My son is going camping with the Scouts in February.
We have sleeping bags that we use during the summer months but we're thinking that we need to get him one that is designed to keep you warm during the winter months.
I've never camped at this time of year so I've no idea whats the best thing to go for
I would ask about whether there would be heating inside the tent, and what sort of bed/mat/etc. that he'll be sleeping on, as they would make a difference to the level of insulation required from the sleeping bag.
My hunch is that a good 3-4 season mummy style sleeping bag is required.
Many to choose from, from inexpensive synthetic ones, to expensive ones filled with high quality goose down.
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Does he have to carry it? That Is the main difference between down and synthetic. A winter synthetic could be 2kg and up, plus very bulky. A winter down could be about 1kg and smaller than a summer synthetic.
Also, which part of the country and valley or mountain? That would affect the temperature rating you would need.
As dk168 points out, the other major consideration is the need for a full length SIM or down filled mat, perhaps augmented by a closed cell foam underlay mat. Frozen ground will make him cold, even with a top quality winter bag.
A bag for carrying and camping in an unheated tent in winter is a significant investment, unfair to expect as a one off purchase IMO.
A warm jacket, preferably down, is also important for winter camping. You'd be lucky to get change from £200 for the combination.
for us down here,it's a case of where is the winter?the lowest night time temp has been around 3dec but mostly 6 or 7.at the moment i'm still useing a 3 season with sim,and am still getting hot some nights.
if bulk,transport to site is not a problem.then to save money you could just use 2 or 3 of your summer bags inside of each other.then have a fatish sim to sleep on.
Or do it the way we did in Guides, with a groundsheet on the outside, then a blanket then the sleeping bag then the liner. Blanket pinned in place with a couple of kilt pins!
When our friends' child went camping with the cubs in October we talked about this endlessly....eventually deciding on an emergency foil blanket stuck to his sleeping mat and then opening up his sleeping bag and loosely stitching a fleece blanket to the inside. He said it was warmer than his bed at home lol
I only ever use summer sleeping bags. If it's really cold, I either use a second bag, or a blanket, over the top (like an eiderdown) - I find that a lot warmer than a winter bag. I suspect it's the layers, rather than the thickness, that matters.
I think I need a proper conversation with the scout leaders to see what they recommend.
Thankyou for mentioning mats, of course you're right and I need to make sure there is decent insulation underneath him.
They've held a camp at this time of year for a number of years now and apparently they always had a good time.
They've got pictures of them camping in the snow and others of them roasting a big piece of pork on a spit over an open fire. All with lots of smiling scouts on them !!
So I think he'll have a great time I just want to try and ensure he doesn't get too cold.
Another option would be to get a fleece liner to go in the existing sleeping bag (depending on how good it is), this gives about another 5 degrees C to the rating of the sleeping bag. I would recommend a decent sleeping mat such as a Thermarest or the Exped DownMat 7 or 9 to go under the bag.
Yes I must admit I was wondering about putting a fleece liner inside a sleeping bag. He already has a "snuggle sac" which is a fleece sleeping bag which could slot inside or I've got lots of fleece blankets which I could stitch inside.
Hi I just took my scouts camping this weekend and they never moaned about being cold most of them had 3 season sleeping bags and a roll mat on the floor then a blanket on top if they wished one did have a snug sack which they said was brill but the cold comes up from the floor so a roll mat is essential kit, just don't spend too much on stuff he will never use the rest of the year and pack a hot water bottle for him too. Hope this helps
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Topic: Sleeping Bag - Camping in February
