Comments on: Sleep System Tactics for Staying Warm http://sectionhiker.com/2008/03/14/sleep-system-tactics-for-staying-warm/ Lightweight backpacking for beginners and experts Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:44:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: Stefan http://sectionhiker.com/2008/03/14/sleep-system-tactics-for-staying-warm/#comment-276 Stefan Fri, 01 Aug 2008 04:52:21 +0000 http://sectionhiker.com/2008/03/14/sleep-system-tactics-for-staying-warm/#comment-276 Last year I lived in a flat in New Zealand with almost no insulation, ice inside the windows in the morning and all that jazz. I figured out pretty quickly that if you simply sleep in a fetal position you'll always stay a lot warmer. Getting into a ball will decrease your body's total surface area for heat loss by a large margin. Poof! instant 5-10 degrees added to your sleeping bag's rating. (alternatively, you can just take a polar bear swim on occasion, and your body will adapt to the cold to a surprising degree. though no one ever said it was a comfortable process...) Last year I lived in a flat in New Zealand with almost no insulation, ice inside the windows in the morning and all that jazz. I figured out pretty quickly that if you simply sleep in a fetal position you’ll always stay a lot warmer. Getting into a ball will decrease your body’s total surface area for heat loss by a large margin. Poof! instant 5-10 degrees added to your sleeping bag’s rating. (alternatively, you can just take a polar bear swim on occasion, and your body will adapt to the cold to a surprising degree. though no one ever said it was a comfortable process…)

]]> By: Kelly http://sectionhiker.com/2008/03/14/sleep-system-tactics-for-staying-warm/#comment-270 Kelly Thu, 31 Jul 2008 07:16:09 +0000 http://sectionhiker.com/2008/03/14/sleep-system-tactics-for-staying-warm/#comment-270 I think Tom is on to something when he talks about a person's ability to produce heat. I personally am too hot if the temp goes over 65 and this winter I left the heat off during the nights. I had three blankets - the "warm" blanket (a cheap $4 buy made out of fleece) that went next to my body, the "cool" blanket that was a simple store bought flat quilt, and a knitted afghan that went over the top. I slept in just a T-shirt, never had to wrap the blankets over my head (although I did wrap my body with the blankets) and was as comfortable as a bug in a rug. I think the lowest temp was 43ºF. Most people pop their eyes when I tell them this but I can get away with it because I know I am a "cold" person. Downside - I'm miserable sleeping in anything over 60º. I think Tom is on to something when he talks about a person’s ability to produce heat. I personally am too hot if the temp goes over 65 and this winter I left the heat off during the nights. I had three blankets - the “warm” blanket (a cheap $4 buy made out of fleece) that went next to my body, the “cool” blanket that was a simple store bought flat quilt, and a knitted afghan that went over the top. I slept in just a T-shirt, never had to wrap the blankets over my head (although I did wrap my body with the blankets) and was as comfortable as a bug in a rug. I think the lowest temp was 43ºF. Most people pop their eyes when I tell them this but I can get away with it because I know I am a “cold” person.

Downside - I’m miserable sleeping in anything over 60º.

]]> By: juantwan http://sectionhiker.com/2008/03/14/sleep-system-tactics-for-staying-warm/#comment-205 juantwan Mon, 14 Jul 2008 04:08:39 +0000 http://sectionhiker.com/2008/03/14/sleep-system-tactics-for-staying-warm/#comment-205 I like to avoid filling my sleeping bag with stuff other than the hot water bottle or the next mornings clothes, but that's just me. When it is going to be really cold I incorporate a space blanket into my sleeping system as a ground cloth in the tent, then use a closed cell foam pad and a thermarest. I also take a flannel sheet or small fleece blanket. I will put my outerwear over the bag...no sweating or wetness inside the sleeping system. Of course if it gets really jacked up then you just wrap up in the space blanket. I like to avoid filling my sleeping bag with stuff other than the hot water bottle or the next mornings clothes, but that’s just me. When it is going to be really cold I incorporate a space blanket into my sleeping system as a ground cloth in the tent, then use a closed cell foam pad and a thermarest. I also take a flannel sheet or small fleece blanket. I will put my outerwear over the bag…no sweating or wetness inside the sleeping system. Of course if it gets really jacked up then you just wrap up in the space blanket.

]]> By: Jason Collin http://sectionhiker.com/2008/03/14/sleep-system-tactics-for-staying-warm/#comment-95 Jason Collin Thu, 05 Jun 2008 09:58:25 +0000 http://sectionhiker.com/2008/03/14/sleep-system-tactics-for-staying-warm/#comment-95 I could have used these tips a few weeks ago! I'll keep them in mind on my next trip. I like the survivalist use of leaves, etc. I could have used these tips a few weeks ago! I’ll keep them in mind on my next trip.

I like the survivalist use of leaves, etc.

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