Hi. Has anyone experienced feeling clammy using a sleeping bag and successfully found a solution?
I'm using a HiGear Composure, 3 season bag and tend to wake up with a cold head and neck in addition as it's the type without a hood. I'm off the ground on a Coleman cot.
I've read mixed information on whether down is better for preventing the clamminess too, versus synthetic insulation.
I'm debating changing to a blanket such as that by Voited or similar and like the idea of being able to spread my legs out, but will I then be too cold? Also considered a quilt but these are too expensive and I read that they let draughts in.
Thoughts and guidance would be appreciated, before I make a poorly considered purchase. Perhaps I simply need a 2 season bag with hood!
Our body temperatures vary, I suggest. OH and I are very different, so I’m sticking a foot out to cool off when he’s huddled under.
Not surprising to feel clammy if you’re somewhere in a heatwave. We use a bag liner for that reason: can use the liner alone if it’s really warm & wash the liner after each trip, less faff than washing a sleeping bag.
Never liked 3 season bags - way too hot in summer & way too cold in winter, when you’ll need extra layers above & below.
Our bags are down (more expensive) to reduce volume: I don’t know how they compare with synthetic filling for feeling clammy.
Whether you can sleep in a coffin bag with a hood is very personal, I can’t so I have a woolly hat & gloves nearby in case I get cold. If you get a cold neck, wearing a hoodie top might help.
Can't really say I've felt particularly clammy in a sleeping bag, but I'm a 'hot bod', don't need much bedding, so have always used cheap probably only 2 season sleeping bags, and synthetic ones at that. If I feel hot, I just unzip it, if I'm really hot I climb out of it and lay on top.
Got by like that for decades of tent camping, do much the same in the caravan now, can't be asked to be making up the bench/beds with sheets and duvets etc. every night, so chuck off the excess cushions and out with the sleeping bag, snug as a bug in a rug in a minute. Sleep the sleep of the righteous (no doubt totally unjustified to do so! )
Only time I've got REALLY uncomfortably hot/clammy was with my Ex's REDICULOUSLY heavyweight duvet, which we used to fight over! She was cold and snuggled under, I'm kicking it off in an effort to avoid nuclear meltdown! Couldn't be doing with 'Mummy' sleeping bags unless off camping in Arctic regions!
.... and there may lie your problem!!! ... is your sleeping bag too good and overheating you?
Synthetic bedding of any type is likely to make you feel clammy. But then, natural fibres can absorb moisture and can therefore do the same. I find a cotton sheet or bag liner can sometimes help, and you can air it during the day.
I don't like sleeping bags though, my feet need to be able to escape if necessary. I use a sheet + thin duvet, + thin blanket if required.
Thanks for your replies. Night time temperatures were such that I was too cold when not in the bag and as such having a foot out was a no go. I sleep in my birthday suit as well, so rely on the bag or duvet. I tried using the bag as a duvet as well, with only my cot underneath (no sheet) and was still uncomfortably clammy and put my pillow over my head for some warmth. The unusual thing is I sleep within a darkened room, inside a well ventilated canvas tent. Do you think a blanket would suffice? I read so many things online that they're summer use only and others say suitable replacement as a 3 season.
On our first camping trip I was just right apart from a cold neck and shoulders. Next day I bought a cheap small fleece (120 x 150cm) blanket which I use like a shawl inside the sleeping bag, this works for me even on a trip when we woke to find a heavy ground frost.
If you wake with a cold neck it implies that your cover doesn't snuggle round it. Try wearing a scarf or snood? You have lots of choice, cotton, wool or fleece.
Getting used to the van, I’ve been through a number of combinations, using our extensive stock of tenting sleep kit. I’ve ended up with a cheap quilt from a French hypermarket, and underneath me a wool mattress topper in a removable, washable, cover. I tried memory foam but that felt sweaty.
There is also army surplus blanket bedroll, as used by the Czechs and Poles, which might be worth exploring.
When it's really hot everyone on the campsite is facing the same issues so don't let modesty stop you getting to sleep.
Keep water to hand, if you wake up parched grab it and drink, notthing worse than lying in bed needing a drink and nothing within reach.
Open all the tent doors and flaps even the weird one at the far end of the tent you never use.
Your 3 seasons sleeping bag is designed to insulate you on cold spring nights, sleep on it not in it.
Wear swim briefs or a bikini, the more bare skin able to perspire the cooler you'll be.
Have a cold (or mild) shower before bed and another one when you get up in the morning.
Remember you are doing this for fun!
Quote: Originally posted by Fiona W on 09/7/2025
Never liked 3 season bags - way too hot in summer & way too cold in winter, when you’ll need extra layers above & below.
Opposite opinion borne out of a backpacking perspective. Had multiple bags in the gear locker for different scenario's & then ditched them all for a lightweight 3 season down bag with full zip & a bit of extra width. In summer I use it as a quilt with zip open. As it gets colder I add base layers up to the extremes of down socks, trousers & smock which is good down to minus 20c or less. The extra width accommodates the extra clothing.
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Topic: How to prevent a clammy night
via mobile 08/7/2025 at 11:34pm
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