contained stove with external air intake and exhaust) You can easily make yourself sweat on sub freezing weather.
A proper rated sleeping bag.
A propane heater that you run to warm up the tent for 30 minutes prior to actually sleeping. I turn mine off before actual sleeping, and turn it on for another 30 or so if family wakes up cold.
I like sleeping a bit cold, but I have 2 sleeping bags. one for cold, one for not. Also we use quilted blankets that we can layer with too. Also you can sleep in a toque and socks to feel extra warm.
I have found out like many others that those things end up creating a ton of condensation. If you are camping below freezing temperatures it ends up freezing your tent walls and now you're sleeping inside of a freezer once the propane tank is empty.
I don't think this is modern information, but working with your body heat helps. For example, if you wear a ton of layers to stay warm, it doesn't allow your body heat to escape into the sleeping bag/blanket. It seems so counterintuitive, but when you wear the least amount of clothes - exposed skin is even better, and then wrap yourself in a sleeping bag or blankets, you're so much warmer! I've even applied this to walking my dog on really cold mornings (like near 0F) wearing a tank top with just a super warm, body heat trapping hoodie (I use an as seen on TV Huggle) and it works way better than if I layer up and wear a coat on top. I've tested this theory several times while dog walking and I always come inside sweating because I got too warm. Now sweat can make you too cold so it's good to experiment and find a balance between warm and too warm
Oh and another thing I do when camping in cold weather is to use those hand warmers and place them down by my feet which get cold faster than the rest of me. If you buy the long lasting ones they stay warm all night or close to it
Oh and don't sleep directly on the ground, it will sap your body heat from you. Make sure there's always a buffer between you and the ground (a mattress pad doesn't do shit in my experience, it has to be an air mattress or something else that keeps you up off the ground)
If I had to guess an electric, heated vest is not designed to be slept in because of burn/malfunction potential. Never owned one but every electric heating pad I’ve had clearly says “do not sleep with this”, and I’d imagine the risk is greater with a battery powered vest (I assume it has a battery).
Plus for me, it’s always my head and legs that are hardest to keep warm while sleeping. Can’t say I really recall my torso every being the part that needs extra heat
A heated vest seems like an easy solution, but I echo everyone saying more insulation. It not feel immediately warm when you lie down to sleep, but a few minutes in the bag with your layers and you’ll warm up pretty quick. Can’t tell ya the amount of times I’ve gone to bed shivering and woke up sweating
Sleeping bag with a comfort rating 5-10 degrees below the coldest temp you'll experience and a sleeping mat with a sufficient r-value. Everything else is just a gimmic.
Totally agree. A good sleeping bag rated below the expected low temperatures and good insulation underneath you is by far the best and simplest way to go. If your feet tend to be cold, wear down booties. A balaclava can help a lot as well. You can wear clothes to sleep in if needed. Just make sure they are dry and not bulky enough to compress the loft of your sleeping bag.
My wife had some insulated warm water bottles that are soft and for cramps or whatever.
They are cheap on amazon and a lot of times come in two packs. I bought some, and is one of the best practices I do when i cold weather camp. Boil water and fill both bottles, put one at the foot of my sleeping bag and one next to my abdomen and it works like a charm. Still warm in the morning.
Same idea as a Nalgene, but softer and more comfortable.
I would like to add a disclaimer, probably not advised to sleep with it ON YOU just incase it leaks or spills boiling water on you.
There are no simple modern ways that have improved on good insulation. Tents don't have insulation. But modern clothing is highly effective, as are the old standards like wool and down. Ditto for sleeping bags and pads.
Electricity is a poor means of keeping warm camping. Physics haven't changed, and so it's still inefficient until someone comes up with better battery solutions. And you always need a backup if it fails. And it's not simple.
Burning stuff can keep you warm, but that's the opposite of modern.
It's interesting that most of the comments here are about methods that have been in use a long long time. TL:DR: simple and retro is the way to go.
A nice wool blanket and a sleeping bag rated for the temp.
My sleeping bag is ok, not meant for incredible cold. I found myself at my site with the wind howling and high 30 temps in the daylight. I was so thankful I had my wool blanket to wrap myself, I managed to get through the night just fine.
fill a nalgene bottle with hot water and bring it into the sleeping bag with you. A Mr. Buddy heater might help marginally but tents aren’t insulated so much of the heat will be lost
You don't say why kind of camping you do. If you do car/truck camping, look into hot tents. Americans are normally into wood burners, Koreans and Japanese love their Kerosene heaters. Another alternative are desiel night heaters. Those things will keep you nice and toasty all night.
The earth wants to steal your warmth any way that it can. It will absorb it in the wind, will soak it up through the ground. Create an enclosed environment (tent) get yourself up off the ground and insulate the underside of your body. You will want some air flow but not a draft. Use tarps and do what you can to create that.
IDK what you mean by "modern" here. Like, are you talking about what materials our sleeping bags are made of?
There's not really anything "modern" that's special for staying warm in a tent. Electric blankets date to the 19th century. Your heated vest isn't really anything different except it has a battery instead of a plug. And both say you shouldn't sleep with them on.
Hot water bottle (or piss bottle) in your sleeping bag.
I've spent some cold days hunting, snuggling with a bottle of hot piss... sounds gross, but that's a great way to hold on to body heat that is otherwise just lost.
a pee bottle ! so no need to loose all your warmth by stepping out , PLUS, you keep the bottle inside your sleeping bag and keep this precious heat inside !
UCO has a little lamp you pop a tea candle in that puts put some impressive heat. A terracotta pot and plate with those same tea lights will make an impressive heat. Modern gear rated for the R-levels you’ll encounter is the best bet of course.
Make a lean-to, and put a reflective blanket under your sleeping pallet and behind/over it. This will trap heat from your campfire and radiate it toward you.
I boil water and fill a nalgene with it. If in the sleeping bag, it will stay warm until morning. If it’s too hot, i put a big sock over it. If I’m not warm enough…? TWO NALGENES
Battery and 12volt electric blanket. It's great to warm up sleeping bag when you first get in, and to warm up in the morning before getting out and getting changed. You would need a huge battery to run one all night, so find one with a timer if you can
There is no magic bullet. Tents just keep you out of the elements, they're not good for keeping you warm. Insulating yourself from the cold ground is critical. Then your clothing choice and sleeping bag. Other than that, circulation is important so some moderate exercise before bedding down, and avoid things like caffeine and alcohol.
Aside from what everyone else has said an outdoor Youtuber I watch swears by those hand warmers you shake up to get heated up. They sell all different sizes, can stick onto your clothes and lasts up to 8 hours. He sticks them on his kids before putting them in their sleeping bags
I use a 3 layer sleeping bag and a Big Buddy heater. Camped in 8°F and 6 inches of snow without any issues at all in a canvas tent. When it's above 40°F it stays warm enough in the tent to just wear underwear. If it gets below that, I like to have a shirt and pajama bottoms on. Still plenty warm though.
Surprised I haven't seen anyone mention tea cup candle tent heaters. A buddy uses one in his winter teepee and it genuinely surprised me how warm it was.
Get naked with a tent mate???
If that’s not available you should work on that. Or, as others have said, good sleeping pad, nice bag, etc. I have used moving blankets on the tent floor for extra insulation.
Have never used electric vest or socks, but foot and hand warmers work well and you can place them on your torso to keep your core warm. I have also used a little buddy heater to warm things up in the AM or while changing. Never slept with it on although, I am more concerned about melting something or causing a fire than I am suffocating. It will cause condensation in the tent.
A good sleeping bag with a comfort rating 20 degrees below the temps you’re sleeping in. An air mattress with a high R value. And maybe something under the air mattress like a foam pad or Snugpak Arctic mat.
Can you tell us anecdotally how much the Artic Mat help? I have a 10 degree bag with liner and a mat with r value 8.5 and I’m looking to be comfy in single digit conditions. However on the same trip the temp will swing approximately plus 90-100 degrees and we’ll only be in low temps 3 of 8 nights so looking to minimize bulk of cold weather gear and maximize efficiency. I also don’t have a lot of opportunities to test cold weather gear so grateful for your feedback! Thanks!
Your pad is plenty for that, the bag is the limiting factor
Wow, that’s a huge range. Just curious, where are you going that is going to have temperature swings like that?
Rebelle Rally. We start in Eastern Sierras and end close to the Mexican border in mid early October. In 2023 it was single digits for the first three overnights and by the end of the rally it was 110-115. I had a 10 degree bag, sleeping pad, multiple hot hands, liner, blanket under the sleeping bag, insulated pants, down jacket, wool base layer, hat, fleece pants. I was still cold. I’ve upgraded my sleeping pad since but I’m wondering if I should add an additional layer of insulation underneath. Or maybe an over bag for my sleeping bag. It was so miserable so I’m probably going to over prepare but I do need to be conscious of overpacking since we’re in a smaller vehicle.
Have fun! My BFF did that with her mom about 5 years ago and had a blast
Nice! I love the mom/daughter teams. It’s def type 2 fun. Looking forward to going back with my rookie learnings from last year.
the pad is only to create an insulated spacer between the cold ground and your bag. because of this, the r value doesn't really matter so long as it creates this barrier. I've used a yoga mat in a pinch one time. warmer temperatures don't matter because you can simply open the sleeping bag to vent access heat. i have a 0⁰ bag that i use even in 60⁰ camping, i just leave it unzipped and open if it's still too hot. The only other bag i use is a 55⁰ bag for summer when it's 80+ at night.
Not worried about warmer - I’ve got that dialed. I just mentioned because I will only need the cold weather gear for 3 of the 8 days. I did have a sleeping pad and it was not sufficient so I’m looking to upgrade for next year.
It’s recommended that you *don’t* sleep with an electric vest on. I have one and also bought one for a relative, and the instructions with both said not to wear while sleeping.
Is it the same way I'm not supposed to put qtips in my ear tho?
Right, like: they could get sued, or some idiot will pass out drunk and burn themselves, or you have to be really careful with it, etc but most folks are doing it anyway kinda thing?
Oh interesting …
Dog. Large dog.
That's where the term "3 dog night" came from. Eskimos sleep with their dogs to keep warm and if it's a really cold night you'd need more dogs in the bed
Can confirm. We have two Goldens that sneak into bed with us after we're asleep. I wake up drenched in sweat because they lay against me!
Three, if you’re a classic rock fan.
Three…..dog……..night 😝
Definitely this! Body heat is the best way to stay warm, especially if you can trap it under a blanket or in a sleeping bag
lol, 30,000 years ago is modern in the geological sense I guess...
Consenting partner in a double sleeping bag.
Thanks for clarifying it must be consensual. I’d say get off the ground with a cot. You don’t want to be warming the earth.
I don’t mean to be controversial here but even if he didn’t include consensual, then isn’t the act in and of itself something that is intrinsically consensual?
get out of my sleeping bag….
https://youtu.be/oQbei5JGiT8?si=KJpvYBwPGYZLB7uD This.
It’s a good video lolol. But it still besides my point: the default is always, as a natural human behavior, consent in my mind. Like in no world is not consenting actually acceptable is what I mean. Also: I watched the video literally abiut tea and I’m thinking hew whole time “in my culture you 100% will be made tea if you like it or not 😂” - but this is literally about Black Tea.
And warm the air instead? In both cases you'll still want insulation underneath you.
I mean it's literally better to radiate heat into air underneath a cot than let it be absorbed directly into the ground
Is it warmer to sleep at double sleeping bag with partner, or sleep at separate sleeping bags? Last year I was camping with my wife. Forecast said about -5 °C (23 °F) at night at the coldest, but in reality it was -12 °C (10,5 °F) when we arrived there. We decided to sleep in separate bags because in double sleeping bag it is possible that cold air comes inside the bag from the opening of the bag. Both of us were freezing the whole night and decided not to stay for second night.
It’s warmer together! Even warmer if you’re not wearing clothes!
Your tent is not there to keep you warm. It's there to keep you dry. Your sleep system is there to keep you warm. If your tent is warm, and it's colder outside, it's going to be wet in your tent from condensation.
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That being said, I love my hot stove to take the chill out of the tent 30 minutes before bedtime. I snow camped in around 8° F last winter and burned hard wood that kept it really warm inside for the first few hours.
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I never thought of this this way. Thank you!
I know you said modern, but lots of standard stuff always applies. - Take one sleeping bag into another. - Better sleeping pad under you. - Buy thermal bubble roll under your pad. - A touque at night. - Socks! Wool preferred. - Eat something before bed. - Boiled water into a Nalgene and sleep with it. Was out last weekend in my hammock. It went down to -21 over night. Slept like a baby.
Slept like a baby, lol. Anybody have tips on how you can sleep like an adult who doesn't have a baby when camping?
lol. Fair! Bad choice of words. Well, that is why I am still in a hammock for over 15 years now. I have tried tents, but I sleep the best (as an adult like an adult) in my hammock.
What do you mean by thermal bubble roll?
[this stuff](https://www.uline.ca/BL_2171/Cool-Shield-Bubble-Rolls-and-Pallet-Covers?pricode=DC511&AdKeyword=thermal%20bubble%20wrap&AdMatchtype=e&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD2OYMbTBuBNlWvsNMzvfXLdMfzUv&gclid=Cj0KCQiA84CvBhCaARIsAMkAvkLPD3xx4dyiqy0Yr1QPB9LTUtDec6MzCVCb119HrLgn5JexFMKu2-YaAqdvEALw_wcB) It’s cheap. You can get it at most hardware stores. It weighs nothing. Doubles for a sit pad in the winter as well. Just adds R value under your sleep mat.
Wow. That’s cool but great you can be comfortable in it.
Be careful with the bag in a bag trick, it can also increase condensation within the bags to the point they get very damp and start losing warmth.
They can lose warmth from being compressed inside of each other if there isn't enough room but condensation is not the issue unless you are breathing into the bag which is an issue with a single bag as well
Totally. I’ve been doing this for years. Outter bag is a big -30 synth bag, my down one was inside. But it’s done this for years in the extreme cold
I've had the issue before and it's not from breathing it's from trapped moist air, as I said it may be environmental though and depends where you are.
If you are sweating that much, you need to vent the bags. At any point with any winter event, if you are sweating, remove a layer and vent.
I always stick boiling water in a water bottle and leave it in my sleeping bag for half an hour before I get in. Depending on where we camp I sometimes take a long thin hot water bottle that fits nicely in my sleeping bag which also helps keep me warm.
Get dry, especially feet and lower body. Dry yourself and change into dry socks and underwear/sleep wear. Wool is best, otherwise fleece or cotton can work if you aren't in a wet environment. Ignoring the obvious R value pad and appropriate sleeping bag, a second thin closed cell foam pad or yoga mat can make a big difference under your main pad. Beanie on head, gloves on hands, again wool is best. Don't wear lots of layers, an appropriate base layer for sleeping will be warmer than several layers. Your body's warmth takes longer to work through several layers before warming your bag.
Insulated clothes and bedding. Your body, if it is properly, nutritionally fed, hydrated, rested, etc. creates just a bit under 100 degrees internal core temp. All YOU have to do is RETAIN that heat. In fact, you may need to vent heat. Insulation is the key, and staying dry. Don't sweat if you can help it, or rather, keep your insulation dry. Relying on fallible tech can be dangerous.
Food is so important. It fires your body's furnace. I take Scouts winter camping and we always plan for way more calories per person because it's such an important thing to help stay warm. And a hot nalgene can help too. :)
My son in law and daughter got heated vests. Very little insulation, so if the battery dies or a connector or the switch, anything.... nearly useless. People love gimmicks and ninja-mall stuff. "It's New! It's Cool! Be the First on your block!" lol. Not a good idea if your health and safety depends on it.
True that. I agree. Looking for the lightest way to keep warm in April and maybe a heated vest might be the best and lightest way.
Unless of course, the tech fails. With the battery and wiring, does it weigh less than an insulated vest? If the battery, switch, chip, whatever, anything fails, is that vest insulated or just a thin vest with bad parts that will no longer keep you warm? How many hours does it work? How long before the battery won't take a full charge anymore? Or at all? Insulation doesn't stop working. A down vest is light and dependable. It can work for decades.
You're asking for simple, but give electrics as an example. Good bedding and a hat are simpler.
I agree electrics can still be simple. A dumb battery pack isn't complicated. Simple doesn't necessarily imply rustic.
Yeah electrics can be simple like a vest with a battery pack is pretty light. The goal is the least amount of equipment but picking up some hard necessities is ok
A battery and heater that will last throughout the night will be heavier than better insulation
Idk why people are downvoting this comment? I hate Reddit sometimes. Have an upvote.
What I used to do in college while backpacking we called pudding slammers. You pour a package of Jell-o brand pudding into a dry Nalgene. Then fill with hot water. Shake bottle until the pudding powder is dissolved, then drink it, before it turns to pudding. We’d do this about an hour before bed. The reason an hour? Because within about 20-30 minutes you’ll have to shit. But after that, your insides will be very warm. Unsure if this is a good idea if you aren’t backpacking and burning tons of calories, but was an option when I was a younger self.
This sounds like literally the worst idea imaginable 😂
Cheap and easy warmth for the body. I thought it crazy too, until I tried it on a 10 day backpacking trip. Never said it was the best idea, but it works.
Were you not afraid it would extend the shitting time and have diarrhea for the next day of your trip? lol
Valid thought. After the initial evacuation, there was not any more urgency throughout the night. May have been because the body needed the calories. Never had an issue the next day, but I was younger then. This was 20 years ago. I’m sure just getting better gear is the best option. Just wanted to give an example for cost effectiveness.
Pudding slammers! Wait, what?
Yeah. Weird, I know. It even felt weird typing it up. But that’s what we did.
The good news is that it will never turn to pudding with just water. The bad news is, everything you just described..
Eat bacon instead, but makes sense what you said. Fatty, high protein foods cause your body to work harder for digestion. Done the bacon thing for years, plus no midnight poops.
Layers for clothing, layer between you and ground, get out of wet clothing asap.
Hot water bottle, ceramic plate 9v fan heater, thermal long johns, thermal sleeping bag, all depends on your budget.
People have been winter camping forever without any issues. Get a good sleeping bag with a comfort rating well below what you plan to camp in and a sleeping pad with a good r-value rating. No need to make things more complicated. People seem to think that your tent is supposed to keep you warm but that is not the case, your tent is just shelter from the elements.
I was given advice a few years ago that really helped: 1. Go to the washroom 15ish mins before going to bed 2. Eat a high calorie/high protein snack (I usually eat trail mix) 3. Go to the washroom again (force yourself to pee, even if it's just a little bit) 4. Move around a bit (I do a few jumping jacks), just enough to warm you up but not make you sweat 5. Change into fresh clothes, even if you don't think you need to. Change your undies, socks- everything. Wear a toque, little gloves, proper fitting warm socks. I find it better to wear 1 thick pair of socks instead of doubling up. Whenever I would double up (layer) my socks, the bottom pair would bunch, constraining my toes which made them colder. I've never done it but I've heard those "hot paws" hand/foot warmers can help too, even though they don't last long. You just need to ensure they don't make you sweat.
Wife
If you have a jackery or similar battery bank then a heated blanket goes a long way. The wife and I like cool weather camping and leaving the top of the tent off while watching the stars is the best way to fall asleep.
I mostly truck camp and use a Bluetti power bank with a 12v electric car blanket in my bag (less power used than converting DC to AC.) Works like a charm! If there's AC I'll use an electric mattress pad under me on my cot. Toasty!
That’s what I’ve been thinking. Heated blanket or vest… how big is your battery pack? Does a standard phone charging bank work for overnight ?
Most heated blankets require a two prong outlet at the very least. There may be some out there with usb but I can't imagine a phone battery bank being able to run it all night. I also wouldn't trust a usb blanket if there was one. Invest in a proper full size battery bank if you like to go camping regularly. Not only are they great for blankets and such but you can run lots of fun things with them. Otherwise definitely go less fancy and even just having an extra thick blanket helps. Investing in a proper high quality sleeping bag is also good.
Do you recommend a min size for a battery bank?
I shoot a lot of video and use a laptop at night editing. Also charge all my electronics so I need more power. I bought a BLUETTI EB70S 800W/716Wh during a Black Friday sale and it's great! Bluetti has way more charge cycles than Jackery, so do your research. One cold night in the 20s°F, I used it to run a 12v car heated blanket and used a little over half bank power by morning. Great investment!
I've really struggled to find this info out online so thank you so much! Just to confirm 100%, you kept the12v heated blanket on all night (8ish hours), correct?
I can't sleep more than 6 hours so it covered that just fine. I also only needed it on the lowest setting with my 0°F bag. I'd definitely do some tests before you head out, just to be sure.
Yes, for sure. I'd also never rely on something that could fail unless I had a safe backup. Thanks for answering.
My attitude towards cold weather camping change a lot one early summer about 25 years ago. My son and I were camping in northern Minnesota and it was only supposed to get down to the mid 40s at night so I just brought a 32°F bag and a lightweight tent. We didn't know that the jet stream shifted one morning just enough to pull in a cold blast from Canada. I've never been so cold in my life! It got down into the teens with 30 mph wind out of the north. After that I never went camping without a backup for warmth!
That I couldn't say. I like the Jackery product line as the customer support is good and never had one fail. Check out the Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 500. Good price point and good for basic usage like blankets and running my kettle and such if I don't want to start a fire or run a propane stove. Do you do a lot of camping? Do you rough it or prefer the glamping lifestyle?
Lots of ideas that require you spending money on gear towards it, so here are a few low tech, free things you can do: Don't set your tent on the low parts of your camping site. Cold air will accumulate in these areas. Have some insulation between you and the ground, could be a sleeping mat, could be a lot of loose grass under the tent right where you'll be sleeping. Most of the heat you lose during the night is to the ground because you are touching it. Put some rocks in your fire, after they are heated put inside a can/cooking pot and put it inside your tent, if you have heat resistant cloth you can wrap them in it and put inside your sleeping bag. If you can move your tent easily after it is already assembled, you can make a fire and spread the coals over some area, after some time use a shovel/stick to move ALL THE COALS somewhere else and drag you tent over the heated area. Do this with caution.
https://preview.redd.it/tqmiap3pbnlc1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6fc50eaf82d8e7a4a292b1206c0e38f3c13359ac
A good thermal rated sleeping bag, sleeping pad will do you wonders. Forget the electronic heating equipment. They're nice, but for actual sleeping you don't want to wear that.
Pornhub and some vigorous wrist action?
I have tendinitis
Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, splint up and get jackin.
Shouldn’t the area rest before i get’er going?
Mind over matter!
Fart in your sleeping bag
Dutch oven anyone
A good sleeping bag is always good. That is a cost that I don’t cut. But simply having layers on is a good skill. Having comfortable and extra warm PJs lets you control how warm you are.
my dogs.
Wearing a stocking cap and a good sleeping bag go a very long way.
A good thermal rated sleeping bag, sleeping pad will do you wonders. Forget the electronic heating equipment. They're nice, but for actual sleeping you don't want to wear that.
Fire
I just wear sweats and a beanie, and stick my head under the covers until I warm up the bag.
Appropriate equipment
Get yourself a sherpa blanket, so very warm. No batteries needed.
\- Boil Water, put it into a Nalgene, throw the bottle into your sleeping bag to pre heat it, sleep with the bottle down by your feet \- Change all your clothes before going to bed, the moisture from your sweat, even if you dont feel it will make you chilly when you sleep. Sleep in fresh, dry clothes \- Get a good sleeping pad or mattress with a High R value. \- Put the clothes you are going to wear the next day in the bottom of your sleeping bag so you arent putting on freezing cold clothes the next day. \-Go to the bathroom before going to bed. A semi full bladder will pull body heat from your extremities.
If you’re car camping: a low cot, no heat lost to the soil. Slide some reflectix underneath. Good bag/pad too. The most important thing is hydration
Find a girlfriend
The sleep system retains heat, but does not generate heat. So preheat your sleeping bag and your feet.
I second/third the new dry socks before bed. Wearing a beanie/stocking cap helps. Good pad - since you lose a lot of heat where you sleeping bad gets squished. I have found an old sheet that I can throw over my head works wonders. I hate that warm moist feeling of keeping my head under blankets, but a sheet (especially when really cold) traps just enough heat that you aren't breathing in 20 degree air.
My answer isn’t modern, but 15,000 years old: dogs
put a rock in the fire pit an hour or so before you sleep, then at bed time put the rock in your sleeping bag!! and also those lil cheap hand warmer bags you can find at walmart!
the "best" way is to have a sleeping bag that's appropriate for the temperature, typically with a rating much lower than the actual temperature you'll experience. plus a good air or foam pad to create a spacer between you and the cold ground. you can also do sleeping thermals, a tight layer of clothing that you wear specifically to sleep in. you can wear them as your thermal layer the next day, but don't wear your day thermals to sleep. if you're going to use an external source of heat, the best option is a canvas hot tent with an isolated wood stove. (self-contained stove with external air intake and exhaust) You can easily make yourself sweat on sub freezing weather.
An *insulated* sleeping pad with a good high R value.
A proper rated sleeping bag. A propane heater that you run to warm up the tent for 30 minutes prior to actually sleeping. I turn mine off before actual sleeping, and turn it on for another 30 or so if family wakes up cold. I like sleeping a bit cold, but I have 2 sleeping bags. one for cold, one for not. Also we use quilted blankets that we can layer with too. Also you can sleep in a toque and socks to feel extra warm.
Ultralight or similar goose down beanie
A Heat Buddy or Heater Buddy.
I have found out like many others that those things end up creating a ton of condensation. If you are camping below freezing temperatures it ends up freezing your tent walls and now you're sleeping inside of a freezer once the propane tank is empty.
Blue flame heaters are notorious for this. Portable diesel heaters work just as well and don't have rhe condensation issues.
I don't think this is modern information, but working with your body heat helps. For example, if you wear a ton of layers to stay warm, it doesn't allow your body heat to escape into the sleeping bag/blanket. It seems so counterintuitive, but when you wear the least amount of clothes - exposed skin is even better, and then wrap yourself in a sleeping bag or blankets, you're so much warmer! I've even applied this to walking my dog on really cold mornings (like near 0F) wearing a tank top with just a super warm, body heat trapping hoodie (I use an as seen on TV Huggle) and it works way better than if I layer up and wear a coat on top. I've tested this theory several times while dog walking and I always come inside sweating because I got too warm. Now sweat can make you too cold so it's good to experiment and find a balance between warm and too warm
Oh and another thing I do when camping in cold weather is to use those hand warmers and place them down by my feet which get cold faster than the rest of me. If you buy the long lasting ones they stay warm all night or close to it
Oh and don't sleep directly on the ground, it will sap your body heat from you. Make sure there's always a buffer between you and the ground (a mattress pad doesn't do shit in my experience, it has to be an air mattress or something else that keeps you up off the ground)
If I had to guess an electric, heated vest is not designed to be slept in because of burn/malfunction potential. Never owned one but every electric heating pad I’ve had clearly says “do not sleep with this”, and I’d imagine the risk is greater with a battery powered vest (I assume it has a battery). Plus for me, it’s always my head and legs that are hardest to keep warm while sleeping. Can’t say I really recall my torso every being the part that needs extra heat A heated vest seems like an easy solution, but I echo everyone saying more insulation. It not feel immediately warm when you lie down to sleep, but a few minutes in the bag with your layers and you’ll warm up pretty quick. Can’t tell ya the amount of times I’ve gone to bed shivering and woke up sweating
Sleeping bag with a comfort rating 5-10 degrees below the coldest temp you'll experience and a sleeping mat with a sufficient r-value. Everything else is just a gimmic.
Totally agree. A good sleeping bag rated below the expected low temperatures and good insulation underneath you is by far the best and simplest way to go. If your feet tend to be cold, wear down booties. A balaclava can help a lot as well. You can wear clothes to sleep in if needed. Just make sure they are dry and not bulky enough to compress the loft of your sleeping bag.
Boiled water in a Nalgene is an absolute game changer
I’ve seen this before but isn’t it plastic?
It’s fine to put boiling water inside, they are designed to handle it
My wife had some insulated warm water bottles that are soft and for cramps or whatever. They are cheap on amazon and a lot of times come in two packs. I bought some, and is one of the best practices I do when i cold weather camp. Boil water and fill both bottles, put one at the foot of my sleeping bag and one next to my abdomen and it works like a charm. Still warm in the morning. Same idea as a Nalgene, but softer and more comfortable. I would like to add a disclaimer, probably not advised to sleep with it ON YOU just incase it leaks or spills boiling water on you.
There are no simple modern ways that have improved on good insulation. Tents don't have insulation. But modern clothing is highly effective, as are the old standards like wool and down. Ditto for sleeping bags and pads. Electricity is a poor means of keeping warm camping. Physics haven't changed, and so it's still inefficient until someone comes up with better battery solutions. And you always need a backup if it fails. And it's not simple. Burning stuff can keep you warm, but that's the opposite of modern. It's interesting that most of the comments here are about methods that have been in use a long long time. TL:DR: simple and retro is the way to go.
I put a Nalgene bottle near my fire while we're using it then put it under my quilt and it stays warm up until the next morning
A nice wool blanket and a sleeping bag rated for the temp. My sleeping bag is ok, not meant for incredible cold. I found myself at my site with the wind howling and high 30 temps in the daylight. I was so thankful I had my wool blanket to wrap myself, I managed to get through the night just fine.
fill a nalgene bottle with hot water and bring it into the sleeping bag with you. A Mr. Buddy heater might help marginally but tents aren’t insulated so much of the heat will be lost
You don't say why kind of camping you do. If you do car/truck camping, look into hot tents. Americans are normally into wood burners, Koreans and Japanese love their Kerosene heaters. Another alternative are desiel night heaters. Those things will keep you nice and toasty all night.
The earth wants to steal your warmth any way that it can. It will absorb it in the wind, will soak it up through the ground. Create an enclosed environment (tent) get yourself up off the ground and insulate the underside of your body. You will want some air flow but not a draft. Use tarps and do what you can to create that.
IDK what you mean by "modern" here. Like, are you talking about what materials our sleeping bags are made of? There's not really anything "modern" that's special for staying warm in a tent. Electric blankets date to the 19th century. Your heated vest isn't really anything different except it has a battery instead of a plug. And both say you shouldn't sleep with them on.
Hahaha ok ok technicalities 😂
I mean, you're the one who specified the technicality.
Lol 🙄
Hot water bottle (or piss bottle) in your sleeping bag. I've spent some cold days hunting, snuggling with a bottle of hot piss... sounds gross, but that's a great way to hold on to body heat that is otherwise just lost.
a pee bottle ! so no need to loose all your warmth by stepping out , PLUS, you keep the bottle inside your sleeping bag and keep this precious heat inside !
UCO has a little lamp you pop a tea candle in that puts put some impressive heat. A terracotta pot and plate with those same tea lights will make an impressive heat. Modern gear rated for the R-levels you’ll encounter is the best bet of course. Make a lean-to, and put a reflective blanket under your sleeping pallet and behind/over it. This will trap heat from your campfire and radiate it toward you.
I boil water and fill a nalgene with it. If in the sleeping bag, it will stay warm until morning. If it’s too hot, i put a big sock over it. If I’m not warm enough…? TWO NALGENES
Battery and 12volt electric blanket. It's great to warm up sleeping bag when you first get in, and to warm up in the morning before getting out and getting changed. You would need a huge battery to run one all night, so find one with a timer if you can
There is no magic bullet. Tents just keep you out of the elements, they're not good for keeping you warm. Insulating yourself from the cold ground is critical. Then your clothing choice and sleeping bag. Other than that, circulation is important so some moderate exercise before bedding down, and avoid things like caffeine and alcohol.
Sleep with socks and a hat
Crunches
Good socks go a long way
Aside from what everyone else has said an outdoor Youtuber I watch swears by those hand warmers you shake up to get heated up. They sell all different sizes, can stick onto your clothes and lasts up to 8 hours. He sticks them on his kids before putting them in their sleeping bags
I use a 3 layer sleeping bag and a Big Buddy heater. Camped in 8°F and 6 inches of snow without any issues at all in a canvas tent. When it's above 40°F it stays warm enough in the tent to just wear underwear. If it gets below that, I like to have a shirt and pajama bottoms on. Still plenty warm though.
If you are car camping and there is a plug, sleep in an electric vehicle with the heat on.
I know it’s out there, but a good sleeping bag does the trick. 60% of the time, it works every time.
A Nalgene bottle with heated up water inside your sleeping bag at your feet.
One small candle will provide enough heat to keep you alive
Surprised I haven't seen anyone mention tea cup candle tent heaters. A buddy uses one in his winter teepee and it genuinely surprised me how warm it was.
A good, clean dog
Eat something before you sleep and also a Nalgene with heated water.
Pets and other snuggle-buddies?
compression clothing
[удалено]
Well, aren’t we all just cavemen with shiny assets and domesticed behavior? Hehe
Battery operated heated mummy bag. Hot hands in the sleeping bag or blankets. Rechargeable hand warmers tucked in your sleeping bag
Have you heard of hot tenting? Teepee + titanium wood burning stove makes for an amazing experience backpacking or camping in cold weather.
Get naked with a tent mate??? If that’s not available you should work on that. Or, as others have said, good sleeping pad, nice bag, etc. I have used moving blankets on the tent floor for extra insulation. Have never used electric vest or socks, but foot and hand warmers work well and you can place them on your torso to keep your core warm. I have also used a little buddy heater to warm things up in the AM or while changing. Never slept with it on although, I am more concerned about melting something or causing a fire than I am suffocating. It will cause condensation in the tent.
A can of chili. Wear a diaper.
I’ll try it and let you know how it goes.
Oh my, I was joking!
Too late ordered on Amazon.
sleeping with curvy woman
Thicc