OBG,

The Dream Time looked really sweet until I saw the price. $200+ <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

For that sort of money I could wrap myself in a reindeer hide. *sigh* Why couldn't I be rich instead of so dang good-looking? <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

-Blast

Yeah, they are kind of expensive, but then sometimes you get what you pay for...

I'll echo the three key points I saw posted here.

First, dump the air mattress. Even with a good pad on top of it you are still going to be chillier sleeping on top of all that air. Get a good mattress. Therma-rests style mattresses rock. I have an REI UL Longthat rocks for light/fast backpacking in moderate weather and goes for about $80. I also have a HUGE Sportsman Warehouse pad that went for $40, it is heavy and inflates to 2" but it is as comfortable as my Coleman air mattress. However, my old standby is a Ridgerest large foam pad. While not as comfortable as a thermarest, it doesn't puncture. I know that therma-rest gives their inflatable mattress high R values, but for my comfort and warms I always use a good foam pad when there is snow on the ground.

Second, carry a set of clothes JUST for sleeping in. None of this sleeping nude garbage, unless you only have wet clothes. When it drops below freezing I wear a set of Patagonia long underwear and wool socks that I keep in a dry bag in my pack just for sleeping. I also make sure I have a dry hat to wear at night. I tend to keep the clothes I plan on wearing in the AM in my sleeping bag as long as they aren’t wet.

Get a GOOD sleeping bag. If you plan on car camping, there are great sleeping bags available for under $50. I have a Coleman 30F bag I got at Wal-mart for under $40. If you are going to be trekking/hiking spend the money for a good sleeping bag. Down or synthetic insulation is up to you. I have a selection of both for various conditions and they all work well. Down is warm, but useless if there is any possibility of it getting wet. Get a bag that is rated for at least 10 degrees lower than the lowest temperature you ever expect to encounter, this requires so serious thought a research on your part. IMHO, I would look at a system like Mountain Hardware that allows you to build a system that can be combined to give you a bag for just about every condition. Get a over 20F bag, a under 20F bag and the Bivy Sack and you have a system that will provide you coverage for just about anything you’d encounter in CONUS. This is an expensive setup, but worth it if you are going to be out and about in all weather. However, North Face, Mountain Hardware, REI, Sierra Design, Marmot, Kelty and Big Angus are all good brands (there are probably more, but these I have used and trust). It is a good time of year to get a bag dirt cheap, I bought a North Face Cat’s Meow for $40 new last year after Thanksgiving!

And lastly buy a good non-disposable space blanket non-disposable space blanket and put it under you pad. Ever see a photo of a wildland firefighting crew spiked-out? They are always laying on a space blanket or have one over the top of them, or both.

"Sigh" Blast, that's just the price we pay is all! <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Yeah I'd definately look at a better rated bag. I've slept in low 40 degree weather in a cheap 40 degree rectangular Kelty bag and it was bearable. A decent mummy bag should easily handle that temperature. Besides the well-known quality brands, don't overlook the Coleman Exponent line. It's not the usual Wal-Mart level of Coleman quality, but something competitive with the better backpacking brands at a lower price. Not a market leader, but they're a bargain if you don't mind a little more weight.

The Coleman Exponent line is good quality, but on average heavier and bulkier then the equivilant from some other brands. Great stuff for car camping and shorter trips though.

Aloha Blast,

Here's another chance for you...

The Geminid meteor shower is between the 7th and 16th of December and is predicted to peak on the 14th.

Cool! Either the 9th or the 14th I'll be camping up in central Texas away from the light-flooded sky of Houston.

-Blast

When my son crossed over from Cubs to Scouts, I went to Sam's Club and bought a 3 inch self inflating foam matress. It was certainly better than sleeping on the ground like we did in scouts when I was a youth, but I still was somewhat uncomfortable and had trouble getting to sleep (bad back). I upgraded to a 6 inch Coleman air matress and got the best nights sleep camping ever. When we went backpacking at Philmont, I had to go light weight and got a 1.5 in Thermorest (Campmore, they frequently run sales on "seconds"). Slept well, but I think that had more to do with exhaustion than comfort.

I hear a lot of "get rid of your air matress" in these posts. My recommendation is keep the air matress and get a warmer sleeping bag or more insulation between you and the matress. I don't mind sleeping a little on the cool side, as long as I can get to sleep. I have a -5 degree bag that works very well for winter camping. If you are carrying gear long distances, then you need to go light weight and a self inflating foam matress is better. If not, go for comfort. If you are young enough and your back can conform to the ground, go for the thinner foam. If you are like me and wake up after a night on the ground with thin insulation, and feel like Quasimodo, beef up the insulation between you and the air matress until the heat loss to the air matress is tolerable.

Oh no, I didn't mean get rid of your air matresses for all camping, but we were discussing cold weather camping.

I dislike the huge infaltable air matresses, but for many they are great when it is warm out. I prefer my hammok though.