What kind of sleeping gear do you all use to sleep outside under the stars?

Buy the coldest bag you can afford.
Forty, fifty, sixty, seventy, eighty below or more.

I use a military extreme cold bag. Its rated to -20. I stayed one night close to -30 it did well. At 50 bucks its a good deal but is heavy at 11 pounds.

What you wear inside the bag is important also. layers of good warm clothing is a good idea.

Trygve, I like your advice -- that's the direction I'm leaning, warm as possible.

Thanks Toque, that bag sounds bomb proof. Beautiful photo of the canoe and sunset. Where did you take it? I'd like to download it into my photos.

Togue, I mean.

Yeah its a great bag for the money.

The photo was taken on tuscurora lake. A friend snapped it as another friend and I were coming back to camp after a long day trip.

I got a great deal on a Marmot CWM Membrain a few years ago. (Can't say enough good things about that bag.)

We slept under the stars on our last night on Clearwater (EP #62) lake this past winter.

Since it was a windless, cloudless night, it was a magical experience. Seeing the moon & stars overhead........priceless!



My bag was a bit more frosty than usual the next morning but, since we were heading out that day, it wasn't a huge concern.

I really respect you people that camp out in the winter. I just look at those pictures and shiver. Looks so beautiful out there.

i use a two bags, my down bag, rated around 15 i think, but it is very old, outer bag is my very roomy summer north face that is squarish cut. all go into a bivy sack with a really good thermarest on top of a small tarp. if weather is threatening or very cold i may set up a tarp over me, but i generally don't as i typically go as light weight as possible. this photo is a silly shot of an extremely lazy made set up. i have used this system in cold that has bottomed out my useless thermometer.

I have relatively inexpensive synthetic bag from Gander Mountain I bought years ago. I use that with a second bag tucked inside it from REI or if I don't feel it will be too cold I use the first bag with a fleece liner. All of that is usually inside a bivy sack.

I recently bought a Wiggys bag that is rated to -60. It is synthetic and apparently the insulation is very hydro-phobic. I've read you can literally stick your face in it and the moisture will pass right through. The bag is VERY warm. I used it last week at -8 (just under a tarp) and I woke up sweating like crazy (and I tend to sleep very cold).

One thing I've found over the years is that the most important thing is to go to bed in dry clothes. When I winter camp I bring a set of sleeping clothes that go on just before bed time and come off when I get out....any moisture can make you really cold at night (at least that's what I've found!)

Western mountaineering -20 (A true -20 degree bag).

I also add a silk liner that adds about 10 degree's in its rating PLUS it keep my bag cleaner.

I've slept in this bag when it was -32 in only my long johns. Stayed perfectly warm (until I needed to use the restroom).

I actually prefer to sleep with my wet clothes. It is a little damp at first but your body heat is what will make the moisture evaporate. I was taught this as a kid in the 1980's: George put those wet socks and articles on your chest tonight. It will dry them right out. I have been hooked ever sense. FUN FUN!

Warbonnet Blackbird hammock with top quilt(s) and under-quilt(s) as needed for the temps.

quote SteveElms73: "One thing I've found over the years is that the most important thing is to go to bed in dry clothes. When I winter camp I bring a set of sleeping clothes that go on just before bed time and come off when I get out....any moisture can make you really cold at night (at least that's what I've found!)"

And if you have to urinate, get up and do it as you lose heat by having a full bladder.

I was excited to read about all the doubled up bags. It looks like I can save some $$ by doubling up as long as I don't mind the extra weight and bulk of carrying 2 bags with me.

This is a pic of the set up I used the other week. Like I mentioned I woke up sweating at night..I should have gone without the tarp.

quote SteveElms73: "This is a pic of the set up I used the other week. Like I mentioned I woke up sweating at night..I should have gone without the tarp.


"

Sweet setup there. Where were you camping?

How do you like the BB? I have a Hennesy Hammock from about 10 years ago I use on occasion. I was looking at the BB and seriously thinking about pulling the trigger and getting it.

quote George: "How do you like the BB? I have a Hennesy Hammock from about 10 years ago I use on occasion. I was looking at the BB and seriously thinking about pulling the trigger and getting it. "

Scroll down the main Forums page and join us on the private group forum "BWCA Hammocking". We have several threads on your question. Here is one.

Hennesey vs. Warbonnet

I don't own the system, but I use the following every year when I take students dogsledding/winter camping for a week in the BW with Wintergreen Dogsled Lodge. A Wiggys -60 bag in a bivy sack with two insulated pads. I get so warm I usually end up in my undies, even when it's 20 below.

Ditto on the dry clothes comment, and the hot water in a Nalgene does not hurt, either.

I've been doing this trip for 10 years, and the only time we've ever been in a tent was when it rained a couple of years ago, and I am talking 5th graders out in the elements!

quote Frenchy19: "I've been doing this trip for 10 years, and the only time we've ever been in a tent was when it rained a couple of years ago, and I am talking 5th graders out in the elements!"

Fifth graders? I'm impressed. Thankyou for introducing them to the piney woods.

exped downmat 9 deluxe. Your sleeping pad is way more important than your bag.

A 0 degree bag or 2 summer bags layed over the top is fine for any temps.

I froze every night until I started using an exped even with really good bags. I've used thermarests, ba insulated and nothing even comes close. Get the exped first than worry about bags.

quote TuscaroraBorealis:

"

First off to all, having the proper equipment to do this, I think it would be a blast, would love to do it sometime before I die.

Now a question for you TB, or anyone really. I notice that one bag is on the snow and the other on a short cot. Even though you have a pad underneath, would being elevated like that act sorta like a road bridge in the Winter? Meaning, cold air passing underneath making one colder than one would be if just on the ground with a pad?

I used to love laying in the snow as a kid with my snowmobile suit on. Sorta like sleeping on a memory foam mattress......without the memory...lol

The cot was definitely a less insulated setup. But, a member of our crew wanted to try it to say he had done it. Which he did without complaint.

Just out of curiosity, what kind of cot is that?

Rick

I don't recall any mention of what brand it was. Sorry.

quote adams: "What kind of sleeping gear do you all use to sleep outside under the stars?"

I camped at Kawishiwi Lake last year at 20 below without a tent. We used a tarp on the snow, closed cell mattresses, very warm winter bag,and a tarp on top of us. Stayed nice and cozy. Awesome sleeping under the stars in the winter - the northern lights were great. And best yet, no mosquitos!!