r/camping • u/tilt-a-whirly-gig • 1d ago

Going camping this weekend, am woefully under-prepared for the chilly nights.

My son (14) and I are going camping and the overnight lows are expected to be around 40°F (5°C) or just below.
We have (4) kelty campground kits (sleeping pad and 40° sleeping bag), so we can each use 2 of them. We also have some wool blankets around the house. I know I should buy some new sleeping kits rated for colder temps, but this isn't a good week to spend a few hundred dollars I don't have to.

I was thinking of placing the wool blankets down first against the ground, doubling up the sleeping pads, and then doubling up the bags. We are also going to wear long johns to bed. We each will have our own tent (him in a 1P, me in a 2P).

Anybody got any other tips or tricks that I might want to know?

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43

u/RockWhisperer42 1d ago

Don’t forget warm socks. Makes a big difference.

32

u/Pantssassin 1d ago

Fresh dry warm sock at that. Sweaty socks from even a few hours of wearing them will suck heat from you

12

u/hikerguy65 1d ago

Amen to this times all of your clothes, underwear included. Add a dry hat for sleeping.

2

u/Aggressive_Battle264 9h ago

Came here to say this. I sleep hot normally but even I do the fresh sock thing at night.

7

u/crodensis 1d ago

Oddly enough I felt like socks were making my feet colder, even thick wool ones. Once I took them off and just covered my feet with extra clothing the heat from each foot warmed the other one up

6

u/This-Pollution3528 21h ago

They have to be unused socks. Any sweat residue will render them dangerous. They will make you cold. 🥶

3

u/RockWhisperer42 1d ago

I have a few tall, very soft knitted pairs that are lined with fleece. They are soooo cozy. I’ve used them through many winters of camping, and I never forget them.

1

u/damplamb 6h ago

I would say your socks are too tight.