Keeping Warm Camping?

big rockpile · #1 05/13/10, 10:23 PM

Ok we thought we would be smart and use Air Mattress well didn't take long in cold weather to find it robbed any warmth.

We're wondering if we use Cots like the Army Cots with Sleeping Bags we would be warmer?

big rockpile

Danaus29 · #2 05/13/10, 10:25 PM

You need a foam pad and sleeping bag underneath. A couple sleeping bags if it's cold. If you can get some cheap thick comforters those will work too.

big rockpile · #3 05/13/10, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danaus29

You need a foam pad and sleeping bag underneath. A couple sleeping bags if it's cold. If you can get some cheap thick comforters those will work too.

Your talking about using the Air Mattress? She put a Heavy Sleeping Bag under us that we used in the Mountains and yes it seemed to help.

Whats crazy when we was younger camp sleeping on the ground with freezing rain and snow.Now it gets below 40 we're freezing.Surly it isn't age

Might have to cuddle

big rockpile

Ed Norman · #4 05/13/10, 10:52 PM

Use a stocking cap. I have a friend who wears a stocking cap, then a big scarf, then a hooded parka. He doesn't like his head getting cold. You can also get some cheap mylar survival blankets and lay on one inside your sleeping bag.

sewserious · #5 05/13/10, 11:29 PM

It got cold because it was in contact with the colder ground. You can put something under the mattress to insulate it from the cold ground (a thermarest pad would be good). We don't use an air mattress anymore (we have a little pop-up) but I would put a heavy sleeping bag with a cotton outer shell and a cotton flannel liner unzipped on top of the mattress instead of a sheet when it was colder. We would then use a flannel top sheet and another sleeping bag for a comforter. The key is to use cotton sleeping bags. The nylon ones, IMHO, just make you that much colder, not to mention they are slippery, and I can't stand that synthetic lining (it pills and feels nasty to the touch). And if, God forbid, it would ever catch on fire.....synthetics like that don't mix well with fire even if they are "flame retardant." Ever see that stuff when it has melted to someone's skin? Cotton will burn away at least and turn to ash.

NickieL · #6 05/13/10, 11:31 PM

Get those cheap blue foam pads from walmart int he camp section. I cut mine down shorter when I'm backpacking cause they are too long for me...on really cold nights you can double them up. air pads will rob you of warmth. I've slept comfortable in -10 with two blue pads and a 0 rated down bag.

big rockpile · #7 05/13/10, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sewserious

It got cold because it was in contact with the colder ground. You can put something under the mattress to insulate it from the cold ground (a thermarest pad would be good). We don't use an air mattress anymore (we have a little pop-up) but I would put a heavy sleeping bag with a cotton outer shell and a cotton flannel liner unzipped on top of the mattress instead of a sheet when it was colder. We would then use a flannel top sheet and another sleeping bag for a comforter. The key is to use cotton sleeping bags. The nylon ones, IMHO, just make you that much colder, not to mention they are slippery, and I can't stand that synthetic lining (it pills and feels nasty to the touch). And if, God forbid, it would ever catch on fire.....synthetics like that don't mix well with fire even if they are "flame retardant." Ever see that stuff when it has melted to someone's skin? Cotton will burn away at least and turn to ash.

Yea we use the Heavy Cotton Sleeping Bags.

big rockpile

lonelytree · #8 05/14/10, 01:42 AM

Build/buy something that will get you air mattresses off the ground. An example: Army cot with news paper under the air mattress. You can also put newspaper under a sleeping bag on the ground. Cardboard works better.

Big Dave · #9 05/14/10, 07:06 AM

I gotta have a cot. Got one of those that is fully enclosed. Air mattress's deflate at enappropreate times.

Ramblin Wreck · #10 05/14/10, 09:00 AM

As long as you keep it dry, a down sleeping bag or comforter will keep you warm. You can find some deals on them in stores now that it is Summer or look at consignment shops/Goodwill. You will be kicking out from under the covers even on cold nights.

**Cabin Fever** · #11 05/14/10, 09:08 AM

You and the wife should zip your sleeping bags together and dress nekkid.

wyld thang · #12 05/14/10, 09:18 AM

the AIR MATTRESS is a cold air bubble. You can still use the air mattress, just put a barrier between you and the air matress. Another layer of thin foam and a spare sleeping bag opened up(then put your main bag down on top of that). The next thing to put ON TOP of your sleeping bag is a WOOL BLANKET. (I have an old moth eaten one that is felted) Wool breathes, will keep warm air in and reflect it back to you, and keep moisture like from rain and condensation OUT, as well as letting YOUR moisture out because the heat from your body drives it out.

Wear a freakin HAT

Otherwise, be naked like CF sez

BTW Wool singes, and doesn't burn if sparks land on it, it takes a LOT of fire for woll to ignite

wyld thang · #13 05/14/10, 09:24 AM

Ps if you need another blanket in top, I like to put a crocheted granny square (wool/acrylic) between my bag and the wool blanket. The HOLES hold warmth.

wyld thang · #14 05/14/10, 09:27 AM

In the movie Robin and Marion, Sean Connery slept covered with a blanket of braken ferns.

Also take a nice dry brick or rock and heat it by the campfire, then wrap it in a small towel and stick it in your bag.

Jenn · #15 05/14/10, 10:27 AM

Find an army surplus store and see if you can afford their cold weather sleeping bags. Our family uses those for the big folks- DH gets the regular one, I am coldblooded and use the extreme cw one unless DD17 whimpers about the cold then I use her regular one.

One stupid (stupid us not trip!) camping trip we had one down comforter between me and my beau- dunno what we were thinkng! And it wasn't at all romantic stealing that comforter back and forth all night.

Danaus29 · #16 05/14/10, 02:34 PM

Yes, you need something between you and the air mattress, especially if the air mattress is on the metal floor of a van and it deflates during a rainy night and the van develops a new leak! NOT FUN! Took me 2 days to warm back up. We finally got a big heavy duty, built for 2, cot from Gander Mountain. Just didn't have enough blankets for the weather this last trip, temp dropped suddenly and the comforter wasn't enough. The arctic sleeping bag on bottom worked great, just didn't have enough top covers.

Oh, and wear warm and dry socks. Change socks to clean dry ones before bedding down. If you don't you could get frost bite. Dh did.

I would consider buying a piece of 4x6 carpet if I could find one where formaldehyde wasn't used in the manufacturing process.

Ruby · #17 05/14/10, 03:00 PM

BRP, we have those army cots. They are great. DH uses an egg crate type foam on his then his sleeping bag. I use one of the cheap little air mattress on mine then my sleeping bag. The air mattress don't get cold that way.

We had one of the queen size mattress years ago and went camping in CO. It was August and figured it would be fine. We had the mattress on the tent floor, we got so cold we both got up and got in the car and slept the rest of the night.

starlady · #18 05/14/10, 08:06 PM

If you've got room in your vehicle, a piece of foamboard insulation works well underneath whatever you're sleeping in. You can even cut it up and tape the edges together so that it folds up like fanfold insulation. However, the larger of a piece you can transport, the more stable it is under you -- like a "floor" for your tent (also good if you get a site that floods when it rains).

beaglebiz · #19 05/14/10, 08:08 PM

Snuggle up!! thats the best warmth there is!!

big rockpile · #20 05/14/10, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beaglebiz

Snuggle up!! thats the best warmth there is!!

I don't know how to say this and not sound wierd but I can't sleep next to her but I can my Dogs

big rockpile