Blankets?

[snapper]

Sorry if my "tricks of the trade" comment made it sound like blankets are super special or something but there are a few things I've learned over the years that have helped to keep me warm in some very cold temperatures. One thing to note though, some of these "tricks" are based on historical accounts and they may not be everyone's cup of tea. That being said, here's what I've learned (and rely on when it's cold)...

1. Be sure you have good insulation under you. I realize that's a common thought for everyone here but you'd be surprised at how many folks just sleep on the ground with nothing under them. If I'm at a 17th or 18th century re-enactment my ground insulating pad is a bearskin. It's amazing how warm it is lying on top of that thing. For modern camping I'm currently using a Therma-Rest Pro-lite 4 inflatable pad.

2. When it's truly cold it's best to combine everyone's blankets and spoon. There are plenty of accounts, drawings, etc. that show up to 4 people huddled under blankets all together. Typically one would be put down as additional insulation over the bearskins and then the other 3 would be placed lengthwise across everyone (I hope that makes sense). This way each person's one blanket added up to 3 layers of warmth from above with an insulating layer below.

3. Be sure your blanket is clean! It's amazing how body oils can mat the loft in a blanket. The loft helps to trap air and create that layer of insulation we need to stay warm.

While not specifically blanket related, another tip is to never go to bed cold. Again, I realize I'm preaching to the choir but a lot of folks don't realize that the blanket/sleeping bag won't create warmth; it can only keep it in. Especially when using a blanket I'm sure to follow this key step. Sleep comes a lot more easily if your body isn't trying to keep itself warm throughout the night.

That's all for now. Take care and until next time...be well.

snapper

 

[Odyssey]

Interesting tech blanket Tierney, thanks for the link. I keep trying to find just the right gear for just the right cost and effort. I'm sure I'm not alone here in these consumer quandaries. It's interesting how technology has improved/confused our options. Nylon replaced canvas, poly fleece replaced wool, rubber replaced waxed cotton...but only if you want it to. I keep leaning back and forth between traditional materials and new age ones. I paddle a plastic canoe with a wooden paddle.
Just the other day I was looking at a fleece throw blanket which could be custom made (at low cost) with an imprinted photograph. And I wondered which photo type I'd choose for a canoe camping fleece blanket. Lake country landscape? Maybe. Schmaltzy Elvis? Er, no. Dogs in a bar shooting pool? Definitely not. And then I thought of an idea that I knew would be perfect. A photograph of a 4 point Hudson's Bay wool blanket. And here I am back full circle at start.

 

[Odyssey]

2. When it's truly cold it's best to combine everyone's blankets and spoon. There are plenty of accounts, drawings, etc. that show up to 4 people huddled under blankets all together. Typically one would be put down as additional insulation over the bearskins and then the other 3 would be placed lengthwise across everyone (I hope that makes sense). This way each person's one blanket added up to 3 layers of warmth from above with an insulating layer below.
snapper

That would've been a real hit on the Marshall L trip last summer. Not.

 

[Rippy]

That would've been a real hit on the Marshall L trip last summer. Not.

Brad are you saying you don't want to spoon with Mem. Kind of unfriendly of you. Besides, he looks kind of cuddly. Me, I'm warm in my hammock so I won't be spooning with either of you anytime soon.

 

[Odyssey]

There was plenty of trees for hanging your hammock, and plenty of just plain hanging out. No cuddling. Or spooning.

I read recently about insomnia, and tricks to beat it. One was to go to bed slightly chilled, say right after a shower. Apparently the effect of warming up afterwards has the effect of inducing sleepiness. That seems counterintuitive to me. As snapper says, it's best to use your body heat and the insulation of coverings to best ward off a chilly night. I've had to step out at night for different reasons and been badly chilled on return. (The night air can be deceiving.) It wasn't funny at all trying to fight off the shakes and warm up. It doesn't take much to lose vital body heat, and a wool blanket does wonders to recover from the chills. And yes, spooning with my wife definitely helps.

 

[tear_knee]

Just the other day I was looking at a fleece throw blanket which could be custom made (at low cost) with an imprinted photograph. And I wondered which photo type I'd choose for a canoe camping fleece blanket. Lake country landscape? Maybe. Schmaltzy Elvis? Er, no. Dogs in a bar shooting pool? Definitely not. And then I thought of an idea that I knew would be perfect. A photograph of a 4 point Hudson's Bay wool blanket. And here I am back full circle at start.

You don't need to go through the trouble of special-ordering a fleece blanket with HBC stripes. I got one on sale at the bay for $25 (normally $40). It will have to suffice until I can afford a real wool point.

http://www.thebay.com/webapp/wcs/sto...007-jet984--24

 

[Seeker]

I like the ventilation you get with a blanket, vs a down bag, but I dislike the weight (hard to beat a 20oz bag). I have a USGI "woobie" (poncho liner) that breathes "ok" and weighs about the same (20oz) for summer use here in LA. I also have a couple Polish Army wool blankets (5-6 lbs each) and an Israeli Army blanket (3 lbs) that I sometimes take car camping or canoe camping... great for around the fire or for insulating the bottom of a hammock.

 

[Uncle_Skwid]

Blanket-and-quilt-sleeper-types: Has anyone tried the Sierra Designs zipperless "bed style" sleeping bags? I have been eyeing them for a while now if only because zippers become so wearisome. They appear to have some pretty interesting features. I as of yet don't personally know anyone who has actually tried to live out of one.

 

[Guest]

I like the ventilation you get with a blanket, vs a down bag, but I dislike the weight (hard to beat a 20oz bag). I have a USGI "woobie" (poncho liner) that breathes "ok" and weighs about the same (20oz) for summer use here in LA. I also have a couple Polish Army wool blankets (5-6 lbs each) and an Israeli Army blanket (3 lbs) that I sometimes take car camping or canoe camping... great for around the fire or for insulating the bottom of a hammock.

I have a couple of down bags I use opened up as blankets. I much prefer not to be zipped in a bag, and figure that a 20F down bag works well as an unzipped blanket in 30-40F temps, and if it gets colder than expected I can bite the bullet and sleep in it zipped up, so it covers a wide range of temperature comfort.

I also have synthetic bags and blankets I use the same way, depending on the season and weight/volume packing issues.

The biggest difference I have found beyond the weight/volume difference is that my down bags, because they are so weightless, do not drape close to my body and leave a cooler than I would like void along my sides. The synthetic fill bags, being heavier, tend to drape more like a blanket and conform better to my body without leaving that unheated void on either side.

 

[ppine]

I like blankest. For low elevation desert trips, I bring a flannel sheet and light blankets, no sleeping bag.
For cold weather trips, I bring a down bag and 2 Pendleton wool blankets.

 

[Blukanu]

I use both a sleeping bag and a small blanket.

I’m not a small guy and have yet to find s sleeping bag that fits my shoulders. I can get and bag up to my armpits, then cover the rest of me with a blanket.

 

[Alan Gage]

I use both a sleeping bag and a small blanket.

I’m not a small guy and have yet to find s sleeping bag that fits my shoulders. I can get and bag up to my armpits, then cover the rest of me with a blanket.

You might like a top quilt. It's kind of like a sleeping bag with only the bottom of the legs, maybe up the calves, being fully wrapped. The rest is spread open like a blanket. They're popular with hammockers but you can order them in wider sizes for regular ground sleeping. It allows more sleeping positions and can easily be thrown on/off to regulate temp. Weight is less as well since not as much material is required. It's what I use and I like it.

Alan

 

[Glenn MacGrady]

For the last 40 years I've used a 20° rectangular down sleeping bag for its roominess. When fully unzipped, it's just like a big quilt or blanket. On warmer nights I use it fully unzipped, like a quilt, and cover myself fully or partially as conditions require. I don't camp in cold weather, but do carry a zippered silk liner bag to add warmth, which weighs little and packs tiny. I've even used just that on hot nights.

I also have a rectangular fleece bag that unzips into a blanket, which I use when sleeping on the back couch in my van.

 

[Idiot Savant]

I am taking a blanket more often tripping now. It is heavy and bulky, but I dislike sleeping bags so I find it an acceptable trade off. Does anyone else use a down quilt or a blanket while summer tripping?

Bob.

I took a cheap comforter, with fiber fill, on a trip last fall. I'd say night time temp got down to about 45 and I was a little chilly.
This winter I ordered a couple Klymit blankets that I'll probably give a try next summer. On sale pretty cheap at Camp Saver. If I have room, I'll take both.
But I also bought a couple of Eno side sleeper bags. Thought they might feel less restrictive.

 

[Bob B.]

My dog Jake and I have been tripping for 8 years now. as posted many times we do not use a sleeping bag, we use blankets. They are notoriously heavy and bulky and a pain to portage with the rest of our kit. The last few years I have been experimenting with the "Jungle Blanket" from Snugpak. It is synthetic - so a bit out of my comfort zone, but really light, warm and packs extremely well. This has really been a great solution so far for a guy who hates sleeping bags and a dog who gets cold at night. We have used it in temps in low 30's and still remained comfortable. Perhaps someone may find this link useful.

Snugpak | JUNGLE BLANKET​

snugpakusa.com

Bob.

 

[Phil0110]

I love blankets!

 

[jdeerfoot]

I second the idea of bringing along a "woobie", military slang for a poncho liner. They are widely available as military surplus. Other than during summer I always bring mine along. Use it by itself or as a top over the sleeping bag.

 

[Blukanu]

You might like a top quilt. It's kind of like a sleeping bag with only the bottom of the legs, maybe up the calves, being fully wrapped. The rest is spread open like a blanket.

Thanks for the tip. I never looked into the quilt concept before, don’t know why. Since made an effort to learn about them. Did some research and believe the Zenbivy light bed system just might be my ticket. Will order one as soon as they get them back in stock.

 

[lowangle al]

How do you clean a Hudson Bay blanket?

 

[ppine]

Wash it in Woolite in cold water in the bath tub. That is the trad way.
Check and see if they can be dry cleaned.