Not to dodge discussion, but my answer is "both."

I have a fleece blanket/bag (fleece blanket that zips closed into a bag) that I got at WalMart for a few bucks. Rolled as it comes it's a bit bulky for carry, but it readily re-rolls into a tube you can strap over your backpack or choulder. It's decently warm, but not waterproof.

I also have a wool blanket, which is also not waterproof but is warm even when wet.

For "waterproofness" I have a SilTarp.

I do have a fancier mummy bag that's light and packs VERY small - but I can't be in it for more than a few minutes before I start to feel claustrophobic!

I would agree that sleeping on an air matress with inadequate insulation in the winter would be chilly to say the least. It is difficult to impossible to warm up that volume of air with your body heat to the point that you would feel comfortable. However, laying directly on snow would be much colder.

I remember in my youth, sleeping on the ground in the winter in what today would be considered at best a 40 degree bag (and shivering all night!!). I can't do that anymore with my back. When I don't travel far from the car I use a 6" inflatable Colman matress. When backpacking, I use a 1.5" Thermorest. I try to match my sleeping bag to the weather, then the air matress is mostly for comfort plus a heat transfer barrier. Dead air space is always better than putting a sleeping bag directly on snow in my book.

Sleeping fully clothed more compartmentalizes your body heat. It is more difficult to keep your extremities warm (lower legs and feet) when your upper body heat is trapped in several layers of clothing. I believe that you are warmer in general in a sleeping bag if you sleep with minimal clothes on. Of course that assumes that the sleeping bag is reasonably rated for the temperature that you are camping at.

If you do sleep fully clothed, make sure to change into clean dry clothes. Even if you were relatively inactive during the day, your body breathes moisture, and as your body cools due to laying down to sleep, the moisture makes you colder and colder. For the same reason it is good to have dry clothes to change into when getting up. The clothes you had on in your bag will be moist from presperation & breath during the night. When the cold outside air gets to them, you will feel really cold right after you get up. It is good to have sleeping clothes when camping such that they can air out during the day so they are dry during the night.

I Know this much, -For purely a Blankets / Bedspreads / Comforters etc of an operation, -it would be nice to somehow sew them up together! on their sides. As well as perhaps on what you designate as the Foot end. (though here you no longer have the option of using either end). You will in effect Create a sort of Homemade Sleeping Bag.

My Reason for the Desirability of such Sewup? Its only my Knowing from personal Experience, -how they all too quickly "Get Messed Up Out of Order", otherwise! Every Day or Two or at most Three!, -you've got to Re-Arrange them again for Best Maximum Effect!

Some Knowledge and Means of Sewing, -or access to someone who does have such, -would Sure come in Handy!

For now, -I'll stick with the Two days on average Re-Arrangement. And try to Keep them from getting all Messed and Muffed on out!, -all the while!

Between these and Genuine Sleeping Bags, -There's a Good Chance that I prefer the Blankets etc route! They *do* keep me Warm as a Bunny! Despite the Headache as I've outlined!

(I've got a Sleeping Bag or two, that I also throw into the Mix).[color:"black"] [/color] [email]AROTC[/email]

I agree with the wool blanket approach and with the sleeping bag set up as well. I have a vacuumed packed down filled sleeping bag for emergency use. I have 2 wool blankets for as needed use. I always have a couple fleece blankets for everyday use for the little ones <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> .

I have a 45 mile drive (90 mile round trip) to work and this set up is mainly for me. If the family is going on a trip, 1 sleeping bag per person is taken along.