How to Increase Sleeping Bag Warmth - 20 Tips and Tricks for Backpackers, Campers, Climbers

[@James-ke5sx]

This is a wealth of information not just for people intending to hike out into the wilderness, but also for people who are just simply putting together emergency preparedness kits. Which is what I'm doing.

[@ALinsdau]

Thanks!

[@AutisticCuriosity]

Wealth is right word because that what your going to have need to follow these tips.

[@shaneharkins645]

This is the type of content that keeps me searching KZbin. Great work. Actual experience not a youtube hero. Well done.

[@ALinsdau]

Wow, thanks!

[@brendamackel6917]

One tip from a Colorado camper: I put a SOL sport utility blanket (reflective and very durable) as a ground cloth under everything. Shiny side up. Then insulated sleeping pad, bag, etc. Best way I’ve found to completely stop conductive heat loss to the ground and reflect heat back to your body.

[@ALinsdau]

Great tip! This one? Survive Outdoors Longer Heavy Duty Emergency Blanket: amzn.to/3ZfaT37 Also found this - I'll have to get them and try it out: Arcturus Heavy Duty Survival Blanket: amzn.to/3SnOwq2

[@RichFrey]

Lots of good advice here. I tried out a tip from a southern guy, youtuber, makes his own gear and who does a lot of experimenting. He made a reflective blanket for under his bag. I went the easier route and used a foil-type emergency blanket (not much different than a car window reflector shield) and tried it out in my unheated cabin that got down to about 32F using an old bag that was probably rated for 30F when it was new. I used the pad on top of a thermarest. I could almost immediately feel the heat being reflected to my body, and as the night went on, there was a point where it actually started to get a little too warm. I realize this is not a scientific test of any kind, and I haven't had an opportunity to try it again. If I did, I would put the pad UNDER the thermarest to moderate the heat output so I didn't feel like it was too much.

[@joanies6778]

Some great tips! For my first snow backpacking campout, I snagged a pair of longjohns that have flecks of silver which help with keeping the body warm. Love them! That night I had an opening on my back as I was sleeping, and a draft started making me cold. An emergency blanket and hot cup of tea kept me from getting hypothermia. Love the idea of a hot bottle in the bag... could be tea which I could even drink if it gets too cold. Another do NOT do: Avoid drinking alcohol at night; it lowers your body temperature! Most experienced hikers with a heavy backpack likely won't be drinking alcohol, but there are enough newbies who would, including car campers. For my very first backpack camping trip into the mountains, I went with a friend who did drink, she didn't change into dry socks, not sure if she wore a cap, and she didn't have proper insulation under her bag... She went into early stages of hypothermia and woke up shaking uncontrollably. It was downright scary! We hiked a tough trail 5 miles up a mountain and it was a pitch-black night. She showed signs of paranoia when she went to take a pee (something else she didn't take care of before retiring). The lean-to blocked visibility from the fire I stoked up, so she didn't know where she was for a few minutes, calling for me, very panicked. We got her warmed up and out of danger, thank God. That experience led me to take the wilderness basics training, a life-saving education.

[@azclaimjumper]

I've recently added the Silk Western Mountaineering Sleeping Bag Liner, however, I'm using it more as a way of keeping the SB interior clean rather than a way to sleep warmer inside my WM Antelope w/GWS outer. Buff Headgear a Military 100% wool watch cap, IceBreaker Merino wool top & bottoms, thick pair of Smart Wool Merino wool socks, and GooseFeet 100% overfilled Down booties to keep the tootsies comfy warm. MSR XTherm is my inflatable air mattress, love that 70D ground side material. Warm regards from Reno Nevada.

[@ALinsdau]

The liner is a great idea to keep the bag cleaner. Plus its warmer for a very small added weight.

[@SurvivalGal]

(wilderness survivalist since the early 80's) - I use a camping hammock (my own design) in all seasons and conditions, and use the Thermarest. I have a closed-cell foam pad, but don't usually need it. Instead of a down bag/quilt, I sewed a long zipper on the bottom of two down jackets = a multi-use quilt I can wear AND share. Down socks work, but I use thick, thigh-high socks. When it's time to hit the sack, I pull the socks down and over my toes = double-thick wool booties. Exercise works, but I use isometric exercise. I don't have to get up and lose the heat I have, I don't risk sweating and more it's convenient. Peeing (urinating) is actually a natural response to cold (do it before you accidentally wet yourself) There's more, but you get the idea 😊

[@AlaskanGeezer]

I have a Cocoon Merino liner, and it was better than any other liner. I use an Exped Downmatt 9. I live in the arctic. I climbed Denali as well, and all the local Chugach mountains. I also put my parka on top or under my matt and my boots with hand chemical warmers in them, in a trash bag in the footbox of my sleeping bag. I sleep in merino as well.I use one of those quilted emergency "blankets" under my sleeping pad as a carpet in my tent, shiny side up. I am big on chemical handwarmers. Awesome tips, love your books and your channel.

[@ALinsdau]

Thank you so much - stay safe out there.

[@tomsitzman3952]

I have always wondered if the interior of the tent had a mylar lining how that might work. Years ago, I once suspended a space blanket above me and was surprised how much heat radiated back at me. I never tried it again. Too much work to mess with. one of my bag liners in alpaca, love it.

[@j.a.1785]

Such a useful and well thought out video.

[@ALinsdau]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Jane_Friday]

Here is my tip after multiple Nepal Treks in high altitude: When you feel, you're loosing warmth through your mattress, put your Gore Tex Jacket under you sleeping bag, on the mattress. Most likely it is the hip area. It makes an amazing difference. Other tips he mentioned and I fully agree and always employ, even when camping in my home country in the cold season: Wear clean long underwear and woolen socks, reserved for sleeping. Wear a hat. Use a liner or a thinner synthetic sleeping bag inside, e.g. your summer/ tropical bag, even more so, if you have to use your down bag in humid or rainy condition. Air your down bag, e.g. during lunch break, when it's warmest and dryest. Air your sleeping underwear. Use enough insulation from the ground. Eat enough calories, especually from fat. Tibetans don't drink their tea with butter for no reason. Things I do different: I may warm my bag up with a hot bottle, but I never sleep with it. Why? You might crush the bottle and it leaks or you crush your back on the bottle and pinch a nerve and can't move for days or weeks. Both a total desaster on trips with no short exit option.

[@ALinsdau]

Thanks for the pointers! In really cold places, I have had to keep my boiling hot water bottles in the sleeping bag, otherwise they'll freeze (sometimes completely solid) by the morning.

[@Jane_Friday]

@@ALinsdau i understand this. It happened to me only a few times. I don't mind since I warmed it up in the heated kitchen of the family back then. I never trekked in such extreme cold like you. It happened to me once to injure my back with a bottle at night. Never again, I can tell you...and it doesn't get any better with age. 😆

[@DominiqueB]

@@Jane_Friday I place the water bottle against my belly or under my arms when i get into the sleeping bag, but when i start falling asleep, i move it by my feet. I've also started using a soft water bottle, like the nalgene Cantene or the platypus Softbottle, that works a treat. I wrap the bottle in a wool hat, sock, buff, t-shirt, neoprene whatever, much more so if it's a hard plastic bottle, prevents burns if boiling hot, and makes it much more comfie.

[@Jane_Friday]

@@DominiqueB as you like it... really.. i wouldn't take that risk.

[@TheWtfnonamez]

Totally agree about the hat. I just moved from a warm part of the country to 500 miles north, and I can tell you factually that hats make a huge difference. You dont realise it when the temperature gradient is low, but when the temperature gradient between you and the environment is high, you REALLY appreciate how much thermal energy you lose from your head. Anyone who goes outside in winter with a fresh crewcut will attest to this. At rest and unstressed, 25% of the bodies energy is actually consumed by your brain. Now if one quarter of your bodies calories are being consumed inside your skull bucket, I reckon it makes sense to put a wool cap on that thing. Happy camping.

[@gunterbecker8528]

Great advice and helpful information about sleeping in icy cold nights 😊

[@ALinsdau]

Glad you liked it

[@mycocoaone]

I have 3 sleeping bags and an ild northface down bag.i put 2 lighter down together and cover with a 3rd if it is really cold. Or cover with a heavy wool Pendleton blanket. Down booties are awesome along with a down hooded hat. Padding is sugnificant. No cheap pads! I no longer sleep in a tent but in my van but it still gets cold! Merino wool long johns help to.

[@ALinsdau]

Nice! Stay warm out there.

[@sailingaeolus]

I'm in the desert. If you put the z-rest on the bottom, it keeps the thorns further from your air mattress.

[@paulnolen7651]

Great video good information thank you thank you keep up the hard work😊😊😊😊😊

[@ALinsdau]

Thanks!

[@geeccc5674]

Great info! Loved the keep nylon coated sleeping pad on bottom tip

[@ALinsdau]

Glad it was helpful!

[@therealslamshaky]

Thank you!!! I am currently living on an unisolated boat in Scandinavia, it hasn’t gotten really cold yet, but next week is looking heavy, now I could use my diesel heater, but that’s just expensive and I don’t wanna.

[@Hana_goes_East]

Oh wow, this was brilliant. It has given me much more confidence to go winter wild camping (and thats just in the UK). Thanks for a great video.

[@ALinsdau]

Be safe out there!

[@DominiqueB]

Combine tips # 13 & 14! Pee in a water bottle (a dedicated one might be preferable... I use a soft, collapsable Nalgene Cantene now), and use that as a hot water bottle. Not as hot as boiling water, but it takes a bit of the edge off when not crazy cold outside, helps feel comfie while falling asleep. Good tips, thanks for taking the time to list and explain them.

[@ALinsdau]

Good tips!

[@TheStraightShooter92]

,,I went at Dead Valley with a blanket,, That was most epic story i heard this year ,wish you all good and thanks for the knowledge ,it helped me a lot.

[@ALinsdau]

Thanks!

[@paulshirek265]

Thank you! Great tips. I am a winter backpacker here in WI and knew some of these but learned much! I appreciate what you said about the bags. I simply cant afford the 1000$ + sleeping bags for just a hobby. So I need this help... Thanks again!

[@horustwohawks]

"Top shelf" advice ...thank you.

[@ALinsdau]

You're welcome!

[@20Hikecdt23]

Thanks. These tips are real helpful. Lord willing, I’ll be hiking the CDT in Spring of 2023.. I’ll remember all these tips.

[@lausmaja]

Hi Man, all your tips helped me a lot when I was out in the Woods! Thanks to you I had great warm sleep ;-)

[@ALinsdau]

Great to hear!

[@panhandlejake6200]

Great tips. My biggest struggle is protecting my bag from condensation - from tent walls and from my own perspiration. Looking for ideas. Some have recommended putting your rain coat over the foot of the bag but I think that traps perspiration within the bag. I have also considered spraying the outside of the bag with water-resistant / -proof coating but I am afraid of damaging the insulation material (down or synthetic). My best solution has been to attach a layer of polycryo to the walls of my single-wall tent using two sided tape. I only attach two small sheets - one at the wall at my feet and the other at the side wall from the foot to abut where my knees are. I seem to be able to keep the water off of the upper section of my bag. The sheets go up about a foot from the bottom edge of the tent. They hang loose so that any condensation that collect on the outer tent wall can run down and then out the bottom edge of the tent wall. Keeping the bag uncovered allows perspiration to escape.

[@NotYou9311]

I have also found that putting your inflatable sleeping pad INSIDE a heat-reflective bivy bag will substantially increase the R-value of the pad. I use a cheap, thin, approx. 2 or 3 Oz., reflective bivy bag from SOL. It also helps protect your expensive inflatable pad...and it weighs very little and takes up almost no space in your pack. You could do the same thing with 1 or 2 mylar emergency blankets, by wrapping your sleeping pad in them. But, I find the krinkly sound of the mylar annoying. I prefer the olefin bivy (SOL), instead.

[@rodrigosilveira4360]

Excellent ideas. Some I knew, and many other Didn't! Already subscribed

[@ALinsdau]

Welcome!

[@tomnoyb8301]

For the same weight or less than a liner, metalyzed Tyvek is breathable and can provide better warmth from outside the bag. Many liners are metalyzed, but the metalyzed layer is most effective when placed furthest from the body. This is because humidity tends to freeze just outside the radiant-barrier (metal-layer) and one doesn't want water freezing inside the down of their sleeping-bag. It's also easier to regulate temperatures with external layers vs internal. (more...) Because, while this video is about increasing bag warmth, the deadliest cold weather error is a bag too warm and waking up drenched in sweat.

[@ALinsdau]

Thanks for the comments.

[@ericb.4358]

I have a 15 F. Western Mountaineering Megalite down mummy (overstuffed by WM) and a -20 F. LL Bean mummy. I have REI FLASH 3 season and 4 season insulated air mattresses PLUS a Ridge Rest closed cell foam mat (if cold enough) 1.) EXTRA CLOTHES-> down booties, down pants and light down jacket PLUS polyester base layer, fleece or wool balaclava and glove liners 3.) MUMMY BAG COVER-> Alpha Direct 90 gm/sq. meter fleece sewn to 7 D. polyester ripstop. Adds 10 - 15 F. to mummy bag. (This cover's main purpose is to absorb.condense body vapor to keep it out of the mummy bag. Frost can be easily shaken out.)

[@ericward9159]

Everything is so expensive, even down is up.

[@ALinsdau]

Yes, unfortunately cost is a big challenge now.

[@usbsol]

I see what you did there 🤪🤣

[@ericward9159]

@usbsol glad you caught it. God Bless, cause even down is up :)

[@850OVERLAND]

😂

[@10MBUK]

😂😂😂🇬🇧✝️

[@SearchingForSuchness]

I watched this a year ago... and now again in very early 2025... It should be watched once a year! It is easy to drift into bad habits... and I can't sleep when I'm cold! :)

[@ALinsdau]

I'm glad it's still helping you out!

[@nacholibre1962]

All good comments apart from the one about cotton. Just avoid cotton at all costs unless you’re in the city. It’s not so much the oils of the body that make cotton cold, but the perspiration (and we always perspire, just to varying degrees). Cotton holds the moisture against the skin instead of wicking it away and moisture is a great conductor of heat and cold. You’ll lose heat and then get cod very quickly if you use cotton. Anther tip is to keep your face out of your sleeping bag. You don’t want to be breathing into your bag or you’ll make it damp and therefore cold! This is imperative and I’m surprised he didn’t mention it. If your face is cold, put a shemagh, bandana, or neck hair or up over your face and you’ll be able to breath through it.

[@ALinsdau]

Great pointers, thanks!

[@craigjok]

Enjoyed the video. I’ve been only down to 5 degrees and combined my ultralight western mountaineering bag with older bag I had. Thx

[@ALinsdau]

Good stuff!

[@jojoutdoors2266]

Great tips. I've also had good luck putting my light down jacket down inside the toe box of my sleeping bag and using it as a little sleeping bag just for my feet.

[@ALinsdau]

Great tip!

[@aspitofmud6257]

Very helpful sir. Thank you.

[@ALinsdau]

Thanks!

[@marahghibdamion1724]

I could've used some of these ideas when I was freezing my feet off camping this summer in the Rockies.

[@ALinsdau]

Thank you.

[@David-vi1ex]

Good sensible tips, thank you very much!

[@ALinsdau]

My pleasure!

[@leightaft7763]

Thanks for making this. Very helpful and informative.

[@naturallawprinciples]

Thanks 4 taking time to make vid & share tips. Subscribed & liked.

[@ALinsdau]

Thanks for the sub!

[@scotbotvideos]

Great info, Aaron. All the UL thruhikers will be livid with you for saying that you shouldn't wear puffy jackets in sleeping bags.

[@ALinsdau]

Only when it's really cold do I wear my puffy, and then it ends up being squashed. Others have good success, YMMV.

[@adastra5346]

Excellent video man. Great job.

[@ALinsdau]

Much appreciated!

[@camping_guru_uk]

Great video and it sounds like you've been to some cold places but... You've never known cold like a 1c wet dank evening in Grimsby UK. That cold gets in your bones and never leaves you 😅

[@ALinsdau]

I hope to go camping in the UK soon...

[@camping_guru_uk]

@@ALinsdau I'm sure you already have a plan but if you go to the Lake District I can highly recommend a campsite called Chapel house farm campsite. A great base for weeks of walking in the hills. If you want to wild camping in the hills the same area is great, Borrowdale or Seathwaite area in the Lakes.

[@tuckerzweerink3536]

It’s so funny I’ve been watch in a lot of your mountaineering videos then I sorted my popular on your channel you have videos on everything 😂

[@ALinsdau]

I appreciate that!

[@tayloranderson456]

These are all great tips, love that it's not just a list of stuff to buy but actual practical little tricks that cost nothing

[@ALinsdau]

Glad it was helpful! I have a series coming up on how to keep your feet warm when camping.

[@EricLS]

Had a cold night on a trip in ANWR, and the following evening is said “screw that”. Hot Tang right before bed, wore a hat, layed my coats over my bag, and wore booties and a fleece jacket. Almost hot every night after that. But I really think it was the hot Tang above all. Hot sugar right as you get in and loose the initial heat to warm the bag makes a huge difference.

[@ALinsdau]

Tang is a classic!

[@MobileAura]

Best winter hat is Balaclava + pashka. The hats with ears. Expedition smart wool is the ultimate! Balaclava> neck gaiter/buff. Bonus if combod

[@ALinsdau]

Good pointer!

[@justpassingthrough99]

what a fantastic video, thank you so much for all the wonderful tips, the counter-intuitive stuff was very revealing.

[@ALinsdau]

Glad it was helpful!

[@tonybennett4922]

Great tips👌 Greetings from Ireland 🇮🇪

[@ALinsdau]

Thank you. I love visiting Ireland - it's a wonderful country. I hope to visit again soon.

[@tenza7545]

I tried the Mylar blanket inside my bag on a cold night and i nearly froze. Luckily it was a experiment in my front yard. The Mylar reflected to much heat back made my bag cold that made the Mylar cold. Before that I started sweating a little not much and the Mylar didn’t let the sweat escape so I was wet when i woke up. Tried it again but with the Mylar on the outside of the sleeping bag and was warm, not sweating and comfortable. I did this with a 40 degree down sleeping bag and it was in the low 30s both nights.

[@ALinsdau]

Good to note - thanks for the tips!

[@jerrycollins4893]

Great ideas

[@ALinsdau]

Thank you! 😊

[@ALinsdau]

Get items in this video on Amazon: Therm-a-Rest Z-rest: amzn.to/2HPjmWW Exped DownMat XP 9 with pump bag: amzn.to/2Vs5vw0 Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite (ultra-warm): amzn.to/2FJgN5p NeoAir Venture air mat: amzn.to/32DwBAL Smartwool Mountaineering socks: amzn.to/2WenW5H Icebreaker wool underwear mens: amzn.to/2BwRMIU Iceabreaker wool underwear women: amzn.to/32Enujt Polar neck buff: amzn.to/2MBd7XS Western Mountaineering sleeping bags on Amazon: MegaLite: amzn.to/2XJHm1H UltraLite: amzn.to/2Zw0XnN Versalite: amzn.to/2DvuoNq Antelope: amzn.to/2GxLfQf Puma: amzn.to/2GpPblW Bison: amzn.to/2pxi7no VBL Vapor Barrier Liner Hotsac: amzn.to/2Vm0ZiD Down booties: amzn.to/2RjmX1i

[@LeoJohann]

Another thing is campsite location. Not really as much you can do mountaineering, but avoid streams wet places and really windy/drafty areas. The less outdoor cold=less indoor cold :)

[@bapple74]

Best video I have ever seen on sleeping bags.👏👏👏

[@ALinsdau]

Thank you

[@andlem]

Ah, another one: Neoprene socks - they keep the feet really warm and if you ever have to get out of the sleeping bag, you can also walk with them. As a hunter I can only recommend them especially in cold and moist weather conditions. And they weigh little, are very small in pack size.

[@ALinsdau]

Good pointer!

[@pseutube]

Are they better than marino wool socks ? for winter and moist weather.

[@Florkl]

5:04 Regarding tip 7, if you look up the standards used for sleeping bag temperature rating, they already assume you are wearing a decent base layer. Long underwear (of which wool is the best) is not a suggestion, it is a necessity.

[@jez-s]

Great tips! Thanks so much!

[@ALinsdau]

You bet!

[@nledelnr]

Love the tips. I wish I had the stones to venture into deadly weather. I'd love to have a 120.00 dollar sleeping bag let alone a $1200 dollar sleeping bag.

[@ALinsdau]

Be safe! Thanks for watching!

[@bravethewildreviews]

That is some awesome tips! Thank you so much

[@ALinsdau]

Any time!

[@nedbu]

So... 1rst layer is the silk liner, 2nd the varrier and then the sleeping bag!?

[@ALinsdau]

Yes, that'd be a good stack up.

[@franny5295]

This man goes camping in life threatening cold weather and I'm just trying to make sure my child and I don't freeze if we lose power this winter. I have a tent to put up inside. I have those reflective emergency blankets that I'll line the floor of the tent with, a mattress pad that goes on the bed and makes you hot. I'll layer the reflective blankets over the outside, shiny side down, and cover it with blankets as well. I plan to tape it down with painters tape. I just bought a tetco double sleeping Fahrenheit bag rated at 0F and the polyester sheet liner that goes with it and is supposed to increase it to -10F. I also have 1 king 950 fill weight duvet and 1 twin 950 fill weight duvet. I have some handwarmers, lots of them that are supposed to last 18 hours, and a 20watt pet heating pad as well as a 50watt car blanket. We also have appropriate winter clothing and outdoor gear. Is there anything else you can think of that might help? I've already gotten firewood and and emergency heater but those won't be in use while sleeping. I also have a lantern and damp rid to put inside the tent.

[@lukam8815]

Is your house drywall or brick? also how well is it insulated. might sound obvious but also CLOSE ALL YOUR WINDOWS, if you have towels, put them below the empty space beneath the door to the room you'll be staying in

[@ALinsdau]

Drywall. Stay warm!

[@ALO00.Z]

Thanks for the tips man!

[@ALinsdau]

Thanks for watching!

[@rotemperi-glass4825]

awesome! really great stuff

[@TheWtfnonamez]

Great advice on liners and layers. I recently went on a very rainy and cool camp in the Scottish highlands. I took a British Army surplus jungle sleeping bag that was way past its prime. However, I took it with a cotton liner and a Gor Tex outer. It was plenty warm enough. A crap sleeping bag with multiple crap layers is frequently better than one sleeping bag that isnt quite rated to the task. (I also pack space blankets if things get really bad lol)

[@ALinsdau]

Great pointers! I'm hoping to hit the Scottish Highlands soon.

[@TheWtfnonamez]

@@ALinsdau Its absolutely beautiful mate, I hope you have a superb trip. Based on having a few trips now my humble advice would be ..... Obsess about researching the weather forecast, and learn the local foibles. Some areas have almost unique local weather patterns which are worth being aware of. Some coastal areas can suddenly gust and the chill factor is brutal. Similarly, some areas slightly inland can be shockingly warmer than expected. Study the forecast but also try and read something specific to the location where you are going. Prepare for rain .... and I mean "Long periods of rain, punctuated by heavier bouts of rain". The weather can be incredibly pleasant, the nights warm, BUT ... be prepared for the fact that it might be raining when you show up, and rain until you leave. Consider the size of tent you take based on the above rain factor. I took a tiny 1-man tent on my last trip and regretted it. If it rains non-stop you will have to do all of your personal admin in your tent. If your tent is so tiny you cant do that... well you are going to be getting changed out in the rain. Similarly, having a bit more room in your tent means space for drying stuff, generally being able to function under cover. Take a midge net to cover your head. Two trips were fine, but on one trip the sun came out briefly and I got badly savaged my midges and mosquitos. If the weather is just right, and its the midge season, the midges can be an absolutely biblical plague. Research your intended camping location. Mostly Scotland is Right-to-Roam and wild camping is a protected activity, but certain areas like Loch Lomond National Park have very restricted camping locations during the camping season (April to November I think). You can only wild camp on specific sites, that you need to book in advance, and some of them are absolutely terrible. Im talking semi-flooded, boggy, or hard to access wearing a pack. All the research you do in advance will pay dividends. I hope you have a great trip mate. Its beautiful country and absolutely worth seeing.

[@TheWtfnonamez]

@I W Tbh mate I tend to opt for foam pads, or an army surplus folding bed pad. They are not as comfortable or as warm as thermarest-type pads but they dont spring leaks and deflate on you.

[@johnmoore5293]

I have a wool buff but my merino wool balaclava with my down balaclava over top keeps me warmest in cold weather.

[@ALinsdau]

Nice!

[@78cobra]

Awesome video!!!!! Best one I've seen about keeping warm.

[@ALinsdau]

Thanks!

[@ourtechwriter]

Thank you!

[@ALinsdau]

Glad to help.

[@reflexreaction3797]

One tip is to put a mylar blanket on top of your mattress... And for some reason it has helped me more than putting it underneath it (as a ground cloth). Makes for a slippery bed but keeps off the cold from the ground. Before i started doing that i could alwas feel the cold from underneath in winter months, even though my mattress is snow/ ice rated.

[@ALinsdau]

Great pointer!

[@vickilinsdau8687]

Great video 👍🏻 I went camping & left my socks on & got very little sleep because my feet were so cold ⛺️

[@ALinsdau]

It's tough. Check out my book on how to keep your feet warm: amzn.to/3miYRSx

[@pepelemoko01]

Interesting point about "cold hunger" just thinking, if that is where sugary deserts came from.

[@4tdaz]

Excellent man. Thanks so much!

[@karldias1415]

His idea to move the down to your chest is interesting. I discovered that putting a folded sweater or folded shirt on your chest and stomach inside the sleeping bag will warm you up big time. Don’t wear it, put it on your chest. Also I can attest a big steak for dinner will make you burn up while your sleeping. Good tips. 👍👍

[@ALinsdau]

Great tip!

[@sergeantcrow]

Excellent ! Thank you Aaron..

[@ALinsdau]

My pleasure!

[@nj-bz8pv]

Thanks

[@ALinsdau]

Thanks for watching!

[@jimmyjames1916]

Great tips. We in the Search and Rescue business always tell folks "cotton kills."

[@ALinsdau]

Thanks for watching!

[@fjb4932]

That's a blanket statement. In summer , on the hottest days, i wet a cotton shirt, hat, along with cotton gloves. Keeps me cool and at times, cold. Very nice ...

[@JoeZUGOOLA]

Cotton's crap pal

[@JoeZUGOOLA]

@@fjb4932 but if you do that and the temperature changes you're fuggered ..cotton kills

[@fjb4932]

@@JoeZUGOOLA living on the edge, baby. Living on the edge ...

[@sergeram1436]

Great tips for winter expeditions, will use all off them , thanks , new subscriber from cold uk

[@ALinsdau]

Thanks for the sub!

[@michaelfrymus]

When I did my first winter camping trip, the outside of the sleeping bag had condensation and was getting icy. Why? How do I prevent this? I was also in a summer tent, it was only around -5C at night. there was plenty of ventilation in the tent.

[@ALinsdau]

Some use a fleece cloth on the sleeping bag. That does help if you can keep it in place.

[@MartyHuie]

at 4:45 you talked about order of mats. for increasing our value or warped. I would've thought the rigid one i.e. the folding one would go on the bottom and the air mattress will go on top. just checking to understand it better

[@ALinsdau]

I put the foam on top to reduce the amount of heat lost into the air mattress.

[@MartyHuie]

@@ALinsdau Wow, I would've had it exactly opposite. I would've thought putting the hard mattress on bottom would dramatically improve the air mattress. Good to know I will try both I would've never thought to try ridged on top at all

[@tomsitzman3952]

One of the advantages of the waffle folding mats. You can fold it over for double layer under the trunk and put your pack under your legs

[@stuartsteele9984]

Don't forget the value of chemical heaters. Good that you referenced cotton. A number of prime retail outdoor suppliers sell flannel (cotton) for winter outdoor clothing. I've sent an email to one of them without a reply. What stupidity for selling potential hypothermia (when wet) to the public.

[@ALinsdau]

Too true.

[@SofiaViviEnDo]

First of all, thanks for all this tips! May I ask you something? If I need to combine a -15 C down sleeping bag (allegedly extreme rate) with a 0C (allegadly extreme rate) synthetic sleeping bag, wich one should be closer to my body? The synthetic or the down? I am in Argentina and normally humidity is very high. Temperature may drop to around -5C.

[@ALinsdau]

Put the down next to you to prevent moisture buildup. That's what some people do in the Arctic. Curious - why would you just not use the -15ºC bag when it's only -5ºC?

[@SofiaViviEnDo]

@@ALinsdau because that is the extreme rate, not the confort rate, and I'm always cold (I am a quite thin woman). Sleeping bags available in my country (as most of the gear) are very limited and expensive due to import limitations. So the -15 (allegedly!) may be around +5 to a 0 confort. It is not a good quality down, and, it's an hybrid, as lower part is synthetic. But that is the best I can get in my budget. (It cost $200 us dollars here while a kinda good one costs $800-$1000 same temperature rate) Due to import restrictions and taxes, we are sold cheap Chinese bad quality items at an extremely expensive cost

[@SofiaViviEnDo]

@@ALinsdau and thank you so much for your answer and all the information you share!!

[@forresthickman]

Super good tips!!!

[@ALinsdau]

Glad it was helpful!

[@heathermay-id7gf]

Thank you let us know

[@ALinsdau]

Thanks for watching!

[@akashwadhwani]

Excellent !

[@ALinsdau]

Thanks for watching!

[@tracykooken2606]

sir, that ' less cloths ' is true. more cloths blocks more body heat that could reach n heat the bag. i , since a babe, dont wear cloths to bed. warms bed FASTER. many think me as a know nut'n guy. whatever. i like a like ALWAYS cuz body oil is bad for a good GOOSE down bag !! plus it is nice not to slide into a nylon/whatever lined bag cuz thats cold. liner is wamth n comfort !! ( ps.. no cloths means a better liner experiance !! no tangle !! ) all good tips boss !!!!!

[@MeAndMyRoyalEnfield]

Very helpful. Now I know why my toes froooze a few weeks ago at Alamo Lake AZ. Two pairs of cotton socks did nothing. Thank You! Adding chapters to the video would be nice.

[@ALinsdau]

Thanks for watching & for the suggestions. I've started adding chapters to my newest videos.

[@MeAndMyRoyalEnfield]

@@ALinsdau My socks came today and hopefully will be trying them out Friday night. I'm running away from home. Selling house, car, everything and going to try to stay out for 2 years on my motorcycle. Also just got SeatToSummit sleeping bag liner. I've had those emergency blankets but didn't know to put it inside my sleeping bag. I learned a lot from this one video. Thank You!

[@mcrisorius]

i use a plain, no logo hockey shirt over my light coat or down jacket to protect my it , when i cut and carry wood , good for bike ride to, walk around the camp site, for wind and snow protection over my clothes and coat + a good layer against crusty icy melt snow + i find it is better to have a flash amber burn hole on it then on my expensif coat when i do fire, and i can dry it fast to go sleep. AND i can open my coat under if i want to make air circulation and prevent over-heating when i walk without losing wind barrier or flappy coat sides in the wind, when i have my backpack. ( you can add funny name on the back if you want and leather patch on the shoulders and elbows pad for protection like english hunting vest or commando sweater, but no big crest and vynile pictures on the back, it keeps humidity, back sweat ) .

[@ALinsdau]

Nice, great tips, thank you.

[@-m4nGo-]

Hmm what system could we build for keeping warm rocks inside the bag. warm temp proof cover around the rock, then maybe wool, and then some type of temp controller layer. Ideas? :D

[@xzzdrewzzx]

Hey buddy can you recommend a budget cold weather sleeping bag? Thanks !!!

[@ALinsdau]

Check out the Ozark Trail 10 deg sleeping bag for $40 USD: www.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Trail-10F-with-Soft-liner-camping-Mummy-Sleeping-Bag-for-Adults-Red/500505553 No guarantees but can't get much cheaper than this.

[@xzzdrewzzx]

@@ALinsdau haha thank you so much!

[@nephelauxetic6207]

Thank you for your great and comprehensive videos! I am considering to get a Western Mountaineering sleeping bag to mainly use for hiking trips in northern scandinavia in late summer/fall. During this time night temperatures are just above freezing depending on elevation, but can drop down to around 17°F/-8°C. I think the 15°F/-9°C Apache bag would be suitable for me. However, it would be great to have the possibility to increase warmth by adding the Western Mountaineering Everlite as an overbag, in case i want to do tours during colder seasons later on. Western Mountaineering claims, that it adds around 10°F in warmth. And i could always add another liner bag. Maybe, this way i could get a sleep system suitable for even colder nights, without having to get the very warm Antelope bag? The weight difference between the Antelope and my proposed combination is around 200g, which is reasonable to me. Plus, The Everlite bag would be a nice summer bag for typical warm mid-european summers which would come in very handy for me. It would be a big investment, but getting two cold weather bags would be even more expensive. These would be my first Western mountaineering bags. I would be very thankful to hear your thoughts on this since you have so much experience! Thank you and keep the good content coming! :)

[@ALinsdau]

The versatility of the two bag system is pretty slick. It's a good way to avoid having to purchase too many bags. My experience has been I didn't want to mess with managing 2 bags on a cold weather trip, so I broke down and bought the Antelope. I've had the Antelope about 20 years and don't regret the expense at all.

[@nephelauxetic6207]

@@ALinsdau Thanks for your prompt answer! Yes, i guess carrying two bags is more chaotic but it would hopefully be an exception. I thought a lot about getting an Antelope too, but i am not sure if it would be an overkill for my purposes. I don't think i will do Arctic/Greenland or High-Alpine trips anytime soon, if ever. And once it gets considerably above freezing (40-50°F) it might get too hot for a 5°F/-15°C bag, right?

[@GONEWILDFILMS]

How about putting Snapz in your sleeping bag to keep warm ???

[@ALinsdau]

Never tried it.

[@Harry74613]

Thanks for the video. It was awesome and there are some new tips for me.:) I've got one question though. How do you use the down boots in combination with your VBL? If you put on anything but your baselayer in the VBL, it will get really wet inside, won't it? (Sry for any mistakes, I'm still learning the language. And second question: When do you start using your VBL, I mean like at which temperature?

[@ALinsdau]

I just put the down booties on & crawl into the VBL. nothing gets soaked. It’s just not great but it beats freezing. I add the VBL when I can’t warm up after an hour in whatever bag I’m using. That’s usually extremely cold. I’ve only needed to use it in Antarctica on -50 and below days.

[@imthebeeps]

Thanks for the tips

[@ALinsdau]

You bet

[@andrewreynolds3274]

Thanks!

[@ALinsdau]

You bet!

[@andlem]

On cold nights, I like to sleep outside with a baklava, which is a hat that also covers the face. Not to be mistaken with baklava, the sweet Turkish pastry ;-)

[@ALinsdau]

I like it!

[@indycharlie]

As with all your video's . I learned some stuff ,, ty

[@ALinsdau]

Glad to hear it!

[@gaila.8830]

Thank you so much for these amazing tips 👍😄

[@ALinsdau]

No problem 😊

[@mustardseedist]

Did you see the dome in Antarctica?

[@ALinsdau]

The dome was actually removed several years before I reached the South Pole. A new station on raised legs was placed there to better survive the drifting snow.

[@iamleek]

Thank you. Very useful tips.

[@ALinsdau]

Thanks for watching.

[@devinfleming3975]

If I add a down quilt on top of my bag will it add warmth or compress the bag too much?

[@johnmoore5293]

I would think down on top of down would work well.

[@naturallawprinciples]

Use all 20 tips & it'd probably keep ya warm in outer space lol Would using 2 sleeping bags, one inside the other, be effective or ineffective ? Thanks 4 taking time to make vid & share tips. Subscribed & liked.

[@ALinsdau]

Thanks! Personally I choose a single bag that works for the conditions. Managing two bags is a lot of work in the cold.

[@tomsitzman3952]

The new military Modular Sleep Systems use a nest of summer weight and mid weight. Part of the system includes poly Long-sleeved Tee and bottoms

[@robwoodring9437]

Assuming no pokey rocks to puncture, why wouldn't a survival mylar bivvy underneath your inflatable sleeping pad add an appreciable amount of warmth without the moisture trapping effects of putting said bivvy into your bag system?

[@ALinsdau]

A mylar sheet is a great option to put under you to help reflect heat.

[@robwoodring9437]

@ALinsdau this past weekend I camped in my backyard at 38°F for the low (still a newb testing all my new camping gear). 1person milsurp litefighter tent on a cot. Old Thermarest self-inflating pad (best guess 4+ R rating) and a new Sierra Cloud 20 bag. I slept at least as well as I do in my own bed. At one point I was *too warm* and kicked my feet out of the bag for a while. It claims to be a 20° bag, and I'm starting to believe it. With the option to layer sleep clothing as needed, a bag liner I already have, and an SOS mylar bivvy to put under my pad in the worst cold, I'm feeling confident I could sleep very well in a blizzard with this rig. It's a helluva thing to experience as a newbie. It just shouldn't be possible, but I slept hard and super comfy.

[@zmoore5555]

I found a down blanket a nice addition to add 15 or so. Used a Nemo Riff 30 down to past its comfort rating and was legit warm still. Loft is important, don't squish it.

[@ALinsdau]

Great pointer!