Using A Hot Water Bottle To Stay Warm

[mistone]

I'm going to have to try this. Never done it before

[Zingger]

This seems to work for many, but I am still concerned about the leak factor. Maybe I'll try it out with a couple of ziplocks in the backyard where failure is an option.

[Carbon]

I’ve been using my 40oz stainless steel Klean Kanteen bottle, single walled. If I have a campfire going I’ll set the bottle (with loose cap) directly on the coals to bring it to a boil. Saves on fuel. I’ll put the bottle in a heavy rag wool sock and it’ll provide me with at least 8 hours of warmth.

[WV]

I've been using a Nalgene bottle lately, and after a week or so of putting it in a plastic bag in case of leaks, I now don't bother with the bag. Also, my PBH has a slightly larger foot end where I can store down pants or parka, so I put the hot water bottle in the bottom on a small piece of ccf, then the down pants on top. There's still room for my feet on top in my TQ, so there's still no heel pressure. I think my toes are the only part of my body that can't be trained not to press out and compress the tq insulation, so having the additional down garment outside the tq helps solve that problem. (I think Shug's practice of wrapping a down parka around the outside of the hammock foot end must accomplish the same thing.)

[dwighop]

Worked for me last spring in the Nalgene.

[cougarmeat]

You should be concerned about a cap leak with the Nalgene bottle. It's not a design error - just a matter of things changing when heat is applied. I'm not saying this is true of all Nalgene (soft) plastic bottles, but I definitely have one where you can screw the cap on tight when you first pour the hot water in, and a short time later you can give the cap a little more twist. Also, though better than nothing, that's a lot of faith in the hold-shut-ability of a zip lock, given the forces that could be applied.

The Hot water bottle - usually in a sock or fleece bag so it's not right against your skin does work. But use caution.

Same with those chemical hand warmers. When they were first introduced, they were great. In the last years, something changed in manufacturing and it is not unusual to have the black-ish granules escape from their bag and dirty the surroundings (i.e. your TQ).

[Miraz]

a generic nalgene is fine
one of those red rubber hot water bottles is even better. I slept with one in my thigh/groinal area and woke up slightly sweaty in 30F weather. It was awesome. And more comfortable than a nalgene.

[Zach L]

Yes I’m glad this was posted! I do this a lot when the temps drop. It’s nice to get into a warm quilt or bag! And it stays hot for a long time! Glad it helped!