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Just reporting in after my trip to the Lakes.

Spent two nights camping, one in my old Argos Cheapie and the other in my new (still cheap) Quechua 2 second tent. using my argos sleeping bag and a foam roll up mat 10mm thick (says 5 season on it ??) .

first night the outside temp was -4 and although I wouldnt say I was warm I cartainly wasnt cold either, I was really suprised how warm that sleeping bag was.

Second night was similar temp and I was a little warmer but wore socks and long sleeved tshirt so maybe that was why.

No rain thankfuly but would presume the quechua would have been a far better choice if it had.

But overall my first taste of winter camping  was great, the Quechua at £35 was a brilliant price, and with a £15 fleece liner for the sleeping bag I think I will be happy

Nice one Neal!

I don't know why but I always find if you leave your socks on it seems to warm up everything.

One thing about a sleeping bag is it depends how well it fits too, if you are too big you compress the stuffing and it's less effective and if you are too thin (generally my problem) it gets draughty and you can't trap enough air.

Where abouts were you?

I was in Braithwaite at scotgate the second night and in buttermere the first.

the sleeping bag is pretty roomy really, way too long for me but I push all the way to the bottom and let it gather up in the middle a bit and pull the corded top up nice and tight.

the socks made a big difference though :-) I will buy a better bag sooner or later but to be honest I am not in any rush now.

Socks make a big difference because you lose a lot of heat through your feet and your head ( Mainly Head ).  If you ware socks and a hat, or have a sleeping bag that has the head warming bit in it, you will feel a lot warmer.

I am no expert, its just that heat loss was part of my diving exams.

Quote: Originally posted by jim oldham on 02/1/2006

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I would advise getting a cheapo foam sleeping mat to put on top of your Thermarest. We know the heat from us transfers into the ground, but it always feels as though the cold is striking upwards. This should reduce this affect.
We have invested in three of these, but foiled backed and with velcro tabs to keep joined together, which we put on top of our air beds when winter camping. They make sleeping a lot warmer.
The tent will surfice unless you get torrential rai, or very high winds, in which case you'd probably do what most folks do: throw the lot back in the car and return home.
Nil illegitmus carborundum.
Best of luck,
Jim

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I have been looking to invest in a couple of these mats too to put on our airbed and was wondering where you bought yours from Jim as they sound ideal.

Leila

I always wear socks, with or without the tent!!!!!!!!!!!!!