Grabber Sleeping Bag Warmer

**Magoober** · 11-23-2010, 11:10

I usually use a nalgene bottle w/ hot water, but has anyone tried these?

http://www.rei.com/product/756479

Just thinking it would be easier to crack one of these rather than boil water in the middle of the night to warm my feet if i gauged the temps wrong and it got colder than i anticipated...

it would also take up less space in my footbox...

but for $5 each.... ugh...

**Mountain Gout** · 11-23-2010, 11:31

Those old coleman fuel stick hand warmers aren't too shabby..

**scum** · 11-23-2010, 17:22

You don't need that pouch. Only justification I can see for it is to avoid direct skin contact but in a winter situation you're going to have some clothes on anyways. Just buy the grabber hand warmers and toss one at your feet and one up by your head. I've used one under my neck (inside the wrap of my beanie cap) or on my chest w/ arms crossed so my wrists lie on it. Works a treat. Warms your blood as it circulates around. You'll find that it gets hot enough that if it's directly against your feet (even w/ socks on), you'll need to scoot your feet away from it. You can get a 10 pack of these that are 7+, 12+ or even 24+ hour for $10-12. I prefer the 24+ cause then I can toss them in my pockets in the morning to help keep me warm as I get a fire going for breakfast. These things easily turn a miserable freezing night into a comfortable toasty sleep if used right.

One disclaimer, I've had 'duds' before that never really warmed up. It doesn't happen often, but enough that I always bring an extra or two in-case.

**wisenber** · 11-23-2010, 19:12

One of the hand or foot warmers as 1/8 the price placed on you femoral artery area will do much more than trying to heat an entire sleeping bag. It works just like a hot water bottle, and it is heating YOU instead of your bag.

**eflat7** · 12-01-2010, 10:11

Chemical heaters are great. Sometimes I just throw one in my hammock around my lower back. I can't really feel it when I go to sleep, but if I wake up in the middle of the night it feels like an electric blanket!! The only downside is heat on your lower bakc will make you have to pee alot! I have no scientific proof, but it just seems that way!