Best Cold Weather Camping "Accessory"

[Al]

It's cold in Central Texas tonight which makes me think of what I would want to have, if camping in this weather, above the "bare" minimum. 

A down vest is Number 1 on my list.  Why?  It warms the torso with great bang for the oz. and doesn't tend to cut off the circulation to the arms if you need to wear it to extend the warmth of your sleeping bag. 

If you need to make the occasional but sometimes necessary late night excursion to "admire the stars" the transition from bag and back is much less of a shock.

Al

PS A stocking hat is not an accessory!

[mule ears]

My favorite new sleeping accessory is a 10" X 12" piece of Ridgerest pad that goes inside the sleeping bag down at the foot.  When sleeping without a full length pad my heels and feet can get cold, this stays right where it's needed and my feet are toasty (along with some dry sleep socks).

[Voni]

A candle.  Or, if you have it, a candle lantern.  It's amazing how much chill that can take off the air if you just burn in a few minutes before going to sleep.

The usual cautions apply, and you don't want to go to sleep with it still burning.

Voni
  sMiling

[homerboy2u]

I would have to agree with you on this one ,Al...a premium down vest is one of the best items in Basic Cold Weather Camping. I picked This One for such purposes.

 The other thing i read that is one very inexpensive item , we all can carry is a Hot. Water. Bottle...Boy, i tried this nifty trick, last night and i can not believe how good it does the trick as to keep you warm and toasty. Just boil some water and pour it on some Plastic coke bottle. very nice little trick....wish there was some more emoticons to choose from...

[veriest1]

Last night was below freezing here in South East Texas so I took the opportunity to do a gear test. Other than the gear I was using it'd be nice to have some hot chocolate right before bed. This is similar to the hot water bottle trick mentioned by homerboy2u.

As far as gear goes I've decided I will buy two things this year to specifically help in these conditions.
1) A vest to boost my jackets warmth around camp and to carry in milder conditions. My choice, by far, is the Montbell Ex-lite line up. Here's the jacket: https://www.prolitegear.com/montbell_extremely_light_down_jacket.html

2) Insulated pants to wear around camp and to bed. Something like this I guess: https://www.prolitegear.com/montbell_thermawrap_pants.html

[Al]

Last night was below freezing here in South East Texas so I took the opportunity to do a gear test. Other than the gear I was using it'd be nice to have some hot chocolate right before bed. This is similar to the hot water bottle trick mentioned by homerboy2u.

As far as gear goes I've decided I will buy two things this year to specifically help in these conditions.
1) A vest to boost my jackets warmth around camp and to carry in milder conditions. My choice, by far, is the Montbell Ex-lite line up. Here's the jacket: https://www.prolitegear.com/montbell_extremely_light_down_jacket.html

2) Insulated pants to wear around camp and to bed. Something like this I guess: https://www.prolitegear.com/montbell_thermawrap_pants.html

The vest is real nice!  On the pants I go with a good pair of long underwear under my hiking pants when hanging out in the evening (having layered before the sun goes down) and sleep in the long underwear, as needed.  Long underwear is light, warm and when tucked into your socks, they don't tend to ride up on your legs during the night.

Al

[veriest1]

The vest is real nice!  On the pants I go with a good pair of long underwear under my hiking pants when hanging out in the evening (having layered before the sun goes down) and sleep in the long underwear, as needed.  Long underwear is light, warm and when tucked into your socks, they don't tend to ride up on your legs during the night.

Al

I know some people do bring lightweight fleece bottoms too and I just picked up some midweight wool bottoms. I'll see how the latter does eventually but I think they're going to be pretty effective compared to the lightweight bottoms I was wearing. With insulated pants I'd be planning for temps lower than the 20's.

[Cookie]

I always take a fleece neck warmer. During the evening you can keep your neck warm and free from cold drafts, and pull it up over your mouth, nose and ears with your hat on, if it's really cold. Then when it's time to hit the sack, I use it as a hat. It is much more comfortable to sleep in than a hat, it has smoother seems and you can pull it down over your eyes and ears easily. My daughter calls me "chimney head" when I wear it, but it does the trick nicely.

~Cookie

[Undertaker]

Keeping your head and neck warm will keep your body warm wool cap and neck scarf with the other suggestions mentioned.

[Collared Lizard]

If you get into trouble with a cold front coming through a 12 hour heat pack doesnt take up much room in your pack and is very inexpensive. 

My two cents. 

[randell]

I haven't tried it yet but I will be using it over the next four nights: the Coleman BlackCat.  I am hoping since we can't have campfires this will help us warm up before bed and in the morning.

[Al]

Randall, are you going to pack that into the back country?

Al

[randell]

Randall, are you going to pack that into the back country?

Al

You bet.  It is a luxury that will make my wife and 4/7 year old boys very happy and I am more than willing and capable of carrying it.  We are not hiking far so it will be easy going.  If this was a 10 mile hike, I would not take it (or the kids).

[Al]

Randall, are you going to pack that into the back country?

Al

You bet.  It is a luxury that will make my wife and 4/7 year old boys very happy and I am more than willing and capable of carrying it.  We are not hiking far so it will be easy going.  If this was a 10 mile hike, I would not take it (or the kids).

Now you just need to sneak an extra gas cylinder into the wife's pack.  All will be glad you did.  Bet you stay up longer than you think with the wondrous warmth of the Infra-red heater!

Al

[homerboy2u]

I haven't tried it yet but I will be using it over the next four nights: the Coleman BlackCat.  I am hoping since we can't have campfires this will help us warm up before bed and in the morning.

 That one works like a charm, when you can not or do not have time to start a fire.

 A friend of mine, took his 60+ year old Dad to tag along in the El Coahuilon trail. It was bitter cold, temps. averaged in the 0's-10's, ther was a fire ban in the Sierras due to the fact of recent fires there, well he brought that Coleman heater to put it inside of the tent, that way his dad would not freeze going to sleep or waking up in the middle of the night to take a leak. That tent was warm and cozy all the time.

 He was well prepared with the gear and all, but his father was a cold person and he spent most of the time inside of the rigs with the heater on. He just could not stand being outside at all, I even pulled one of my Mummy type military sleeping bags for him, so he could come outside and sit with us and talk. He was snug toasty inside and could participate in the conversations. But i tell you that heater is a blessing for little ones and older folks. It does not weight too much either.