Really warm socks?
December 5, 2011 11:11 PM Subscribe
I'd like to sleep a night outside this winter. I've slept outside previously at near-freezing temperatures, and woken up with my feet uncomfortably cold because I kicked the blankets off during the night. Since Chicago can go below freezing during the winter, I'm worried about frostbitten toes. Is this a realistic concern? What can I do to prevent it? (Of course, the obvious solution is to buy a space-age sleeping bag, but I'd rather not spend so much for a rare event.)
You can rent sleeping bags from REI.
Where and how are you planning to do this?
posted by hydrophonic at 11:17 PM on December 5, 2011 [2 favorites]
Where and how are you planning to do this?
posted by hydrophonic at 11:17 PM on December 5, 2011 [2 favorites]
There seems to be a lot of research in this space (of sleeping outside in winter) from Nordic countries, here's a recent news article:
The old Finnish custom of putting babies to sleep outdoors in winter now has scientific backing. A study by the University of Oulu finds that babies who take their naps outside in the fresh air sleep up to three times as long as those slumbering indoors.
“Yesterday when it was -11 degrees Celsius, ten-month old twins Anni and Aatu slept 3.5 hours outside, but this morning they just took a one-hour nap inside,” says mom Outi Rajanen, echoing study findings.
Special precautions should, however, be taken when putting infants to sleep outdoors, notes researcher Marjo Tourula. Babies need to be bundled warmly and should not be left out for extended periods.
According to Tourola, -5C is the optimal temperature for outside slumber. The study indicated that parents seem to know how to dress their babies adequately at this temperature.
The practice of parking sleeping babies outside became widespread nearly a century ago, when it was first promoted by the father of Finland's maternal health clinic system, Arvo Ylppö
I'm guessing any recommendations for dressing babies will be helpful - here's a bit:
Special attention must be paid to protecting the feet, hands and head from the cold. First put on socks which draw moisture away from the skin and do not chafe, then some wool socks and finally comfortable, properly insulated winter footwear with non-slip soles. Nothing will ruin the fun of outdoor activities faster than frozen feet. Gloves should be roomy with a warm lining. Headgear should protect the ears properly, and in very cold weather a silk balaclava is excellent for protecting the face.
Remember the Finnish saying: "There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing."
posted by infini at 11:18 PM on December 5, 2011 [13 favorites]
The old Finnish custom of putting babies to sleep outdoors in winter now has scientific backing. A study by the University of Oulu finds that babies who take their naps outside in the fresh air sleep up to three times as long as those slumbering indoors.
“Yesterday when it was -11 degrees Celsius, ten-month old twins Anni and Aatu slept 3.5 hours outside, but this morning they just took a one-hour nap inside,” says mom Outi Rajanen, echoing study findings.
Special precautions should, however, be taken when putting infants to sleep outdoors, notes researcher Marjo Tourula. Babies need to be bundled warmly and should not be left out for extended periods.
According to Tourola, -5C is the optimal temperature for outside slumber. The study indicated that parents seem to know how to dress their babies adequately at this temperature.
The practice of parking sleeping babies outside became widespread nearly a century ago, when it was first promoted by the father of Finland's maternal health clinic system, Arvo Ylppö
I'm guessing any recommendations for dressing babies will be helpful - here's a bit:
Special attention must be paid to protecting the feet, hands and head from the cold. First put on socks which draw moisture away from the skin and do not chafe, then some wool socks and finally comfortable, properly insulated winter footwear with non-slip soles. Nothing will ruin the fun of outdoor activities faster than frozen feet. Gloves should be roomy with a warm lining. Headgear should protect the ears properly, and in very cold weather a silk balaclava is excellent for protecting the face.
Remember the Finnish saying: "There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing."
posted by infini at 11:18 PM on December 5, 2011 [13 favorites]
I've done a lot of camping, wilderness backpacking, and I love love to sleep outdoors on the beach.
SmartWool Socks are your friend here. I would double up for extra warmth.
Um, you are sleeping under blankets? It is the condensation from your body meeting the cold air of outside or the ground that gets you. Look into extra insulation with wicking properties. This is what down sleeping bags are made for! Also, synthetic thermal underwear, the type you would get for skiing or hiking. I like stuff made of Capilene. Mine has lasted a lifetime.
I also have a silk turtle neck long sleeve made for skiing that I LOVE.
Have fun!
posted by jbenben at 11:25 PM on December 5, 2011 [1 favorite]
SmartWool Socks are your friend here. I would double up for extra warmth.
Um, you are sleeping under blankets? It is the condensation from your body meeting the cold air of outside or the ground that gets you. Look into extra insulation with wicking properties. This is what down sleeping bags are made for! Also, synthetic thermal underwear, the type you would get for skiing or hiking. I like stuff made of Capilene. Mine has lasted a lifetime.
I also have a silk turtle neck long sleeve made for skiing that I LOVE.
Have fun!
posted by jbenben at 11:25 PM on December 5, 2011 [1 favorite]
Yes, rental, REI rents quality stuff. If not, a Nalgene full of really hot water by your feet is awesome and lasts longer than you would think. Hell, I toss one in even though I do have a space-age sleeping bag.
Oh, and they make toe warmers that adhere to the bottom of your socks that are pretty great; maybe put a set on light thin socks and then put another pair of looser and heavier socks over the light socks and warmer.
posted by charmedimsure at 11:47 PM on December 5, 2011 [1 favorite]
Oh, and they make toe warmers that adhere to the bottom of your socks that are pretty great; maybe put a set on light thin socks and then put another pair of looser and heavier socks over the light socks and warmer.
posted by charmedimsure at 11:47 PM on December 5, 2011 [1 favorite]
You want Integral Designs Hot Socks
And a insulated layer between you and the ground. If you're not backpacking nay kind of heavy thick foam/ insulated type sleeping pad will do fine. An uninsulated air mattress will make you colder so don't use one of those.
For one night outside, as long as you are close to shelter, you can sleep under any kind of blanket you want that's warm enough. Space age sleeping bags are warm AND LIGHT. Regular old blankets or feather beds are just warm. Several think blankets is warmer than one thin one, for the same reason down is warm: traps air.
Down doesn't wick btw, just the opposite.
posted by fshgrl at 11:52 PM on December 5, 2011
And a insulated layer between you and the ground. If you're not backpacking nay kind of heavy thick foam/ insulated type sleeping pad will do fine. An uninsulated air mattress will make you colder so don't use one of those.
For one night outside, as long as you are close to shelter, you can sleep under any kind of blanket you want that's warm enough. Space age sleeping bags are warm AND LIGHT. Regular old blankets or feather beds are just warm. Several think blankets is warmer than one thin one, for the same reason down is warm: traps air.
Down doesn't wick btw, just the opposite.
posted by fshgrl at 11:52 PM on December 5, 2011
think = think and think = thick. Several thin blankets are better than one thick one.
posted by fshgrl at 11:53 PM on December 5, 2011
posted by fshgrl at 11:53 PM on December 5, 2011
If you're sleeping nearby an electrical socket (maybe you're sleeping just outside your house), get an electric blanket, two spare blankets and 2 pairs of wool socks. This works well for sleeping on a couch I have outside in the Pacific Northwest winter.
posted by EsotericAlgorithm at 12:11 AM on December 6, 2011
posted by EsotericAlgorithm at 12:11 AM on December 6, 2011
... and woken up with my feet uncomfortably cold because I kicked the blankets off during the night
What you need is a bivy sack.
posted by cosmologinaut at 12:18 AM on December 6, 2011
What you need is a bivy sack.
posted by cosmologinaut at 12:18 AM on December 6, 2011
Thumbs down to the person who recommended SmartWool socks for you. For two pair of those and some ingenuity, you can buy a sleeping bag that will work. Maybe augment a crappy bag with a fleece liner, found at Walmart (don't hate, they're going to come from China no matter where you buy them from) or your local mom and pop camping store.
Just buy a sleeping bag. You can use them more than once, you know.
posted by victory_laser at 2:12 AM on December 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
Just buy a sleeping bag. You can use them more than once, you know.
posted by victory_laser at 2:12 AM on December 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
Camping stores will sell aluminium first aid emergency heat blankets - I haven't used one myself but they're meant to be exceptional at retaining body heat.
Other than that, go for layers. Wool if you can.
posted by twirlypen at 2:37 AM on December 6, 2011
Other than that, go for layers. Wool if you can.
posted by twirlypen at 2:37 AM on December 6, 2011
There's something I've always wanted to try. I saw it once on a cowboy-type film. You make your camp fire and then once it has burnt to embers, you scrape them into a shallow pit that you have dug out (it seemed to be 10 cm deep and about a meter and a half long) and then you cover the embers over with the earth. Should in theory keep you warm all night. Although in the movie, the cowboy suddenly jumps up when the embers have burnt a hole i the sleeping bag.
posted by guy72277 at 3:22 AM on December 6, 2011
posted by guy72277 at 3:22 AM on December 6, 2011
Space-age sleeping bags come in 2 flavors. Gosh-darned-expensive - very lightweight and compresses into the size of a pillow, for the hikers; and not as expensive, but not as compressable, nor as light, but still very warm.
Depending on your budget, you might take a look at the second type.
posted by fragmede at 4:02 AM on December 6, 2011
Depending on your budget, you might take a look at the second type.
posted by fragmede at 4:02 AM on December 6, 2011
Outdoors in very cold weather you actually want the opposite of wicking--the amount of energy lost as sweat evaporates is tremendous (consider...sweating!) and you want to keep your sleeping bag dry, esp. if it's down. You can get a vapor barrier liner ("For use in temperatures well below freezing") or you can use one of the mylar emergency bags, as mentioned upthread, inside the bag. If you're using it for this purpose, make sure you get the emergency bag and not the emergency blanket type, which is much more common.
posted by pullayup at 4:41 AM on December 6, 2011
posted by pullayup at 4:41 AM on December 6, 2011
Whether frostbite is a realistic concern depends on what kind of temperatures you plan on sleeping outside in, what kind of shelter you have from the wind, and whether you have any medical conditions that would cause poor circulation. For 20-30° F, a tent or sleeping bag, and good health, probably not, but a few layers of socks would be a good idea no matter what.
As for keeping warm more generally, I'd like to second the suggestions for thermal underwear, a sleeping pad and a good sleeping bag (or a cheap one in addition to the blankets you already have). Emergency heat blankets, from my limited experience, are probably very effective for bare survival, but offer little to nothing in terms of comfort and are one-use-only (even if you manage to refold them, much of the aluminum will have flaked off). It won't hurt to have one with, though, nor will chemical hand warmers or more added layers than you think you'll need.
posted by marakesh at 4:49 AM on December 6, 2011
As for keeping warm more generally, I'd like to second the suggestions for thermal underwear, a sleeping pad and a good sleeping bag (or a cheap one in addition to the blankets you already have). Emergency heat blankets, from my limited experience, are probably very effective for bare survival, but offer little to nothing in terms of comfort and are one-use-only (even if you manage to refold them, much of the aluminum will have flaked off). It won't hurt to have one with, though, nor will chemical hand warmers or more added layers than you think you'll need.
posted by marakesh at 4:49 AM on December 6, 2011
I have slept outside (well, in an uninsulated shelter, which had a floor of wooden pallets, so I wasn't in direct contact with the ground, and wind was not a concern) in subzero temperatures, and did not get frostbite. I slept in longjohns, a sweater, two pairs of socks, mittens, and a hat, and two sleeping bags. That's probably overkill for you, but it depends on your tolerance for cold. I woke up cold but not dangerously so.
posted by rtha at 5:49 AM on December 6, 2011
posted by rtha at 5:49 AM on December 6, 2011
I camped outside in the winter for work for a few months. All the suggestions here made the nights tolerable but what really turned them around was boiling water, putting it in a Nalgene bottle, and stowing that by my feet in the sleeping bag. I've also heard of people putting hot water bottles near their groins for the same effect.
I use what's probably one step below a "space-age" sleeping bag and find its insulation most effective when I use it with two sleeping pads and when I only wear long underwear and (dry!!!!) wool socks.
posted by thewestinggame at 6:06 AM on December 6, 2011
I use what's probably one step below a "space-age" sleeping bag and find its insulation most effective when I use it with two sleeping pads and when I only wear long underwear and (dry!!!!) wool socks.
posted by thewestinggame at 6:06 AM on December 6, 2011
The aluminum first aid blanket twirlypen mentioned costs about $4 and has worked for me. Basically, you make a burrito with your blanket wrapped around your insulating layers. Insulation from the ground is a must, so you'll need more than just blankets or a sleeping bag. The solid ensolite foam pads are pretty cheap. I have ultralight backpacking friends who use the reflective shields you put in your car windshield to keep the sun out in the summer. There are a couple of models that are kinda like bubble wrap covered by an emergency blanket, and that's what they use for their sleeping pad. Very light, very cheap.
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 6:09 AM on December 6, 2011
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 6:09 AM on December 6, 2011
You don’t really say if this is going to be a camping-type trip with a tent and sleeping bag or if you want to simulate being homeless for a night and curl up with wool blankets and newspapers. I’ll assume somewhere in the middle.
Here is what you want: Insulation, circulation, hydration. Also some nutrition and protection from the elements.
Insulation: Ideally you’d have a down or synthetic sleeping bag rated to the temperature you’ll be out in. This should be a mummy-type bag that you can close down around your head with only a small hole to breath through. For a night out you’ll be ok if the bag isn’t rated low enough. My zero-degree bag has kept me alive and somewhat comfortable at -22. As others have said, outdoor stores such as REI will be happy to rent you a bag. If you want to go the blanket route, then just have enough blankets and, here’s the key, make it so you can’t kick them off. Essentially turn them in to a sleeping bag. Sew them, cut holes in them and use tie-wraps, or even wrap a couple belts of duct-tape around them. You want to make a burrito and you’re the beans. Make sure the end by your feet is closed off.
If you don’t have or want a winter bag but you can scrounge up a couple regular sleeping bags you can always put one inside the other.
Because whatever insulation your bag provides will be crushed by your weight, you want some better insulation between you and the ground. Ideally this will be a closed cell foam or Thermarest-style inflatable sleeping pad. Your mom’s air mattress ain’t gonna cut it. If you don’t have or want a pad, then just put some extra blankets or other uncompressible stuff below you. A few stacks of newspapers or some cardboard will help too. In winter this insulation should be long enough and wide enough so that no part of you is touching the ground. A small tarp or plastic sheet on the ground is nice too.
Clothing: Long underwear tops and bottoms. The warmest you can get. Synthetic. Head to toe. And a hat. And a baraclava. Assuming your bag/blankets are warm enough, that might be all you need. Avoid wearing so much clothing you compress the insulation you have. A down jacket, for instance, is only going to crush down and won’t really do much good. Over your underwear you can wear jeans and a flannel shirt or wool sweater (if in the city) or non-cotton (fleece or wool) if you’re in the woods somewhere.
Socks! Two or three pairs, starting with a thin liner. Don’t wear your shoes to bed, though you might want to put them in a plastic bag inside your sleeping bag so they don’t freeze overnight. Outdoor stores sell down booties that are like sleeping bags for your feet. These are great for walking around camp at night, though probably overkill for inside your bag. Make sure your socks aren’t too tight, which brings us to…
Circulation: Extra socks aren’t going to do any good if you can’t wiggle your toes. You want your blood to circulate down there. Wear a liner sock against your skin and then one or two more thick pairs that are loose enough so they’re not cutting off circulation. This is why you don’t wear your shoes/boots to bed. You want your toes nice and free.
If you have access to hot water, toss a Nalgene-type bottle (put it in a sock so you don’t get burned) of very hot water down by your feet (and curl up with another one). Make sure they’re decent bottles that aren’t going to leak.
Hydration: Drink enough before bed and during the night. This will help your flood flow. Hey, you’ve got those water bottles in bed with you, make use of them! Bring a thermos of non-caffeinated beverage or heat up a brew on your camp stove. Herbal tea is good. Drink water. If you’re worried about peeing in the middle of the night, either have a pee bottle handy so you can do it in your bag (a Nalgene is fine for this, just don’t mix it up with your other bottles!) or get out and pee as soon as you feel the urge. The temptation is to hold it as if it’ll go away, but it won’t. Just go do it. It’s never as bad as you think it will be. Unless there’s a blizzard outside the tent. That’s not fun.
Nutrition: Sugar. On winter backpacking trips we used to drink a quart of hot Jell-o before bed. The sugar would burn all night long and help keep us warm. Also have a couple chocolate or Snickers bars handy. If you wake up cold at night just eat them and it’ll help keep you warm.
Protection from the elements: You’ll be a lot warmer and more comfortable in a tent. If you don’t have a tent just get out of the wind. Shelter behind a rock or a building or whatever. If you can make a snow shelter such as an igloo that will keep you very warm and as an added bonus it is dead quiet inside a snow shelter. A bivy sack will also work, or a tarp in a pinch.
The temptation might be to be as warm as possible. What you don’t want to do is sweat as that will just make you colder overnight. Start out a bit cold and you will warm up once your body generates some heat, provided you’re well fed and hydrated.
This is totally doable and can be a lot of fun.
The hard part is getting out in the morning. That’s a whole ‘nother post.
posted by bondcliff at 6:09 AM on December 6, 2011 [4 favorites]
Here is what you want: Insulation, circulation, hydration. Also some nutrition and protection from the elements.
Insulation: Ideally you’d have a down or synthetic sleeping bag rated to the temperature you’ll be out in. This should be a mummy-type bag that you can close down around your head with only a small hole to breath through. For a night out you’ll be ok if the bag isn’t rated low enough. My zero-degree bag has kept me alive and somewhat comfortable at -22. As others have said, outdoor stores such as REI will be happy to rent you a bag. If you want to go the blanket route, then just have enough blankets and, here’s the key, make it so you can’t kick them off. Essentially turn them in to a sleeping bag. Sew them, cut holes in them and use tie-wraps, or even wrap a couple belts of duct-tape around them. You want to make a burrito and you’re the beans. Make sure the end by your feet is closed off.
If you don’t have or want a winter bag but you can scrounge up a couple regular sleeping bags you can always put one inside the other.
Because whatever insulation your bag provides will be crushed by your weight, you want some better insulation between you and the ground. Ideally this will be a closed cell foam or Thermarest-style inflatable sleeping pad. Your mom’s air mattress ain’t gonna cut it. If you don’t have or want a pad, then just put some extra blankets or other uncompressible stuff below you. A few stacks of newspapers or some cardboard will help too. In winter this insulation should be long enough and wide enough so that no part of you is touching the ground. A small tarp or plastic sheet on the ground is nice too.
Clothing: Long underwear tops and bottoms. The warmest you can get. Synthetic. Head to toe. And a hat. And a baraclava. Assuming your bag/blankets are warm enough, that might be all you need. Avoid wearing so much clothing you compress the insulation you have. A down jacket, for instance, is only going to crush down and won’t really do much good. Over your underwear you can wear jeans and a flannel shirt or wool sweater (if in the city) or non-cotton (fleece or wool) if you’re in the woods somewhere.
Socks! Two or three pairs, starting with a thin liner. Don’t wear your shoes to bed, though you might want to put them in a plastic bag inside your sleeping bag so they don’t freeze overnight. Outdoor stores sell down booties that are like sleeping bags for your feet. These are great for walking around camp at night, though probably overkill for inside your bag. Make sure your socks aren’t too tight, which brings us to…
Circulation: Extra socks aren’t going to do any good if you can’t wiggle your toes. You want your blood to circulate down there. Wear a liner sock against your skin and then one or two more thick pairs that are loose enough so they’re not cutting off circulation. This is why you don’t wear your shoes/boots to bed. You want your toes nice and free.
If you have access to hot water, toss a Nalgene-type bottle (put it in a sock so you don’t get burned) of very hot water down by your feet (and curl up with another one). Make sure they’re decent bottles that aren’t going to leak.
Hydration: Drink enough before bed and during the night. This will help your flood flow. Hey, you’ve got those water bottles in bed with you, make use of them! Bring a thermos of non-caffeinated beverage or heat up a brew on your camp stove. Herbal tea is good. Drink water. If you’re worried about peeing in the middle of the night, either have a pee bottle handy so you can do it in your bag (a Nalgene is fine for this, just don’t mix it up with your other bottles!) or get out and pee as soon as you feel the urge. The temptation is to hold it as if it’ll go away, but it won’t. Just go do it. It’s never as bad as you think it will be. Unless there’s a blizzard outside the tent. That’s not fun.
Nutrition: Sugar. On winter backpacking trips we used to drink a quart of hot Jell-o before bed. The sugar would burn all night long and help keep us warm. Also have a couple chocolate or Snickers bars handy. If you wake up cold at night just eat them and it’ll help keep you warm.
Protection from the elements: You’ll be a lot warmer and more comfortable in a tent. If you don’t have a tent just get out of the wind. Shelter behind a rock or a building or whatever. If you can make a snow shelter such as an igloo that will keep you very warm and as an added bonus it is dead quiet inside a snow shelter. A bivy sack will also work, or a tarp in a pinch.
The temptation might be to be as warm as possible. What you don’t want to do is sweat as that will just make you colder overnight. Start out a bit cold and you will warm up once your body generates some heat, provided you’re well fed and hydrated.
This is totally doable and can be a lot of fun.
The hard part is getting out in the morning. That’s a whole ‘nother post.
posted by bondcliff at 6:09 AM on December 6, 2011 [4 favorites]
guy72277 that movie is Jerimiah Johnson.
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 6:14 AM on December 6, 2011
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 6:14 AM on December 6, 2011
This guy stuffed towels into his pants and around his feet.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 7:10 AM on December 6, 2011
posted by JohnnyGunn at 7:10 AM on December 6, 2011
You don't need anything space-aged. You can save money on buying military surplus cold-weather sleeping bags.If you want to go the cheap route then sew a mummy bag out of some heavy wool blankets. If you kick yourself out of a mummy bag in the middle of the night, maybe cold weather sleeping is not right for you!
posted by JJ86 at 7:30 AM on December 6, 2011
posted by JJ86 at 7:30 AM on December 6, 2011
This is what blanket pins are for, I think. You pin the blankets together so they don't come off your feet.
posted by Jahaza at 7:35 AM on December 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Jahaza at 7:35 AM on December 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
Guys its one night. In Chicago. Building igloos seems like overkill. Just bring enough stuff to stay warm but not so much stuff you overheating and kick the blankets off and you'll be fine.
posted by fshgrl at 9:14 AM on December 6, 2011
posted by fshgrl at 9:14 AM on December 6, 2011
Assuming you have gear which will keep you warm in the cold (insulating pad, good covers), the biggest problem I've had sleeping cold is draft control. I'm warmer in a tent in the snow than in a mountain hut, for example, because the hut is drafty and you're often sleeping on benches with air-flow below you. The tent keeps drafts away and direct contact with the ground (with an insulator) means less heat loss down. One of the big benefits of "space-bags" is that they have drawstrings or velcro closures at the head to keep the drafts off your body.
My big trick sleeping out without a tent is to find an evergreen that extends to the ground and sleep under it near the trunk. A good spruce is practically wind-proof, you can use boughs to make quite a comfortable base layer (short boughs stuck at 45 degree angles in the snow to form a mattress). Trees produce a bit of residual heat too---it's warmest near the trunk. With just a bag, this can be quite comfortable. Large bushes work ok too, but I prefer a good big blue spruce, if I can find one.
Water can be a problem too, but mostly in the form of sweat. eing cold is bad, but you don't want to be too hot in your bag either. Condensation can form a thermal bridge and cool you off as well. Vapour and sweat management is another thing modern bags do better than blankets. However, I find that wool blankets work reasonably well.
I disagree a bit on socks, particularly smartwool ones which have lycra in them. I find they make my feet colder. Loose-fitting cheap work-socks work better for me. My rule of thumb is that tight clothing is bad, loose is good for sleeping.
posted by bonehead at 9:25 AM on December 6, 2011
My big trick sleeping out without a tent is to find an evergreen that extends to the ground and sleep under it near the trunk. A good spruce is practically wind-proof, you can use boughs to make quite a comfortable base layer (short boughs stuck at 45 degree angles in the snow to form a mattress). Trees produce a bit of residual heat too---it's warmest near the trunk. With just a bag, this can be quite comfortable. Large bushes work ok too, but I prefer a good big blue spruce, if I can find one.
Water can be a problem too, but mostly in the form of sweat. eing cold is bad, but you don't want to be too hot in your bag either. Condensation can form a thermal bridge and cool you off as well. Vapour and sweat management is another thing modern bags do better than blankets. However, I find that wool blankets work reasonably well.
I disagree a bit on socks, particularly smartwool ones which have lycra in them. I find they make my feet colder. Loose-fitting cheap work-socks work better for me. My rule of thumb is that tight clothing is bad, loose is good for sleeping.
posted by bonehead at 9:25 AM on December 6, 2011
And absolutely no cotton anything of course. I had a friend who insisted on wearing jeans out on a trip. He did that exactly once.
Though if you can't dry your day clothes in the evening, leave the damp ones out in the cold to freeze. In the morning, you can knock a lot of the moisture out of them as ice.
Also, build your fire before you go to bed, if you're not keeping it going all night (which needs a friend or two).
posted by bonehead at 9:41 AM on December 6, 2011
Though if you can't dry your day clothes in the evening, leave the damp ones out in the cold to freeze. In the morning, you can knock a lot of the moisture out of them as ice.
Also, build your fire before you go to bed, if you're not keeping it going all night (which needs a friend or two).
posted by bonehead at 9:41 AM on December 6, 2011
Thanks spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints. Good to know. I might watch it again sometime...
posted by guy72277 at 1:52 AM on December 7, 2011
posted by guy72277 at 1:52 AM on December 7, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by d. z. wang at 11:15 PM on December 5, 2011