In moderate weather, I often sleep in a zip-up, hooded sweatshirt. In cooler temperatures, I sleep in a watch cap. Presumed Lost's use of a balaclava is sounds great for even cooler weather.<br><br>The use of sleeping pad is essential for me. The ground is typically too hard for a comfortable night's rest. Lying on the sleeping bag so compresses it as to reduce its insullative effect allowing you to leak a great deal of body heat. The pad eliminates that. If you don't know what you need & want, get a $10-15 model. Walmart also has them. For car camping, I use the luxuriously soft "Deluxe Camp Bed," 72 X 30 X 3," @ $65 from Cabela's.<br><br>John

>>In moderate weather, I often sleep in a zip-up, hooded sweatshirt. <<<br><br>That sounds luxurious for car camping- I have a huge one I wear lounging around the house in the winter. I have a morbid fear of cotton in true wilderness, but I don' t think you're suggesting backpacking it.<br><br>>Presumed Lost's use of a balaclava is sounds great for even cooler weather<<br><br>With the new synthetic fleeces, the balaclava has really come into it's own. Unfortunately, most are cut too snugly (I'm a big guy with a head to match) and I bought 2 or 3 before finding one that really works well for me. They do a number on your hair, though. :-)<br><br>When it comes right down to it, a HUGE amount of camping/backpacking/survival skill amounts to just one thing- controlling the flow of heat in and out of the body. Our bodies are pretty much drip-dry, the only reason we really care about rain or snow is the thermal effects. Tents, tarps, pads, sleeping bags, rain gear, parkas, jackets, clothing, hats (I'm a big fan of hats in wilderness), fires, even stoves and cooking gear are all really ways of coping with this one issue.<br>

Check the URL below to see my 'Wiggy's Report'; scroll down to the posting by 'mobax'.<br><br>http://www.myccr.com/SectionForums/viewtopic.php?topic=708&forum=20

mobax,<br><br>I could not get that url to work. Could you check it?<br><br>Thanks,<br><br>John

That would work, or just get one of the G.I. ensolite pads from the major outfits ; Campmor, Major SurplusNSurvival etc.