What sleeping mat are you using? Having the right one can make a massive difference to warmth retention. You’re probably losing most of your heat back down into the ground.I am just looking at the Snugpak options. Tactical 4 Elite or Softie Elite 4 are the two I am humming and harring about, I am erring towards the Softie. -10 should see me comfortable, my Coleman is -5 comfort but this April on the bank of Ullswater I was freezing and it was not even frosty. I use a space blanket to help prevent loss down through the sleeping mat, it takes up no space and weighs an ounce at most. If you are careful about folding it and not trapping air in the folds it lasts years and still folds up tight, but never like it came out of the packet! I also use a fleece liner if it is really cold, I didn't take it with me in April because it wasn't forecast to be less than about 5C, it wasn't but my old Coleman doesn't work as well as it used to. It has to be 18 years old now and the zip is perfect and it hasn't suffered any damage. Maybe I am just not as able to deal with the cold as I used to be.
I use a good mat, R5.5 the Coleman sleeping bag doesn't feel warm around me anymore, maybe it just needs a wash and fluff up? I know I am more susceptible to the cold than I used to be though - this summer I wore a sweater of some sort every day and didn't wear shorts once. I was not warm this year at all.What sleeping mat are you using? Having the right one can make a massive difference to warmth retention. You’re probably losing most of your heat back down into the ground.
Also, this is going to sound funny, but what do you wear at night? I use thermal long sleeved tops and leggings if it’s not too cold or down trousers and tops if it’s below freezing.
What sleeping mat would you recommend udders?I’d look at getting a warmer sleeping bag and definitely some thermal clothing to wear at night. I don’t think a wash and fluff up is going to make much difference to your bag.
These are the thermals I use purely for sleeping in.
Talus Mens Thermal Top | Mountain Warehouse GB
www.mountainwarehouse.comNot expensive but make a huge difference.Talus Mens Base Layer Pants | Mountain Warehouse GB
www.mountainwarehouse.com
Mate thats really helpful, still using a 25yr old thermarest, time i upgraded!Well, I have 5! Not in any particular order though.
1. Exped MegaMat 10. Ultra warm, mega comfy, expensive and BIG pack size. Perfect for car camping. ( ok on a bike but doesn’t fold down so it’s full width ) R value = 8.1!
2. Exped Downmat 9LXW. Ultra warm, mega comfy, not massively expensive, good pack size. R value = 7.8 ( discontinued ) There are mats very similar to this now.
3. Thermarest Neo Air XTherm. Ultra warm, comfy, blooming expensive, fantastic pack size. Very light. R value = 7.3. I also have the chair conversion for this mat.
4. Thermarest Neo Air XLite. ( original one ) Warm, ok comfort wise but a thin mat, blooming noisy ( crinkly ), extremely small pack size, super light. R value 4.5
5. Amok Fjol XL Winterlight. Medium pack size ( made for the Amok Draumr hammock ), very warm, not cheap, 940g. R value 5.
My “ go to “ mat is the Exped Downmat 9LXW. I use that one the most. Closely followed by the Thermarest Neo Air X Therm. It’s lighter than the Exped 9 and I like having the chair conversion for it. Stops getting backache when set up and saves carrying a proper chair too.
Non of them are particularly cheap but I like being warm, having good quality reliable kit and something warm ( down filled ) and comfy. I hate being cold at night.
Hope that helps!
Add 10c to their claims if you just want to go to bed in yer pants and T-shirt.As for sleeping bags, never forget that the temperature rating is absolute bollocks, and based on you getting into bed fully clothed.