Ultimate Camping Thread

Any recommendations on keeping the feet warm in the sleeping bag when it gets cold out? Last time out it was maybe 20-30 degrees at night and I was plenty warm in my slumberjack -20 bag with only shorts and a tshirt on but my feet were freezing even with thermal socks on. I've been searching around and the best thing I have found so far to try is some down booties. Any tips?

Tried searching through this thread but didn't find much.

 

Warm socks and some sort of warm slipper.

 

I've used boiling water in a Nalgene a few times, works like a charm. If it gets too hot, I stick it in a sock. It lasts a few hours. I either stick the bottle in the bag prior to jumping in, or put it between my legs as I settle in.

 

I get out as much as I can, but not nearly as much as I'd like. Camped on snow a few times, it was fun. And slippery.

 

If you want to stay warm, wear a hat. If you're still cold, poly-pro underwear helps. My biggest learning was to make sure you're properly insulated from the cold ground-that's made the biggest difference for me-for the last year or so, I've been camping with an Exped sleeping pad. It's like a giant mattress and pretty comfy-night and day difference from my Thermarest.

 

Then lets get out!!

 

All I gots to say about snow is FUUUUUUUCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK YEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Wool is the best if your not to allergic to it but you can put silk socks on to keep from itching and its good for up to -40 below. Since that is what I used in Ely, Nevada hunting and in Gilchrist, Oregon when I lived there. It was a regular -30 below during the winter months when we camped in the snow. Merino wool socks or wigwam work good or even Smart wool.

 

I read of those ideas, would like something more static though. Probably have too many drinks to remember to heat up water and wouldn't want to run out of batteries or have wiring fail on a cold night.

Like I said the rest of my body is plenty warm. I'm pretty sure the one night I even took my hat off because I was getting too warm. But my feet were still cold.

I had some old wool socks that didn't work great, but maybe that was because they were old and probably cheap. I got a pair of under armour thermal socks to replace those which work great with boots on since they aren't really thick but are probably too constricting and not effective when sleeping.

I was looking at

$70 Baffin womens Cush Insulated Slipper Booty, Navy, XL (US Men's 9-10, US Women's 11) Medium

these or

Sierra Designs Men's Pull-On Down Bootie,Black,Medium

these down slippers. Not sure if those would be as good/better/worse than wool socks.

 

I don't have experience with either but I'll bet they'll work.

In the next few months I'll be in the market for a new sleeping bag, something not too expensive the season synthetic. Anyone have any opinions?

 

Went to Anza-Borrego SP for 5 days... Biking, Hiking, Running, and then drinking to make up for all that healthy crap!

A few pics:

Our Campsite



Woke up to this




Did about 50 miles of 4x4 including a few water crossings!







The SLOT--a really cool hike...

 

That looks like an awesome place. Might just have to make that our next destination.

 

Awesome trip!

 

A great deal of FUN ! We'd take off to 4x4 with the mtn bikes on the back and spend all day exploring--in the Taco and on the bikes!

And it was 79* during the day and 48* at night. One night was really windy, but other than that it was perfect.

Best time is Oct thru May.. but it is BUSY around April for the big desert flower season.. Almost had the park to ourselves this trip...

 

Yeah I have started doing that if i need to. i already sleep with my canister for the jetboil which in itself is annoying to kick around at night. lol.That is the exac reason I go in the winter is because there is hardly anyone out.

Ive always worn wool socks. Never had any issues with feet getting colld unless I slid off my pad at night and either had my feet on the ground or against the tent wall u can also throw a hand warmer down there too. if it is still cold. Also, wear a hat. I have found that helps as well.

 

Down booties would be a good bet then. Quality wool socks also make a big difference from my experience. However since switch to a down under and top quilt for my hammock, I haven't had cold feet. So I went back to synthetic socks, because they feel a little better on my feet after a long day.

A cheap idea to try, may be to make some kinda foot box out of reflectix and stick it in your bag. I've also just stock my foot inside of a backpack and that also works for me.

 

if your feet are freezing in the sleeping bag while the rest of the body is warm..maybe the bag is too small? you need that pocket of air space down there to keep you feet warm..-20 bag?? damn..that is super warm for a bag. i melt in my 0 deg.

 

SARGE..this is a trip i can do!! so you went just recently? in november?

 

It's a slumberjack big timber, plenty of foot room and nice and cozy. I have cold feet in general. I'm gonna try wigwams warmest socks "Canada" first and go from there.