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Sleep System
Winter camping usually means sleeping on snow, which means you’re going to need a winter sleeping pad setup that blocks the cold beneath you from stealing away, or conducting, precious body heat.
Conduction is heat loss that occurs when your body is warmer than the ground below you. Your body will continue to lose heat until the ground beneath you warms- a fight you aren’t going to win. This is where your sleep system comes in.
A typical winter overnight sleep system is the combination of a winter sleeping bag, a closed-cell foam pad next to the ground and a self-inflating pad on top to get the best insulation from the cold ground. The foam pad also serves as insurance in case the self-inflating pad gets punctured.
Pads are rated by R-value, the measurement of insulation, ranging from 1.0 and 8.0. The higher the R-value, the better it insulates. Pads designed for all-season or winter use usually have an R-value of about 4.0 or higher. Some campers will add a small tarp to their system to further reflect body heat back towards the sleeping bag.
Sleeping Bags
To ensure comfort on cold nights, it’s a good idea to use a sleeping bag that's rated at least 10°F lower than the coldest temperature you expect to encounter. You can always vent the bag if you get too warm.
Cold-weather bags are supplied with generous amounts of goose down or synthetic insulation. Down is a popular choice due to its superior warmth-to-weight ratio. Just make sure to keep it dry (when wet, down loses much of its insulating ability). Winter bags are distinguished by their draft tubes behind the zippers, draft collars above the shoulders and hoods to help keep the heat in the bag. If you’re not sure your sleeping bag is warm enough, you can add a sleeping bag liner. These add extra warmth while also minimizing wear and keeping your bag cleaner. The extra layer can add about 5 – 10°F of warmth.
If you bury your head inside your sleeping bag, moisture from your breath will get trapped in the bag. Instead, cinch the draft collar and close the hood down around your mouth and nose so you have a hole to breathe through. This is especially true if you use a down sleeping bag. Remember, condensation is the death of a down bag. A wet bag significantly loses its insulation and takes time to dry, which is sure to put a damper on your night. Achieve maximum loft or fluffiness by shaking your bag upside down. This technique redirects the down back to the upper half of the bag near your core where heat retention is most critical.
Sleeping Pads
Sleeping Pads
Air Matresses
Inflatable sleeping pads are a shell of airtight material that you inflate by blowing air into a valve on the side of the pad. You simply blow directly into the valve. Some models offer the option of using a pump.
Most modern inflatable sleeping pads feature either a layer of lightweight insulation, reflective material, or a combination of the two to increase warmth.
Sleeping pad warmth is measured in R-value. This is a measurement of a material’s resistance to heat flow or thermal conductivity. The higher the R-value, the more insulation the sleeping pad provides. This is possible because air is an excellent thermal insulator. Generally, inflatable pads have a higher R-value than foam pads. For example, an average inflatable pad might have an R-value between 3 and 5. An insulated inflatable sleeping pad might have an R-value as high as 7. To compare, most foam sleeping pads have an R-value between 1 and 2. Because they provide more insulation, inflatable sleeping pads are better for use in cold weather. An inflatable sleeping pad with an R-value of around 3.5 or more will keep the average camper warm during spring, summer, and fall. If you plan to camp during the winter, 4 season inflatable pads are available which use a down filling to increase the R-value to 5+. These are ideal for winter camping when you might be sleeping on snow or in below-freezing temperatures.
When deflated, air pads roll up into a small cylinder. Most measure around 1 liter in volume when pack. That’s about the size of a standard 32 oz Nalgene bottle. Most campers store their inflatable sleeping pad inside of their backpack. Inflatable sleeping pads are lightweight. Most weigh 12-16 oz (around 340-450 grams).
Durability can also be an issue with inflatable pads because they can be punctured. Most come with a patch kit. Inflatable sleeping pads offer good support and comfort. Most models measure 2-3” thick.
When choosing a sleeping pad, comfort should be your first priority. Most campers find inflatable pads to be more comfortable than foam pads because they are thicker. Thicker inflatable pads can provide more cushioning and support for your body. This can reduce pressure on pressure points including your hips, shoulders, and knees. You’re also less likely to bottom out when you move around. This is particularly important for side sleepers, whose bodies make a smaller contact patch with the pad. The extra 1-2” of padding really makes a difference. You can also customize the firmness of inflatable pads by adding or removing air. Some campers find a firmer or softer pad to be more comfortable. When your sleeping pad is comfortable, you’ll get a better night of sleep and wake up feeling more rested.
Closed Cell Pads
Foam sleeping pads are made from closed-cell foam (CCF). This is a dense foam that is made from tiny closed pockets that are full of air. These air-filled cells trap body heat to provide insulation. Foam sleeping pads typically have an r-value of 1.5-2.
Closed-cell foam sleeping pads are lightweight. Most weigh around 1 pound (around 450 grams.) They are also bulky. Foam sleeping pads measure around 20” x 6” x 6” when packed. Most models roll up for storage. Some models fold up like an accordion, allowing them to pack down smaller. Most hikers strap their foam sleeping pad to the outside of their pack on the top, side, or front.
Setting up a foam sleeping pad is simple. You just roll it out or unfold it and lay it out in your tent. In terms of comfort, foam pads are generally on the firm side. Most models measure around 0.75″ thick. Closed-cell foam sleeping pads are incredibly durable. You don’t have to worry about punctures or tears.
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