I'm going camping with a load of people for one of my best mates birthday, in 2 weeks. I love camping... in the hot summer..... and I absolutely DETESTE the cold, so I'm totally dreading going as the weather inNewcastle has been cold, windy, raining and generally dull and gloomy.
There are loads of sleeping bags around, but I don't like the thought of sleeping in a 'tight cocoon' which hardly leave any room for your feet, so would prefer a double, but these never look as warm.
What type of sleeping bag will keep me the warmest and where can I get it?
I'm sorry that this may be more suitable for the shopping section but its mainly about clothes and not many people go there!!!
HE is nuts... he took his girlfriend (who had never been camping) camping in the middle of the woods 2 days after New Years Day with nothing but a thin tent 'Ol' Betsy', a couple of blankets, couple of bottles of whisy, tins of soup and 5 inches of snow!!!!!
I went camping with a boyfriend once in the middle of Winter (or at least it felt like it!). Luckily we had both our duvets so we put the higher tog as a floor covering and that kept the cold at bay. Otherwise the cold would have come through the ground and chilled us to the bone.
Plus it'll save you the cost of buying a sleeping bag. It's bulkier to carry but as long as you're not hiking/camping then give it a go.
If you're looking to spend a bit, down sleeping bags are the warmest, just don't get them wet. Might also want to buy a silk sleeping bag liner which will draw moisture away from you and act as a cooler if you get too hot. Don't sleep on the floor, put down a survival bag underneath the ground-sheet and get a thermarest or roll mat to put down too. You'll be snug as a bug in no time.
If you are not camping acyually al fresco (i.e no tent), you will not need an expensive sleeping bag. Any old one will do. Just make sure you wear full lenght cotton underwear and the most important thing a hat.
A hat is the most important thing to stay warm.
Also make sure you have some base mattress. If you do not use one then lay on newspapers, anything to put layers between you and the ground. NEVER NEVER NEVER have any flame in the tent. Obvious, but people still do. Even Army Officers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Also there is no shame in having a hot water bottle. Just make sure you have a camping stove. If not the last pub of the evening should oblige with filling it up from their kettle!