I’m a Michigan cold weather steelhead fisherman. I can tell you that drying your feet and changing your socks is a massive game changer. I few years back, I slept in my hammock in the mid teens. I changed my socks after drying my feet at bed time and I was plenty warm. Moisture equals cold. Stay dry, stay warm.
Dude, I freaking love this guy. He's not constantly trying to beat you over the head with how cool and tough and hard-core he is. Instead, he's competent and practical, while never losing sight of the fact this is all supposed to be mostly something we do for fun adventures.
Thanks to my years in the Army, camping as a civilian is heaven. So many options, it's amazing. A watch cap and woobie (poncho liner) were common in the Army, a GP Medium tent was luxury. Getting off the ground is probably the biggest thing I've learned over the years, the thickest blanket doesn't mean much if all your body heat gets drained by the cold ground.
Ex Army too, its a breeze. Looking for artic cam nets now so I can go out in the snow, no bother..... Found some Artic Whites on fleabay, might just get them too!
Speaking of fire...Native Americans use to say that "White men build a big fire, stand far away and burn lots of wood. Indians build a small fire, stand close and burn much less wood. " Lots of wood equals lots of work and vice versa. Makes sense to me. Smaller fire can be nearer the shelter making it easier to tend in the night even though it may be an extra time or two. Enjoy the videos. Thanks for sharing.
Growing up in Northern Wisconsin, it was common knowledge in my community to sleep with loose wool socks and a winter cap on cold winter nights. For me, it is a no brainer to apply this to when I actually sleep outside on cooler nights.
I hear That!!!! I grew up in Northern New York / Canadian border ................ _SAME THING_ !!! at the height of winters we usually had a few weeks that were utterly frigid & I grew up with wood stoves & a house with no insulation Now I Live on Long Island... & it is perpetually HUMID here, even in winters. People here THINK it is "cold" when it's a balmy 20-degrees with sun & no wind But MOST of the time, in winters we barely have snow & it's usually rainy wet & cold/cool at approx 30degrees or a warm winter here is nearly a perpetual 40-degrees & rain ---- but IF polar air from Canada DOES come down over the boarder and manage to push all the way south-east to Long Island THEN it does get chilly & stays that way till the atlantic weather (wet & cold) pushes back on the North Polar / Canadian Air --- usually, the North Atlantic is what dominates the Air here since we're a short ways off the continental border
Great tips Dan! It's hard to convince beginning campers how important clean, dry socks are for a good night's sleep. Those socks you've been slogging around in all day are mildly damp due to perspiration and on cool to cold evenings they will leave your feet frozen if you sleep in them. You can turn them inside out and keep them under the blanket with you during the night to help draw off that moisture - just don't wear them. The same is true for t-shirts and underwear, if you sleep in those.
Im big on keeping Marino wool hunting socks in all my packs !!!.......also have 3 pairs in my bedroom for nites during the winter..... I only wear them for bed , the ones for my boots are 80% blends .....nothing better than a pair of 100% wool socks and down booties for camping or cold winter nite sleeping
Good tips- He is 110% correct when mentioning the more insulation between you and the ground, the better. Ive camped out in sub-zero weather using the old school OD green army "mummy" bag with a wool blanket inside the bag and have always been fine. Usually just used a sleeping mat on top of the snow, but with more time, you would want some sort of insulation on the ground- i.e... pine boughs, leaves, ect... Cool vids- keep up the good work-
When it was cold I would take the Whilly Pete bag, the water proof bag that we carried our mummy sleeping bag in, and slip it over the foot of my sleeping bag. Makes you toasty warm. Turn it inside out, moisture will build up on the inside of it, turning it inside out then when you get upturn it back so your bag stays dry.
You learn the heat leakage lesson real quick if, as a teenager, you end up sleeping in a cast Iron bath after a skin-full at a party. Can you guess how I know ??
Love it 😍 thank you... Camping I used to take my three little dogs along...one kept my knees warm under the covers, the other slept in my arms like a baby and the third one always laid above my head...having three little Portable heaters is always good to have, plus they are real fur...and real fur is always warmer then anything man-made... (of course you got to feed that fur)!🤣😂🤣
I have a dedicated pair of thick wool socks that I use solely for sleeping in. A buff and a beanie also help. When the weather is super-cold, I’ve got down booties and a down balaclava that make my 27 degree sleeping back keep me adequately warm down to about 10 degrees. Good points all around!
@@robertsherman4597 Basically a stand-alone hood. There are numerous variations on the style. The one I have is from Outdoor Vitals. (I would post a link, but then YT would eat my comment…)
@@robertsherman4597 Picture a long ski mask with a single face opening. Very popular with British soldiers in Crimea, named after the town of Balaclava, famous for the charge of the light brigade. --HJS studios shows knitting and photographs of some WW1 styles, and Red Cross posts WW2 styles. Ladies would obtain wool yarn and knitting patterns from the local Red Cross, knit them for soldiers. --The one pictured in the video is of knitted ragg wool, almost impossible to find, now-days. --Once on MASH TV, I saw a nurse wearing an exact version of a sweater patterned by the Red Cross. --How soon they forget!
amazing how most bushcraft tips bring out a reaction like "Yeah, I knew that", because most of it is simple common sense and basic problem solving. The problem with that is that a lot of people think that watching a lot of these videos is a substitute for actual practice. There is a reason that all bushcraft channels keep telling us to go out in the woods and practice. So I really appreciate you for making that call to practice with the gear we have and get used to different situations. Great video. Your channel is one of the few I where I have clicked on the bell.
@Jelle Baris - Absolutely true! I grew up in the Boy Scouts with lots of fun and educational camping experience. I'm now in my 70's and, while I often say "I knew that" - the truth is, I haven't practiced any of it for a long, long time and much of the muscle memory "do it by habit" stuff needs a lot of refreshing! Great comment! I'm not likely to spend nearly as much time in the woods as Dan (or _any_ of the commenters) do, but I sure enjoy living those experiences - _once again_ - if only vicariously through Dan's videos. Outdoors = good times / great memories!!
A hat, loose mittens, and fresh socks along with a simple tarp bivi including a wool blanket and inflatable sleep pad set up under the low branches of a cedar tree allowed me to sleep without a fire for several nights on an alpine predator hunt down to single digit temps. Great advice across in this video. I would add; don't be afraid to sleep in those cloths, wool base layers are like adding more wool blankets when you sleep so you can do yourself a lot of favors by dressing right too. I took off my outer layers of coveralls and used them as further insulation from the ground. It also helps keep your inner layers breathing, fresh, and the outer layers have some warmth for when you redress in the morning.
Let's see, you say location, we lay on snow and ice above the Arctic Circle. No forest around us. In permafrost region. Yes, only a small reflective Tarp. Yes, I use a wool blanket. I carry a 5" air mat. Of course we are usually hunting caribou. Because of this, I have 6 malimutes. These dogs love to sleep around me. Being surrounded by 6 extra large dogs. You'll stay very warm. Also, you made a comment about skills. I'll say this, many of you need to know how to build a simple all night fire.
Good stuff, right on brother! This old greybeard has tarp and blanket camped since I was a kid. Groundcover is key, as is setting the tarp to block the wind. It sure doesn’t help if your tarp is catching the cool night breeze. I like a nice bough or debris pile then a USGI shelter half tarp under me. One of the best night sleeps ever was in the rain, under a tarp on a bed of jackrabbit droppings mixed with leaves and duff. Was soft and warm. Another one was middle of Montana winter: well below zero and snowed a couple feet on us. In my bedroll and tarp under the fresh powder snow, I was comfortable warm!! The adventurous spirit is definitely imperative!! Without that: camping is a motel and roughing it is a Motel 6 lol. I refuse to use a tent because I want to be outside, not in a nylon hotel room.
Great video which realistically addresses what is probably the number one camping issue. The debris bedding is certainly a key to warm sleeping but I worry about ticks and spiders crawling onto me out of the debris. The answer to this is to bring a couple of the super-large, heavy-duty garbage bags and stuff the debris into them, then sleep on top of these "mattresses". Or you can bring a large sheet of plastic and throw it over the debris pile.
GREAT REALISM and PRACTICAL advice here! For several years, I have used a 'Ninja Suit' of 2-piece knit wool and a Balaclava type of hood to supplement my sleeping bag in Fall and early Spring weather. My preferred wool blanket is a queen-sized waffle weave item that traps a lot of warm air. Generations of Classic Woodcraft 'Outers' have discovered that a looser weave works better as an insulator than thick, densely woven wool blankets.
I started, and continue watching, your material because of how you present the information. I wish we had someone like you to teach in the Mojave Desert.
I'm so glad you said that the first night outside after leaving your previous sleeping arrangement will be restless. It's true for most campers as well.
I live in a small RV with no electric or running water; in an area with sub zero Winter temps. Often it gets well below freezing inside the RV. Here's a few more tips: 1) Layers ~ try clothing combinations you find comfortable even when layered. I have two soft hoodie shirts I alternate and sleep in & wear long underwear. I also wear a soft neck gator and knit beanie underneath the hoodie. If my winter socks aren't clean, I layer socks. I might even double up on winter socks. 2) Heat batteries ~ while your fire is going, set a few 1lb (+/-) rocks near enough to the fire that they get thoroughly warm (avoid extreme hot); when ready for bed, wrap rocks inside a hand towel and place inside the wool blanket you sleep in. You can also do this with certain metal water bottles, but beware that lid gaskets may not survive excess heat exposure. I have two suitable water bottles and slip each one inside a spare sock. Often these bottles are still warm by morning. 3) Mylar survival sheets ~ BUT learn how to use them. Do NOT place them in close layers to your body as they trap body moisture and can literally result in wetness which can accelerate hypothermia. With a little duct tape you can secure them on the inside of the tarp in a way to reflect ambient heat back towards you. 4) location location location ~ select a spot to bed down with maximum sun exposure; that day heat is stored in the earth material and lessens the cold draw from your body; when the sun rises you will gain warmth faster. Rig your tarp so you can lift open the sunny side and allow daylight to heat up the interior. It can give you an extra hour of peaceful sleep. Every degree you can save and gain adds up!
An old man i met who sold everything to travel america in a wagon pulled by a mule , he was also on the johnny carson show about his life style , told me how you stay warm is to dig out a bed shape in the dirt and line it with coals and stones from your fire cover it back with dirt and make your bed on top and it will keep you warm all night .
That was awesome...greetings from the FLXNF. Basics covered. I didn't do this at home... Well your not at home. We're bush crafters, Build it. Teach the next generation.
I just wanted to tell you that your pretty awesome. I read a post you wrote not long ago and it really touched my heart. I've been praying for you and praying that you keep gods favor and blessings on your life. You have an amazing personality and drive! Keep on keeping on! God bless! ❤️💪🕊️💯🙏
Your Bushcraft channel is the best of the best that I have seen. I learn so much from watching your videos and practice when I can. My grandson is really got an interest in bushcrafting and I have put him on to your channel so that he can really learn something that is very useful. That means camping as well as survival. Thanks again for sharing all your knowledge with us it's very much appreciated!
Good and sound tips all the way in this video! I do a bit of camping in Norway and here it often gets quite cold. wearing clean socks, gloves, scarf and a beanie is the way to go! In addition I can highly recommend heating water on the fire and pouring it on a bottle you bring with you under the blanket or in the sleeping bag. it will really help you staying warm! (as long as you make sure the lid is firmly on. If you make your bedding wet you will have a very uncomfortable night. )
Once, I had a metal Boy Scout canteen that I used, wrapped in a towel, of course. --These days, I take a bottle of water to jump-start the frozen stuff.
That was awesome, thanks! I really am going to get the socks gloves and beanie for this season! I was reminded of the importance of prepping additional wood for the fire ar night. All your points are really helpful. Cheers
Heading out this week up in the Delaware State Forrest! Weather is getting perfect! I’m stoked to be using your wool blanket! Thanks for the tips/reminders!
I'm typing this while I'm watching... I was camping a couple of weeks ago (in February, southern Ontario). I have a tent and wood stove and a climate appropriate sleep system. The first night was not great, feeding the stove every hour and half and trying to manage my comfort between +15C and -5C. The second night my plan was to get a good layer of embers, and then put on a large compressed sawdust log in the stove. They normally burn for 5+ hours when the stove is choked up. This time the compressed log expanded when it lit, and pushed the baffle up to block off the chimney. The tent filled with smoke and I couldn't remove the stove from the tent. I dragged my sleep system out and slept outside. I slept better than I have in a long time. I'm now reconsidering my entire winter sleep setup.
Great video dude! I know it's a year old but it just came up on my feed (probobly because I've been looking st surplus blankets). I love the attitude "It's supposed to be an adventure, stop whining and do it better". At least that was what I got out of it. I'm a big guy (6'4") and I'm absolutely going to sew two blankets together as you suggested. I bought 6 old Swiss Army blankets years ago, real cheap, and two sewn together should do the trick.
@Boxing Bot hey safety pins means having more potential material for use elsewhere if needs be Tbf tho sewing is pretty easy, sewing pretty is hard. Basically learn how to do a blanket stitch (it's super easy and one I use for everything I do by hand bc I don't want that shit coming apart until well after I'm dead) It's a hem stitch which means it's meant to keep the fabric from unraveling and pulling the stitches lose. Learning how to sew is also a practical skill to know when it comes to stitches, which I've also had to give myself, it's not fun, but knowing some basic sewing helps
All great tips Dan. The coldest I’ve hit so far, outside, was 19 the first night, 17 the second night. The first was worse than the second in spite of the 2 degree difference. The difference was, my bedding. Oh, two points, I prefer the trapper/mountain man sleep caps in wool. But that’s a personal choice. Second, gloves okay but, mittens are preferred. Most important is as you noted…attitude. You will NEVER, have that pillow top mattress with the down comforter feel. NEVER! Don’t expect it and don’t think you can create it…it’s ground sleeping. Expect THAT. I’ve long been the two lower cost blankets sewn together guy. I don’t double them though. I go about half side by side. This gives you the thicker concentration underneath and pulling the two sides over you, creates the double top layer without sacrificing size…in fact, you gain size but, not weight. Outstanding content. Dress right, sleep tight. 👊🏻 Oh…have no idea what that song was…I was graduated in 1978 and Uncle Sam taught me practically zero about sleeping warm and comfortable on the ground with minimal weight. I learned more from the pioneers and mountain men.
Well said. I did my first ever tarp camping last night in low 50F and wind up to 30 MPH. Standard early spring weather. The tarp took it to a whole new level! It was amazing to feel a soft breeze blow under the tarp or across your face while seeing a great view is almost indescribable. I could peek my head out and see the treetops swaying the wind...and the wind in the trees sounds almost like surf at the ocean. Really incredible! I used a cheap like $10 'fleece' blanket and a cheap walmart nysil type tarp 5ft X8ft. and a cheap yoga mat. Fantastic experience. My mistakes: A beanie would have kept me warmer, and so would some gloves- even dollar store gloves are better than nothing. And I didn't wear socks. Nice wool socks would have been nice. I had doubts going in, but the tarp experience won me over! You need to try it!
Thank you for this video. You make great points! Yes, insulation between you and the ground is critical. The ground can absorb far more heat than you can ever generate. Insulation from the ground, a stout, wool blanket, a tarp to block the breeze, and a Siberian Log Fire, and you have pretty much done all you can. I especially like the tip about gloves, socks, a gaiter, and a hat. I have found these to be very important to my own comfortable sleep. Again, many thanks for this video.
Medical problems put me and my wife on the streets for some time and I promise what you said is true about the ground sucking your body heat out . We figured out quick you best have a good thick bed to lay on .
Yep I have all these kinds of techniques to stay warm in north of Minnesota especially during Hunting season! Keep all ideas coming for educate others who used these ideas. Carry on!
I know the vid has to be brief and you've covered it before. But, shelter factors like prevailing wind, size and configuration of shelter, and opening seem to matter a lot as well. Keep up the wonderful content Dan.
seriously Dan - no hype or BS, just a straight-up compliment to a TH-camr who deserves it... this video, and almost all of the ones I have seen from you are WHY you are definitely in my top 3 subscriptions. The pragmatic wisdom you teach with just the right amount of humour and respect makes learning from you very pleasant. About two years ago I decided that I wanted to get into bushcrafting, which led my wife and I to start hiking. Since I am off work for four months a year (I drive dump truck and get the winter off) and I love to study (thank God for things like the internet and TH-cam) and I have 24 hours a day to do what I want to do, I spend hours every day and night just watching these types of videos. You are one of my most favourite to watch. Thanks, and please keep up the good work :-)
Great video, perfect timing. I'm going camping in a couple of weeks. Haven't cold camped in ages, so 5 good ideas for me to think about now, rather than later. Thanks!
I’ve been sleeping with a beanie on in the winter for years since I was a kid camping as well as in the house at night when the thermostat is lowered. It definitely makes a difference with the amount of body heat you lose from your head.
I like your channel, it is my favorite as far as bush craft is concerned. As I watch videos on TH-cam, I think there is way too much focus on something to keep you warm through the night. In the case of car camping, it is diesel heaters. In the case of more primitive camping, it is fire. Why not just take a good sleeping system with you. It is not any harder than carrying a tarp and wool blanket. It is called sleeping pad and sleeping bag. You stay warm all night without having to get up, except to pee. I have camped in the mountains of northern New Mexico at over 11,000 ft in the dead of winter without the need to keep a fire going. The temperatures can get so low that digital thermometers can stop working. I like the ambiance of fire, I get it. But in a time of so much wild fire danger out west, It is bad form to be using camp fire in the first place.
Great video. Don't forget to stay hydrated it will keep you warm and wake you up to feed the fire. Then use that hot water bottle to pre warm the blanket or your feet. having enough calories will keep you warm also.
Fresh grass and branches have a lot of moisture, they are not good choice for making bed, as they will drain heat. The better choice: dry grass, plants, leaves. The best one: to make simple bed from dead wood and raise it above the ground. Dry wood isolates you from cold ground and prevents heat drain. With fire and heat reflector it’s a great combo to stay warm
@@JD-gn6du I have one just about all the time. I’ve used it for an underquilt, taken it for more insulation when tarp camping. I even took it to my sons summer camp for Scouts this summer.
This is awesome. When I tell people of my camping experience, they ask me "Why do I even do it, you have a house", and honestly, I don't have a perfect answer for them. I love nature and bushcraft, just spending hours looking at the stars, but nowadays, it's hard to find people who share that same interest. Thank you so much for the tips and for inspiring us all.
I implement most of these tips “indoors” November through March-April. Granted I’m boondocking in an RV in Canada and routinely wake up in sub-freezing temperatures. Yes, good socks are going to set you back $30+, but so worth it.
Yep they last years if you look after them and don't felt them up by hard or hot washing, or God forbid, wringing them out. I'm way too old and broken to camp out now, heck, I've had to sleep in a chair these last 20 years, but I still know how to look after my feet ... and I do ;
Casual tent camper here, a few things I've learned that helped me be reasonably comfortable line up with what you're saying. -Even a cheap yoga mat as a sleeping pad makes a HUGE difference. Even Just to stop the pokey bits, it helps alot. -Military surplus beanies are perfect, they don't take up much space and cost like $5. -Have a separate pair of socks for sleeping. Decent thick boot socks are again around $5. This way you have dry socks to sleep in and can dry your day socks overnight -learn one of the self-feeding fire methods. Even if it only doubles the times between refueling the fire, three hours of rest at a time beats 1.5 hours. -dont cheap out on your sleep system. Whether you're using a wool blanket or a sleeping bag, read the reviews and talk to people who are familiar with the products. Cheap ones tend to crush and trap sweat, ruining their comfort value - pajamas. You again want something dry and with no pokey bits like buttons and zippers to change into. Decent thermal pants/shirts aren't very expensive and take up little pack space. Even your favorite old sweatpants and a pullover will work, if space isn't a concern. Just having a distinct separate set of sleep clothes makes it easier to sleep, maybe from the comfort and dryness but probably also from the psychological "these are pajamas" aspect. I'm no expert, but these have helped me. Packing in a few extra pounds of stuff helps get much better sleep and is totally worth it if you're not doing long hikes to get to your site.
Very good advice here on covering your head. I have always found that when I wear my wool jeep cap in cooler weather I can sleep comfy and actually use a lighter sleeping bag/blanket.
I practice this all the time, even at home, cannot recommend it enough. This year I also went with merino socks on at night. Both total game changer, warmth level magnified.
I did an experiment at home. I have a taken to wearing thin summer weight ankle length socks in bed this winter here in the UK and I deliberately turned down my heating to stay around 10 degrees centigrade at night. Not freezing cold but cold enough. I can sleep easily and comfortably under a 9 tog quilt all night with thin socks and wake up really cold without. Just a pair of thin socks makes that much difference. Incidentally, in summer if you are struggling to sleep on a hot night. Soak a pair of sport socks in water and squeeze out a bit then put them on and pull up over the ankles. Guarantee you will feel cold after an hour. Dry socks versus wet socks perfect comfort over a 10 - 30 degree centigrade range.
I believe the bed you lay on is almost more important then what you cover with I sleep outside almost every day during the week working in the woods and I have found that a good thick bed not only is more comfortable but also makes your sleeping bag or blankets perform much much better in lower temps I had a 6” pad under a 0° bag with a canvas tarp over me and a small fire in -27° and was perfectly comfortable but I’ve shivered all night in the same bag tossed straight on the ground in 40°
Many thanks Dan, for sharing your wisdom with us. As always, a very useful video, particularly the reminder that sleeping on the trail will, in no way, ever, compare with the comforts of sleeping at home .. Cheers.
Man! I would love to have access to a patch o woods where I could throw up a nice 9x9 plow point canvas, lay some leaves down, roll out a woolly, build a fire reflector, get a nice long fire going for the night. I have to stick with state park campgrounds where either you need a coleman tent with the tarp bathtub floor or a hammock system because when it rains substantially the whole site turns into a pond.😅. They fill these tentsites with crusher run in hopes that it drains but it doesn’t all that well. Great vid sir for sure! I really enjoyed it! Thank you!!
I’ve experimented with sewing a wool blanket into a piece of Tyvek. I stayed warm down to the mid 30’s with lightweight thermals. It’s cheap, light and helps keep blanket clean.
Good tips! I like to sleep in a sweatshirt hoodie with the hoodie on. It's especially nice when I need to sleep with a bug net on. I have a dedicated pair of wool socks for sleeping. I also wear thermal long johns. This way when I have to get up in the middle of the night I'm not cold. As you get older you have to get up more if you know what I mean.
Great video. You put out some good content! I actually bought the Polish shovel off your website without knowing it was your site at first 🤣 I knew the name, but didn’t put it together until I saw you pop up on TH-cam. That’s actually what made me pull the trigger and buy it. Gotta say, that shovel is BADASSSS. Sharp as a knife, light and seems good quality. Putting it to the first test over Christmas- new year on a 5 day winter camping trip. A hike in, base camp and then explore the surrounding areas. Definitely not just rocking a wool blanket though lol but I won’t camp without one now. Especially in cold weather. Makes such a good, warm ground floor over my sleeping pad. And obviously, the versatility that comes with the wool blanket. I don’t skimp on sleep comfort! Especially on a 5 day trip 😂. Insulated Wide- long sleeping pad, closed cell foam pad, and a fluffy quilt w/ a hood. I do want to try a more survival type trip though with just my dog and I and the few basics. But maybe a fall or spring trip to start.
The best thing for sleeping with a wool blanket is to not use just a wool blanket, take a Sea to Summit Thermolite sleeping bag inner, a Thermarest X-Therm and a Thermarest collapsible pillow. The extra weight is virtually nothing, you will feel like you’re sleeping at home and you can go down into some serious temps even under just a tarp. A nice warm hat helps too, no need for a fire all night either.
Years ago I bought two regular size wool blankets after checking the price of a Hudson's Bay blanket. This way I can just use one in warmer weather or two when it's getting colder. Cheers from Canada. You should try winter cycling it's a blast and I'm 72 still doing it.
Absolutely agree about bringing a sleeping pad. Honestly in chilly/cool weather, if I had to choose between my high R value mat or a blanket. I'd take the mat. I use the Ascend frog creek from Bass Pro. It was the best gift.
The clean dry socks is a trick I didn’t learn until later in life. But that’s ok, I’ve done much more cold weather camping these days than when I was a kid. Good vid Dan.
First class tips that stink of common sense. Brilliant stuff. Great refresher course for the coming months. Off to the Scottish borders next week hiking and camping. Can't wait. Regards from the North East of England.
I always enjoy your videos because of the well-presented information and your engaging style, a perfect balance between serious and not-so-serious. Thank you, Dan.
Camping with my Boy Scout troop in February in the 1980’s. We cowboy camped in the Chicago area , outside with a layer of hay. It was actually warmer than sleeping in a tent in the spring. The only problem was my boots frozen because I didn’t put them under my sleeping bag at night.
I totally concur. I've been out in my tent all summer and I'm still out here now. Yeah, I'm cheating, I'm in a tent AND on a cot. But, I love my Filson blanket!!! I've been under this every night since I started. There have been a few colder nights here. BTW, I'm in N. ID too. Folding my blanket over to double it up, I can curl up into a ball, and stay nice and warm. I have a fire pit near by too, But I've only used it twice. It goes out, it goes out. Now, that it is getting down to the upper 30's at night, more often, I sleep in my wool pants too. I don't wear gloves at all. I wear a hoodie with/without a beanie, and tuck my hands in someplace warm and comfy. This has been a great summer listening to all the nature around me too!!! Take care, till next video!
@@williamrobinson4265 They only make 1 large wool blanket. They are virgin wool and quite large. Perfection at it's finest. And yeah, they are expensive, but for that quality, nothing is better. BTW, Pendleton makes the wool blanket for Filson.
Another thing us old school mountain men do is dig a hole the length of your body and start your fire in there. When you’re ready for bed and you have a lot of hot coals, move you’re fire into the pit, cover the coals in the hole with at least 6 inches of dirt, throw some foliage on top and it’ll keep you warm all night. I actually learned that from Jeremiah Johnson. Also warming up rocks around the fire and putting them around areas of your body that have main arteries; It helps warm up your blood.
I did an overnight trip with only a wool blanket in a hammock...my first and last hammock use. I ended up sleeping on the ground with a small pad and was warm enough for most of the night. I woke up cold, put on more clothes and did fine after that. I personally like a better sleep system, but know that in a pinch my dad's old army blanket will do just fine.
Great tips. I’m heading out tonight for a short stealth camp. Supposed to get down in the upper 30’s. No fire. But you better believe that I will have some type of debris under me. Clean wool socks and a warm hat. Cheers brother.
Super i.portant Info that folks should not forget! Great presentation! Gonna make a world of a difference this winter as we try to run a course house too!
I’m going to throw one more in there Dan, if I may. I’ve found this one is probably more important for your comfort than all the others.. Watch your alcohol consumption! Having a few beers around the fire is everyone’s perfect outdoor moment, but the more you consume the thinner your blood becomes causing your core temperature to drop significantly. You might find it easier passing out to sleep but you put yourself at a greater risk of hypothermia and you might not even be aware. I only carry a 5oz hip flask of whiskey when I’m out, just in case of emergencies 😂
I'm a big fan of winter camping. I usually use a wool blanket, wool cap, and wool socks. Although, I tend to sleep better when my feet are cold. I will still keep wool socks on standby. I will also wrap a shemagh or gaiter around my neck. I don't really worry about gloves. Coldest I have gone was about -9°F, my camp was about 30°-40° F with a long fire.
Whoa! Hold it right there! You're saying that sleeping under a tarp with a wool blanket won't be like being at home with a woman feeding you grapes, I think I'm going to have to revise my whole interest in the outdoors! Great video.
Most of my camping is now done in a hunting cabin. It has 4 plywood bunk beds and a wood stove, which still has to be fed wood during the night. My tip for not allowing this to interrupt my sleep is get there first and claim a top bunk. Have a better sleeping bag than the other people in your party and you will be able to outlast them when the fire burns down. They'll get cold long before you do. 🔥
Something I have used since as far back as I can remember is a space blanket. They are a great ground cover, very light, and it reflects your body heat. My wool blanket keeps the cool off my top.
Space blankets only worked for me as heat reflectors above my bed with a decent long fire burning in front. The downside of space blankets is condensation. Had I carried more of them, I would have used them as reflectors under a raised bed.
Finally, I have -4 degrees F street cred on thks topic. Multiple nights winter camping with tarp and sleeping bag, sometimes wool blanket. A mil surplus attic face mask is a game changer. Breathing in your bedding is moisture that will sweat and freeze. You need to exhale out. The mask protects your face while you protect your bedding by breathing out.
I hate getting up to pee at 3am; that's when I get cold. Other than that, my sleeping pad, Marino Wool baselayer, and Army wool blanket do me fine. Yeah, keeping feet and hands warm is a must as well. Great vid!
I’m a Michigan cold weather steelhead fisherman. I can tell you that drying your feet and changing your socks is a massive game changer. I few years back, I slept in my hammock in the mid teens. I changed my socks after drying my feet at bed time and I was plenty warm. Moisture equals cold. Stay dry, stay warm.
There is nothing more comfortable than putting on a fresh pair of socks
Thanks
@@yomamaso100 particularly wool night socks
Michigan in the house
🤣🤣
True
Dude, I freaking love this guy. He's not constantly trying to beat you over the head with how cool and tough and hard-core he is. Instead, he's competent and practical, while never losing sight of the fact this is all supposed to be mostly something we do for fun adventures.
Well said.
But if it was me, it would be impossible, because I'm cool, and tough and hardcore.That's why I stay home in the sofa.
Thanks to my years in the Army, camping as a civilian is heaven. So many options, it's amazing. A watch cap and woobie (poncho liner) were common in the Army, a GP Medium tent was luxury. Getting off the ground is probably the biggest thing I've learned over the years, the thickest blanket doesn't mean much if all your body heat gets drained by the cold ground.
Thank you for your service, brother.
Ex Army too, its a breeze. Looking for artic cam nets now so I can go out in the snow, no bother.....
Found some Artic Whites on fleabay, might just get them too!
Speaking of fire...Native Americans use to say that "White men build a big fire, stand far away and burn lots of wood. Indians build a small fire, stand close and burn much less wood. " Lots of wood equals lots of work and vice versa. Makes sense to me. Smaller fire can be nearer the shelter making it easier to tend in the night even though it may be an extra time or two. Enjoy the videos. Thanks for sharing.
What do you mean “use to”? WE STILL DO! Something’s don’t change….
@@strongbear9304 Ha Ha Ha Ha I'd hope so 'cause it is still true! Great response!
UGH LOL
@@shannonbarattini5772 HaHaHaHa! Love it!
White man like big lump on log
In Norway we always wear wool outside. Wool under, wool over, wool socks and thin wool gloves, wool balaclava… makes a world of difference
Growing up in Northern Wisconsin, it was common knowledge in my community to sleep with loose wool socks and a winter cap on cold winter nights. For me, it is a no brainer to apply this to when I actually sleep outside on cooler nights.
Northwoods for life
Cable Hayward area!
I hear That!!!! I grew up in Northern New York / Canadian border
................ _SAME THING_ !!!
at the height of winters we usually had a few weeks that were utterly frigid
& I grew up with wood stoves
& a house with no insulation
Now I Live on Long Island... & it is perpetually HUMID here, even in winters.
People here THINK it is "cold" when it's a balmy 20-degrees with sun & no wind
But MOST of the time, in winters we barely have snow
& it's usually rainy wet & cold/cool at approx 30degrees
or a warm winter here is nearly a perpetual 40-degrees & rain
---- but IF polar air from Canada DOES come down over the boarder and manage to push all the way south-east to Long Island
THEN it does get chilly & stays that way till the atlantic weather (wet & cold) pushes back on the North Polar / Canadian Air
--- usually, the North Atlantic is what dominates the Air here since we're a short ways off the continental border
@@AutomationDnD
Man you just blabbed about a whole lot of nothing 😂🤦🏼
Duluth, Mn. boyscouts 1960's, Winter camping in a canvas tent. Yes it was cold.
Great tips Dan! It's hard to convince beginning campers how important clean, dry socks are for a good night's sleep. Those socks you've been slogging around in all day are mildly damp due to perspiration and on cool to cold evenings they will leave your feet frozen if you sleep in them. You can turn them inside out and keep them under the blanket with you during the night to help draw off that moisture - just don't wear them. The same is true for t-shirts and underwear, if you sleep in those.
Clean, comfortable dry wool socks are a blessing after a day of sweaty hiking in damp socks and damp boots.
Im big on keeping Marino wool hunting socks in all my packs !!!.......also have 3 pairs in my bedroom for nites during the winter..... I only wear them for bed , the ones for my boots are 80% blends .....nothing better than a pair of 100% wool socks and down booties for camping or cold winter nite sleeping
Ha, sounds like the army medic... Change your socks!
Good tips- He is 110% correct when mentioning the more insulation between you and the ground, the better. Ive camped out in sub-zero weather using the old school OD green army "mummy" bag with a wool blanket inside the bag and have always been fine. Usually just used a sleeping mat on top of the snow, but with more time, you would want some sort of insulation on the ground- i.e... pine boughs, leaves, ect... Cool vids- keep up the good work-
When it was cold I would take the Whilly Pete bag, the water proof bag that we carried our mummy sleeping bag in, and slip it over the foot of my sleeping bag. Makes you toasty warm. Turn it inside out, moisture will build up on the inside of it, turning it inside out then when you get upturn it back so your bag stays dry.
You learn the heat leakage lesson real quick if, as a teenager, you end up sleeping in a cast Iron bath after a skin-full at a party. Can you guess how I know ??
Love it 😍 thank you...
Camping I used to take my three little dogs along...one kept my knees warm under the covers, the other slept in my arms like a baby and the third one always laid above my head...having three little Portable heaters is always good to have, plus they are real fur...and real fur is always warmer then anything man-made... (of course you got to feed that fur)!🤣😂🤣
I have a dedicated pair of thick wool socks that I use solely for sleeping in. A buff and a beanie also help. When the weather is super-cold, I’ve got down booties and a down balaclava that make my 27 degree sleeping back keep me adequately warm down to about 10 degrees. Good points all around!
What's a balaclava?
@@robertsherman4597 Basically a stand-alone hood. There are numerous variations on the style. The one I have is from Outdoor Vitals. (I would post a link, but then YT would eat my comment…)
@@robertsherman4597 Picture a long ski mask with a single face opening. Very popular with British soldiers in Crimea, named after the town of Balaclava, famous for the charge of the light brigade.
--HJS studios shows knitting and photographs of some WW1 styles, and Red Cross posts WW2 styles. Ladies would obtain wool yarn and knitting patterns from the local Red Cross, knit them for soldiers.
--The one pictured in the video is of knitted ragg wool, almost impossible to find, now-days.
--Once on MASH TV, I saw a nurse wearing an exact version of a sweater patterned by the Red Cross.
--How soon they forget!
amazing how most bushcraft tips bring out a reaction like "Yeah, I knew that", because most of it is simple common sense and basic problem solving. The problem with that is that a lot of people think that watching a lot of these videos is a substitute for actual practice. There is a reason that all bushcraft channels keep telling us to go out in the woods and practice. So I really appreciate you for making that call to practice with the gear we have and get used to different situations. Great video. Your channel is one of the few I where I have clicked on the bell.
@Jelle Baris - Absolutely true! I grew up in the Boy Scouts with lots of fun and educational camping experience. I'm now in my 70's and, while I often say "I knew that" - the truth is, I haven't practiced any of it for a long, long time and much of the muscle memory "do it by habit" stuff needs a lot of refreshing! Great comment!
I'm not likely to spend nearly as much time in the woods as Dan (or _any_ of the commenters) do, but I sure enjoy living those experiences - _once again_ - if only vicariously through Dan's videos.
Outdoors = good times / great memories!!
Your comment on “ we’re bushcrafters, we walk a couple hundred yards and set up camp” was awesome.
Same with your woods equals home comfort
A hat, loose mittens, and fresh socks along with a simple tarp bivi including a wool blanket and inflatable sleep pad set up under the low branches of a cedar tree allowed me to sleep without a fire for several nights on an alpine predator hunt down to single digit temps. Great advice across in this video. I would add; don't be afraid to sleep in those cloths, wool base layers are like adding more wool blankets when you sleep so you can do yourself a lot of favors by dressing right too. I took off my outer layers of coveralls and used them as further insulation from the ground. It also helps keep your inner layers breathing, fresh, and the outer layers have some warmth for when you redress in the morning.
Let's see, you say location, we lay on snow and ice above the Arctic Circle.
No forest around us. In permafrost region.
Yes, only a small reflective Tarp.
Yes, I use a wool blanket.
I carry a 5" air mat.
Of course we are usually hunting caribou.
Because of this, I have 6 malimutes.
These dogs love to sleep around me.
Being surrounded by 6 extra large dogs. You'll stay very warm.
Also, you made a comment about skills. I'll say this, many of you need to know how to build a simple all night fire.
I've heard of people not to rely on inflatables in extreme cold
Why are you not using caribou hide?
Good stuff, right on brother!
This old greybeard has tarp and blanket camped since I was a kid.
Groundcover is key, as is setting the tarp to block the wind. It sure doesn’t help if your tarp is catching the cool night breeze.
I like a nice bough or debris pile then a USGI shelter half tarp under me. One of the best night sleeps ever was in the rain, under a tarp on a bed of jackrabbit droppings mixed with leaves and duff. Was soft and warm. Another one was middle of Montana winter: well below zero and snowed a couple feet on us. In my bedroll and tarp under the fresh powder snow, I was comfortable warm!!
The adventurous spirit is definitely imperative!! Without that: camping is a motel and roughing it is a Motel 6 lol. I refuse to use a tent because I want to be outside, not in a nylon hotel room.
Great video which realistically addresses what is probably the number one camping issue.
The debris bedding is certainly a key to warm sleeping but I worry about ticks and spiders crawling onto me out of the debris.
The answer to this is to bring a couple of the super-large, heavy-duty garbage bags and stuff the debris into them, then sleep on top of these "mattresses". Or you can bring a large sheet of plastic and throw it over the debris pile.
Bugs are not a problem in the cold.
GREAT REALISM and PRACTICAL advice here! For several years, I have used a 'Ninja Suit' of 2-piece knit wool and a Balaclava type of hood to supplement my sleeping bag in Fall and early Spring weather. My preferred wool blanket is a queen-sized waffle weave item that traps a lot of warm air. Generations of Classic Woodcraft 'Outers' have discovered that a looser weave works better as an insulator than thick, densely woven wool blankets.
The biggest benefit I find to the densely woven blankets is the water resistant qualities of wool, especially in wetter climates.
I started, and continue watching, your material because of how you present the information.
I wish we had someone like you to teach in the Mojave Desert.
I'm so glad you said that the first night outside after leaving your previous sleeping arrangement will be restless. It's true for most campers as well.
Good afternoon from Syracuse NY USA brother and everyone else
We are just south of syracuse
Ok my friends
I live in a small RV with no electric or running water; in an area with sub zero Winter temps. Often it gets well below freezing inside the RV.
Here's a few more tips:
1) Layers ~ try clothing combinations you find comfortable even when layered. I have two soft hoodie shirts I alternate and sleep in & wear long underwear. I also wear a soft neck gator and knit beanie underneath the hoodie. If my winter socks aren't clean, I layer socks. I might even double up on winter socks.
2) Heat batteries ~ while your fire is going, set a few 1lb (+/-) rocks near enough to the fire that they get thoroughly warm (avoid extreme hot); when ready for bed, wrap rocks inside a hand towel and place inside the wool blanket you sleep in.
You can also do this with certain metal water bottles, but beware that lid gaskets may not survive excess heat exposure. I have two suitable water bottles and slip each one inside a spare sock. Often these bottles are still warm by morning.
3) Mylar survival sheets ~ BUT learn how to use them. Do NOT place them in close layers to your body as they trap body moisture and can literally result in wetness which can accelerate hypothermia.
With a little duct tape you can secure them on the inside of the tarp in a way to reflect ambient heat back towards you.
4) location location location ~ select a spot to bed down with maximum sun exposure; that day heat is stored in the earth material and lessens the cold draw from your body; when the sun rises you will gain warmth faster. Rig your tarp so you can lift open the sunny side and allow daylight to heat up the interior. It can give you an extra hour of peaceful sleep.
Every degree you can save and gain adds up!
“It’s a three dog night”. Aussie advice for sleeping in your ‘swag’.
Or bringing three in with you.
I recently started assembling what I need for a wool blanket and canvas tarp bed roll. These tips will come in handy. Thanks.
An old man i met who sold everything to travel america in a wagon pulled by a mule , he was also on the johnny carson show about his life style , told me how you stay warm is to dig out a bed shape in the dirt and line it with coals and stones from your fire cover it back with dirt and make your bed on top and it will keep you warm all night .
Jerimia Johnson tried that once. Didn't put enough dirt down.
That was awesome...greetings from the FLXNF.
Basics covered.
I didn't do this at home... Well your not at home. We're bush crafters, Build it. Teach the next generation.
Great tips as always…it’s the little things and attention to detail that make ALL the difference in a little bit of comfort…goes a LONG WAY!
I just wanted to tell you that your pretty awesome. I read a post you wrote not long ago and it really touched my heart. I've been praying for you and praying that you keep gods favor and blessings on your life. You have an amazing personality and drive! Keep on keeping on! God bless! ❤️💪🕊️💯🙏
Your Bushcraft channel is the best of the best that I have seen. I learn so much from watching your videos and practice when I can. My grandson is really got an interest in bushcrafting and I have put him on to your channel so that he can really learn something that is very useful.
That means camping as well as survival.
Thanks again for sharing all your knowledge with us it's very much appreciated!
Good and sound tips all the way in this video! I do a bit of camping in Norway and here it often gets quite cold. wearing clean socks, gloves, scarf and a beanie is the way to go! In addition I can highly recommend heating water on the fire and pouring it on a bottle you bring with you under the blanket or in the sleeping bag. it will really help you staying warm!
(as long as you make sure the lid is firmly on. If you make your bedding wet you will have a very uncomfortable night. )
Once, I had a metal Boy Scout canteen that I used, wrapped in a towel, of course.
--These days, I take a bottle of water to jump-start the frozen stuff.
That was awesome, thanks!
I really am going to get the socks gloves and beanie for this season!
I was reminded of the importance of prepping additional wood for the fire ar night.
All your points are really helpful.
Cheers
Heading out this week up in the Delaware State Forrest! Weather is getting perfect! I’m stoked to be using your wool blanket! Thanks for the tips/reminders!
I'm typing this while I'm watching... I was camping a couple of weeks ago (in February, southern Ontario). I have a tent and wood stove and a climate appropriate sleep system. The first night was not great, feeding the stove every hour and half and trying to manage my comfort between +15C and -5C. The second night my plan was to get a good layer of embers, and then put on a large compressed sawdust log in the stove. They normally burn for 5+ hours when the stove is choked up. This time the compressed log expanded when it lit, and pushed the baffle up to block off the chimney. The tent filled with smoke and I couldn't remove the stove from the tent. I dragged my sleep system out and slept outside. I slept better than I have in a long time. I'm now reconsidering my entire winter sleep setup.
Great video dude! I know it's a year old but it just came up on my feed (probobly because I've been looking st surplus blankets). I love the attitude "It's supposed to be an adventure, stop whining and do it better". At least that was what I got out of it. I'm a big guy (6'4") and I'm absolutely going to sew two blankets together as you suggested. I bought 6 old Swiss Army blankets years ago, real cheap, and two sewn together should do the trick.
Love the tip of sewing two twin blankets together. I use two blankets and pin them with exta extra large "safety" pins.
Pinning them inside a poncho or Tyvek works great also.
@Boxing Bot hey safety pins means having more potential material for use elsewhere if needs be
Tbf tho sewing is pretty easy, sewing pretty is hard. Basically learn how to do a blanket stitch (it's super easy and one I use for everything I do by hand bc I don't want that shit coming apart until well after I'm dead)
It's a hem stitch which means it's meant to keep the fabric from unraveling and pulling the stitches lose.
Learning how to sew is also a practical skill to know when it comes to stitches, which I've also had to give myself, it's not fun, but knowing some basic sewing helps
@Boxing Bot you worry too much.
There was a time when "blanket pins" were available. Some use wooden turkey skewers.
All great tips Dan. The coldest I’ve hit so far, outside, was 19 the first night, 17 the second night. The first was worse than the second in spite of the 2 degree difference. The difference was, my bedding. Oh, two points, I prefer the trapper/mountain man sleep caps in wool. But that’s a personal choice. Second, gloves okay but, mittens are preferred.
Most important is as you noted…attitude. You will NEVER, have that pillow top mattress with the down comforter feel. NEVER! Don’t expect it and don’t think you can create it…it’s ground sleeping. Expect THAT. I’ve long been the two lower cost blankets sewn together guy. I don’t double them though. I go about half side by side. This gives you the thicker concentration underneath and pulling the two sides over you, creates the double top layer without sacrificing size…in fact, you gain size but, not weight. Outstanding content. Dress right, sleep tight. 👊🏻
Oh…have no idea what that song was…I was graduated in 1978 and Uncle Sam taught me practically zero about sleeping warm and comfortable on the ground with minimal weight. I learned more from the pioneers and mountain men.
Well said. I did my first ever tarp camping last night in low 50F and wind up to 30 MPH. Standard early spring weather. The tarp took it to a whole new level! It was amazing to feel a soft breeze blow under the tarp or across your face while seeing a great view is almost indescribable. I could peek my head out and see the treetops swaying the wind...and the wind in the trees sounds almost like surf at the ocean. Really incredible! I used a cheap like $10 'fleece' blanket and a cheap walmart nysil type tarp 5ft X8ft. and a cheap yoga mat. Fantastic experience.
My mistakes: A beanie would have kept me warmer, and so would some gloves- even dollar store gloves are better than nothing. And I didn't wear socks. Nice wool socks would have been nice. I had doubts going in, but the tarp experience won me over! You need to try it!
Thank you for this video. You make great points!
Yes, insulation between you and the ground is critical. The ground can absorb far more heat than you can ever generate. Insulation from the ground, a stout, wool blanket, a tarp to block the breeze, and a Siberian Log Fire, and you have pretty much done all you can.
I especially like the tip about gloves, socks, a gaiter, and a hat. I have found these to be very important to my own comfortable sleep.
Again, many thanks for this video.
Medical problems put me and my wife on the streets for some time and I promise what you said is true about the ground sucking your body heat out . We figured out quick you best have a good thick bed to lay on .
Yep I have all these kinds of techniques to stay warm in north of Minnesota especially during Hunting season! Keep all ideas coming for educate others who used these ideas. Carry on!
I know the vid has to be brief and you've covered it before. But, shelter factors like prevailing wind, size and configuration of shelter, and opening seem to matter a lot as well. Keep up the wonderful content Dan.
seriously Dan - no hype or BS, just a straight-up compliment to a TH-camr who deserves it... this video, and almost all of the ones I have seen from you are WHY you are definitely in my top 3 subscriptions. The pragmatic wisdom you teach with just the right amount of humour and respect makes learning from you very pleasant. About two years ago I decided that I wanted to get into bushcrafting, which led my wife and I to start hiking. Since I am off work for four months a year (I drive dump truck and get the winter off) and I love to study (thank God for things like the internet and TH-cam) and I have 24 hours a day to do what I want to do, I spend hours every day and night just watching these types of videos. You are one of my most favourite to watch. Thanks, and please keep up the good work :-)
Great video, perfect timing. I'm going camping in a couple of weeks. Haven't cold camped in ages, so 5 good ideas for me to think about now, rather than later. Thanks!
Doin winter in a 12x14 wall tent in North panhandle Idaho again. Love my wool blankets.
I’ve been sleeping with a beanie on in the winter for years since I was a kid camping as well as in the house at night when the thermostat is lowered. It definitely makes a difference with the amount of body heat you lose from your head.
Mama in her kerchief, and I in my cap.
I like your channel, it is my favorite as far as bush craft is concerned. As I watch videos on TH-cam, I think there is way too much focus on something to keep you warm through the night. In the case of car camping, it is diesel heaters. In the case of more primitive camping, it is fire. Why not just take a good sleeping system with you. It is not any harder than carrying a tarp and wool blanket. It is called sleeping pad and sleeping bag. You stay warm all night without having to get up, except to pee. I have camped in the mountains of northern New Mexico at over 11,000 ft in the dead of winter without the need to keep a fire going. The temperatures can get so low that digital thermometers can stop working. I like the ambiance of fire, I get it. But in a time of so much wild fire danger out west, It is bad form to be using camp fire in the first place.
Great video. Don't forget to stay hydrated it will keep you warm and wake you up to feed the fire. Then use that hot water bottle to pre warm the blanket or your feet. having enough calories will keep you warm also.
Fresh grass and branches have a lot of moisture, they are not good choice for making bed, as they will drain heat. The better choice: dry grass, plants, leaves. The best one: to make simple bed from dead wood and raise it above the ground. Dry wood isolates you from cold ground and prevents heat drain. With fire and heat reflector it’s a great combo to stay warm
I’ve been tarp and wool camping about a year. Was glad to have a woobie when we had second winter here in late June (Northcentral PA)
Gotta love the woobie!!!
@@JD-gn6du I have one just about all the time. I’ve used it for an underquilt, taken it for more insulation when tarp camping. I even took it to my sons summer camp for Scouts this summer.
This is awesome. When I tell people of my camping experience, they ask me "Why do I even do it, you have a house", and honestly, I don't have a perfect answer for them. I love nature and bushcraft, just spending hours looking at the stars, but nowadays, it's hard to find people who share that same interest. Thank you so much for the tips and for inspiring us all.
I implement most of these tips “indoors” November through March-April. Granted I’m boondocking in an RV in Canada and routinely wake up in sub-freezing temperatures. Yes, good socks are going to set you back $30+, but so worth it.
Yep they last years if you look after them and don't felt them up by hard or hot washing, or God forbid, wringing them out. I'm way too old and broken to camp out now, heck, I've had to sleep in a chair these last 20 years, but I still know how to look after my feet ... and I do ;
This guy is so casual, I love this guy! 😀
Casual tent camper here, a few things I've learned that helped me be reasonably comfortable line up with what you're saying.
-Even a cheap yoga mat as a sleeping pad makes a HUGE difference. Even Just to stop the pokey bits, it helps alot.
-Military surplus beanies are perfect, they don't take up much space and cost like $5.
-Have a separate pair of socks for sleeping. Decent thick boot socks are again around $5. This way you have dry socks to sleep in and can dry your day socks overnight
-learn one of the self-feeding fire methods. Even if it only doubles the times between refueling the fire, three hours of rest at a time beats 1.5 hours.
-dont cheap out on your sleep system. Whether you're using a wool blanket or a sleeping bag, read the reviews and talk to people who are familiar with the products. Cheap ones tend to crush and trap sweat, ruining their comfort value
- pajamas. You again want something dry and with no pokey bits like buttons and zippers to change into. Decent thermal pants/shirts aren't very expensive and take up little pack space. Even your favorite old sweatpants and a pullover will work, if space isn't a concern. Just having a distinct separate set of sleep clothes makes it easier to sleep, maybe from the comfort and dryness but probably also from the psychological "these are pajamas" aspect.
I'm no expert, but these have helped me. Packing in a few extra pounds of stuff helps get much better sleep and is totally worth it if you're not doing long hikes to get to your site.
Siberian log fire. Least work and the most warmth. Thanks for the other info.
Very good advice here on covering your head. I have always found that when I wear my wool jeep cap in cooler weather I can sleep comfy and actually use a lighter sleeping bag/blanket.
Wearing a warm hat while sleeping during a cold night
I practice this all the time, even at home, cannot recommend it enough. This year I also went with merino socks on at night. Both total game changer, warmth level magnified.
I have other little tricks that I use when camping in cold weather like putting aluminum foil on my pad then my sleeping bag
@@terryc47 I’ve been wearing Marino wool socks to bed for several years, also use a good fleece blanket, helps old man stay warm.
@@earlshaner4441 your sleeping bag?
I use a mummy bag and wool blanket and aluminum foil shinny side up on my pad and 12 hours hand warmers because no stove in the tent
Wool blanket is great in the warm weather in the UK. Say May up to early November... Then it's airmat and sleeping bag, cause I'm a baby. 😂
this video was wooltastic!
"At the end of the day, bushcraft is just a bunch of little problems we have to solve, in order to make life better"
I'll tattoo this on my arm
Went last weekend down by Spuce knob lake in WV got down to 42 was awesome was comfy and loved the sound of the water fall and nature around me
I did an experiment at home. I have a taken to wearing thin summer weight ankle length socks in bed this winter here in the UK and I deliberately turned down my heating to stay around 10 degrees centigrade at night. Not freezing cold but cold enough. I can sleep easily and comfortably under a 9 tog quilt all night with thin socks and wake up really cold without. Just a pair of thin socks makes that much difference.
Incidentally, in summer if you are struggling to sleep on a hot night. Soak a pair of sport socks in water and squeeze out a bit then put them on and pull up over the ankles. Guarantee you will feel cold after an hour.
Dry socks versus wet socks perfect comfort over a 10 - 30 degree centigrade range.
Great advice Dan. keep warm, stay dry and live.
I believe the bed you lay on is almost more important then what you cover with I sleep outside almost every day during the week working in the woods and I have found that a good thick bed not only is more comfortable but also makes your sleeping bag or blankets perform much much better in lower temps I had a 6” pad under a 0° bag with a canvas tarp over me and a small fire in -27° and was perfectly comfortable but I’ve shivered all night in the same bag tossed straight on the ground in 40°
Many thanks Dan, for sharing your wisdom with us. As always, a very useful video, particularly the reminder that sleeping on the trail will, in no way, ever, compare with the comforts of sleeping at home .. Cheers.
Man! I would love to have access to a patch o woods where I could throw up a nice 9x9 plow point canvas, lay some leaves down, roll out a woolly, build a fire reflector, get a nice long fire going for the night. I have to stick with state park campgrounds where either you need a coleman tent with the tarp bathtub floor or a hammock system because when it rains substantially the whole site turns into a pond.😅. They fill these tentsites with crusher run in hopes that it drains but it doesn’t all that well.
Great vid sir for sure! I really enjoyed it! Thank you!!
I’ve experimented with sewing a wool blanket into a piece of Tyvek. I stayed warm down to the mid 30’s with lightweight thermals. It’s cheap, light and helps keep blanket clean.
That a great idea. Did you cut up a suit or did you find sheets of it somewhere? Did it breathe at all?
@@ronfox5519
I picked up a half roll at Lowes. House wrap is a common name for it and it breathes really well.
@@lookingbehind6335 very nice?
I used tjo wear tyvek suits outside in the winter. It was suprising how warm they were.
@@ronfox5519
I work in maintenance and wear them from time to time. That’s what give me the idea.
@@lookingbehind6335
Same here.
I used to love this kind of stuff and cowboy camped for many decades. Then I became aware of Lyme disease and it totally changed my thinking on it.
finally found a very good condition wool blanket and a wisco down sleeping bag. these two items helped top off my kit
Good tips! I like to sleep in a sweatshirt hoodie with the hoodie on. It's especially nice when I need to sleep with a bug net on. I have a dedicated pair of wool socks for sleeping. I also wear thermal long johns. This way when I have to get up in the middle of the night I'm not cold. As you get older you have to get up more if you know what I mean.
I like the hat, wool socks, and gloves
Great video. You put out some good content! I actually bought the Polish shovel off your website without knowing it was your site at first 🤣 I knew the name, but didn’t put it together until I saw you pop up on TH-cam. That’s actually what made me pull the trigger and buy it. Gotta say, that shovel is BADASSSS. Sharp as a knife, light and seems good quality. Putting it to the first test over Christmas- new year on a 5 day winter camping trip. A hike in, base camp and then explore the surrounding areas.
Definitely not just rocking a wool blanket though lol but I won’t camp without one now. Especially in cold weather. Makes such a good, warm ground floor over my sleeping pad. And obviously, the versatility that comes with the wool blanket.
I don’t skimp on sleep comfort! Especially on a 5 day trip 😂. Insulated Wide- long sleeping pad, closed cell foam pad, and a fluffy quilt w/ a hood.
I do want to try a more survival type trip though with just my dog and I and the few basics. But maybe a fall or spring trip to start.
The best thing for sleeping with a wool blanket is to not use just a wool blanket, take a Sea to Summit Thermolite sleeping bag inner, a Thermarest X-Therm and a Thermarest collapsible pillow. The extra weight is virtually nothing, you will feel like you’re sleeping at home and you can go down into some serious temps even under just a tarp. A nice warm hat helps too, no need for a fire all night either.
Years ago I bought two regular size wool blankets after checking the price of a Hudson's Bay blanket. This way I can just use one in warmer weather or two when it's getting colder. Cheers from Canada. You should try winter cycling it's a blast and I'm 72 still doing it.
Absolutely agree about bringing a sleeping pad. Honestly in chilly/cool weather, if I had to choose between my high R value mat or a blanket. I'd take the mat. I use the Ascend frog creek from Bass Pro. It was the best gift.
The clean dry socks is a trick I didn’t learn until later in life. But that’s ok, I’ve done much more cold weather camping these days than when I was a kid. Good vid Dan.
First class tips that stink of common sense. Brilliant stuff.
Great refresher course for the coming months. Off to the Scottish borders next week hiking and camping. Can't wait.
Regards from the North East of England.
I always enjoy your videos because of the well-presented information and your engaging style, a perfect balance between serious and not-so-serious. Thank you, Dan.
Camping with my Boy Scout troop in February in the 1980’s. We cowboy camped in the Chicago area , outside with a layer of hay. It was actually warmer than sleeping in a tent in the spring. The only problem was my boots frozen because I didn’t put them under my sleeping bag at night.
Or bring them in the bag with you.
Awesome tips on how to make it comfortable. Thanks for the tools for the toolbox Dan!! Take care and stay safe my friend!!
I totally concur. I've been out in my tent all summer and I'm still out here now. Yeah, I'm cheating, I'm in a tent AND on a cot. But, I love my Filson blanket!!! I've been under this every night since I started. There have been a few colder nights here. BTW, I'm in N. ID too. Folding my blanket over to double it up, I can curl up into a ball, and stay nice and warm. I have a fire pit near by too, But I've only used it twice. It goes out, it goes out. Now, that it is getting down to the upper 30's at night, more often, I sleep in my wool pants too. I don't wear gloves at all. I wear a hoodie with/without a beanie, and tuck my hands in someplace warm and comfy. This has been a great summer listening to all the nature around me too!!! Take care, till next video!
nice can you speak more to the filson blanket? which one?
@@williamrobinson4265 They only make 1 large wool blanket. They are virgin wool and quite large. Perfection at it's finest. And yeah, they are expensive, but for that quality, nothing is better. BTW, Pendleton makes the wool blanket for Filson.
Love my Cot and Pendleton here too!
Smart watch idea is great. Silent alarms are amazing
So much amazing information packed into 15 minutes. Thank you!
Another thing us old school mountain men do is dig a hole the length of your body and start your fire in there. When you’re ready for bed and you have a lot of hot coals, move you’re fire into the pit, cover the coals in the hole with at least 6 inches of dirt, throw some foliage on top and it’ll keep you warm all night.
I actually learned that from Jeremiah Johnson.
Also warming up rocks around the fire and putting them around areas of your body that have main arteries; It helps warm up your blood.
Excellent tips, have used all of these many times!
THIS was very informative, and necessary - thanks so much, Dan! 😃 👍
I did an overnight trip with only a wool blanket in a hammock...my first and last hammock use. I ended up sleeping on the ground with a small pad and was warm enough for most of the night. I woke up cold, put on more clothes and did fine after that. I personally like a better sleep system, but know that in a pinch my dad's old army blanket will do just fine.
Great tips. I’m heading out tonight for a short stealth camp. Supposed to get down in the upper 30’s. No fire. But you better believe that I will have some type of debris under me. Clean wool socks and a warm hat. Cheers brother.
Super i.portant Info that folks should not forget! Great presentation! Gonna make a world of a difference this winter as we try to run a course house too!
The thrill that winter is coming is worth all the money :) There's nothing like the smell of winter, eh?
I’m going to throw one more in there Dan, if I may. I’ve found this one is probably more important for your comfort than all the others..
Watch your alcohol consumption! Having a few beers around the fire is everyone’s perfect outdoor moment, but the more you consume the thinner your blood becomes causing your core temperature to drop significantly. You might find it easier passing out to sleep but you put yourself at a greater risk of hypothermia and you might not even be aware. I only carry a 5oz hip flask of whiskey when I’m out, just in case of emergencies 😂
I like that , "well your not at home"...you gotta be smarter than the outdoors.
Great tips for some, and reminders for others. I appreciate what you present and that you do so in a fun way
I'm a big fan of winter camping. I usually use a wool blanket, wool cap, and wool socks. Although, I tend to sleep better when my feet are cold. I will still keep wool socks on standby. I will also wrap a shemagh or gaiter around my neck. I don't really worry about gloves. Coldest I have gone was about -9°F, my camp was about 30°-40° F with a long fire.
Yo, sick knuck tatz Dan 🤘
Whoa! Hold it right there! You're saying that sleeping under a tarp with a wool blanket won't be like being at home with a woman feeding you grapes, I think I'm going to have to revise my whole interest in the outdoors! Great video.
Most of my camping is now done in a hunting cabin. It has 4 plywood bunk beds and a wood stove, which still has to be fed wood during the night. My tip for not allowing this to interrupt my sleep is get there first and claim a top bunk. Have a better sleeping bag than the other people in your party and you will be able to outlast them when the fire burns down. They'll get cold long before you do. 🔥
So nothing to do with this topic then haha
Thanks Dan, I will be out in my hammock tomorrow night. Love good wool socks. Take care.
Something I have used since as far back as I can remember is a space blanket. They are a great ground cover, very light, and it reflects your body heat. My wool blanket keeps the cool off my top.
Space blankets only worked for me as heat reflectors above my bed with a decent long fire burning in front. The downside of space blankets is condensation. Had I carried more of them, I would have used them as reflectors under a raised bed.
Finally, I have -4 degrees F street cred on thks topic. Multiple nights winter camping with tarp and sleeping bag, sometimes wool blanket. A mil surplus attic face mask is a game changer. Breathing in your bedding is moisture that will sweat and freeze. You need to exhale out. The mask protects your face while you protect your bedding by breathing out.
Helpful direction, as always/much thanks!
Yes, this video pumps me up Let’s GO! Can’t wait to take a class 👍
I hate getting up to pee at 3am; that's when I get cold. Other than that, my sleeping pad, Marino Wool baselayer, and Army wool blanket do me fine. Yeah, keeping feet and hands warm is a must as well. Great vid!