EXP 121 Sleep Systems

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People

Sleeping Pads: A layer of insulation between you and the ground, reflects back warmth and adds comfort to the sleeping system
(AM)

Foam Pads

Inflatables

Pro: can be cut into multiples pieces for packing and using as barriers between you and the ground for multiple people to sit on

Pro: Adds a thicker layer of dead air space between you and the ground, and is therfore warmer

Con: can pop, requires a patch kit in case it needs to be fixed, useless if it aquires more holes than patches

Pro: typically more comfortable than a foam pad

Pro: can be rolled into a tube or folded flat against the back of your pack to add structure and make packing easier and more balanced.

Con: less comfortable than their inflatablle counter parts

Pro: very durable

Pro: quick to dry, won't absorb water

Pro: Firmness can be adjusted to accomodate side sleepers and those with chronic back issues

Con: Mold and bacteria can grow in the air valve and the inner chamber of the pad

Jeremy

Sleeping Bags -JL

Style of Sleeping bags -JL

Importanace of Ratings and materals - JL

the more dead airspace the warmer you'll be (NB)

Mummy - JL

Rectangular Slyle - JL

Barrel Shaped - JL

Double - JL

down fill (NB)

synthetic fill (NB)

nate

if you're camping below your bags rated temperature throwing in a liner helps with another 5-10 degrees

what to wear to bed

thermal layers in the cold

warm hat can help keep exposed parts warm (NB)

Kate Hale (KH)

Long layers and socks can be worn for warmth and to help with clamminess (KH)

Spoon shaped (KH)

But if there's too much extra space in a bag then it wont be able to keep your body heat as concentrated (KH)

Good for side sleepers (KH)

Womens (KH)

Shaped to fit a womens shape and height better (KH)

Short (KH)

Saves weight and conserves heat (KH)

Zipperless (KH)

Saves weight (KH)

Caring for sleeping bags (KH)

Caring for down(KH)

top bag (KH)

wearable (KH)

Don't leave down compressed(KH)

caring for synthetics (KH)

use down detergent to wash down(KH)

take out of compression sack, let re-loft when home and not on expedition (CL)

Caper Loomis (CL)

when washing, use a rubber ball with rounded tip spikes to keep down from bunching up (CL)

you can also hand wash and let soak in a tub (CL)

pro: can be used as an extra insulate layer when sleeping in hammocks (CL)

con: can be more time consuming to pack down when breaking camp (CL)

con: can be bulky to pack into carrying containers for the day (CL)

con: can get wet and absorb water, takes a while for it to dry back out (CL)

pro: can be used to give shape to bags and packs (CL)

con: significantly less insulation than an inflatable pad (CL)

sleeping blanket (CL)

can be wrapped on self to keep blanket shut, well insulated (CL)

not the best for cold weather camping, good for warmer weather camping (CL)

nice to be able to walk around camp with (CL)

extra style points (CL)

sleeping bag liner (CL)

can be made out of varying thicknesses depending on the insulation type you want (CL)

extra layer of insulation for your sleeping bag (CL)

helps keep your sleeping bag clean, instead of washing your sleeping bag after every trip you can wash the liner every time and your sleeping bag every other time (or whenever you choose) (CL)

does take up more room inside your sleeping bag (CL)

extremely helpful when camping in colder temps, can help lower the degree you are able to sleep in when paired with your sleeping bag (CL)

if you have an extra one to give to a customer, can earn you extra $$$ (CL)

Sylvie

Sleeping warm

A nice pair of socks, a warm hat, and long underwear can go a long way toward keeping you warm. But don’t wear too many clothes that it compresses the insulation in your sleeping bag, that would reduce the bag’s dead air space which would ruin its ability trap heat.

Heat water, pour it into a bottle, wrap it in clothing, and put it next to any cold spots in your bag. Just make sure it can’t leak!

Sleeping bags trap heat, but can’t create it. If you enter your sleeping bag cold, you’ll stay cold for a long time. Ways to get warm before you get into your bag include drinking or eating something warm. Making a fire before bed. Doing some jumping jacks.

Peeing during the night will help you sleep warmer and better for the rest of the night. There is the option to pee into a bottle (obviously easier for men, but also possible for women). You get to stay in your sleeping bag and now have a warm bottle.

Mark

Con: typically more expensive than foam pads - MO

Pro: Typically much smaller than foam pads - MO

In cold temps, can be combined with an inflatable sleeping pad to increase thermal retention - MO

When storing for long periods, keep in a large bag that allows the sleeping bag to sit loosely so the down/synthetic insulation does not compress over time - MO

Wear minimal layers in sleeping bag as wearing multiple thick layers of clothing diminish the effectiveness of the sleeping bag - MO

can be used straight up in the summer when a whole bag would be too hot (AM)

Double bagging and Wiggy's (AM)

Slipping a down sleeping bag inside a synthetic warm weather bag increases warmth ad helps protect the down from moisture

this system also lets you have a summer bag (the outer), and spring/fall bag (just the inner), and a cold weather set-up when you combine the two

Two people create way more body heat than one

Daniel(DG)

if wet will not dry(DG)

will dry relatively easy(DG)

Hanging it up is best option when not in use(DG)

Staying warm.(DG)

DAS- Air that is not moving. This is hard to achieve. the deader the better.(DG)

We need to do this by blocking wind and convection

Moisture is not good because it replaces DAS with water

Dew point(DG)

The temperature below which water vapor in the air becomes liquid

we don't want the dew point inside our clothing, but as humidity drops or the temperature drops, it becomes difficult

Moisture (DG)

Can come from outside or inside

Replaces Das with water

impermeable

semi permeable

Stops anything from coming in or out.

sometimes bad because it can trap moisture inside

can allow water vapor to pass through

does not allow liquid through

Con: While effective, this system sacrifices a great deal of space and adds weight - MO

Placing a couple hand warmers at your feet helps a great deal to keep your feet warm through the night - MO

Eating something rich in fat and protein before bed can help keep you warm - MO

Typically not suitable for extreme cold - MO

Over-inflating them can make the pad overly stiff and uncomfortable - MO

Usually don't have a hood, most suitable for warm weather or car camping - MO

Wear minimal layers, wearing a bunch of layers will diminish the effectiveness of your sleeping bag and make you colder - MO

Typically very cheap - MO

Avoid sleeping in cotton, if you tend to sweat in your sleep, it will absorb the sweat and make you colder - MO

Make sure your clothes don't fit too tight, tight clothes cut off circulation and will make you colder - MO

choosing where to sleep (sg)

Types of Inflatable pads - EF

Thermarest Prolite Sleeping Pad - EF

rocks and roots are hard and uncomfortable (sg)

flat areas are best, to avoid un-comfortability (sg)

Best used in Backpacking - EF

Can be very annoying to role up - EF

Erik Fatzinger

pine boughs and leaves can make nice natural padding (sg)

Insulated - EF

picking an area to stay out of the wind is essential (SG)

Good for tall people - EF

if the ground is wet, pick higher ground (sg)

stephen geiling

Very comfortable - EF

Big Agnes Air Core - EF

Easy to deflate and store - EF

Packs down very small - EF

Not that tough, very thin - EF

They inflate very big, lots of dead air space - EF

Very High R value optionjs for extreme cold - EF

Types of Foam Pads - EF

Improvised Seeping Pads - EF

Layed out Crazy Creek - EF

Give's something to keep bag off of basic ground - EF

Very uncomfortable nevertheless - EF

Good if no other options - EF

Thermarest Foam Pad - EF

Billy BG

Silk liner- soft and comfortable and can add up to 10 degrees to a bag depending on the persons generation of heat. BG

stuff layers around the body In the sleeping bag for best effect BG

Pufy/down tent booties can help If you have poor circulation or cold feet BG

sleep with all electronics/batteries to preserve them from dying In the cold BG

use extra layers as a pillow BG

extra layers for foot rest If your body Is too long for your sleeping pad BG

consider not using compression sack with summer bags and just packing them alone In your bag to prevent loss of fill volume BG

sleep somewhere already camped on BG

Klymit Static VBG

dead air space Inside and dead air space trapped between body and pad In ruffles for warmth BG

a "long" version for taller people Is available BG

air does not leak between breaths BG

comes with a patch kit and a warranty BG

has bumps to trap dead air and add warmth BG

can fit at the bottom or side of most packsBG

lighter than most Inflatables BG

if wet will not retain heat BG

a double Is only rated for said temperature If two people are Inside BG

con of mummy- many peoples feet and legs end up feeling trapped or restricted BG

Roughing it (WR)

Go under a strong healthy tree that not going to crush you (WR)

Get a trap and wrap it around two trees or wrap your self in it (WR)

Cover the ground (WR)

Be carful of your surroundings don't fall off cliffs/Protect your self from Elements (WR)

Sleep on flat ground/rocks can be comfy as hell but bumpy stuff is hell (WR)

Watch out for poison Ivey and pointy plants (WR)

Heated water bottles out your body helps with warmth(WR)

wear wet stuff in order to dry it with body heat (AC)

Andie Carroll (AC)

could be harder to pack in this situation-might end up on the outside of your pack which you should try to avoid (AC)

Important to have experience with your bag before longer trips in order to confirm that the bags rating is right for you and what you're doing/ accurate (AC)

do some jumping jacks or some quick form of movement/exercise to warm up ur body and therefore your sleeping bag (AC)

could be used as extra emergency equipment to warm someone up faster (AC)

Could be used as emergency equipment to create splints, warm someone up faster (AC)

positioning in the tent

stay away from walls especially if its a single layer tent, the dew and moisture will seep through(NB)

sleep with your head angled uphill if camping on an incline so that way you dont wake up wiht. migraine(NB)

puffy can help with dead airspace (NB)

You should let the sleeping bag do the work. (DG)

Keep away from direct sunlight (AC)

Don't use fabric softener and use less detergent than normal (AC)

Wash in cold water (AC)

Saves money on not buying extra equipment (WR)

Good view of the stars (WR)

Bulids character (WR)

Recommend to do in a sleeping bag with a pad, but a trap could be fine as well (WR)

If you plan only to rough it it saves you pack weight(WR)

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A con of roughing is the potential to get cold and wet (WR)

A con of roughing it is if it gets windy it probity won't be too fun (WR)

Cowboy camp is more LNT Friendly (WR)

Will Reddy (WR)

sleeping liners

gortex sleeping shell

waterproof sleeping bag

sleeping pad keeps ground moisture away

light and easily packable

can be used to stay both warm and dry

waterproof breathable

using a blowup pad on top a foam pad for best result

wind can cause damage to the shelter

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only use recently fallen boughs to keep LNT

Matt W

Fill up nagelene with warm water and place in your sleeping bag, this can stay warm throughout the whole night. MW

Use a separate bottle or container to urinate into to not have to leave the warmth of your tent.

Con: bulky and awkward to pack. MW

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Air Mattress - Made of PVC, very inflatable material MW

Pro: Very comfortable and has a lot of space. MW

Con: Heavy and not able to pack well. MW

Con: Will not work at all if there is even the smallest puncture in it, very hard to patch as well. MW

Con: Needs a pump to blow up efficiently. MW

Con: Need a big enough tent to fit the air mattress in. MW

Con: Due to too much air in the mattress to heat up with body heat and become dead air space, mattresses are very cold. This compromises the sleep system. Not insulated MW

Zippers are cold spot in your sleep system, Zip up all zippers and insulate them the best of your ability to get the most warmth.MW

In conclusion: These compromise the sleeping system in the backcountry and should not be used at all if going camping. MW

Can use leaves, moss, or brush to improvise as a Mat or pad, Simple and loses less heat to conduction. MW

Can use a cot to make that space between you and the ground. MW

Con: Bulky and unconventional in the backcountry. MW

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sleeping bag liners

silk

cotton

polyester

fleece

thermal

gabe

emergency bags

trash bag

emergency packed sleeping bag