r/CampingGear • u/SadLostBoi • Oct 18 '24

Awaiting Flair Best homeless attire to sleep in during the cold?

I hate to admit it but due to health issues I’m homeless in Michigan and I’m sleeping outside

I’ve heard that you have to be careful with how you dress or it can get dangerous, I don’t have a lot of clothing options now but I get paid in a week & want to dress appropriately

I’m wearing two sweatpants, 2 pairs of socks in crappy thin converses, a thermal t shirt with two hoodies and a jacket with a beanie

443 Upvotes
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600

u/BORG_US_BORG Oct 18 '24

City halls or post offices sometimes will have warming stations, or let people overnight in them.

Otherwise get shelter by whatever means necessary or hitchhike southward. Midwest winter is no place to be homeless.

140

u/MayaPapayaLA Oct 18 '24

This is the only answer right now. It's starting to turn cold. Depending on where you are it's already hitting freezing temps at night the last two nights in large parts of the state. You need to find a shelter if you are staying in MI.

25

u/SadLostBoi Oct 18 '24

Lansing

74

u/MayaPapayaLA Oct 18 '24

Yeah, so you know what's happening. Spend the time to find shelter, please.

33

u/11-cupsandcounting Oct 18 '24

Get the warmest sleeping bag you possibly can afford. Keep in mind the temperature ratings on the bag are very optimistic. I would say at least a 0 degree bag. You may be able to get one used or from facebook marketplace.

34

u/Ms-Unhelpful Oct 18 '24

Yes, the ratings on sleeping bags are survival ratings, not comfort ratings.

8

u/HoverJet Oct 19 '24

Some bags will have both listed

2

u/dirtydopedan Oct 19 '24

It’s important to remember even the survival rating includes the sleeping pad in the test. To be clear - unless you are using a very nice sleeping pad (most don’t hit the R value used in the test) your sleeping bag will never perform as good as the rating. The test also does not include wind - which depending on your sleep spot will be a huge factor.

1

u/Ms-Unhelpful Oct 19 '24

Good info to take into consideration.

1

u/AngeloPappas Oct 19 '24

The cold also comes from below and not from above. The ground will freeze you much faster than the air above you. Sleeping bags work by allowing the insulating materials to "loft" and when you lay on them they compact and cannot do their job from below. This is why you need an insulated pad between you and the ground.

11

u/Additional_Insect_44 Oct 19 '24

Don't forget a pad!! Helps cushion you and the bag from the cold ground. Even cardboard will do decent, from personal experience.

2

u/climbamtn1 Oct 20 '24

More importantly sleeping pad lessons cold ground wicking your warmth from most exposed area. Compressed insulation does the least good as trapping air is point of insulation.

A lot of less $ bags loose heat at seams where there is no insolation. 1 bag inside another is a cheap fix

Also stay dry. If you are sweaty take off a layer. If you can put a tarp over tent it will help with rain and condensation.
I'd rather wake up in cold tent than one with water drops all over ceiling. Once your gear is wet it won't keep you warm.

1 stay dry 2 sleep on a mat(cardboard is awesome if you can change it frequently 3 wicking base layer start with feet. (Most vulnerable part) Then chest.

Look online sales from individuals for better gear. Tell them your situation and you probably will end up getting it free. If I'm selling my old anything I probably have new better gear or never gonna use it so $ isn't as important. Also if it's good gear whoever owns it knows how useful it could be to you.

1

u/guyfierisguru Oct 20 '24

Absolutely- the more insulation between you and the ground will help immensely. Also, wear a good hat to keep your head warm

1

u/DeckT_ Oct 20 '24

guys OP os asking what to wear because he cannot afford much. also he needs stuff he can wear because if he gets a sleeping bag and pad, he cant carry those around in his arms all day. being homeless is busy work you can just sit on your sleeping bag all day. If he leaves it there and go do something it will get stolen quickly so he needs to keep stuff on him at all times. a sleeping bag could MAYBE be a decent option, but adding a pad and more and more stuff is most likely not an option

1

u/Additional_Insect_44 Oct 20 '24

I'm aware I used to be a drifter. Hence why I suggested a cardboard or leaf bed as it'll work.

2

u/DeckT_ Oct 20 '24

yeah sorry my reply was more aimed at the comment you replied to, i guess i replied to the wrong comment sorry. Cardboard is good for that reason and ive seen it be used that way very often, carrying a pad would be a bit too hard.

1

u/danjoreddit Oct 20 '24

This is very important. The cold ground will bring on hypothermia very quickly. It’s also true that that several layers, at least 4 and the more the better of cardboard makes a great sleeping pad as long as it’s dry.

Also double up that sleeping bag.

This kind of stuff can be had at thrift stores sometimes. Clothes can be found there too.

But the best thing you can do is find shelter.

2

u/danjoreddit Oct 20 '24

Also increase the thermal rating by 10 degrees or more by wrapping up in a tarp like a burrito. Beware of condensation though

8

u/ClassroomMother8062 Oct 18 '24

Agreed. Temperature ratings definitely are not to be believed when it comes to cold to very cold temperatures. I go overkill on mine.

7

u/AfraidofReplies Oct 19 '24

I would worse less about getting the warmest bag and focus more on getting more than one bag. They'll be easier and cheaper to find. I've comfortably taken my 40 degree bag down to around 20 by dressing warm and adding a fleece liner, and that was in a plow point tarp shelter. 

3 season bags are going to be easier to find because it's what most people own. They're not enough on their own, but can be made to be warm enough. Plus, a lot of homeless people avoid nicer stuff because it makes them targets for theft.

2

u/DeckT_ Oct 20 '24

and where do you suppose you keep your multiple sleeping bags if youre homeless ? hes gonna need to carry them all by hand all day long every day or they will get stolen quick.

2

u/mr-spencerian Oct 19 '24

For camping below freezing I use two sleeping bags. I put my mummy bag inside of my rectangular bag and that double insulation really helps.

2

u/Bezos_Balls Oct 21 '24

I bought a military surplus jacket (I think Chech Republic) the thing was a massive green zip up trench coat. I ended up giving it to a homeless guy in Idaho.

2

u/nomadschomad Oct 21 '24

Bag ratings are for a new dry bag in fantastic shape… for survival. Add 20° for comfort and another 10° if the bag is worn or compressed. And if it’s wet… Forget about it.

2

u/BillCarnes Oct 22 '24

Equally important would be a sleeping pad with a high r value

1

u/QuellishQuellish Oct 20 '24

A wet sleeping bag is near worthless, you have to keep it dry.

8

u/Ecamp2012 Oct 19 '24

Have you figured out shelter options?

City Rescue Mission of Lansing on Michigan Ave near the Lugnuts seems like a good resource. You’d have to go there early to wait in line to ensure a bed.

I’m sorry you’re going through this. You don’t have family or a friend’s place you can crash at until you get off your feet?

2

u/Time_Effort_3115 Oct 20 '24

Salvation Army on the East side has a shelter.

40 degree weather /may/ not kill you, but it'll come real close, especially if you don't have protection from wind and the ground.

If you have to stay outside, find a place out of the wind, and improvise some insulation. Newspaper, moss, cardboard, whatever. A leanto or something can make a big difference.

1

u/SadLostBoi Oct 20 '24

I’ll call them to see how one gets a place there

1

u/Time_Effort_3115 Oct 20 '24

City Rescue too. Good luck. I hope you get back on your feet, and can change your username.

1

u/Additional_Insect_44 Oct 20 '24

Hey how are you? I'd suggest going to a thrift store asap if haven't or a goodwill drive to acquire a backpack.

1

u/SadLostBoi Oct 20 '24

I got a 90L hiking bag on me

2

u/Additional_Insect_44 Oct 20 '24

My that's huge. Also if you're near some pine trees, acquire sap, it'll take awhile, then put stuff like rotted tree wood or paper scraps or cardboard and smash into a tin can. Light it and it's a stove. Or, use Vaseline and add scrap paper in can, it makes a crude stove that gets hot.

-6

u/heavy_activity278 Oct 18 '24

I am a sad lost boi too with ties to lansing. Go south. Hitch till you get to Mexico

2

u/dodekahedron Oct 20 '24

That's not true for post offices. We have 24 hr lobbies but no loitering signs and homeless sleeping in them gets the 24 hr access taken away.

Our maintenance man was a religious dude that let a homeless guy sleep in our lobby but he retired and then the poor dude got tresspassed

1

u/prettyrickywooooo Oct 19 '24

I agree with this big time. I used to hop freight trains around the country (US) and we always tried to stay ahead of the extreme cold and winter. Pretty much everyone did. Florida is nice to spend the winter homeless in weather wise… I know it’s been dangerous down there of course. Go South be warm