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Sleeping in the Colder Weather


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  • #1240394
    John Adams
    BPL Member

    @scsjohn

    Locale: Midwest

    Ok–I just got back from a weekend in MI. Temps probably only got down to 25 degrees F, but I still have a question/problem. I don't like breathing in the cold air. Maybe this sounds wimpish, but after a while my nose gets stuffed up and it's harder to sleep. So I've resorted to sinching (if that's the right word) the outer draw string to create about an 8 inch diameter circle. I then shimmy down into the bag and turn my face so that is not facing outward, but it removed from the side of the sleeping bag. I guess I sort of treat it like a warming "chamber" so that I am not breathing in the cold air. I sleep well doing this but have heard folks say that doing so will lead to water buildup in your down sleeping bag reducing the effectiveness of the down. I am only out for weekends typically and am probably ok but just wanted to see how others deal with this.

    Do just have it where your mouth and nose are sticking out of the sinched bag in cold weather? Or do you have another method, similar or different from mine. I usually do this below 30 degrees. I have been as low as 5 degrees but that's about it.

    #1537865
    Lori P
    BPL Member

    @lori999

    Locale: Central Valley

    You might try a balaclava over your nose and mouth. They have different weights and materials. In temps 25-30F I have okay results using my coolmax buff as a nose/mouth cover along with my light fleece beanie.

    #1537866
    Mary D
    BPL Member

    @hikinggranny

    Locale: Gateway to Columbia River Gorge

    I use a polypropylene fleece balaclava. If the air gets cold enough, I pull it over my mouth and breathe through it, making sure my mouth is next to the opening of my sleeping bag hood so I'm exhaling (through the fleece) to the outside. Yes, the fleece over my mouth gets wet, but at least all that soggy air isn't going into my sleeping bag insulation. In the morning, the outside shell of my sleeping bag around the "blowhole" is frosty, but that was easily brushed off. I've seen various kinds of masks for the purpose of warming inhaled air, too.

    #1537874
    Unknown abc
    Member

    @edude

    >"but after a while my nose gets stuffed up and it's harder to sleep."

    same thing here, what I found to do was to take a bandanna and make one of those old western type bank-robber dude thingies over my face (lol). I helps keep your nose warm.

    Better yet do what Mary suggested.

    cheers :)

    #1537875
    Mark Verber
    BPL Member

    @verber

    Locale: San Francisco Bay Area

    My experience has been that a few days of breathing into my bag hasn't resulted in a significant impact to the performance of my down quilt or bag. I would image given more time it would be an issue.

    Normally I do try to keep my breath outside the bag/quilt. I typically use a polarbuff with some of the fabric over my mouth. I have also found the cheapo 3M warming masks work reasonably well.

    –mark

    #1537962
    Brian Lewis
    Member

    @brianle

    Locale: Pacific NW

    I use a light balaclava too — the issue for me is that my nose gets painfully cold and keeps me awake, and the balaclava eliminates that.

    I'm switching for some sorts of trips to a down parka; I'm not used to having a warm hood and was thinking of swapping balaclava for a light face mask — not that big a deal, but might save an ounce maybe.

    The thing that tempts me is that they have masks for, I don't know, probably aimed at snowboarders, that are reversable with one side a death's head mask or flames or something kind of cool looking. I just sort of like the image of being in a mummy bag with the only part of my face showing being a grinning skull image … :-)

    #1537966
    Mary D
    BPL Member

    @hikinggranny

    Locale: Gateway to Columbia River Gorge

    Brian–"they have masks for, I don't know, probably aimed at snowboarders, that are reversable with one side a death's head mask or flames or something kind of cool looking. I just sort of like the image of being in a mummy bag with the only part of my face showing being a grinning skull image … :-)

    ROTFL!

    #1537989
    Siegmund Beimfohr
    BPL Member

    @sigbeimfohr

    Last winter I tried a common hardware store dust mask over the hole in my balaclava on a couple of nights that got down to 11 or 12F. Seemed to work OK; got wet but didn't freeze and the balaclava stayed pretty dry.

    Am going to experiment more this winter.

    #1538330
    Steve Cain
    Member

    @hoosierdaddy

    Locale: Western Washington

    I use the PSOLAR balaclava and I love it!
    http://www.psolar.com/id5.html

    Looks kinda goofy, but it really does work!

    #1538645
    Jack Newton
    Member

    @figster

    Locale: Central Arkansas

    What is the size and weight of your Psolor Balaclava?

    Thanks

    Jack!

    #1538704
    Unknown abc
    Member

    @edude

    Another option I just remebered, a scarf wraped around your face works great too.

    #1538955
    F. Thomas Matica
    Member

    @ftm1776

    Locale: Vancouver, WA

    I use a long wool skull cap pulled down over my face. I keep my mouth near the blow hole on the bag to exhaust my breath to the outside of the bag. The wool cap acts as a heat exchanger. The wool is heated on my exhale and then the warmed wool heats the chilly incoming air on the inhale. It really works! I think thick wool performs the best. More mass?

    #1538970
    Thomas Burns
    BPL Member

    @nerdboy52

    Locale: "Alas, poor Yogi.I knew him well."

    I waer a Buff balaclava style with only my eyes visible. On a really cold night, I wear two buffs. The total weight of the two is trivial compared to other alternatives.

    Loving those Buffs,

    Stargazer

    #1539141
    Steven Evans
    BPL Member

    @steve_evans

    Locale: Canada

    I use the OR ninjaclava or a buff depending on conditions but have had my eye on that PSOLAR mask. Steve, can you give some specs for it…weight? Size? and style you have?

    #1539178
    Diane “Piper” Soini
    BPL Member

    @sbhikes

    Locale: Santa Barbara

    I've slept completely inside, breathing into the air space inside my bag, and I haven't had a problem with condensation.

    If it does seem like your bag is damp, just air it out in the sun for a little while the next day around lunch.

    #1539218
    Steve Cain
    Member

    @hoosierdaddy

    Locale: Western Washington

    OK, now you guys got me wondering…I've never weighed the PSolar balaclava. I just did and it weighs 2.6 ounces. (I have the BX model)

    As for the size, the majority of it is made of about 200 weight Polar Fleece and something that is VERY stretchy. I don't see issues with sizing for anyone.

    The face portion is made of neoprene. This is the portion where the goofy looking "mouth piece" thingy is attached. It is removable if need be.

    What I find is that the mouthpiece warms the air that I breath and I don't feel the need to wear as many clothes or use a heavier bag in order to feel warm.

    It's not perfect, though. The mouthpiece does slightly inhibit the amount of air that I can take in, therefore, I tend not to breath through it when exerting myself too hard. It's GREAT when sitting around camp or sleeping, though!

    From the website:

    "The Psolar BX Balaclava covers the face, neck, ears and head.

    Psolar® and Polartec® The Material Makes the Balaclava
    This mask incorporates the Polartec® fabrics Powerstretch® and Aqua Shell ™. Polartec® is one of the most widely used and popular brands of outdoor accessory fabric on the market today – highly acclaimed for its durability and performance.

    The Polartec® Aqua Shell® fleece face cover is made of a combination of fleece and neoprene, providing a nonrestrictive fit with four-way stretch that comfortably forms to your face. Windproof and waterproof, it provides good breath ability.

    The protective neck and head cover portion of the balaclava is made of Polartec® Powerstretch® fleece. The stretchability provides superior fit for a wide range of head sizes. Powerstretch® is warm soft comfortable and quiet."

    #1539886
    John Haley
    Member

    @quoddy

    Locale: New York/Vermont Border

    Since switching to quilts for both ground and hammock camping, the winter question of keeping my head and face warm surfaced. The best item I've found, so far, is the Gill I4 Storm Hood. It is a 200 weight polartec velour with an adjustable opening by a toggle in the back. This one was designed for winter open ocean racing and works great for me.

    Adjustable Opening Balaclava

    #1544058
    John Adams
    BPL Member

    @scsjohn

    Locale: Midwest

    Thanks for everyones posts.

    JA

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