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Topic: COLD BED

rosalee59

12/8/2011 at 9:38am
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Hi, Im a new member, but a seasoned (getting older) camper. I have just read in other thread ideas for keeping warm when camping. There was lots of ideas, particularly ones saying to put foil-backed picnic blanket under mattress. I dont have mattress just a bedroll, but travel light as backpacker. What do you suggest bringing to keep warm but still travelling light please. Also I am thinking of changing to a light-weight blow-up mattress for a bit more comfort but dont want to spend more than £10. Everything I have has to be carried so any ideas please (I do use a trolley sometimes). Thanks

Fotogen

12/8/2011 at 10:32am
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Hi and welcome. Thin foil Space Blankets might be one idea. Very light pocket size. Cost varies between £shops and better quality from camping suppliers. Daughter used them in family tent and everyone said they felt warmer. They use blow up lilo beds, had them for years not sure where from.

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Mavis
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John in Leeds

12/8/2011 at 1:37pm
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An extra foam mat? They don't weigh too much and you could cut a cheap one down to 3/4.

I also use some close cell foam underlay from laminate flooring under the tent as a footprint, weighs very little but a bit bulky though.

Micro fibre or Mercolon sleeping bag liner?

Spare clothing spread on top of sleeping bag?

Just a few reasonably priced ideas for warmth not comfort

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"The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt." - Bertrand Russell

lookin4older

12/8/2011 at 2:38pm
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Quote: Originally posted by rosalee59 on 12/8/2011
Hi, Im a new member, but a seasoned (getting older) camper. I have just read in other thread ideas for keeping warm when camping. There was lots of ideas, particularly ones saying to put foil-backed picnic blanket under mattress. I dont have mattress just a bedroll, but travel light as backpacker. What do you suggest bringing to keep warm but still travelling light please. Also I am thinking of changing to a light-weight blow-up mattress for a bit more comfort but dont want to spend more than £10. Everything I have has to be carried so any ideas please (I do use a trolley sometimes). Thanks

lookin4older

12/8/2011 at 2:39pm
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i have a great idea, get you mattress, ill split the cost with you. tell me when your going and ill go with you and we can use body warmth. smiles. Cindy

Tigermouse

12/8/2011 at 4:05pm
Location: Bolton Lancs
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I presume you have some means of heating up water? Then take a hot water water bottle, you'll be lovely and cosy.

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privatehudson

12/8/2011 at 10:06pm
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I just take a pair of heat holders socks and a heat holders hat. Combine that with a decent sleeping bag and liner and I have no problems with the cold.

rosalee59

13/8/2011 at 7:48am
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Thanks for all replies and given me ideas. Was browsing sites last night and have come across a new type air bed called the Easy Camp Hexa Mat with inbuilt footpump. Said its very light and easy to use. Weighs 0.8k - unfortunately no reviews yet anywhere. Has anyone tried one of these? Its supposed to be combination of blow-up and self-inflating.

sanhozay

13/8/2011 at 10:01am
Location: Otley
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Could you give a bit more information?

- What sleeping bag?
- What mat?
- Where and which seasons you camp?
- What do you eat? Do you have a stove for hot food?

When are you cold? During the day? When you set up camp? In bed? All the night or in the mornings?

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Richard

Mike70

13/8/2011 at 3:10pm
Location: Falkirk Scotland
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a silk sleeping bag liner is meant to be a very good way to make your bag warmer, and very lightweight.

Another tip would be to NOT put anything heavy over your sleeping bag - the insulation comes from the 'loft' of the insulation - i.e. it being able to puff up and hold a thick air barrier - crush it down and you lose a lot of the insulating properties.

Clothing wise, are you going to bed in cold, damp clothes?? Always have a set of dry thermals with you that you can change into for sleeping - again lightweight, and the fact that you can go to bed in dry warm clothes is a serious advantage.

Keep those dry clothes dry! pack them away in the morning and keep them dry for the next night.

seanspotatobiz

13/8/2011 at 3:12pm
Location: Edinburgh Scotland
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If you have cooking equipment, would a small hot water bottle be out of the question? They do small ones as well as regular size.

Other than that, I reiterate the earlier advice to put, say, a coat over the top of your sleeping bag. A foil blanket and then a coat might be better but not sure about condensation. Of course, they might not stay on top of you as you wriggle around.

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sanhozay

13/8/2011 at 9:47pm
Location: Otley
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A Sigg in a sock is a good hot water bottle.

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Richard

Sceptical Camper

15/8/2011 at 12:07pm
Location: Beautiful Warwickshire
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Quote: Originally posted by rosalee59 on 12/8/2011
... ideas for keeping warm when camping.... put foil-backed picnic blanket under mattress.... changing to a light-weight blow-up mattress for a bit more comfort but dont want to spend more than £10

When in a sleeping bag in an unheated tent, the only source of heat is your body - you heat the sleeping bag, not vice versa.

You lose that body heat mainly by three means: conduction (through cold or cool surfaces), convection (air moving heat away from the body) and by evaporation (sweating). The amount of heat lost by the fourth means - radiation - is negligible. As foil reflects radiant heat, it therefore follows that a foil blanket will have very little benefit even if placed between the sleeping bag and the mattress - and as a mattress will form a barrier to radiated heat, a foil blanket underneath it will have even less effect.

Re mattresses, do you mean a foam-filled type - a self inflating mattress (or SIM)? Or do you mean a mattress filled only with air? The latter will always be colder than the former though a baffled or compartmented type will give better insulation than a standard tubular 'Lilo' type. And in either case you will get only what you pay for so don't expect quality of manufacturer, long life and good insulation from anything costing only a tenner.

Silk sleeping bag liners are very light in weight. They are lovely next to your skin and they keep your bag clean. But they are expensive (usually well over £20) and add very little insulation (they are generally thought to add the equivalent of only one degree of heat). A fleece liner will be more effective and a cotton liner will be a lot cheaper.

As Richard says (above) to get more comprehensive advice you'd need to give more info about your particular circumstances.

campingworld1

16/8/2011 at 4:07pm
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There's a new product on the market called a Thermatex blanket which is meant to be superb for keeping warm

sanhozay

16/8/2011 at 4:16pm
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If they are so good, why the long face?

Thermatex Rug

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Richard

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