Sleeping bags?

[Rot Box]

I've been in the negatives a few times in my bag and not once woke up to shivering. It have gotten to the point that I don't want to get out of it in the morning because its so toasty.

For me its nothing but the skivvies, a beanie, and some wool/smart wool socks (must have for me if my feet are cold my whole body is) with the fleece liner.

If you are the campfire type it isn't a bad idea to sleep somewhat near the fire pit (with the fire out so you don't catch an amber ) as the ground will be warmer there. I've also noticed that if I sleep on a rock face area that catches the sun most of the day I will sleep warmer. It could be all in my head though

I don't get too extreme by any means, but the friends i have that do will say that the Wiggy's are where its at for extreme cold.

[mesha]

There is NO industry standard for sleeping bag makers to rate the sleeping bags warmth by. Usually they will rate it at a survival rating meaning you shouldn't die. They are all rated in the best conditions meaning in an enclosed environment, on a sleeping pad. The hardest part is that everybody's metabolism is different. My wife can sleep in a -20 degree bag in the summer and be fine while I can barely sleep in it in the winter. I always look at the overall loft of the bag and pag I sleep on a system. I can use that number to give me an idea of what temp the setup is really rated for. I can say that you need to find that happy medium for size on a bag. too small and you compress the insulation, too large and you can't keep it warm. I agree with most of the tips that have been given
eat some calories before you go to bed. (I keep a sake of hersheys kisses next to my wife at night. she eats one if she starts to get cold quick burst of heat)
change your socks into fresh ones
don't have a full bladder (burning calories heat water instead of body)
beanie even if you have a mummy style hood
pad, pad, pad look for an R value of 4 or higher for winter 8 is best.
If your bag is long enough put next days clothes in the bottom so they will be warm in the morning.
due a few sit ups in the middle of the night
I second western mountaineering they are the best bags out there.

[MOODY]

Kurt and Mesha, I think you are both right on. One thing I tell scout troops when I work with them is, "If you go to sleep cold, you will sleep cold" The idea is that going to bed isn't going to get you warmer. I will usually do a couple minutes of jumping jacks, or run in place to get my body warmed up before going to bed.

I also second the beanie. Even my summer bag has a lightweight beanie in the foot of it, it lives there all the time. I have been in the mountains in the summer and been super glad to have it there-might be that I am bald, but the concept is the same, regardless.

The mentioning of the pad you sleep on is critical as well. Too many times I hear of people who buy nice sleeping bags, but are upset in the morning when they sleep cold...only to look inside their tent to see an air mattress when it is winter time.
You must be well insulated from the ground to stay warm. On a particularly cold night in the Swell years back, I added the floormats from my truck underneath the sleeping pads I had (thermarest and a closed cell foam pad) that made me sleep even more comfy and warm. Everyone else was awake sitting in their trucks getting warm when I awoke well after 9am.

[ID Bronco]

Thanks for the tips guys! I am a scout leader and I am passing this on to our boys. All 14 of them will be happier this winter.

[cruiseroutfit]

One other tip that doesn't lend itself too well to the Scouts. A shot of Jager before bed. I call it the sweater I wear on the inside

[Rot Box]

Originally Posted by cruiseroutfit

A shot of Jeiger before bed. I call it the sweater I wear on the inside

[mesha]

I disagree with any alcoholic consumption before bed if it is to stay warm. if it just helps you sleep better than great.

[cruiseroutfit]

Originally Posted by mesha

I disagree with any alcoholic consumption before bed if it is to stay warm. if it just helps you sleep better than great.

I know the science behind it, but a tall shot of Jager sure proves quite the opposite medicinal effect just before you climb into bed. A warming sensation that cannot otherwise be described.

[TooeleCherokee]

Originally Posted by cruiseroutfit

I know the science behind it, but a tall shot of Jager sure proves quite the opposite medicinal effect just before you climb into bed. A warming sensation that cannot otherwise be described.

I can't say that I agree with the Jager but some nice Captain Morgans helps me stay warm through the night

anyhow I agree Dry Socks and clothes are where it is at no matter what rating your sleeping bag is

Also proper storage of your sleeping bag makes a huge difference.. if you store it in its stuff bag it will begin loosing its loft quickly.. when at home you should hang it up or store it in a unconfined manner in a dry area of course.. and when on the trail to more time you can leave your bag open during the day to dry out the warmer it will be

[mesha]

enjoy your new bag!

[ZUKEYPR]

Spending 21 years worth in the Army I can tell you the secret to keeping warm isn't the bag. First you need large caloric intake just prior to calling it a night. If you don't have this the body isn't generating any heat so the bag has no heat to keep in. Second, you shouldn't be wearing clothes in the bag only your shorts, a beenie and socks. The head and feet is where over 80% of your bodies heat escapes. Next the bag, get one with good draft tubes, spindrift tubes around the shoulder and a good hood that cinches down tight. The best brand out there is Western Mountaineering. Have a good pad underneath. I would suggest the alaskin expedition pad from Cabelos but it just delaminated on me on my last trip to The Maze. I myself finally after 47 years of doing without bought a blackcat tent heater on my last trip. The last night in the Swell the wind was howling about 40mph it was 27 degrees out and I ended up sleeping on top of my bag. Last, if you bought a cheap tent that builds up condensation you're more than likely going to be miserable anyway.

[solidfrontaxle]

Originally Posted by ZUKEYPR

Second, you shouldn't be wearing clothes in the bag only your shorts, a beenie and socks.

This seems counterintuitive and I know alot of people that don't agree with this but I've heard it often (I don't know either way) . Care to share the reasoning behind it?

Originally Posted by ZUKEYPR

The head and feet is where over 80% of your bodies heat escapes.

Source?

Not trying to be a , just tryin to learn.

[mesha]

Wearing other clothing to bed is only bad if a few things happen. If it constricts any blood flow. If it makes you fat enough that your bags insulation gets compressed more than it should. If you went to bed in the clothes you were wearing all day(no matter what people think they are wet if you wore them around). If your bag is too loose it is a good idea to put on a few of the right layers.
I agree completely with the calories and the beanie thing. The best hat I have ever seen for sleeping is a head cocoon. It is filled with down or high quality synthetic. It is like a balaclava made of a puffy coat. It has some elastic straps that go under your armpits. Many ultralighters use them to extend the season of the quilt they use.

[lewis]

SOO I thought I would update what I found and did. I ended up getting a synthetic mummy style bag made by High Peak that was rated at -15 degree (Thanks Mesha!). I felt it was the best compromise for weight, warmth (meaning thickness of the bag) and price. I got to test it out this past weekend in the swell. I slept in a full body thermal underwear and fresh socks. The first night I slept on a foam pad and the temperature got down to 22*. I didn't get cold but wasn't cozy enough to sleep well. The second night I slept on my foam pad with a thermarest type air mattress on top of it. The temp. got down to 13* and slept very well and was never cold. SO my next purchase will be a better pad to sleep on and I will be set.

[mesha]

double pads is the way to go when the temps drop.
Glad to hear you didn't try the house insulation thing he he.