View Full Version : Whatcha wearing to sleep?
Cannibal
10-09-2007, 09:10
Please tell me about your clothing for winter sleeping in hammocks.
I'm starting my shopping soon, but don't really have much of an idea for PJs. I'm looking to see what others are wearing; I don't need to be an original.
I like fleece for COLD winter sleeping outdoors...
I typically wear fleece (polartec 100 with lycra, or powerstretch) long johns and a long sleeve fleece turtleneck of the same material. Being pretty close fitting (and stretchy) they're comfy, warm and don't shift or bulk up in the wrong places....
headchange4u
10-09-2007, 10:05
Check out Marshall's department store. 90% of all my thermals came from them at about 1/3 of what you would pay retail. I use polyester/wool blend thermals or the thick fleece thermals for really cold night. I also use a fleece hat.
I like heavy weight running tights for bottom base layer. I also use running lycra or spandex for my upper body base layer. I will start to hike in these but remove them if I start to sweat. I have fleece pants and fleece jacket from Beyond Fleece, but rarely go out when they are needed. I thru'd with them but sent the pants home in Hiawasee and the jacket home at NOC. Beyond fleece is nice stuff but bulky and pricey. These days I usually stick to the tights plus another layer (probably a pair of patagonia mid or heavy weight longjohns of light fleece jacket) and just put on my raingear if it really gets cold when I get up. I use Smartwool heavy weight sox. Fleece mittens and hat.
I have a 15 degree Marmot hydrogen bag and a 0 degree Feathered friends bag.
I wear wool only, unless I am very dirty (3 or more nights with out a shower :)) then I use a silk base to help keep the dirt and skin oils out of my wool. I have almost all Smart Wool stuff but that is because it is older stuff. Several new companies have come along in the last few years that are producing top-notch wool gear for less, and prices have come down across the board for all really because of it.
It costs more, but it lasts forever! I have a 26 year old field jacket that gets used everyday during the winter and the only thing wrong with it is a button is missing.
Smartwool (http://www.smartwool.com)
Ibexwear (http://www.ibexwear.com)
Ecowool (http://www.ecowool.com)
and of course Woolrich (http://www.woolrich.com)
I agree with Hogn8r about wool. Wool camp shirts and pants I bought 35 years ago are still in perfect condition. Unfortunately I got fat and can't wear any of those great cloths anymore, but my son has them now and they are serving him well.
slowhike
10-09-2007, 17:40
in cold weather i like using a top & bottom that's insulated w/ synthetic or down, sometimes referred to as "puffy" insulation.
i also am wearing a thin wool shirt (ice breaker) as a base layer.
this along w/ rain gear (used as a shell if needed) provides a wide range of comfort in the eve & morn & for sleeping.
of course i have at least a couple or more options for head wear... something that just covers the ears for hiking, an insulating hat of some type, & a balaclava for cold eves, morns, & sleeping.
fingerless gloves are great (& i often sleep in them) & mitts when needed.
in really cold weather i wear long underwear (coolmax to be replaced by wool later?) also. ...tim
GREEN THERAPY
10-09-2007, 21:55
base layer is a merino wool/polypro blend and when freezing I add a polypro fleece top. Bag is synthetic -5Cel. Very comfy to about 30 F which is the lowest temp to test it in so far.
FanaticFringer
10-09-2007, 22:01
Check out Wal-marts hunting section for good deals on thermals.
I do believe you are doing a thru hike next year, and I am too. My biggest concern is the first leg of the hike from Springer through the Smokies. I plan on sleeping in a pair of patagonia cap 3 pants and top. Under the pants I plan on wearing some good running tights. On top of the cap 3 top I have a decent 13 oz. down jacket that I will sleep in if necessary. On my feet I have some heavyweight REI wool socks, and a wool cap for my head. This all goes with my potomac underquilt, and homemade top quilt with the same loft as the underquilt. It sounds like a lot, but I don't want to get caught in zero degree weather on the ridgelines of the Smokies unprepared.
It's a bit warmer here, but the temperature fluctuation is quite high, especially in a hammock. At 10pm I bunked down in briefs only, but by 11:30pm I was in trousers, shirt, pullover and under a small towel for a blanket. I don't carry a sleeping bag or dedicated sleepwear, but it makes sense to wear layers that can be opened at the front and easily put on or discarded. I hang my clothes from the ridgeline and and heavy stuff goes in my pack just under the HH opening.
Cannibal
10-10-2007, 07:37
Cerberus- I'm in the same boat, which is why I started this thread. I've been living the warm life in Florida for a decade this Feb; pretty sure my blood has thinned a bit. The first part of the hike is really my only concern and really only at night. Your 'warm load' doesn't sound like a lot to me; it's actually pretty close to the same as what I'm planning. I'll be taking a ccf pad and a 1/2 length UQ; that's the only real difference in our insulation. My biggest problem is clothing. Too many options. :confused:
Oh, did I mention that my feet had the pleasure of experiencing frostbite when I was 19? Really rather not relive that little experience.
Re:thinning blood....
It takes no time for that to happen I spent 1 winter in Australia and then that spring I froze at home...
Consider a removable insulated hood from a down or similar WARM parka as opposed to a cap/hat if its going to be really cold. The hood will stay on better and seals around your face and neck. Much better kinda like a balaclava, without looking so bank-robber... ;)
I should add that I made fleece socks to keep my feet warm. They are also knee high.
I swear by wool. Most of my gear is by Ibex (http://www.ibexwear.com/shop/index.php) . They are a bit pricey but the have some very good prices in their discount section plus you can find last years colors on various websites such as Backcountry.com for reasonable prices. I have even gotten a few pieces dirt cheap on Steepandcheep.com.
For sleeping in the cold I wear Ibex Long Johns, an Ibex Ribbies long sleeve top, Smart Wool Alpine Socks, and a smartwool beany.
One set of thin merinowool underwear, used only to sleep in.
Cerberus- I'm in the same boat, which is why I started this thread. I've been living the warm life in Florida for a decade this Feb; pretty sure my blood has thinned a bit. The first part of the hike is really my only concern and really only at night. Your 'warm load' doesn't sound like a lot to me; it's actually pretty close to the same as what I'm planning. I'll be taking a ccf pad and a 1/2 length UQ; that's the only real difference in our insulation. My biggest problem is clothing. Too many options. :confused:
Oh, did I mention that my feet had the pleasure of experiencing frostbite when I was 19? Really rather not relive that little experience.
Unfortunately we won't have any good weather to test this stuff out in. Part of my winter gear is a bail out plan. I will eat a lot of food to keep up my energy and warm my body, then do a force march to the next road to get to town. If possible. If not, then the old survival skills come into play. Also on those freak cold nights, you can huddle up in the shelter with everyone else. Hang tarps over the opening to block the wind, and just crowd in. Not a good nights sleep, but that will get you through the bad areas until you can get into town. I figure if I can get down to 20* in my hammock I am happy. Anything below that I either go to ground or the shelter. When those aren't enough I head into town.
Cannibal
10-10-2007, 18:01
Anything below that I either go to ground
I am on a mission to avoid such activities. I've broken down and decided to carry a pad-spe-contraption (an spe as Dr. Frankenstien would make it) to boost my cold tolerance and to go to ground if I have to. That's why I'm really trying to do my homework on clothing options; every little bit is a couple of degrees. :cool:
However, a bailout plan is always in the works and should be for everyone.
When those aren't enough I head into town.Town has beer, right? :D
Cannibal
10-10-2007, 18:03
Oh, I forgot; I'm also going out to Colorado the last week in December to visit family and play in the snow. That should give me a pretty good indication of what will work and what won't. Then I just have to account for humidity. :rolleyes:
Oh, I forgot; I'm also going out to Colorado the last week in December to visit family and play in the snow. That should give me a pretty good indication of what will work and what won't. Then I just have to account for humidity. :rolleyes:
I might make it to Ed Speer's New Years Hangout on SPringer Mtn. Hopefully it will get cold.
Town has beer, and pizza. Oh, and hot beds.
Cannibal
10-10-2007, 19:04
I'm shootin for the new year hang too, but so far my track record stinks! Kind of looking forward to being unemployed now that I think about it.
schrochem
10-10-2007, 19:36
I like my smartwool underlayers but they can be sorta fragile.
I was hiking this summer and wanted to take a dip. I just had on the smartwool boxers. Well everything would have been fine if I hadn't decided to 'slide' down the waterfall :D
So that pair now has about four holes in the bum part....
Cannibal
10-10-2007, 19:38
Yeah, Schlitterbahn is hell on shorts! :D
Usually I sleep in a pair of poly pro long underwear, poly pro long sleeved shirt, and either wool socks or, if it's really cold, down booties (usually have to take these off by morning - too hot, but feel great early on). Goes without saying, you need a warm hat and adequate bottom insulation. These last too are the most important for comfort if you ask me.
I seldom have to resort to multiple layers inside the bag. If I need something more, usually a fleece jacket is perfect. If you have an inadequate bag, and are trying to push it lower than intended, then you will need more clothing in the bag. Experiment tho. At times I have found adding the extra insulation underneath the bag was more effective than adding it inside. Plus it is a much more comfortable sleep if you aren't all bundled up like the child in a snowsuit who can't move their arms.
Also, very important is to make sure you remain hydrated, always have some water available at night, also a late night snack is helpful, as well as having something available for during-the-night snack (caution in bear country). The added calories will add a lot of fuel to the furnace.
One more tip - DO NOT resist the urge to pee at night. You will be much more miserable and this misery will intensify the discomfort from cold. Besides, getting out and moving around a bit will help warm you up, and when you return to your bag (still warm if you keep it closed up in your absence) you will feel great. Some people use a pee bottle which works, but nulls the two advantages mentioned above.
GREEN THERAPY
10-18-2007, 13:06
I wear poly pro and merino wool blend tops and bottoms with poly pro wool blend socks. My secret weapon is to have an iron filing heat pad handy as a just in case it gets chilly back up. Have used it a couple of times experimenting with dif combinations and it does what it says on the package. Gives off heat for up to 18 hours. Coldest so far is 30F and didn't need the heat pad.
I'm trying to negotiate the winter with no pads, so clothing may become important. I'll be using the Peapod, a FF Winter Wren, and whatever clothing may become necessary for the conditions. Presently I have Paty Capilene 3 tops and bottoms, IceBreaker 260 tops and bottoms, Cocoon Pro 60 Parka and zipped pants, and FF two piece down booties.
slowhike
10-18-2007, 18:54
I'm trying to negotiate the winter with no pads, so clothing may become important. I'll be using the Peapod, a FF Winter Wren, and whatever clothing may become necessary for the conditions. Presently I have Paty Capilene 3 tops and bottoms, IceBreaker 260 tops and bottoms, Cocoon Pro 60 Parka and zipped pants, and FF two piece down booties.
i've been eying that cocoon pro parka... if only money wasn't an issue:rolleyes:
maybe later.
Fiddleback
10-19-2007, 09:35
I'm trying to negotiate the winter with no pads, so clothing may become important. I'll be using the Peapod, a FF Winter Wren, and whatever clothing may become necessary for the conditions. Presently I have Paty Capilene 3 tops and bottoms, IceBreaker 260 tops and bottoms, Cocoon Pro 60 Parka and zipped pants, and FF two piece down booties.
I dunno...it's hard to imagine no pad but there might be enough underinsulation.
I wear fresh Smartwool long underwear, fresh wool socks and booties, a balaclava, and fleece glove liners. To this, according to weather and temp, I add BMW's Cocoon pants and ID's Dolomitti jacket with hood. I use a 1/4 X 40 X 60" pad (7oz) but no bag or quilt. That's all good to 25F but no lower...the underinsulation, i.e., the pad, is the limiting factor.
FB
Be a real man, sleep in your birthday suit! The frostbite will show how much a man you are... unless you-know-where gets frostbite, then it will be how much a man you use to be.
I'm a warm sleeper, my wife HAS to have a fan on to sleep, when it's in the 40-50's at night I just use a light blanket. Out in the woods it's long johns and wool socks and hat. I use a homemade underquilt and my 40 degree down bag as an overquilt. If I get cold I get in the bag, but most nights I'm sweating. Have not done any cold weather hangs yet. Have a 0degree bag for that. Now, my 0 bag has a half zipper with a zipper at the foot end also, think I could hang my hammock IN the bag and stay warm. Hmmm, might try that this weekend...
BillyBob58
10-28-2007, 20:51
i've been eying that cocoon pro parka... if only money wasn't an issue:rolleyes:
maybe later.
I slept last night at Neo's gathering with the old most basic Supershelter and space blanket and my 20 years old lightest summer bag ( semi-rectangular Qualifill- sp?-, maybe 1.5"- 2" thick total top and bottom, quilt style. Either 40* or 50* bag, can't remember.) Clothing was Cocoon pants and top with hood and mid weight merino wool top and synthetic long john bottom, medium weight wool socks. It only got down to 43*, but I was fine at that temp, though no where near too hot.
The Cocoon stuff works great but it really is pricy.
slowhike
10-28-2007, 20:57
I slept last night at Neo's gathering with the old most basic Supershelter and space blanket and my 20 years old lightest summer bag ( semi-rectangular Qualifill- sp?-, maybe 1.5"- 2" thick total top and bottom, quilt style. Either 40* or 50* bag, can't remember.) Clothing was Cocoon pants and top with hood and mid weight merino wool top and synthetic long john bottom, medium weight wool socks. It only got down to 43*, but I was fine at that temp, though no where near too hot.
The Cocoon stuff works great but it really is pricy.
glad yall had a good camp out.
you probably saw the sell (20% off on cocoon stuff). well i shouldn't have, but i went ahead & ordered the pro parka.
saved about $40.00 & that's what i've been trying to do... save money... right?:rolleyes:
Just Jeff
10-28-2007, 21:20
When it's warm, I usually just wear what I'm hiking in...swim trunks and a Coolmax t-shirt (or the Walmart equivalent).
As it cools down, I wear either silkweight or midweight synthetic thermals. Been thinking about switching to wool but Uncle Sam gives me the synthetics for free so the price is right.
My raingear is always a backup, and I used to bring a fleece jacket for colder temps...I'd wear the fleece outside of my rain jacket b/c even though it was wp/b it still acted like a pseudo VB and got my fleece damp.
But now (WOOHOO!!) I just got a Montbel ThermaWrap so I'll save weight and bulk over the fleece and still be warmer. And now I usually carry the silnylon Packa so it really would be a VB if I needed it.
Fleece beanie, and a Serius neofleece facemask when needed. My fleece gloves have half-fingers with the mitten fold-over thing, and I always have a dry pair of socks. Thickness depends on the weather.
And if I'm still cold, boiling water in my Nalgene bladder is heaven.
mataharihiker
10-29-2007, 09:25
I am a strong proponent of natural fabrics...they are mostly quick to air dry and don't hold stink plus, in the case of silk, pack really small and, in the case of down, pack really light. Another reason I like natural fabrics is they are comfortable over a wide temperature range...for example, I've worn my Smartwook short-sleeved tee, hiking with a backpack, in temps from 40-70F...I am very temperature sensitive, which sucks...So, depending on temps I use, often in layers:
silk longjohns from:
http://www.wintersilks.com/
Smartwool short or long tees and/or bottoms
and Montbell UL down inner pants, vest and/or jacket...
I started, years ago, with the silk when it went on sale in spring...then added the Smartwool, also when I found it on sale, then, a couple of years ago, added the Montbells, which never seem to go one sale, with birthday and Christmas money...it is a very, very versatile system...eminently packable and light and ridiculously expensive if you were to buy them all at once...
I am a strong proponent of natural fabrics...they are mostly quick to air dry and don't hold stink plus, in the case of silk, pack really small and, in the case of down, pack really light. Another reason I like natural fabrics is they are comfortable over a wide temperature range...for example, I've worn my Smartwook short-sleeved tee, hiking with a backpack, in temps from 40-70F...I am very temperature sensitive, which sucks...So, depending on temps I use, often in layers:
i like them because they are naturally more fire resistant than most synthetics. like polyester for example which likes to melt onto skin.