Quote: Originally posted by pitchperfect on 02/2/2011
Does nobody else get a cold head? Am I just a wimp?
Well, if you are a wimp, so am I
I can be snug as a bug in my sleeping bag/duvet/whatever but I always have a spare fleece blanket nex to me for my head. Can't sleep in a hat (or wear one in the day) - gives me a headache. I have been known to sleep in a hoodie - that keeps your ears warm
------------- Anne - mad mum to one - foster mum to many - adoptatent to you guys!
I have a serious problem if my head gets cold. Isambard Kingdom Brunel I beleive also had with the same problem. So at least your share the problem with two other great people.
I wear a balaclava most nights even in the summer. When winter camping, I do the same as Val already mentioned, and have a light weight fleece pulled over my head. It's not like having your head under the covers, and it wicks the breath moisture away.
------------- Canvas tent, paraffin light, petrol stove. Heaven
I'd rather be kayaking.
Spent up, not pent up, just had my new tent up.
Quote: Originally posted by Gareth29 on 01/2/2011
I've been using under floor stock foam (laminate flooring underlay type stuff) for a couple of years now under the airbeds, really makes a difference and is also good if your on a budget. Just double it up for sub zero temps. Packs down or rolls up quite small too.
Definately a top tip, started doing that years ago under the groundsheet as a remedy for a porous SIG. It also gives the groundsheet the warmth you get with a tent carpet. Unfortunately unlike Gareth I find it difficult to make it a compact bundle for my rucksack but for the car its no problem.
I thought sleeping naked was for the pleasant feeling it gives when sleeping - there's no way anyone can convince me its a warmer way to sleep. That's also why I prefer the freedom of quilts but you can't get them in a rucksack.
Next the problem of sleeping bare headed. Most tents have quite a circulation of air as it cools and flows down the tent wall, moves across the floor to the warm sleeping body where it then rises to the top of the tent again. When the weather is very cold I find that flow of chilled air to be a serious problem solved partially by the use of a tent inner. The mummy bag is the perfect solution for me in the way that the neck baffle keeps the heat round the body and the hood can be drawn tight round the face allowing the head to stay cosy but allowing exhaled moist air to be vented away from the bag (doesn't prevent it freezing in the tent walls though).
To keep warm the bag does not necessarily have to be an expedition grade to do the job. I have had a couple (returned) that had sections incorrectly filled that made a cold spot and sleeping impossible. A cheaper bag with a fleece liner and clothing can do the job just as well, the colder it gets there more layers you need. Just remember the area underneath your body is compressed so cannot provide the required insulation, cardboard, foam, carpet etc will make all the difference there.
Finally if you haven't had enough of my pontificating , for me it makes a real difference if I have a set of clothes to sleep in that I have not been wearing during the day. Changing into sleep clothes always helps me to sleep warmer and more comfortably
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"The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt." - Bertrand Russell
Right, just a couple of points from my own experience,a few years ago ( quite a few but wont go in to that now ) a crowd of us went grape picking in Epernay,at night it got REALLY cold.
First thing we did was hit the sports shops for air beds, no SIMs back then. When it came to sleeping I always got down to my undies in an average (for the time) sleeping bag & soon warmed up but a couple of the lads were cold all night.
Now we move on a bit, I fish through the winter at Cleveleys & spend 2/3 nights at a time in the back of my car ( these arent the most thermal of environments) I use the thickest Outwell single SIM available & a Vango Nitestar Sq XL,obviously I would get some looks next morning from the doggy walkers ( not doggers) jumping out of the tailgate of the car in my undies so I wear loose fleece top & lined trackie pants & only need to zip the bag half way, if it gets really cold I pull the hood up but usually snuggling down into the bag works to keep your head warm,I also have some really good thermal walking socks, 2 pairs, one for inside my wellies & a dry pair to sleep in, keeps the tootsies warm.
I have to admit that I take a decent pillow because I hate lying flat, I have done this regularly over the last few years to -10 & the only problem is de-icing the inside of the car in the morning.
I always take an empty 2 litre pop bottle with me to save getting up in the night(work it out) dont know what the girlies would use but they seem to hold it better.
As for the cold back, yes its a problem because when I lean against the cold inside of the car it does come through so I use my thermal flotation jacket for sea fishing as a sort of blanket but just in the middle, a cheaper alternative would be a couple of tramps overcoats as they seem to survive OK.
So back to the OP I think that as an experiment it was a good effort but proved one thing, spend a little more on a couple of good items ie sleeping bag & SIM & you will actually be carrying less gear & staying warmer.
Hope this info is a bit of help to someone somewhere & now I have to get my tidetables out as its the nearest I get to camping in winter & I feel a long weekend in the back of the car coming on.
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Topic: Budget cold camping test
That's also why I prefer the freedom of quilts but you can't get them in a rucksack.
, for me it makes a real difference if I have a set of clothes to sleep in that I have not been wearing during the day. Changing into sleep clothes always helps me to sleep warmer and more comfortably 
