We have our first family camp planned for the end of the month. How many layers, and of what, do you think we'll need at night? More concerned for the kids than me, but would like to know what others take. We have self-inflating mattresses plus extra camp rolls if needed, sleeping bags and a fleecy blanket each. I've also got a couple of hot water bottles to take for the boys in case it's cold. Have no idea how cold it will be at night, with the weather changing the way it is! We are going to the New Forest by the way. No EHU or heaters by the way.
Put your roll mats or blankets under the self inflating mattress, add a blanket on top then your sleeping bags, top with a fleecy blanket. Should be nice and toasty. Take an extra fleecy jumper and pair of socks in case you need a bit extra warmth. I've got hot water bottles but they havn't been used yet. The kids will be fine, i know mine are always warm, i'm the one that's cold but hopefully my new sleeping bag's put an end to that.
In my experience the kids and hubby are always warm enough - last May bank holiday it was me that ended up with two fleece blankets on top of the sleeping bag (although I do also have the thinnest bag).
We take thermals for us and the kids - the kids have never used them, but they don't take up much space. Alternatively take some trackie bottoms and fleece jumpers - though my son would roast if I made him wear these.
Key thing is to get them into bed before they start feeling cold.
Put your roll mats or blankets under the self inflating mattress, add a blanket on top
I'm sorry but I have to say that double-insulating a self inflating mat is a waste of time. They're perfectly warm enough without the extra layers, unlike airbeds, because of their cellular construction. If you like it for padding though then that's fair enough.
If it is very cold at night then the best thing to remember is hats and socks. Yes insulate under your mat and add a fleece blanket but dont be worried about wearing socks and a hat while in bed.
------------- Nigel
March 2012 - Dove Meadows
6th July Moving to Hayle
With decent sleeping bags there should be no problem although lady caster don't like them, she's the original ice maiden, she uses a single duvet and has no problem
when we first started camping we were advised to wear nothing at night and get into the sleeping bag as the heat generated by your body goes into the sleeping bag and keeps you warm, somethign like that anyway. i didnt believe it and took loads to wear in bed just in case - it was brilliant, we were camping in the gale force winds and lashing rain last year and with nothing on in the sleeping bag i was toasty we had the set up described above with mat under and blanket over the matress and it was great.
Quote: Originally posted by Valk_scot on 18/5/2008
Quote: Originally posted by kate w on 18/5/2008
Put your roll mats or blankets under the self inflating mattress, add a blanket on top
I'm sorry but I have to say that double-insulating a self inflating mat is a waste of time. They're perfectly warm enough without the extra layers, unlike airbeds, because of their cellular construction. If you like it for padding though then that's fair enough.
Er....sorry to be pedantic but I have to say that's against the laws of physics. There is a temparature gradient through the Thermorest and the temparature on top of the mat is dependent on the coldness of the ground and the insulation properties of the mat, i.e. the colder the ground, the colder the top of the mat.
I was out camping at the weekend and used a lightweight Theremorest and I was fine because the ground has had a lot of sun on it recently. Late October tho', believe me when I tell you that my heavy thermorest is a lot warmer with a rug or two underneath it!
However good the sleeping bag, don't take any notice of how warm the manufacturers tell you it is, mine is meant to be good for five degrees of frost but I still needed my warm sweatshirt on Saturday night!
The answer is lots of layers under the sleeping bag and if at all possible a duvet on top! Socks yes, I agree a hat would help but never use one myself!
Quote: Originally posted by Rik Brooks on 19/5/2008
Quote: Originally posted by Valk_scot on 18/5/2008
Quote: Originally posted by kate w on 18/5/2008
Put your roll mats or blankets under the self inflating mattress, add a blanket on top
I'm sorry but I have to say that double-insulating a self inflating mat is a waste of time. They're perfectly warm enough without the extra layers, unlike airbeds, because of their cellular construction. If you like it for padding though then that's fair enough.
Er....sorry to be pedantic but I have to say that's against the laws of physics. There is a temparature gradient through the Thermorest and the temparature on top of the mat is dependent on the coldness of the ground and the insulation properties of the mat, i.e. the colder the ground, the colder the top of the mat.
Yeah, I'll give you the temperature gradient will exist, but it's barely significant unless you're sleeping directly on top of it without even a sleeping bag. By comparison an air bed is a constantly circulating mass of cold air and you need to insulate yourself from that as a matter of some urgency...but even then, one decent layer on top of the air bed, under the sleeping bag, is enough.
IF...and it's a big IF....your sleeping bag is up to the job in the first place. It's amazing how many folk here economise on buying two season cheapie sleeping bags and then end up spending a fortune and using up valuable packing space by adding extra layers here, there and everywhere else. Sleeping bags normally have two bottom temperatures listed...one is the lowest temperature at which the (average) occupant will be comfortable, the other lower temperature is merely a survival temperature ie you won't get hypothermia, but it will still be a miserably cold night.
Quote: Originally posted by Valk_scot on 19/5/2008
Quote: Originally posted by Rik Brooks on 19/5/2008
Quote: Originally posted by Valk_scot on 18/5/2008
Quote: Originally posted by kate w on 18/5/2008
Put your roll mats or blankets under the self inflating mattress, add a blanket on top
I'm sorry but I have to say that double-insulating a self inflating mat is a waste of time. They're perfectly warm enough without the extra layers, unlike airbeds, because of their cellular construction. If you like it for padding though then that's fair enough.
Er....sorry to be pedantic but I have to say that's against the laws of physics. There is a temparature gradient through the Thermorest and the temparature on top of the mat is dependent on the coldness of the ground and the insulation properties of the mat, i.e. the colder the ground, the colder the top of the mat.
Yeah, I'll give you the temperature gradient will exist, but it's barely significant unless you're sleeping directly on top of it without even a sleeping bag. By comparison an air bed is a constantly circulating mass of cold air and you need to insulate yourself from that as a matter of some urgency...but even then, one decent layer on top of the air bed, under the sleeping bag, is enough.
IF...and it's a big IF....your sleeping bag is up to the job in the first place. It's amazing how many folk here economise on buying two season cheapie sleeping bags and then end up spending a fortune and using up valuable packing space by adding extra layers here, there and everywhere else. Sleeping bags normally have two bottom temperatures listed...one is the lowest temperature at which the (average) occupant will be comfortable, the other lower temperature is merely a survival temperature ie you won't get hypothermia, but it will still be a miserably cold night.
Almost agree Val but my comments about putting a rug under the Thermorest are based on my experience of late autumn and early spring weather camping: like having to wait for the frost on the fly sheet to thaw before I can take the tent down! I suppose their is another constant to consider and that's the suseptability of the individual to the cold. Didn't used to bother me but since passing my fiftieth birthday...
My sleeping bag is not a cheap two season jobby but a four season down bag from a reputable manufacturer: I won't economise on camping kit, my comfort is at stake and as for airbeds: ugh!
It really is as simple as investing in good sleeping bags, we camped last year in April and I froze, literally, I had to get up in the wee hours of the night and go for a drive in the car to warm myself up. I didnt sleep a wink the whole weekend. We had cheap Argos sleeping bags, never again. This year we were away in February, totally different story, I have a 5 season sleeping bag and the OH has a 4 season one and I had to open it up half way through the night to stick my feet out as I was so hot. I cant sleep in lots of layers, especially hats and socks, they annoy me and keep me awake so I normally sleep in a t-shirt and make of shorts so the sleeping bag has to be good to keep me warm.
Get the kids some super dooper bags and they will sleep like a log.
we covered the air beds with a big throw and put roll mat underneath (we normally use a foil backed picnic rug from netto but we didn't use that this time)
we wore hats in bed
don't stick you ace in the bag as the vapour from your breath turns cold and makes you colder.
Use a hot water bottle - hug it to your chest. it might make you a bit hot at first but it warms your whole body - your torso gets so warm that it tries to cool down by sending warm blood to your limbs. we were toasty all night!
Quote: Originally posted by lisyp on 19/5/2008
when we first started camping we were advised to wear nothing at night and get into the sleeping bag as the heat generated by your body goes into the sleeping bag and keeps you warm, somethign like that anyway. i didnt believe it and took loads to wear in bed just in case - it was brilliant, we were camping in the gale force winds and lashing rain last year and with nothing on in the sleeping bag i was toasty we had the set up described above with mat under and blanket over the matress and it was great.
At last, some sense.
Sleeping bags (good ones) are designed not only to keep you warm but to wick away moisture from you to outside the bag. It's staying dry not sweaty that is the secret to warmth. If you use the shoulder baffles then the warm ait stays in the bag with you. And if you use the hood, that saves most of the body's heat loss
Getting into a sleeping bag with jimjams, socks, fleeces etc. etc. completely screws upwhat the bag is trying to do - so you get damp and then you get cold. Trouble is, many people will then add another layer or put a blanket on top of the bag.
I don't use a particularly expensive bag, cheaper in fact than my wife's. But she will not believe me when I tell her the above, puts on her layers, & in anything less than sub-tropical she feels the cold. I have never once been cold once in my bag - and that includes sub-zero temperatures (not that that's what the forecast said). In fact I usually have to let some fresh air into the bag to keep from overheating.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Keeping warm at night question!
