From earlier recomendations from you guys, I got my son a Snugpak Softie Micro sleeping bag for his Duke of Edinburgh silver expedition. He leaves tomorrow for 2 nights in the wilderness and I was wondering if he was going to be warm enough?
The comfort rating is 5 degrees, with zero as a minimum. I have suggested that he sleeps clothed & wearing a hat, will this do, considering the weather forcast over the north-west this weekend?
My son had a Softie Snugpak for his Dartmoor backpacking training. They were taught to change into their clean clothes for the next day before getting into their sleeping bags so that they would be warm, wouldn't have dirty sweaty clothes going all cold and wet on them during the night and they'd be ready for a quick get away in the morning. And yes wear a hat. So yes, that all sounds about right.
If he's going to be crammed into a tiny tent with a couple of other teenagers that will help keep the temperature up too!
If you're still concerned (and we all experience temperature differently), could you get hold of a sleeping bag liner your son could use to augment the Snugpak if necessary?
------------- Tackling life the Western District way
He needs to layer his clothing, ie if he's in his sack and feels warm, remove the top layer, if he still feels warm remove the next layer, that way if he feels cold he can add more layers if needed, also if he has loads of layers on when he gets up in the morning he will struggle to warm up. I have slept in minus 4 under a bivvy sheet and felt fine ( a bit nippy but adding layers a good brisk walk for a wee and a brew soon sorts you out) Wish him good luck and he will be fine
Yes, forgot to mention, he has a liner for the bag, so sounds like he should be OK. He has a higher threshold for being cold than I do, I must admit - I was cold in bed last night under a 10 tog duvet!
Thanks for the reassurance guys, I am sure he will survive!
By the way, Simon, you must have anti-freeze in your veins!
I'm no expert but I did brave and survive the lake district last weekend, and I agree with the layers, I did however sleep in my hat fetching I know, but I was warm!