Why you’re always cold camping in winter

[@PDXborn]

I always suggest to put the lighter sleeping bag on the outside if you double bag. Since the dew point is moved outwards, only the thinner bag will have condensation rather than your primary bag. It's easier to dry and if it is soaked, it's the lighter bag and you still have your lower temp, thicker bag staying dry.

[@PDXborn]

Also, I use a primaloft or thinsulate woobie rather than a 2nd down bag as added bag insulation (like an over-quilt) . Multi purpose and since it is not down, stays active as insulation when wet and dries faster. Liners are fine, but I toss and turn too much and this works better for me without twisting up my liner and bag.

[@Coreycry]

just came to agree with this, for winter a synthetic over/second quilt will be the perfect sacrifical layer for condensation. I use a quilt made in Apex sheet, it is one of the easiest first sewing project if anyone is tempted to start (also cheap) If you don't want to sow, in Europe we have GramXpert selling Apex quilt (primaloft is also totally awesome material) Combo your gear choices: get a light synthetic quilt for summer use, and turn it into a second layer for deep winter! I have a Apex67/50°F , good for winter 2nd layer, but not enough for my summer I think a Apex100/60°F would be a better all-rounder

[@dereinzigwahreRichi]

In principle this is correct, but it depends on how much space each bag has inside. If you stuff your bigger, warmer bag inside of your thinner secondary bag and it gets compressed too much you'll be cold because of the missing insulation. Taking a quilt as a secondary insulation/sacrificial layer like suggested by the other commenter seems much more efficient to me: lighter, easier to dry, more flexible to use also outside at camp as a poncho, when you're not yet sleeping.

[@thegreasersoutdoors]

I do an overnight winter hike/camp once a year and always come back to your video to get a refresher. Thanks for the great content.

[@maxe_faxe]

I advise to never underestimate the pee bottle. While many people are totally against it, it is a great comfort, especially for people like me with a high metabolism.

[@richcatlin]

Why are people against it? I always use a collapsible Nalgene for my pee bottle. It’s an essential part of my gear.

[@MoonbeameSmith]

and while a tad distasteful to some, it also can act as a hot water bottle... simply make sure the lid is on tight.

[@Kerry6691]

You lucky guys! Guess us girls have to bare the cold 🥶

[@Martin-on2pp]

Yes, what is the pee solution for women???

[@tullochgorum6323]

@@Martin-on2pp Check out the Shewee.

[@plaguepandemic5651]

These tips are awesome for places that get truly cold in winter, but I'm from Arizona, which only gets sorta-cold in the winter (especially in the mountains where all the coolest trails are), and I've learned that the sorta-cold can sometimes pose greater dangers than deep cold. Moisture is definitely the big one; for one, condensation inside the tent doesn't always freeze, or at least not right away, so more than once I've woken up to my beanie and my sleeping bag being slightly wet from brushing the sides of my tent. If it is humid and only drops to about 35°F at night, that means the inside of the tent will probably be *soaked* long before the dawn comes. Everything gets damp; sleeping bag, pad, backpack, you name it. Places like this, you also tend to see winter rain as often as you see winter snow, and any kind of humidity means condensation. When it does snow, it tends to melt into a slush pretty fast, which means wet boots and wet socks. Some tips I've learned camping in this kind of weather: -Always carry at least 2 pairs of hiking socks and one pair of sleeping socks, even for a simple overnighter. -Thermal socks work awesome as sleeping socks, but if temps are too warm overnight, your feet will sweat and actually end up being colder than they would be without the socks -If something gets wet, simply keeping it inside the sleeping bag with you will dry it out, no need to wear wet clothes -If hiking through slushie-snow, tying walmart bags over your sock feet before putting your boots on will keep your feet much drier. The moisture from your sweat will be significantly less than the moisture from melting snow -You can remove your boot soles and sleep with them in your sleeping bag to reduce the amount of ice inside your boots in the morning. Sleeping with your socks will also warm them and make putting them on more comfy -If using a water filter like the popular Sawyer Squeeze, keep it in your bag with you overnight. They have water trapped inside, and water expands when it freezes, which will absolutely destroy your filter but it won't look like anything is wrong, you'll just get dysentery. It is SO easy to forget to do this and if you suspect your filter has ever been frozen, you need a new one -bring a small hand towel to wipe away condensation inside your tent. The weight is negligible and the comfort it'll bring you at night is totally worth it if condensation is a problem you face regularly -Understand how your body regulates heat. There's a lot that goes into this. If your bladder is full, your body is wasting energy (that means heat) keeping your urine warm. You'll be warmer with an empty bladder than with a full one, so make sure you get up and pee when you need to. Digestion is an exothermic chemical reaction which means "giving off heat," however this was already talked about in the video, fatty foods are better than non-fatty foods at warming you up. Hot food and drink also does wonders for warming you up. Avoid alcohol if being cold is a concern, it makes you feel warmer but that warmth is a lie, it actually causes you to shed body heat quicker. Lastly, your body uses blood to regulate warmth, so if you bring Hot Hands or other chemical hand warmers, place them in your junctional areas (armpits, inner thighs/groin) so that you warm up the blood flowing through your major arteries, this will in turn warm up your entire body. This actually works in reverse too during the summertime, applying ice or cold water bottles to these areas will cool you off much faster too😊

[@OscarHikes]

Really solid tips - thanks for commenting them!

[@dont_delay]

Great tips . Really helps me from my neck of the desert

[@pvt.reefer6163]

Ash from the camp fire is also good at absorbing moisture and humidity as well as oder.

[@Niilo2.2]

It's not nearly cold in arizona in the winter. You don't know what cold is

[@plaguepandemic5651]

@@Niilo2.2 don't be so ignorant, AZ is a huge and diverse State. The climate in Flagstaff and the climate in Tucson are totally different from one another. It regularly drops down to 15-20°F at night where I live so just try getting wet on accident and then spending the night in those conditions, they'll definitely kill you well enough. Flagstaff is on the Colorado Plataeu and is near 9000 feet elevation, they tend to have snow roughly 3/4 of the year. Either way I started my comment off with "I live in Arizona, which only gets sorta-cold" so I don't know why you even chimed in

[@Blue-pb7kz]

I agree with everything except the pee bottle. Unless it out extremely windy out, the "exertion" of getting out of the sleeping bag, getting dressed, going outside etc, typically leaves me warmer when i get back into the bag after. Plus, you get to see the stars if the weather's right.

[@ericb.4358]

TIP: Put your zipped up, hood cinched down mountain parka shell OVER THE FOOR OF YOUR MUMMY BAG.This keeps it warmer and, importantly, dry by letting melting frost only touch your parka shell. TIP: Mattress not warm enough? place "day clothing" under your mattress for more insulation.

[@justinw1765]

Some points: Especially if you use a down bag or quilt and if you're doing a trip longer than a couple of days, it is very helpful to get a thin/lightweight, very quickly drying synthetic over quilt to put on top of the much thicker and insulating bag/quilt. This helps to make sure that the moisture moves through the bag/quilt fully, and doesn't freeze while condensing near the top. 2.5 oz/yd2 Climashield Apex and similar works. (And it can do double duty as a nice, warm weather insulation piece for when the temps are around 50 or so degrees F). I'm going to be making a thin/light synthetic quilt made out of a combo of fleeced Octa fabric, with a layer of non woven polypropylene fabric above that. Polypropylene is extremely hydrophobic (so much so that it doesn't need a surface DWR treatment), it is very light/low density, and it has the lowest thermal conductivity of all the fibers commonly used for clothing (polypropylene is the secret ingredient in Thinsulate insulation--it typically contains around 65% olefin/polypropylene and the rest polyester). I'll probably treat the Octa fabric with some silicone to increase the hydrophobicity. The less that the insulation absorbs or holds onto moisture, the better. If it is really cold and/or the trip is going to be longer, then wearing non breathable clothing beneath all your layers except your baselayers, helps to minimize moisture ingress into your bag/quilt insulation (and helps to keep your skin feeling from feeling so dry). I wouldn't do this until it reaches around 0* F or so and below. Above that and it can feel too clammy. This can also be helpful when hiking in very, very cold conditions (-10* F and colder) and you need to use some kind of (thinner!) insulation layer. Again, it helps to minimize moisture ingress and freezing in the insulation layer (and also allows you to use a bit less insulation). Those sleeping bag liners are typically way overrated. They would be lucky to add even just 3 to 4* F more insulation capacity to your bag. No way they are anywhere close to 5 to 10* C (especially considering there are almost 2 degrees Fahrenheit for every 1 degree Celsius!). It is actually more thermally efficient to put a foam pad on top of the air or air/foam pad. I think it has something to do with that convective heat loss doesn't really apply to closed cell foam like it does to pads that use air, but it's been awhile since I read about this. I do remember it was the consensus take by experienced backpackers. Granted, if there is no snow on the ground, and there is sharp or potentially sharp stuff on the ground, it is better to put the foam on the ground and the air pad on top of it. One last one off the top of my head-- mittens are better than gloves for keeping your hands warm. Personally I like to wear a thin pair of gloves underneath a pair of thicker mittens so that it allows me to do any work that requires fingers and/or fine motor skills. The gloves aren't really warm enough to keep your hands warm for any length of time, but they are better than nothing for a short period of time, and then as soon as you're done, you throw your mittens back on (which should be either in your pant pockets or inside your jacket). Nope just remembered another one. When using a quilt, I have found it is helpful to sew a widish piece of UL and low CFM fabric to the bottom of the quilt. I've tried the elastric straps etc that go around the pad, but when it is cold enough, it is hard to not get drafts (especially if you are an active sleeper like myself) when using quilts in very cold weather. The thin, not very breathable material underneath helps to minimize drafts at low weight. If you pick the right fabric (I recommend tightly woven 6.6 nylon or the new high tenacity polyester fabrics in a 1 to 1.8 oz/yd2 weight and it has to be at least down proof rated, bonus if it lists 10 CFM or less), it will add only between 1 to 2 ounces or so to the quilt. It really does help to minimize those tossing and turning drafts that happen with quilts.

[@arniehoward9438]

i was surprised this info was not in the video. i only can add that a Vappor barrier liner for the sleeping bag should be considered for below 0 F conditions. happy trails

[@justinw1765]

@@arniehoward9438 Yeah, me too, which is why I put that comment there. Cheers

[@MeursaultWithFactor50]

Jesus. About a year and a half ago I camped in temperatures of -5C and made virtually ALL of the rookie mistakes you mentioned and it was by far the worst night sleep of my life. I knew I was doing something wrong, but I didn’t know what exactly. This is a great video :)

[@DanBecker]

This was a great video! I actually learned quite a bit! Keep up the good work!

[@OscarHikes]

Thanks Dan! I'm a big fan of your vids as well! 🙂

[@haimo14228]

Great video. There are surprisingly few videos with actual good winter tips. Paldies! Cheers from Sweden

[@akirahumer]

If you sleep sideways in sleeping bag then make sure to turn in the sleeping bag not with the sleeping bag because of the thinner insulation at the bottom. This way you can sleep sideways without have to worry about the cold.

[@OscarHikes]

That's a good tip! I knew I forgot to mention something! :D

[@weilu6088]

But you have to turn the head end of the bag at the same time right? Otherwise you'll be breathing into the sleep bag.

[@akirahumer]

@@weilu6088 You have to play with the sleeping bag so you can breathe out. It's definitely possible. I do this most of the time

[@4316rodney]

A proper 4 season tent is key imo. They’re heavy as hell but so worth it.

[@System-Update]

Lots of good tips on here. Sleeping pad is king but I would recommend having a non-inflating mat underneath - if your pad punctures or leaks you will survive. Also, balaclava rather than a buff but that is kind of personal preference. #1 tip that people often haven't heard is wristlets. You can basically wear a contact glove at -20 to stop yuor skin freezing to surfaces if you have decent wristlets that cover the blood vessels near in your forearms and most of the palm of your hand. The blood vessels near the surface are why checking your neck and weaing down or synthetic booties is so good as well - if the blood getting there has already cooled they won't get warm no matter how much you cover them. Plus side with wristlets is you keep the dexterity in your fingers for doing tasks like zips, velcro, etc. Cool vid, thanks!

[@calebe16]

I've been wishing to go camping but I don't have much money to try different things and need to do a lot of research before buying any gear. This was one of the most informative videos I found. Thank you very much! If I got it right, I could have a cheaper 3 season tent and invest in good mattress and sleeping bag and have this system being modulated betweenn summer and winter (0 ~ -10˚C) camping. One other thing I wanted to know is if I can use a high R-value pad for summer. It seems like I could use and just open my sleeping bag to let air in. It would be amazing if you could make a video going through how to build an all rounder camping gear cheap for beginners. Just an idea.

[@OscarHikes]

I would say a 4-season tent is really only needed for Canadian winters going below -10C. Here in Europe, for the most part, a 3-season tent is good for all-year camping, especially if you have a warm sleep system. The sleep system is definitely more important! Yeah, you could use a high R-value pad for summer. And also most sleeping bags, but you will have to sleep without a lot of clothing and maybe keep your feet outside of the bag to not oversweat. But I personally just sleep on a cheap foam mat in summers because I prefer it. I don't mind that it isn't as comfortable. I value its other benefits over this, like having more room in the backpack (because it's attached to the exterior), being puncture proof, it doesn't matter if it gets wet, and I can lay on it every break I take without having to blow anything up and worrying about getting punctures. I use the cheap foldable foam mat from Decathlon and reserve my expensive inflatable mat only for winter/late autumn camping.

[@calebe16]

@@OscarHikeswow that's valuable. Definitely the foam has lots of advantages. For me it always seems weird bc it's bulky, but you made some great points. I thought that in hot weather I could use just the inner layer and/or a puff blanket without the sleeping bag.

[@kodoffiannan]

Really useful tips! Only thing i could add is when sleeping on snow whitch is just 10-20cm deep, remove it! The Soil is always warmer....👍 Great Content, thx

[@reneap9049]

Great suggestions! I scooted against my tent in my sleep last February, woke up with wet feet and blankets…. Thanks for the advice!

[@Inkling777]

Thanks for the excellent advice. One technique you might consider is including a cotton tent liner. I once camped out on a 14,000 foot mountain at 15F below. By wearing every scrap of my clothing, including the boots, I was warm enough. What made it hard to sleep was a constant rain of ice crystals on my face. The moisture in my breath went up and froze against the tent nylon. Every gust of wind shook those ice crystals free. When I got back, I made a tent liner out of a cotton sheet. That was heavy, but thinner cotton would work as well. What's needed is a fabric that absorbs moisture so it doesn't rain down.

[@OscarHikes]

Oh wow I've never heard of cotton being used as a tent liner! It makes a lot of sense though for extremely low temperatures. That constant flow of crystals on the face definitely isn't pleasurable, I agree. :D I've seen other people using a synthetic quilt over their down sleeping bags, to protect it from becoming wet from the ice falling down on the bag. This is especially useful for 3+ day trips because you need to keep your down bag dry.

[@alikdoesit]

It is better to use a separate thermal underwear for sleeping made of modern synthetic materials than a liner for a sleeping bag. It is desirable to use it only for sleeping, but if necessary it can be used as additional insulation. Unlike thermal underwear, a liner has only 1 purpose and is really warm and a liner can be heavier and bulkier than an extra top and bottom.

[@OscarHikes]

That's true! But if you're struggling to stay warm, you can also use both! :D My GF was pretty comfortable that night I talked about in this video with temps at almost -10c with a liner, synthetic sleeping bag rated for 0c comfort, and synthetic base layer bottom and top.

[@southboundaustral]

It's conditional. A liner - if circumstances are suitable - within a sleeping bag offers an extra heat layer and an extra barrier to cold from outside. The circumstance is of course contra if you're already or becoming wet or damp. But if you can create sufficient warmth, a thermal clothing layer, liner, sleeping bag and mat(s) are a pretty good layering system. BTW the claims made by Sea to Summit for their Reactor Extreme Liner is that it adds up to 15°C. My wife uses one and she believes it adds in the range of 5 deg C to may be 7 deg C or 8 deg C. max. For 400g that's fair.

[@peoplez129]

Condensation on the walls is actually worse for staying warm, because it adds mass that can soak up heat. The whole point of a thin tent is that it creates the least amount of mass to transfer heat. Of course, thick material is more insulative, but thin material is insulative in a different way. Since ice will always be cold, the warm air in the tent is immediately lost to it, creating more surface area to transfer the heat outside. Thick materials operate on mass for retaining heat, while thin material operate on surface area to not lose heat as fast. This is why for example, even a relatively thin sheet of solid plastic can be a good insulator, because very smooth surfaces actually have less surface area than rougher surfaces. Of course it's hard to find a balance of breathability vs warmth, but ironically, many people swear by having those breathable flaps of tents doors open in winter, specifically to avoid condensation. Of course it depends exactly how cold it is, as it may be worse to leave a tent open if it's too cold, and at that point it's not really tent camping weather anyways, it's build a fire weather.

[@billmullee1]

Excellent advice for basic mountain camping. Looking forward to seeing the next one!

[@matty741]

I love that pillow. Had one about a year now and its always in my work bag just in case 😊

[@tb-nz]

Thanks for the video. You mentioned drinking some water before bed - I always drink a hot chocolate or a schnapps. It gives you the feeling of warmth and it's emotionally beneficial :)

[@plaguepandemic5651]

Any warm food you put inside you, like hot chocolate, will totally warm you up, but alcohol actually makes you lose heat faster. When you drink, your body heat comes to the surface of your skin, making you feel warm, but then it evaporates away much faster than normal. I do love a nice sip of bourbon by the campfire though, just be careful doing it if you're in a truly cold environment

[@timkuligfreemusic]

You're a braver man than I - I moved to the tropics because I don't like the cold anymore lol! Thanks for using my music in your content, Oscar :)

[@OscarHikes]

Thank you for allowing me to use your awesome music in my videos, Tim! I can't really complain because Italy isn't really the coldest country out there! :D

[@genelucky4002]

Excellant. Very comprehensive. Great job.

[@OscarHikes]

Thank you!

[@TennesseeSlim]

Keeping your water filter and batteries warm is important

[@matty741]

I spent a winter in Estonia and it was so damn cold. -32 actually. We went into Latvia in the summer and it was really good weather.

[@z0uLess]

Thanks, this is a good start. I am a total beginner with winter camping and I am going on a trip with someone that knows a fair bit so I am looking forward to getting some experience ;D

[@ImNoBSING]

I'd add that temperature and R values are personal to some degree (See what I did). I sleep on basic FDF foam mat and jerven extreme sleeping bag out to -20C if I can keep the wind off with a tarp. I am quite alone in this category, but still, when I look at my buddies sleeping systems, they have each their own taste.

[@sdfsdf421df]

finally someone saying that dressing up into bag adds to insulation (I think the myth started with dressing up adds protection to body, but not feet, thus you will have cold feet, but you address that correctly with socks). Just one question: can you elaborate more on why not to use rain jacket in bag? Because ... Say goretex jacket. Without it, all vapor released by body goes straight to outer layers and then into bag. With goretex, which is kinda breathable, also, just slower. There is no extra moisture. Actually I have very good experience sleeping in goretex, when my bag was rather wet from previous night(bad use of bivybag), the shell helped me NOT to get wet from bag, and I was surprised how much warmth the shell added. I was a little cold in the morning, sure, but I credit that to wet sleeping bag and rain, but I was completely dry. IIRC in really cold areas they even use vapor bariers not to release any vapor to the bag, which might accumulate in the bag over several days. ~ in my experience I'd say the shell isn't bad, but you must not sweat, it adds some warmth, as the heat is locked closer to your body and it's slower for cold air to 'reach' directly your body, and it can help with mishaps like wet bag, which would be otherwise rather miserable.

[@simonknight2973]

What brands of ski gloves would you recommend for the best value? I bought some Sealskinz and very disappointed, not waterproof and hands got very cold and even at 5 degrees c.

[@teerex4626]

I alway pack a small radiator that in leave on in the tent 30 minutes before bed time..

[@boris-bikepack]

just blast the pocket rocket lol

[@ihearsimon]

Terrific video - great tips. I'm leaving tomorrow morning for a trip into the winter woods here in Ontario.

[@TennesseeSlim]

Very thorough and comprehensive nice video

[@michael-lucanatt8009]

I heard Ccf pad (reflective side up) is warmer on top of air pad rather than underneath. I havent tried but cn anyone confirm

[@Blue-pb7kz]

Have tried and it definitely feels that way! I think it's because you have to warm up the whole air volume of the air pad before it feels warm to the touch, but the air trapped in the ccf pad is in tiny bubbles directly under you si the feel warm faster. I def sleep better that way. I even got a tiny 5mm torso length ccf pad for this reason in the shoulder season!

[@tribequest9]

If you take some precut trash bags and double or triple insulate your tent then you’ll cut down a lot of heat escaping.

[@robertine.atelier]

Interesting, thank you !

[@wrzlygummidge]

Nice one Man, some great tips, thanx for sharing

[@dominiknycz7912]

Is it Tarnica in Bieszczady Mountain?

[@grandefromage4607]

I am quite hairy, if I put on a tight fitting top I am usually colder than not wearing it because I have just compressed the loft on me. So I would be warmer in a bag naked than for instance wearing a compression base layer. But warmer with a loose merino layer. You also can't say a sack inflation puts no moisture into the mattress because of course all air has some moisture. And you blew into it anyway!

[@andnowi]

One pre-dawn morning in Leningrad I was given some superman fur-lined leather mittens to wear over my gloves. I also wore a pair of those massively thick felt boots over my normal boots. Then I saw the slippers in this video. So I'm wondering if I should make myself some down-filled leather gauntlets and stockings from a jacket and pillows I've picked up secondhand. Also, what about fingerless gloves as an essential for those fiddly jobs like peeing?

[@puddin94]

Nice video. Thank you😊

[@mellowmoo6747]

Great video! The production is top notch. Nalgene soft bottles make for great collapsible, high capacity pee bottles.

[@NoSecondSeason]

For the ladies, or anyone with a minge, I can recommend the shewee type devices for peeing inside your tent, well obviously into a bottle ....but that's extra weight, or rather, extra space. I use a liquid detergent rectangular, slim bottle, but still, extra space taken up.

[@Tosadar_Outdoors]

Useful tips, thanks for sharing ❤️👌🔥🤘🍻💯

[@OscarHikes]

Thanks and you're welcome!

[@johnnomcjohnno1957]

Good advice, bad jokes, these video's are awesome.

[@well-blazeredman6187]

Terrific video. I learned a lot.

[@whynottalklikeapirat]

A lot of people just generally need to settle down a bit about their home life informed ideas about body waste. When I camp I usually pee in a fairly wide used orange juice plastic bottle with that will keep about two thirds to half a litre in a sideways position and with an opening wide enough that it allows air to escape as it fills. It’s the lightest in-house restroom available. If I am out spearfishing for 3-4 hours in the arctic (or doing a scuba dive I paid good money for in some expensive location) I also most likely won’t refrain from peeing in the wetsuit, if the alternative significantly detracts from the proceedings. The only reason I wouldn’t do it is that on extended hikes when I may use it every day for a month or more, even rinsing it well afterwards in cold seawater is not quite enough to keep it from becoming a bit of a fermented experience. But it’s no biggie. Really in practical terms the only thing is that if there is too much water inside a wetsuit I find that the insulation is a bit less efficient because even though it’s briefly warm - soon enough you have to heat all that water with your body alone, and also a more sloshy suit is more likely to let water in and out during work, exertion or dives. We all wet our diapers as kids and a good portion of us probably will again before we leave this world. And the standards and emotional response many people have when it comes to changing diapers on their kids are usually completely different from how they perceive body waste more generally. As long as you generally maintain proper hygiene and wash properly, it’s just not a problem, and shouldn’t be made into more than it really is, which is just human nature.

[@jonasbeausang3411]

You forgot to talk about the size of sleepingbags. I find sleepingbags to small for me. So I prefer one or two woolblankets.

[@micheloff-grid4248]

Yes I used pee bottle for more then 30 years hot water bottles for help warm the bag But also to have liquid not frozen in the morning

[@majornova8357]

great film. thx

[@mutantthegreat7963]

Very useful, -thanks

[@jamesdean8427]

when you're sitting on the rock talking about tip no. 8, what is the brand of pants you're wearing?

[@OscarHikes]

Decathlon forclaz

[@stigfloberghagenphotography]

Grea video and advice 🙂❄️

[@andnowi]

Well, that was thorough

[@jpriddle]

Good basic tips and nice production. A few additional thoughts: 1) I’ve heard that women can use the pee bottle trick with a wider mouthed jar and using a funneling device like the P-Style. They recommend practicing in the shower first. 2) If you need to really increase warmth while in the sleeping bag/quilt, putting a rain jacket and pants on will create a vapor barrier. It’ll cause you to get damp, but at least stay warm. It also reduces the evaporation into your other insulating layers. 3) You can remove some moisture from loose knit fleeces and thinner layers by letting them freeze in the vestibule, then shake off the ice in the morning. It’ll suck putting it back on, but at least with less water in the garment. 4) Closed Cell foam mats are interesting in that they can provide more warmth than their R value indicates. Even more when they are between you and an inflatable pad. Also, Nemo’s switchback is actually recommended by them to be silver side down, since the reflective property is more protected internally than the side that is exposed to wear on the outside. 5) I’ve anecdotally found that 20” wide pads are a bit warmer than their 25” versions. I’m thinking the reduced surface area that’s against the ground and not covered by a sleeping bag/quilt is responsible. Keep up the good work!

[@petergilbert72]

Can you explain item 4 please?

[@jpriddle]

@@petergilbert72 CCF pads feeling warmer than their R rating is anecdotal and observational based on my personal experimenting and reading several other’s accounts. I find nearly the same warmth with a Nemo Switchback as a Thermarest XLite down into the mid 30F range. I was also able to take the XLite down to colder temps with the Switchback on top than underneath. I think it is due to the insulative nature of the foam vs the purely reflective properties of the inflatable. About the silver side down of the switchback, the review by The Trek talks more about why Nemo recommends this orientation.

[@petergilbert72]

@@jpriddle thanks

[@brianmgrim]

@jpriddle: I’m glad somebody here had the compassion to warn others about no VBL under all the insulation in the sleep system especially below freezing. Otherwise a clear hypothermia risk. Hal Weiss’ book ‘secrets of warmth’ helped me understand moisture management in extreme cold and exposes the ignorance on display by many self-proclaimed experts. A body length VBL or at least a body length trash bag seals even more moisture in.

[@jpriddle]

@@brianmgrim Yep. Andrew Skurka learned the lesson on his north trans-continental trek back in the day. Without a VBL, his sleeping bag became useless after a few days.

[@tomas_outdoors]

Tip #3 is a cause for Tip #6. Saying from experience. Don't drink water before going to sleep, if you drink before sleep in colder environment sooner or later you will wake up with a need to pee and you will definitely loose all your generated heat.

[@OscarHikes]

Yeah, I know, but drinking water is important, especially in winter camping. Here's a quote from MSR's website that does a good job of explaining why: "Hydration is also a key factor in how well your body functions in the cold. Allowing yourself to become dehydrated only strains your ability to stay warm. Drinking plenty of water reduces fatigue. If all that water causes the need to go in the middle of the night, do so. Your body spends energy to heat the liquid in your bladder, so the trip outside is worth it. If you’re hardcore (or really just lazy), turn an old WIDEMOUTH water bottle into a pee bottle that you can use without going outside. And while it might seem gross, sleeping with said bottle of pee (with an extremely tight-fitting lid!) is a good way to recycle that heat. Maybe save that little tip for an emergency."

[@OscarHikes]

I personally get super dehydrated in winter camping because in cold air, you usually lose much more wather through respiration. So I even drink a bit more in the middle of the night if I wake up. :D But yeah, as you said, because of this, I usually need to go out to pee at least once. I've tried not drinking anything before going to sleep, and it usually ends up with a headache the next morning.

[@tomas_outdoors]

I totally agree with you & MSR that hydration is a must! BUT in my case last water intake is 1.5 hour before I go to sleep. I prefer smooth sleep without waking up during cold nights 😄 Additionally maybe it's also depends on the body structure, because with my weight and structure I think I never experienced dizzy situations in the morning. In the end we come to solution that, we need to learn and listen a lot, but do only that fits you. 🤭 *Sveiks no Latvijas.

[@OscarHikes]

@@tomas_outdoors Yeah it totally depends on each person. If I could comfortably sleep without drinking I would definitely prefer that over exiting the tent during the night. :D If anyone else is reading this - try what Tomas is suggesting and see if it works for you! In theory, your body would have a harder time staying warm without being properly hydrated, but I would say that the loss in heat is probably minimal. Tip 3 was mostly about fatty foods though. Eating fat over carbs is more important than being hydrated. Sveiks! Prieks, ka ir arī skatītāji no LV. :)

[@don_kandon6006]

@@OscarHikes Actually, should hydrate thru-out the day (for about first 10 hours), and stop drinking towards sleep, like 2-3 hours before. Must pee before sleep (for your mentioned things... body has to warm up pee in bladder, getting out makes you cold etc). What you did in the video, is intermediate knowledge... to be a pro, have to put warm bottle, or warm pee bottle in ziplocked, water proof bag. Because if its spills, or leaks, you might be dead in winter time. The thing is, first hours of waking up, body uses water better, but towards the night, body barely uses much, and it goes to pee, thats how body works. Also if you drink fast, body makes pee faster. Gotta sip water during last 4 hours of drinking window. All info comes from phd huberman about peeing and human body. Also tips about ziplock bag comes from south pole solo explorer. Once again, key is hydration truh-out the day. If you start missing drinks in day time, and try to catch up in the evening, you will be waking up at night to pee. If you hydrate properly in day time, you will pee before sleep, and probably wont have to go to pee at all at night, or maybe once, but not multiple times.

[@68greg19]

nalgene cannot handle heat I found out , after using them for years . because 60+ C will release stuff and rupture the material according to research done so keep m cooler . Its very sad I know....

[@gnohn9366]

What kind of tent is that? Good tips.

[@OscarHikes]

Thanks! Outdoor Vitals Fortius 2p

[@stever2583]

Hmmm, I do not agree. 1. Sleep with the least amount of clothing as is practical (assuming you have a good down or reindeer sleeping bag - Down is a must - a very good one) Extra clothing makes you sweat - and then compromises the effectiveness of the sleeping bag. 2. If possible elevate from the ground (2" is plenty) 3. Have a dew cover for your bag, dew is dew... if it is present its just a matter of when the fabric or seams allow moisture inside. 4. keep you articles of clothing off the ground - preferably hung in a waterproof bag above the ground. 5. a small thin mattress should be enough... Lots of new "matresses" out but most are not worth the time to set up. Let us finally hope that you are not sleeping outdoors in anything lower than -20c because that requires a tent - a good one! Breathing becomes quite hard while prone and very cold...

[@karlis6235]

Man jau likās, ka es dzirdu latviešu akcentu. Labs video! :)

[@OscarHikes]

Paldies! Jāpiestrādā pie izrunas 😀

[@YakubFloyd]

VBL (vapour barrier liner) socks will keep your shoes dry and your feet warmer.

[@bernielamont825]

Hey Oscar, what is definition of your term wet? are you talking about more than just "damp"?

[@OscarHikes]

I could have said damp within the whole video. I probably said "wet" a few times where I instead meant damp.

[@bernielamont825]

@@OscarHikes thanks!

[@obristimagery]

This was great thanks so much! Going camping next week for an overnight and wasn't sure about doubling up my other two sleeping bags for my son so he can stay warm. Now I think he's good:)

[@OscarHikes]

No problem and I'm glad you enjoyed it! Yeah, doubling up is a great idea, despite the additional weight and space inside the backpack. For me personally, I'd rather deal with a slighly sore back rather than struggle to stay warm during the night. I've been there several times, and it just sucks... When I started out, I didnt't have money for a good winter bag, so I just used 2x summer bags. :D

[@ThenaturalmedicAdventures]

good tips ty

[@operationseekingtruth]

Mittens over gloves for winter and winter sleeping for me.

[@pozitron3548]

Thank you,nice🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@TennesseeSlim]

Whats your thoughts on outdoor vitals?

[@OscarHikes]

They sent me a lot of free gear to test without any strings attached - meaning I can say or publish whatever I want to. I haven't been using their gear for a long time, but so far, it seems well-made, super lighteweight, and designed with a lot of thought put into it. I want to test it for longer before I say much, but so far, the first impressions are really good!

[@TennesseeSlim]

@@OscarHikes thanks for your honesty I subscribed and look forward to more of your content. Im starting to share videos I see with good information. I've thought of doing my own content but then I see great videos like this. Keep it up.

[@georgemaxwell3997]

The biggest reason why you are getting cold is right behind you. Only a fool would use in winter a "tent" intended for mild summer camping. It's basically just a tarp with the wind blowing through and horrible condensation, especially in the winter. The best idea is to use a tunnel shaped double walled (meaning a solid inner) real tent.

[@OscarHikes]

A dedicated winter tent would definitely work better, I agree. But it wouldn't weigh 978 g. :) Saying that it's the biggest reason why people are cold is a gross overstatement though. Sleeping pad and bag are way more important.

[@georgemaxwell3997]

I have been hiking for 50 years in the cold climates of western and northern Canada and always found that a tent with a true double wall is much more enjoyable even in the summer and vital in the winter. Unfortunately, the tent makers are more swayed by kinder and sunnier places like California and so make no effort to make reasonably light double wall tents, but rather only heavy "expedition" style ones. More are available in Europe, but even makers like Hilleberg don't really fill the need. As a result, I've been making my own tents for years, all of which have survived some really adverse weather, so it's possible. My favorite now is a sloping tunnel design, using three light 0.344 inch Easton poles (please pardon the Imperial measures), 1.1 oz/yd^2 ripstop nylon for the body, 1.3 oz/yd^2 silicone treated nylon for the fly, lower tent sides and doors, while using a slightly heavier 1.6 oz/yd^2 fabric for the floor. The total weight of such a tent ranges between 1300 and 1800 grams, but consider the advantages: It can be pitched anywhere, from a valley bottom to the top of a glaciated peak and will survive lots of wind and use a minimal amount of space and you get to use your trekking poles. The inner tent keeps the heat in and wind and snow out. Any condensation forming on the inside of the fly falls on the inner body and not on your sleeping bag. I have always stayed dry and comfortable. The front door can be opened in the rain, so you can look at the view, while heating up some tea outside. With a small zippered window in the lower end, you can get air circulating through the tent, or close it tightly to exclude any snow. The current obsession with using trekking poles has resulted mostly in weak "pup tent" designs, drafty, cold, and prone to condensation, which can even be dangerous in prolonged bad weather. @@OscarHikes

[@peoplez129]

@@OscarHikes I think the mistake some people make with camping is that they try to go lighter....but end up having to make up for it with more stuff that actually ends up weighing the same or more anyways. So each individual item might weigh less, but what do they weigh combined? For example, if a better tent weighs more, but you need a second bag layer to stay warm, even if a thinner one, how much does that thinner tent + extra bag layer weigh together compared to the better tent alone?

[@FastEddy396]

Keep a trash bag just for your footwear. Put footwear in bag and place bag in your sleeping bag. That way your footwear are not ice boxes in the morning.

[@MoosebearAdventures]

Nice vid. 😊

[@cyrusarian8256]

good explanation thanks

[@YakubFloyd]

Get some pork fat (lard) instead of olive oil. Much healthier and more calorie dense :)

[@bmo6475]

Throw in some hand warmers at the bottom of the bag. Toasty toes

[@michalurbanful]

I put a tarp on the ground, then I put my sleeping bag on the tarp, then I put my inflatable mat inside my sleeping bag, then I put myself on my inflatable mat, then I put another tarp over all this mess and then I sleep. :D

[@VoyagerEugen]

Hot Sandwich

[@arniehoward9438]

VBL should be added to the lost

[@pio7763]

What about number 2? How to do it when you're a nervous pooper. I need time and privacy. Cannot do it quickly in the bushes like a crazy person. I fear other people will see me during and this blocks me even more.

[@OscarHikes]

As with exercise, you get used to it over time - it's just in your head. We're pretty much animals, but we basically made up a rule that number 2 needs to be private. So in reality, who cares if anyone sees you - it's not the end of the world! Also, when you hike for very long, like at least 2 weeks, what happens to your body is that when you need to do a number 2, you need to do it quick. It's like "oh I think I need to shit", and 5 minutes later you think you're about to shit your pants. :D So I've done it some weird places! :D That's why you see a lot of marathon runners shitting themselves.

[@villhelm]

The right food to stay warm in winter is animal fat, not biscuits.

[@antistaticandi]

Oh good lord. He said olive oil works. Nuts work. Coconut oil works. Chocolate/cocoa butter works. He didn't say biscuits. Nobody asked for your hegemonic views on nutrition.

[@glennwatson3313]

I'm am a big believer in a hot water bottle.

[@stever2583]

Its funny how the quality of the sleeping bag isn't even mentioned by most... That is your only real lifeline... all the rest are precautions and good to do's! Just saying as an Avid outdoor Canadian.

[@sofidoni3887]

ok

[@user-oo8xp2rf1k]

Be very careful when using the bottle at night. It's a great idea. But be careful, I know this from experience.

[@lexloose2112]

and make sure your water and pee bottles have different types of type so you can tell them apart in the dark, you only do it once and you'll learn ha

[@gregmarsters2434]

Or... don't tent camp in crazy cold unless in an emergency. I know, I know, recreation is in the eye of the beholder :P

[@TheSietch]

…but I’m not always cold while camping in winter. Mostly I’m quiet comfortable:-)

[@dereinzigwahreRichi]

To Tip No. 7 I have to say: no, No and NO! That's BS and you everyone can find this out if you bother testing it! Yes, you should wear warm underwear, socks etc. but NOT your entire insulation gear. Insulation works by trapping warm air around your body. For this it needs room to expand. If you wear too much inside of of your sleeping bag neither your insulating clothing's nor your sleeping bag's insulating material will have this room to expand because the available space is limited by the outer shell of your sleeping bag! So you'll just have more material in your sleeping bag you need to heat up with your body but that doesn't keep you warm as it is compressed insulation. In tip no. 1 you talked about letting your sleeping bag decompress as long as possible to reach its maximum insulation ability, with wearing everything you have inside it you'll achieve the opposite effect. And yes, I have tried it.

[@ChadFarthouse-h8r]

Gee i wonder why its cold in winter ?

[@EmilFromEarth]

you are using a 3 season tent in winter, why

[@BrianSheppard]

"While sleeping you should avoid moving." I don't understand. While I am sleeping I am literally unconscious....

[@ghiossoluca4777]

2 euros for an alluminum blanket to put on the floor and you go from sleep less night to dreaming.

[@maxvcollenburg]

What a cool spot, where did you film this? 😄🏔

[@OscarHikes]

Thanks! Halfway up Monte Calvo, Abruzzo: maps.app.goo.gl/HiqhV7o1funTybeb9 Fun fact, I woke up at 06:00 and walked over 30 km that day to film this video. I wanted to film it in a cool spot, but my car was broken. This was the nearest place that fit the bill in a walking distance from my home. On my way home, it got dark, so I went through the last 10km on my flashlight. It wasn't easy walking too because the fastest way was through overgrown trails, where I pretty much had to navigate constantly looking at my phone, because you could barely see any signs of a trail. It was a fun day! :D

[@ERICWAGNERSLUCID]

Thermos instead of the nalgene

[@Bluemerlehikes]

You can also use the pee bottle as a hot water bottle🤣

[@penninewild5970]

Ditch the 3 season tent and use a 4 season one

[@LoremIpsum1970]

My mother was a girl guide in the 50s and says put you hands between your thighs to keep your hands warm...

[@terryowen7449]

A sensible person just stays home ... by the fire.

[@Northanteus]

You went up to sleep down. 🤔

[@nomadmarauder-dw9re]

The title says it all. Its WINTER. It's COLD.

[@OscarHikes]

Valid point 😀

[@levosgiendesforets]

other advice! NOT BUYING A SINGLE WALL TENT (i hate single wall tent ;)

[@paaaatrika]

I'm less than 3 minutes in and I already don't agree with a bunch of stuff. It's a myth that heat dissipates more from your head, it's just that it's the last part people cover up normally, so when you Do put a beanie on you feel warmer, which make sense. If you put a beanie on and no gloves or socks you'd get just as cold. This is easily verifiable through a quick google search and has been long debunked. Or so I thought. Fat is the least thermic macro nutrient. Protein is best because it requires the most energy to break down and utilize, thus creating heat. Ever heard of "meat sweats"? Carbs would be a close second but would probably end up being better anyway in the sense that you can pack a lot of it with you a lot easier than protein. But of course most bars and freeze-dried food is a mix of everything anyway. Really, the biggest piece of the puzzle here is just the amount of energy you eat. More energy (food) eaten will result in a greater thermic effect. I'm sure most people who have overeaten knows this.

[@peoplez129]

You don't necessarily lose more heat through your head, what really happens is that since your face generally has less fat layers, there are areas that are primarily bone and thin skin, so it doesn't retain heat as well as other parts of your body.

[@mpwasz1]

Good honest video! Well done!

[@swedishwilderness]

Use reindeer skin Nothing beats it