Cold Weather Sleeping Tips

Do not drink anything 1-2 hours before going to bed and go to the bathroom before going to bed

Wear as close to skin (or as little as possible to be comfortable) as you can in the sleeping bag

Leave your sleeping bag rolled up or in it’s sack right until you go to bed. Before you crawl into your sleeping bag fluff it up and allow the insulation in the bag to expand. This allows the air to be trapped in the insulation and will keep you warm. Compressed insulation will not keep you warm.

Lay down a base material under your sleeping bag to help prevent conduction of your body heat to the ground. Use a browse bag with natural material, sleeping mat, rubber blanket, or winter rated sleeping pad/air mattress

Use a sleeping bag that is rated twenty degrees cooler than the expected lowest temperature of your trip

Wear fresh clean, dry under layer clothes and wool or warm socks to bed

Wear a sock hat/beenie/toboggan/night cap to bed

Boil water, put in a well sealed bottle, cover with a sock or shirt and place at your feet of the sleeping bag as a hot water bottle

If your sleeping bag is not performing up to your comfortable temperature then line the inside of your sleeping bag with a fleece or wool blanket

Sleep with the next day’s clothing inside your sleeping bag IF you have the room and can still move freely. The trapped air inside the sleeping bag is what will keep you warm, you want to compress the insulation as little as possible for it to work

Try not to breathe inside your sleeping bag, the condensation will lead to moisture being trapped in the bag and will make you cold

If you are sweating you will feel cold, adjust the opening of the bag as needed

Leave a comment