Ever had your sleeping bag not be warm enough? Man, that’s so miserable. That’s why we thought we would offer some suggestions on how to add warmth to your sleeping bag. This will allow you to have a better night’s sleep in those cold nights.
The first thing you need to do to get your sleeping bag warmer is to look at what your sleeping on. What kind of pad do you have? Is it insulating you enough from the cold ground? The cold ground can suck the heat right from you, so having that pad is critical in keeping your sleeping bag warm. If you have one, put an emergency blanket under the sleeping bag to help protect yours from the cold ground.
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Wash your Sleeping bag
If your sleeping bag is old and you haven’t washed it in a while, the insulation might not be so effective. So, wash the sleeping bag in warm water with soap, this will break up the oils and such that have gotten into the fabric and stuffing the sleeping bag.
A front-loading washing machine is best and try to put it into a pillowcase to protect its outside fabric. When drying it, use a large commercial dryer and put in a few tennis balls. The laundry mat really is the best place to give your sleeping bag a good washing. This will help get its fluff back and insulate you better. Read our full article here on how to wash a sleeping bag.
Wear Layers of Clothing
Layer your clothing. And, be sure to cover your head, this is where you can lose a lot of heat. If you have a sleeping bag that goes over your head, this can help add some heat as well. And, make sure the sleeping bag is a good size for you, too large and it’s hard for your body to heat it up.
In a perfect world, you would have a sleeping bag rated for every condition you camp in. However, this can be expensive and can take up a lot of space, so consider getting some layers to add to the sleeping bag. Something as simple as a fleece blanket that you wrap in before you get into the sleeping bag can help. They also make sleeping bag liners as well. Essentially layering your sleeping bag. This makes your sleeping bag great for all kinds of weather conditions.
Another great way to make your sleeping bag warmer is to add another sleeping bag to the outside. If you know you are going on a trip that your sleeping bag is not rated for, ask a friend to borrow one of theirs or get another one that can be used in the summer as a pad as well. This can help keep you warm in those really cold nights.
And, most importantly, remember to eat well. When your body is trying to keep warm it will burn through calories without you even trying. This is when you need to have a good dinner before bed and always make sure you have plenty of water. Having a healthy body can keep you warm inside your sleeping bag as well.
